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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Bumping this chain back up to see if anyone has updated info or experiences on moving from DC to Richmond?

Its something we’re considering due to cost of living and more affordable private school options. [/quote]

My partner and I moved to Richmond last year from DC. 
 
Overall it's been a good experience.  We live in the Fan/Museum District and there's tons to do - seems like there's always a street festival, music festival, or sports event going on.  Richmond bats above its weight for culture, partly because of VCU providing a steady stream of artists and musicians.  The Symphony is pretty good, and both VCU and U Richmond host classical and jazz concerts, as well as speakers.  Physically the older parts of the city (east and west of downtown) are beautiful, with lots of trees and late-19th/early-20th century homes.

That said, I'd only be happy living in the city.  The surrounding suburbs are really dull, and very politically conservative.  I suppose the schools are better but since we don't have kids we don't have to worry about that.

Compared to DC, traffic is a non-issue.  It takes about 15-20 minutes to get from downtown to Short Pump, and maybe 10 minutes to get "across town" from the West End to Church Hill.  There's also a new Bus Rapid Transit system along Broad Street that's free and runs every 10 minutes.

Although by the numbers Richmond's crime rate is high (comparable or higher to DC's), the crime is extremely concentrated.   Richmond still has the "old" model of public housing, with 5-6 large low income complexes more or less isolated within particular neighborhoods.  One could argue that this approach disadvantages the residents economically and socially, but it also means crime is generally isolated to those housing complexes.  Unlike DC, it hasn't spread to the wealthier areas of the city.

The main cons are the city government and housing costs.  Richmond's city government is even more dysfunctional than DC's.  As one example, the Public Works office will simply not answer the phone.  Ever.   To get something fixed you need to visit City Hall in person to put in a request.  There's also rampant corruption, nepotism, etc., and some businesses are fleeing to the surrounding counties.   Maybe a new mayor will help but it's not at all certain.  Housing has also gotten extremely expensive, mostly due to old farts like me moving from NOVA and DC and buying up the limited supply of desirable downtown properties.  Row houses in the Fan that might have gone for $400K pre-pandemic are now at least $1M.  As a result the population of some areas is shifting - fewer students and artists;  more wealthy retirees.   That probably doesn't speak well for the future vibrancy of the city.

Can't speak to schools or where you'd find the best private schools.  The Near West End (around Patterson and Libbie) is popular for families and is sort of a classic near-in-suburb.  Other people find more affordable options out toward Short Pump.  [/quote]

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