Unless you’re presently living in the southeast, there’s probably a lot you don’t know about Richmond, VA. But if you find yourself moving to this city, there are a few things you should know about why Richmond is the next hottest city for those in the know. Whether you’re attracted to the agreeable weather, the affordable housing, or the history embedded in every street corner, living in Richmond is, well… rich. Here’s why.
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The housing is diverse, plentiful, and quite affordable
Whether you’re seeking a home with historic charm, more modern lines, or if a downtown location is top of your list, there are options for you. With a median rent around $817 a month, finding a nice apartment in Richmond isn’t too tricky — even if you want something high-rise with a view. The median house value is also around $180,000, making the Richmond housing market an attractive prospect for families looking to make the step into ownership in a community that’s currently on the rise. Property values have doubled between 2000 and 2013, so you can only imagine what that means for Richmond’s future. If you’re looking to go the route of a townhouse? These are still coming in under $300,000, even with all of the amenities of a larger city.
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The Richmond job market is diverse and strong
With six Fortune 500 companies located in the city and a number of government agencies housed there, Richmond is a highly educated and motivated city. There are many young professionals here, focused in the top three markets of law, finance, and government, with further offshoots into bioscience and technology. Capital One has their offices in Richmond as well as a number of health systems, and it seems like new businesses are opening their doors every day. That means top jobs can be competitive, but for the right candidate relocating to Richmond, this strong job market is a dream come true. You can not only get a position with a great company but look forward to opportunities to advance your career nicely.
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Richmond has a brand of entertainment you won’t find anywhere else
If you are looking for the East Coast, DC-like vibe without the fast-paced living of the Capitol City, Richmond is the place for you. Part of this is due to the vast array of historical attractions, of course, but the nightlife might surprise you. You can catch live music any night of the week, and the mild weather means much of the fun happens outside under the big southern skies. You can see one of the nation’s only operational Wurlitzer organs played every Saturday night at the Byrd Theater, built in 1928. Brown’s Island is home to the Folk Festival every summer, but also regularly hosts other outdoor events, and The National is yet another unique and historical landmark in the city that continues to host great artists. The RVA BrewBQ happens every summer at the Farmer’s Market to bring together some of Richmond’s favorite things: BBQ, beer, and celebrating summer. And if there’s something else you’d like to celebrate festival style, chances are Richmond’s got you covered: they love to party.
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It’s a history buff’s dream come true
History is everywhere in Richmond. The 135-acre Hollywood Cemetery is the resting place for Confederate Generals, two US Presidents, six Virginia governors, and possibly thousands of Confederate soldiers. It’s right up there with Arlington National Cemetery in the number of visitors it receives every year. Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech was given right in Richmond, Thomas Jefferson himself designed the State Capitol building, and word has it that Pocahontas once lived in what is now called Henricus Historical Park. On a completely different tone, Edgar Allan Poe also grew up in Richmond, and you can visit his house and see some of his original writings. Which sounds a little creepy. All in all, there are always new historical corners of Richmond to discover.
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The weather is just downright agreeable
Though it is in the southeast, Richmond does indeed get all four seasons. The summer months will get up towards 90℉ and humid, but the winter rarely gets too far below freezing — meaning if you’re looking for things to do in Richmond, the weather will rarely get in your way. Add the proximity to the mountains of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest and the Appalachian Trail, as well as the seashore, and you have easy access to some sort of climate to please everyone.
If you want to learn more about Richmond check out our city page. And… if you’re feeling like taking a more curated tour of Richmond’s arts and history, have a look at this blog post for our not-to-miss museums. If you’re already sold and planning your move? Here are the local moving companies to help you on your way.
