Experience the Richmond Region: Where to Live, Work, Play, & Engage
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RVA NOW reps the real Richmond, a city where cobblestones lead to tattoo parlors, opportunity rides a bike to work, and barbeques break out at the houses of history. Here, you can find a great career, live the lifestyle you want, have fun off the clock, and help shape a city that’s all about progress.
Keep scrolling for inspiration on where to live, work, play, and engage all around the Richmond region!
— RVAx Team and RVA NOW
LIVE
“I’m loving this crazy traffic and high rent,” said no one ever. Some of the things that make RVA such a great place to live are the short commutes—15 minutes on average—and the affordable cost of living. That means you’ve got time to stop for a coffee on the way to work and enough money to buy yourself a breakfast burrito, too.
Find the neighborhood vibe that fits you best ⬇
Image Source: @fandistrictrva
Image Source: The Scout
Image Source: The Glaser Group
Image Source: The Oliver
NEVER NOT ON
You like to be around people. People laughing, people eating, people laughing at people eating. People checking out cool art shows and musicals. People dancing at concerts in a way that is kind of a train wreck but also kind of amazing. People letting you skip ahead in the line for the city’s best bagels, cheering you on at shuffleboard, and high-fiving you when your team hits a home run. In short, you want Saturday night every night. Here’s where you should live.
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TREES FOR NEIGHBORS
Does the sound of nothingness make your heart sing? We’ve got neighborhoods that are your kind of low-key. Just outside of Richmond city limits, throughout the suburbs and surrounding areas, are little pockets of the country where you can see the stars and hear the wind whispering “shut up” to the trees. Explore these peaceful rural neighborhoods—but please, do it quietly.
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ROOFTOPS, GYMS, & WIFI
Apartments on islands, apartments in converted tobacco warehouses, apartments along the James. Richmond has a ton of modern housing communities in some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. Each has its own unique set of amenities—from rooftop hangouts to courtyard fire pits to on-site gyms and pools. If you’re looking for a new way to flex on your friends, you’ll want to check these places out.
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NO CAR, NO PROBLEM
Love physical activity, lower carbon footprints, and/or not having to make car payments? Swipe right on RVA. We’ve got rapid transit buses, bike shares, cycle-friendly roadways—even sidewalks! When you live in one of these neighborhoods you can get to the office, the park, or the party without much hassle—and only a little helmet hair.
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BACKYARD HANGS
You know the drill. You cook the burgers, someone brings a cooler of drinks and someone else makes a potato salad that nobody eats. Summer cookouts are the best, followed closely by winter fire pit sessions. In these pet-friendly, grill-ready neighborhoods you have plenty of space—and house—to entertain year-round. Start working on your playlist now.
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FOOD AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Richmond has a nationally renowned food scene, with restaurants that have been profiled by The New York Times, chefs who have won the James Beard Award, and salted caramel pumpkin pies that will make you break up with your grandmother.
If it’s important for you to be within walking distance of fresh Rappahannock oysters, legendary fried chicken, or a simple Arctic Char with grilled Belgian endive, here are some neighborhoods that will hit the spot.
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THAT SUBURB LIFE
Sometimes it just feels good to live in a place that reminds you of home—where the speed limit is 35 and you’re never too far away from a Starbucks drive-thru. RVA’s peaceful and charming suburban neighborhoods are like a hug from your mom wrapped in a fleece blanket from Bed Bath & Beyond. Some are older and established, some are shiny and new, but all of them love you and want you to get a good night’s sleep.
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COBBLESTONE VIBES
One of the upsides of being nearly 300 years old is that you can expose your bricks and show off your claw feet and people will think it’s quaint. If you’re a sucker for vintage architecture and old-timey feels, check out historic neighborhoods like the Fan, Jackson Ward, and Church Hill. They’re filled with 18th- and 19th-century homes that give you the best of both worlds—amazing backstories and HVAC.
WORK
Where do you want to roll up your sleeves? In biotech and healthcare? At a Fortune 500 headquarters? Maybe being a boss at your own small business is more your style. Instead of joining the rat race in New York or D.C., keep your options open in RVA ⬇
Image Source: Unsplash
Image Source: Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Image Source: Unsplash
Image Source: Gather
The Richmond Region is home to seven Fortune 500 and five Fortune 1000 companies making it an ideal mid-size city to plant some roots! In fact, Richmond is one of the best cities to start a career, according to a report from the financial website WalletHub. Since career opportunities are endless, and with such fierce competition for talent in the workplace, companies must provide substantial and attractive benefits to thrive (win!). And while Richmond has been named the fourth-best city for commuters by business forecasting site Kiplinger.com, you needn’t travel far to find top-rated employers. Here are a few around the region to get your search started:
Amazon
CoStar
Bon Secours Health System
HCA Healthcare
Owens & Minors
Performance Food Group
Virginia Commonwealth University
Are you more of an entrepreneur? Inc.com declared Richmond one of the best places in America for starting a business. So no matter what path you choose, we’re confident you’ll thrive in RVA. Check out this list of small business incubators and coworking spaces that may help you on your journey.
PLAY
In RVA, beer is life, food is famous, nature is everywhere, and baseball involves a flying squirrel. Our central location puts the mountains, beaches, and cherry blossoms within two hours. When it comes to fun, we’ve got all the things ⬇
Image Source: The Richmond Experience
Image Source: Discover Richmond Tours
Image Source: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Image Source: Trails and Shores Apparel at RVA Big Market
CHESTERFIELD BERRY FARM
Virginia lands are a true celebration of agriculture and sustainability with tons of family farms and pick-your-own produce. One farm you can’t miss is Chesterfield Berry Farm, located in Chesterfield County. This lively and active farm offers pick-your-own strawberries, blackberries, sunflowers, and zinnias. In the fall, the farm becomes a pumpkin patch with plenty of family-friendly activities along with hayrides and a variety of snacks and treats. It’s one of the most visited and sought-after sites in the county and well worth it!
More local farms to add to your list:
Agriberry Farm & CSA (Hanover)
Ashland Berry Farm (Ashland)
Blue Eden Farm (Henrico)
Hanover Peaches (Hanover)
Hanover Vegetable Farm (Hanover)
Skinquarter Farm Market (Chesterfield)
Swift Creek Berry Farm (Chesterfield)
DISCOVER RICHMOND TOURS
Discover the best of Richmond's restaurants, breweries, and more with the city's top-rated, most delicious tours! With exciting options like a brewery, mural, or food-waking tour, Discover Richmond is the perfect way to play in RVA. And it's not just for tourists! Locals love discovering new areas, restaurants, breweries, and even history bits while getting the chance to experience everything first-hand. Check out Old Towne Petersburg, Carytown, Chuch Hill, and beyond.
GOOCHLAND DRIVE-IN THEATER
This family-oriented drive-in movie theater was built in 2009 and quickly became a fan favorite not only for Goodland-ers, but everyone in the Richmond region! Moviegoers have many chances to catch an outdoor flick, with the season running from March to November each year. Tickets are affordable, and the venue is spacious and well-kept. The Goochland Drive-In Theater offers two screens, each with a unique experience, along with a fully-stocked concession stand. Don’t miss this nostalgic experience!
If traditional theatres are your speed, check out:
Altria Theater (City of Richmond)
Ashland Theatre Foundation (Ashland)
Coalition Theater (City of Richmond)
Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center (City of Richmond)
Henrico Theatre (Henrico)
Latin Ballet of Virginia (Henrico)
Swift Creek Mill Theatre (Chesterfield)
Richmond Triangle Players (City of Richmond)
Virginia Repertory Theatre at Hanover Tavern (Hanover)
JAMES RIVER PARK SYSTEM
The James River Park System embodies acres of shoreline and islands within and along the James River, located in the heart of Richmond. This natural asset provides residents and visitors with an abundance of wildlife, water access points, trails for hiking or biking, fisheries, and endless adventure for outdoor enthusiasts (view map). It’s a must-experience in the River City.
Add these parks to your list too:
Crump Park and Meadow Farm (Henrico)
Lee Memorial Park (Petersburg)
Pocohantas State Park (Chesterfield
Pole Green Park (Hanover)
Rockwood Park (Chesterfield)
Tucker Park (Goochland)
VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
This state-operated art museum opened in 1936, featuring both permanent collections as well as special exhibitions that rotate regularly. Beyond the art museum itself, you can also visit the VMFA’s E. Claiborne & Lora Robins Sculpture Garden, Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library, the VMFA Shop, Best Café, Amuse Restaurant, the Art Education Center, and the conservation center. The VMFA is fittingly located in the Museum District in the City of Richmond.
And since RVA boasts such a wide array of museums featuring everything from art, culture, architecture, and history to science exploration, travel, and beyond, we rounded up a few more of our favs worth visiting:
American Civil War Museum (City of Richmond)
Ashland Museum (Hanover)
Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia (City of Richmond)
Children’s Museum Chesterfield (Chesterfield)
Pamplin Historical Park (Petersburg)
Science Museum of Richmond (City of Richmond)
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (City of Richmond)
Virginia Museum of History & Culture (City of Richmond)
RVA BIG MARKET
The RVA BIG Market is not your average outdoor market — it's a massive market with a festival vibe featuring over 50 vendors ranging from farmers and prepared foods businesses to artists and makers. Not only can you shop several great local businesses at once, but the RVA Big Market also offers coffee and food trucks, live entertainment, prepared food samples, plenty of cute pups to pet, and so much more. This year-round market takes place on Saturday mornings at Bryan Park in Henrico County.
Other notable markets include:
Carytown Farmers Market (City of Richmond)
Chesterfield County Farmers Market (Chesterfield)
Dorey Park Farmers Market (Henrico)
Lakeside Farmers Market (Henrico)
The Markets at Hanover (Hanover)
Richmond Night Market (City of Richmond)
River Street Market (Petersburg)
RVA Black Farmers Market (City of Richmond)
South of the James Market (City of Richmond)
ENGAGE
ICYMI, things are changing in RVA. Young and diverse voices are speaking up through art, government, and at the monuments of our Confederate past. Here and now, you have a chance to shape a historic city that’s open to new ideas. One way to get involved is by volunteering ⬇
Image Source: Blue Sky Fund
Image Source: Hanover Humane Society
Image Source: James River Park
Image Source: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond
CHESTERFIELD HABITAT RESTORE
Chesterfield Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center that sells new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials, and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Proceeds are used to help build strength, stability, self-reliance, and shelter in local communities and worldwide. Volunteers at the Chesterfield Habitat ReStore can assist with creating decorative displays, stocking store shelves, furniture repair and refurbishing, and more.
Learn more >>
Location: Chesterfield
GOOCHLAND CARES
Founded by a small group of women in 1952, Goochland Cares is a free clinic and family services provider offering assistance to individuals and families not eligible for state or federal help. There are 12 programs within Goochland Cares addressing basic needs and health care including a food pantry, medical and dental care, transportation services, emergency housing, critical home repairs, sexual and domestic violence support, and beyond. With so many programs in place, volunteers can choose from a wide variety of opportunities to get involved.
Learn more >>
Location: Goochland
HANDS-ON GREATER RICHMOND
HandsOn Greater Richmond provides a link for individuals, families, teams, and corporate groups to join together and engage in meaningful volunteer opportunities within the Greater Richmond region. You can search for volunteer opportunities within the City of Richmond and the Richmond region based on your availability, skills, who you wish to serve, and activity type.
Learn more >>
Location: City of Richmond and beyond
HANOVER HUMANE SOCIETY
The Hanover Humane Society receives animals either as owner surrenders, transfers from other recognized rescue groups, or the local animal shelter. Animals are provided with medical care, sterilized, and then placed in foster homes. Hanover Humane works diligently to have all their animals adopted and provides for them until they find a forever home. Through information brochures, public speaking, and participating in events throughout the year, the Hanover Humane Society aims to educate the public on many topics including spay/neuter options and proper treatment of animals. If you’re an animal lover, this volunteer opportunity is for you!
Learn more >>
Location: Hanover
VIRGINIA HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
The Virginia Home for Boys and Girls provides transitional living services, specialized education, and therapeutic resources to youth with emotional and behavioral health concerns. Volunteers help with special events, administrative duties, tutoring, fun activities, campus improvements, and anything that helps further their mission.
Learn more >>
Location: Henrico
EXPERIENCE MORE IN THE RICHMOND REGION
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