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I've been to a ton of similarly-sized cities to Richmond, many times over. Without a doubt Richmond is one of only a few of those cities that could even be brought up in a comparison with cities over twice its size. Richmond is an absolute jewel for its tier of all comparably sized cities, sorry you seem to not get it...
Agreed 100%.
Like my hometown of Kansas City, Richmond punches well above its weight.
Honestly after all the discussion and a lot of thought on my end I think Richmond sounds like the most appealing city for me. I actually applied to VCUArts and was accepted but chose to move to NYC instead. I think after this "failed" attempt at a relocation to a new city my best bet might be heading back to Portland for the time being. I can get instate tuition and PSU and finish up my BFA in a timely manner.
That being said VCUArts looks like it has a great Graphic Design Program. I just don't want to put off school for another year (living in Virginia for a year to establish residency to get instate tuition pricing). I would really like to go check out Richmond soon though. Maybe I will end up there after finishing school in Portland. If only there was some way to get around the year wait to establish residency lol.
I really do appreciate all the advice from everyone! I'm just happy to be planning my escape from NYC at the end of this semester.
Honestly after all the discussion and a lot of thought on my end I think Richmond sounds like the most appealing city for me. I actually applied to VCUArts and was accepted but chose to move to NYC instead. I think after this "failed" attempt at a relocation to a new city my best bet might be heading back to Portland for the time being. I can get instate tuition and PSU and finish up my BFA in a timely manner.
That being said VCUArts looks like it has a great Graphic Design Program. I just don't want to put off school for another year (living in Virginia for a year to establish residency to get instate tuition pricing). I would really like to go check out Richmond soon though. Maybe I will end up there after finishing school in Portland. If only there was some way to get around the year wait to establish residency lol.
I really do appreciate all the advice from everyone! I'm just happy to be planning my escape from NYC at the end of this semester.
I don't think you would enjoy Philly or Baltimore, both of whom are pretty gritty and not "outdoorsy' in the least. I think you miss Portland more than you realized, and going back sounds like a good idea...
VCU is a great university. I studied sculpture there (got my MFA at Ohio State).
Richmond is smaller...but what is missing is all the stuff that makes larger cities frustrating.
Richmond has all of the artsy and outdoorsy stuff in spades but not much of the annoyances that ruin an otherwise good time..
I don't think you would enjoy Philly or Baltimore, both of whom are pretty gritty and not "outdoorsy' in the least. I think you miss Portland more than you realized, and going back sounds like a good idea...
You might want to google Wissahickon Creek Park, which is an extension of Fairmount Park, before deciding it's not outdoorsy enough.
Rode the train out to Coney Island this afternoon. The F train runs above ground for the last couple miles of the trip from Manhattan. From what I could see, I thought Midwood/Sheepshead bay looked a little more like the kind area that I'd like to be in. I think I forgot how much I love craftsman houses and big trees. Not that I would particular want to live in the outer suburbs of NYC (although I do also really like Sunset Park!!).
I visited Nola for about a month at the beginning of summer and have realized that it was my favorite city I visited this year. I liked it more than Philly and NYC. I guess I might really be looking for a "big town". I miss cute houses with individual character and tree lined streets! Does Richmond or Baltimore have that kind of vibe at all?
Boston isn't either, nor is New York or Washington.
Philadelphia does have the largest park between them all however (Fairmount/Wissahickon), and the most gardens/arboretums. Metro Philly has some of the most lush tree canopied suburbs in the country, but, ya know, Philly is just rowhomes with no trees, everywhere. I went there once, so I'm an expert.
(emphasis added)
I strongly suspect your tongue was planted firmly in your cheek when you wrote this, but many here on C-D lay claim to this kind of expertise all the time.
My variant is "I read about it, so I'm an expert."
But your dichotomy between city and suburbs in Philadelphia is largely true. You can find treeless (or less-treed) rowhouse blocks in suburbia and lush green ones in the city, but both are minority preferences in each.
Richmond is a great City but if you have time you might want to look in the NW part of Philly. Especially Mt. Airy. It is green, relatively integrated, has incredible tree canopys, incredible interesting houses and is practically inside the City's gigantic urban park. It is the most outdoorsy of all the neighborhoods. It is also relatively affordable, and less drinking based than other popular neighborhoods.
Rode the train out to Coney Island this afternoon. The F train runs above ground for the last couple miles of the trip from Manhattan. From what I could see, I thought Midwood/Sheepshead bay looked a little more like the kind area that I'd like to be in. I think I forgot how much I love craftsman houses and big trees. Not that I would particular want to live in the outer suburbs of NYC (although I do also really like Sunset Park!!).
I visited Nola for about a month at the beginning of summer and have realized that it was my favorite city I visited this year. I liked it more than Philly and NYC. I guess I might really be looking for a "big town". I miss cute houses with individual character and tree lined streets! Does Richmond or Baltimore have that kind of vibe at all?
Sunset Park isn't really an "outer neighborhood", it is purely urban and right below Park Slope.
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