Richmond...awesome city (Triangle, Cana: townhomes, live in, restaurants)

[gamsauer]

I live in Raleigh, NC and have always heard great things about Richmond. I spent this past Saturday in Richmond and, I got to tell you, I was very, very impressed. The downtown area, the Fan area, the Shockoe Slip and Bottom, all the parks, the Canal, the James River. There was so much to see and we didn't even get to all of it. I have lived in Raleigh for the past 13 years and I can honestly say that Richmond BLOWS Raleigh away. I think I may seriously consider relocating to Richmond. Far more beautiful and far more things to do in Richmond than in Raleigh.

[richmondpics]

Wow, thanks for the kind words. Sometimes, I think Richmond's toughest critics are its residents, so it's nice to hear from out of towners that aren't so critical!

Were you in town visiting friends/family or just decided to check it out?

[gamsauer]

richmondpics, I just decided to check out Richmond. I have a friend who lived in Richmond for 9 years and has always raved about it. She said if it weren't for her husband being in Raleigh, she would be in Richmond. I can see why she feels that way.

[shellytc]

Gam, it is a great town. there really is a lot to do for all ages. Glad you were able to see it and appreciate it. Hopefully, you'll get to move there!!

shelly

[vasinger]

Originally Posted by gamsauer

I live in Raleigh, NC and have always heard great things about Richmond. I spent this past Saturday in Richmond and, I got to tell you, I was very, very impressed. The downtown area, the Fan area, the Shockoe Slip and Bottom, all the parks, the Canal, the James River. There was so much to see and we didn't even get to all of it. I have lived in Raleigh for the past 13 years and I can honestly say that Richmond BLOWS Raleigh away. I think I may seriously consider relocating to Richmond. Far more beautiful and far more things to do in Richmond than in Raleigh.

I'm glad you like Richmond. Its such a nice town and I'm proud that 12 generations of my family have called it home.

[IdaClaire]

I live near Raleigh and enjoy the Triangle area, but am a native Virginian and went to VCU, so I lived in Richmond for a few years. Totally different feel- apples to oranges. Richmond feels more like a "real" city and has more nightlife, older architecture, and a grittier, funkier feel than does Raleigh. Raleigh is the kind of place people move to when they in the child raising mode, but I am happy I lived in Richmond when I was footloose and fancy free.

I lived in the lower Fan and hung out in Carytown, and last time I passed through, there had been so much more revitalization of those areas than my time there in the mid to late 80's. We used to have to skip rocks to check out Belle Island and now there's an actual bridge.

Here's my question. Has Oregon Hill become gentrified yet or is it still a little bit of rural West Virginia plopped down in the capital city?

[richmondpics]

Oregon Hill has seen gentrification, including several new rows of townhomes on the bluffs overlooking the river (called the Overlook Townhomes). VCU students have also started calling the area home as well. However, it still has that gritty working class feel overall that gives it such character, and one of the best Italian restaurants around--Mama Zu's.

[ClarkStreetKid]

Check out the pictures of OH (http://www.discoverrichmond.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_DRMGArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351803074&path =!mediatours&parentid=1149192664947 - broken link)

[vasinger]

Originally Posted by IdaClaire

I live near Raleigh and enjoy the Triangle area, but am a native Virginian and went to VCU, so I lived in Richmond for a few years. Totally different feel- apples to oranges. Richmond feels more like a "real" city and has more nightlife, older architecture, and a grittier, funkier feel than does Raleigh. Raleigh is the kind of place people move to when they in the child raising mode, but I am happy I lived in Richmond when I was footloose and fancy free.

I lived in the lower Fan and hung out in Carytown, and last time I passed through, there had been so much more revitalization of those areas than my time there in the mid to late 80's. We used to have to skip rocks to check out Belle Island and now there's an actual bridge.

Here's my question. Has Oregon Hill become gentrified yet or is it still a little bit of rural West Virginia plopped down in the capital city?

My mama used to tell me Oregon Hill was where all the peckerwoods lived.

[richmondpics]

Odd vernacular. Your mama called a lot of people "peckerwoods" it seems.