richmond..not on my mind (Charlottesville, Williamsburg: environment, real estate, for sale)

[Khaotic]

Just came from visiting Charlotte, seriously considering a move there. In no way should Richmond and Charlotte be compaared. Charlotte is a city looking towards the future, being proactive. Taking measures to keep up with the times. They just installed a metro train for commuters. With more PLANS for expanding the line. While Richmond is just, well....Richmond.

[steve27]

Originally Posted by MisnSoFL

PatsFan20- I just read the whole thread and you got me "mmmhmm-ing" and laughing over here! I can't STAND Richmond for all of the same reasons that you have written!!! I want to move out of here so bad, just waiting on husband's possible job transfer- which might be Charlotte!

I am originally from NY and have lived in southern FL. I love the northeast and south FL. I am willing to give Charlotte a try because I have heard a lot of good things about it. I too have heard that it is progressive and becoming another Atlanta!

What is funny is that vasinger keeps saying things that make me want to move! 'Old South Charm'- bah, you can have it! And Carytown and The Fan? WHOOP-De-Doo! The people that love Richmond so much must have been brainwashed when they were born! It is like the Stepford Wives in a small city!

And PatsFan...you covered almost all the bases on what I so dislike about this weird place except one thing.... the high and mighty "West Enders"! They are the most snobby bunch of people I have ever met! They REFUSE to cross the river and act like everywhere but the West End is beneath them! Now what is up with THAT? The West End isn't ANYTHING special but that is the reason...these people that have never left this town need to feel special!

Anyways, thanks for a laugh and a feeling like "there is someone who knows what I am feeling." Have a good time in Charlotte...I am sure you are counting down the days!

I totally know how you feel.

Richmond is "the" good old city. But the thing is, It doesn't have much to offer more than just a good ol' city. Unfortunatly nothing special going on here it's just construction after construction that causes more damage to the roads that are already terrible to drive in and also involved in cutting down more trees surrounding the city and destroying nature" the only good thing Richmond has".
We moved down here from Boston, MA about 4 years ago. When I was driving down broad st. in downtown, I was so disappointed, every time I walked or drove, I thought I am driving in a deserted city, permanently trashed closed stores all the way to downtown. Roads were horrible, Side walks dirty and filthy. Unlike other cities like Boston, New York or Philly, this city is basically dead after 8 pm. I felt like I'm in the "resident evil" movie or something. Basically everything north of broad st, east and south of Richmond especially Hull Street, is just ugly or looks like a dump and does not go with the rest of the town. It might be the poor management. or basically the city forgot about that those places even exist, how sad. I know every town has a gethoo area but jeeesss, it is everywhere here, every corner in down town. There is no decent clubs or bars here, or much decent place to go in town. A few good restaurants and thats it. I went to “Shockoe Bottom” a few time, Nothing special down there either. Also, every single time I went there, I had to watch over my shoulder walking down the street, becuz of how scary and ghetto those areas and people hanging out there look.
Don't get me wrong I do not hate this city, If you live in suburb far outside of Richmond, far west end or West of Midlothian, It's peaceful and quiet.
But the thing is I am just so disappointed as a young adult here, someone who cares about the quality of life, likes to have fun and looks for alittle action here and there. I feel trapped in a small, sleepy, slow paste city, with high number of crimes too.
I am moving to San Diego next month, a Beautiful city. It's more expensive but jobs pay much more than here. It has good and bad neighbor hoods, but atleast there is life for young people over there and at least good out weighs the bad. Everytime I tell people in Richmond how I feel and I want to move, They start on saying how bad the place I am moving to is, but they fail to convince me or give a good reason why one should stay.

[mrstewart]

You are from Boston and have complaints about Richmond??? Ever been to China Town in your dear city??? Ever driven in that crazy traffic??? Ever seen the extraordinary amounts of homeless in Bean Town??? Ever been on the T after Head of the Charles when the trains wreak of vomit and alcohol???

I KNOW these things because I went to college in Brookline and know all to well about Bostons downfalls. EVERY city has them. I hope you find your Utopia but, no matter where you go, there you are. It's not about where you are, it is about who you are.

My grandmothers saying "the pot calling the kettle black" comes to mind.

[steve27]

Originally Posted by mrstewart

You are from Boston and have complaints about Richmond??? Ever been to China Town in your dear city??? Ever driven in that crazy traffic??? Ever seen the extraordinary amounts of homeless in Bean Town??? Ever been on the T after Head of the Charles when the trains wreak of vomit and alcohol???

I KNOW these things because I went to college in Brookline and know all to well about Bostons downfalls. EVERY city has them. I hope you find your Utopia but, no matter where you go, there you are. It's not about where you are, it is about who you are.

My grandmothers saying "the pot calling the kettle black" comes to mind.

With all do respect Mrstewart, I never said Boston is my dear city. You went school/lived in Brookline. So, Honestly thats all you experienced and remember from Boston, can you even compare the city of Boston and what it has to offer like; clubs, bars, restaurant, fun places to visit like Boston horbor, symphony hall, convention center, the huge shopping malls, boylston street shops, zoo's and Museums all that fun and beauty right in downtown Boston to >>downtown Richmond, Not even mentioning multie billion dollar projects that the city of boston invested in new roads, New Subway Transprotaion "replaceing the green line", over the ocean Bridges just a few years ago. Come on now, Are you serious?? and what's wrong with china town, I 've gone there so many times, day or night and also have friends there, thats how chinese off street natural food market is and again that one or two little spots here and there, Also city of Boston did a great job the last time I was there visiting to clean the place up and got it under control unlike City of Richmond. The only reason I moved out was becuz of the extrem cold winter and the amount of snow that I could not take. I did not have any problems or felt bored or threatend in the city one bit. and about the T situation in Boston of course you gonna smell alcohol from people it must have been a friday night, "people drink", and are encouranged to take the T and not to drive. And Compare to Ricmond, oh oops there is No T... !?? Having said that Boston is not even one of my favorite places but again, you cannot even compare these two. Noway!!

[mrstewart]

I went to college in Brookline, so you know what that entails. We were all over Boston. We also go back very often as a family for baseball games, so I have a reference as a college student and an adult.

I guess my point about complaining is always this...try to make a positive change rather than complain.

Every place has its strengths and weaknesses. No Richmond does not have mas transit. The city was not set up for it. How much of it would need to be torn down in order to run a train through?

I agree with you on the roads. I drive Cary every day and the alignment on my car is always and issue.

Richmond is not on the path to become another Charlotte, DC or Atlanta. Why should it? Why build more than is needed?

There are definitely things about Richmond that need to change. The roads, the parking downtown, cleaning up downtown, but to try to make Richmond another hotspot city is like asking a woman who wears a size 12 shoe to wear a size 7.

The nice thing about this situation is that for those that don't like it, they have the freedom to leave. I am sorry you were not happy and are leaving. Good luck in California.

[richmondpics]

Actually, Richmond was a trend-setter, at the forefront of innovation when it became the first place ANYWHERE to have an electric-streetcar system. The system became vast, and allowed for expansion of the city's neighborhoods as one could still conveniently access downtown/Broad Street. Unfortunately, trying again to be at the forefront of innovation, the city scrapped its streetcar system in the 1940's in favor of a bus only system. Now, we're trying to play catch up.

[NJRAMAL]

People get so touchy whenever Richmond gets critisized! " If you dont like it then GET OUT!" Thats typical Richmond for you. Why not listen to the critisism and see in what areas Richmond could improve and become an attractive city? I wasn't born in Richmond, actually I came when I was 14. However, Richmond raised me. I have always been critical of Richmond. I love Richmond but hate it at the same time. I love it because it is home. I love representing and talking about my hometown (who doesnt), but I hate it because it is so stagnant, slow, resistant to change, and frankly BORING! If you are a lover of a rocky river, a park or two (with no entertainment in them, just trees), and a street with some civil war statues then Richmond is for you! But if you enjoy a city with a pulse, an identity, and a bright future then you will most likely be disapointed in Richmond.
Richmond has no pulse. Nothing to define it. Nothing to say "Hey thats Richmond". Sleepy town is right. What makes this so frustraiting is that it didnt have to be this way! Back in 89 and 90, I was 18 and trying to feed my enormous appitite for entertainment. Richmond provided me with 2 clubs and the Broad Street hang out routine. This would sufice for a weekend or two but geeze! We regularly sponainiously jumped on 95 north and would wind up in either D.C., Philly or NY to hit clubs and hang out. Why?!?! Why did we have to go out of town to satisfy our need for entertainment?
To some of you this is trivial and could care less about night life. But night life is a huge part of a city's identity (of which Richmond has none; nightlife OR identity). At 18 I was aware and frustraited with Richmond's slow pace and fear of change and progression. It has so much potential but has yet to capitalize on any of it. Since leaving Richmond I have lived in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Atlanta. Sampling the culture, the vibe, and the pulse of places that are significant centers for diversity and progress.
I will be 37 on May 12th, married for 7 years with 2 daughters. We have settled down in Raleigh NC. Yet anouther example of what the manifestation of a little creative and forward thinking can do. This place rocks in so many ways. Especially with things to do with the kids. I am frankly disapointed in my hometown for failing to move forward. Richmond's "potential" has not materialized in my 20+ years of history with it. So you can have your two parks, two clubs, and confederate pride. I love you, and my city of Richmond, but the rest of the country is about progress and growth. My beloved hometown sadly lags behind in both areas. It's just friggin BORING. (and yes I "GOT OUT")

[richmondpics]

When did you leave? I've noticed a considerable amount of positive progressive momentum in just the last couple years. It takes time to change the status quo and its happening. It's quite evident in things like the First Friday's Artwalk (the streets were PACKED last Friday), the success of the National Folk Festival and its continuation as the Richmond Folk Festival, the immense public participation in the new Downtown Plan, the number of neighborhood-centric blogs popping up all over town, new farmer's markets opening in neighborhoods, the two new concert venues (the National and Toad's Place), etc etc.

The fact that you insult the James River is baffling to me in that it has become a major attraction for adventure sports and was recently named one of the best urban park systems in the country. I'm not sure what's boring about Class IV rapids, whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc? This: Sports Backers - James River Adventure Games Schedule just doesn't seem boring to me.

The "new" Richmond is becoming more progressive and *creative* ... I see the improvements every day. There are many of us actively working towards making this an even better place instead of sitting around waiting for something to happen, waiting for others to act... which is the old way of thinking.

[NJRAMAL]

Originally Posted by richmondpics

There are many of us actively working towards making this an even better place instead of sitting around waiting for something to happen, waiting for others to act... which is the old way of thinking.

That is great! Dont wait for "the powers that be" to change anything. I am not "insulting" the river, I am saying that not everyone is into that type of thing. Rafting may float some people's boat but will that be a huge draw to the city of Richmond? The James has been there long before Richmond but has it been a draw? Do people come from all around to see the rocky James River? But by all means, take advantage of it and have fun with it if that is your type of thing. I heard of a marina being discussed for the river with restaurants, shops and entertainment? That to me would be a more universal draw. Maybe they could fashion it after Norfolk or Baltimore's harbors. Families that may not enjoy canoeing or rafting may take pleasure in the activites of a marina. Still, I hear alot about outdoor stuff. Thats all good, but not everyone is the outdoors type! Festivals are nice but they are not permanent. We lost the Braves due to snail paced politics, our coliseum is a 40 year old wreck so we have no professional sports and major concert tours pass us by, drinks stop at 2 so clubs shut down super early. Im not bashing, I am just saying, these are some things that people complain about regularly. Outdoor activities are cool, but that leaves out a significant population of people who enjoy indoor stuff. Like a Hard Rock Cafe or Dave and Busters. Richmond just doesnt have that kind of stuff. Plus some mass transit to connect it all.

[richmondpics]

A Dave and Busters is coming to Richmond. The issue regarding alcohol being served up to 2AM is a statewide issue, not a local one requiring a change of heart at the state level. A marina is in the works just east of downtown through a public-private venture between the developers of Rockett's Landing and the City. Rockett's is a $500+ million riverfront new urbanism project which will transform the riverfront east of downtown. The City of Richmond sits on the Fall Line, which is why the river is rocky and impassable for larger boats (this also explains why Richmond was founded at this location - it was the western most location for ocean going ships to dock and transfer goods from the interior). Boating access is available just east and west of town

Looking at the many national/international events drawn to the river, it's easy to see that yes it is a draw.

A large amphitheater for large concerts would be great. More/better pro-sports teams would be great.