Where to live in Richmond? (Chester: apartments, for rent, house)

[cane11]

Young 24 yr old male potentially relocating to Richmond for work. Would like to know where the best areas are to live in the area? Would like to be in an area with good social setting (bars, restaraunts etc.) and a somewhat young prof. crowd. Have heard of the Fan district, and know about the local universities.Like to have a good time just wouldnt know anyone right off the bat. I would just like some advice and thoughts from those who know the area..also looking for rent that is no higher than 650 or so. Any help here would be much appreciated. Thanks

[WanderVA]

The Fan will be your best bet if you like living in the city. The only issue may be the rent you want to pay. Otherwise, the far West End and Midlothian may equally meet your needs if you prefer suburban living.

[dandybandit]

The Fan would a good place - it's right in the center of town and there are lots of things to do/parks/bars/restaurants in walking distance. But they've been raising rents in the area a lot, plus there are lots of college kids around which can be kind of annoying. You might also consider looking in the Shockoe Slip/Bottom area - I moved there from the Fan in May, and my apartment is bigger and cheaper and nicer and comes with more amenities. There are restaurants and bars and clubs to walk to, and it's convenient to all of the main highways. The only problem is parking, but that's not toooooo bad either. And there isn't a 7-11 in walking distance.

You should be able to find a nice 1 bedroom for that rent amount, but you could probably find somewhere cheaper if you got a room mate. You could definitely find somewhere cheaper in Chesterfield or the West End, but those areas are much more cookie-cutter and places are far apart... so you'd spend a lot on gas.

Oh, and a good place to look for apartments is on craigslist.org or richmond.com.

[pondjc]

I'm 25 and have been living downtown for the past 7 years. You have VCU which has roughly 30,000 students between both campuses (MCV). Your price range keeps you from living downtown where all the clubs are (my favorite spot is Tobacco Co. downstairs - happy hour thurs-sat 8pm-9pm $1 drinks).

The fan is going to be where you should live. Take a look at a map and everywhere to the WEST of HARISON ST (at VCU) to the end of Carytown (thompson st.). Most of the bars are around main st and boulevard. Look for places between main st. and grace st. and probably to the EAST of boulevard if you want more of a college crowd but it is all mixed up really. I lived 5 blocks from campus on grove ave and had single family homes to the right and left of my house (who called the cops on us on a regular basis). Don't bother have a nice car...people can't parallel park at all and your car will get destroyed. Public transportation is nonexistant.

BEFORE YOU GET A PLACE, POST THE LOCATION! The fan is very weird. 3 blocks one way and you are in a very nice section. 3 blocks the other way you are in the hood.

More than likely I'll be leaving richmond to follow my career...but we will see. Drop me a message if you need anything.