Considering Richmond as a potential move...Insights please! (Fredericksburg, Washington: fit in, school)

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by Anders15

The only issue I have is with the "Northerner's Friendly".. I would not mention "The North" round these parts. You say you like Civil War history you should know that by now... Saying you are from the north is just as bad as saying you like Short Pump and fancy name brand clothes. It's one of THE easiest ways to offend Richmonders otherwise this sounds like it will be a paradise for you.

I'm from up north and no one's ever treated me differently here; I haven't been shy with telling people either. Maybe there are pockets of the metro that treat northerners differently, but I haven't found those places yet.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by ronyusa

DC/Museums: Like you, I am also into museums. Everytime I have family visiting me in Richmond, I take them to the museums in DC. It never takes me more than 2 hours to get there. Also a tour of the nation's capital is a fun activitity in and on itself. You can park your car somewhere (finding free parking can be a challenge though) and walk around to visit all the attractions, White House, Federal buildings, museums etc. Also, Georgetown is a quick drive away and is an attraction on its own might!

I have to point out that you must be the luckiest person in the world, having never had a trip to DC take longer than 2 hours. That drive is like hell on Earth 75% of the time. Maybe if you leave at 5am or return at 11pm, but if the sun's out, 95/495/395 are all parking lots (I know, it's an exaggeration); just personal experience.

If the OP's going to travel to DC, I suggest taking the train. It's a wonderful ride, you get dropped right in downtown, and it's pretty affordable when you factor in gas, potential tolls, parking, and personal grief.

[camer]

Originally Posted by Stefos1

Hi again everyone,

I want to leave N.H. and was considering to move to Richmond.

I enjoy:
Martial arts
Museums
History (Revolutionary & Civil war)
Culture
Good "ethnic" restaurants...Thai, Indian, Nepalese, Middle Eastern, etc.


My questions are:

1. Is Richmond "northerner" friendly?
2. Will I have difficulty finding the "I enjoy " stuff there
3. How expensive is it REALLY?
4. How is the travel? I don't want to live in the city necessarily. I'd prefer a suburb on the western side of Richmond.

Thank you,
Stefos1

answers to questions:
1. yes. we're from the north. moved here 2 yrs ago. very friendly. there's snobbiness everywhere even in new england. we love it here and don't miss the dreary gray weather and frigid long winters.
2. sooooo much to do down here. we find this area so much more exciting and so much more beautiful than new england. lots of culture. lots of history. lots of outdoor stuff. having D.C. so close is a PLUS!
3. dang. sure doesn't feel expensive compared to boston.
4. travel is amazing. so easy. so cheap to park. no traffic. drivers are so nice here. no one honks me for driving the speed limit. we live in the burbs and love the slower life-style & friendly virginians. we love the james river. so many beautiful park systems to enjoy.

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by richmondpics

You don't make sense... many Richmonders live, work, and shop in Short Pump and how do "fancy clothes" = un-Richmond?

Everyone knows to most Richmonders, Short Pump is just evil. Example.

Those replies should answer your question. lol it's not ME that don't make any sense, it's you people.

[high_plains_drifter]

Originally Posted by camer

answers to questions:
1. yes. we're from the north. moved here 2 yrs ago. very friendly. there's snobbiness everywhere even in new england. we love it here and don't miss the dreary gray weather and frigid long winters.
2. sooooo much to do down here. we find this area so much more exciting and so much more beautiful than new england. lots of culture. lots of history. lots of outdoor stuff. having D.C. so close is a PLUS!
3. dang. sure doesn't feel expensive compared to boston.
4. travel is amazing. so easy. so cheap to park. no traffic. drivers are so nice here. no one honks me for driving the speed limit. we live in the burbs and love the slower life-style & friendly virginians. we love the james river. so many beautiful park systems to enjoy.

So the winters are not gray and dreary there at all? I never spent any winter months in any of the southern states aside from South Florida and it's not a problem here.

Do you feel anything lacking compared to New England? Food, Culture and the people overall?

[high_plains_drifter]

Originally Posted by Anders15

Everyone knows to most Richmonders, Short Pump is just evil. Example.

Those replies should answer your question. lol it's not ME that don't make any sense, it's you people.

Interesting info you posted, sounds like a lot of long time residents who disliked the growth of that area. Well we experienced that down here a longtime ago and it's massive compared to that area. Personally I like to be near shopping and restaurants for convenience, would not want to drive 30 miles one way to get a gallon of milk or have to drive that far to get to Target, Costco or BJ's Wholesale.

It can be too much though and go too far I agree, it all depends on local demand and if there is enough people moving in it could get expensive and overpopulated there in due time. If there is enough jobs at least? I do not think Virginia is a big retirement state like Florida?

[richmondpics]

Originally Posted by Anders15

Everyone knows to most Richmonders, Short Pump is just evil. Example.

Those replies should answer your question. lol it's not ME that don't make any sense, it's you people.

You people? You use a reddit thread to back up your statement? Sure, there are people that feel like Short Pump represents chains, suburbia, etc, but there are people all over the country that prefer an urban lifestyle and local businesses/restaurants. This isn't a unique to Richmond thing. Fancy clothes? Yep - you're right, everyone in Richmond looks like an orphan from a Charles Dickens novel. Other than trolling the Richmond forum for your own entertainment, what's the point in providing unhelpful and inaccurate information? Not having enough fun in Seattle?

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by high_plains_drifter

So the winters are not gray and dreary there at all? I never spent any winter months in any of the southern states aside from South Florida and it's not a problem here.

Do you feel anything lacking compared to New England? Food, Culture and the people overall?

IMO, Richmond has good food, but I very much miss northern food. I'm just a lover of good Italian food, tons of local bakeries (fresh bread), etc. There are good alternatives here (e.g. Enoteca, Edo's Squid, NY Bagel (Cupertino's)), but you really have to look.

On the other side, Richmond has a very good, diverse restaurant scene across many ethnic groups (e.g. Thai, Ethiopian, Korean, Japanese, etc.), considering the size of the metro.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by Anders15

Everyone knows to most Richmonders, Short Pump is just evil. Example.

Those replies should answer your question. lol it's not ME that don't make any sense, it's you people.

LOL! "You people"....reminder to myself: if I ever say "what's wrong with everyone else", consider myself as a suspect...haha.

[ronyusa]

Haha I hear you. The truth is I went to DC in February with some visiting family members and got lucky and it took 2 hours, same again earlier this week when we visited DC. But now that I think of it, occasionally it did take me more than 2 hours in the past when I was going through DC/NOVA area to visit friends further up North. But unless you hit the NOVA area exactly at the rush hour it seems to work out well or I might have been really getting lucky 90% of the time .

Originally Posted by AJNEOA

I have to point out that you must be the luckiest person in the world, having never had a trip to DC take longer than 2 hours. That drive is like hell on Earth 75% of the time. Maybe if you leave at 5am or return at 11pm, but if the sun's out, 95/495/395 are all parking lots (I know, it's an exaggeration); just personal experience.

If the OP's going to travel to DC, I suggest taking the train. It's a wonderful ride, you get dropped right in downtown, and it's pretty affordable when you factor in gas, potential tolls, parking, and personal grief.