please help...single female moving to richmond (Fredericksburg: crime, homes)

[Mojogirl]

I'm a little apprehensive about this move because of things I've heard about Richmond. I lived in fredericksburg for 4 years, then moved out of state to a much more urban, liberal city. Fredericksburg is just too suburban for me and thus the reason why I'm looking at Richmond.

I will be living alone so my main concern is SAFETY. I get restless a lot and like to take walks at night or drives or visit parks and would like to be able to not have to worry about entering/exiting my residence or car. Also, I have two children that will be visiting me on weekends and would like a nice neighborhood for them to "roam" (they're young teenagers).

My personal preferences would be near or in downtown, near shops, restaurants, cultural events, festivals, theaters, clubs, etc. I'd also love to be in a fairly liberal, more accepting of alternative lifestyles section of this city. I'm 34 (definitely not college age) single, female and gay. oh and I'm not rich either LOL so i'm trying to find the neighborhoods that would best fit ME.

From what I gather so far, the FAN district or west end fits. Is this correct? and is there any other areas I should consider? Safety is my most important factor.

Thanks all!

[540_804]

Originally Posted by Mojogirl

I'm a little apprehensive about this move because of things I've heard about Richmond. I lived in fredericksburg for 4 years, then moved out of state to a much more urban, liberal city. Fredericksburg is just too suburban for me and thus the reason why I'm looking at Richmond.

I will be living alone so my main concern is SAFETY. I get restless a lot and like to take walks at night or drives or visit parks and would like to be able to not have to worry about entering/exiting my residence or car. Also, I have two children that will be visiting me on weekends and would like a nice neighborhood for them to "roam" (they're young teenagers).

My personal preferences would be near or in downtown, near shops, restaurants, cultural events, festivals, theaters, clubs, etc. I'd also love to be in a fairly liberal, more accepting of alternative lifestyles section of this city. I'm 34 (definitely not college age) single, female and gay. oh and I'm not rich either LOL so i'm trying to find the neighborhoods that would best fit ME.

From what I gather so far, the FAN district or west end fits. Is this correct? and is there any other areas I should consider? Safety is my most important factor.

Thanks all!

The Fan district is absolutely beautiful.
I really love the architecture and the whole atmosphere.
You'll definately will be within close proximity to night light, festivals, clubs, and restaurants. Theatres, im not sure about, I have honestly not seen ONE theatre (cinema theatre) since I've been in Richmond, but then again, I've only been here a few months. I go to VCU so im right near the Fan all day, everyday.

Honestly, I cant tell you how 'safe' it is, but it is definately a beautiful area.
Of course, safety is a big concern in Richmond and in any fair sized city. I have seen and experienced some....lets say 'uncomfortable' or 'sketchy' situations, but these were more downtown at about 4am.

Like any area, the most important thing is to take your safety into your own hands, dont rely on the area to just "BE" safe. For instance, dont go out at night alone. Im sure you know that already and pardon me if i sound like a parent or something because Im certainly younger than you; I didnt mean it that way.

Having 'young teenagers', i would think you would be comfortable letting them roam within reason, but i wouldnt suggest them be alone. Its a college area so, you get all the good and bad that comes with it.

As far as the West End, I cant help you. I have no idea what the West End is. I hear so muchabout it but im pretty much trapped on campus with no car. LoL.

Hope I helped some. Richmond definately is a great place to live if you take advantage of all the good it has to offer. But, just like any other city, it does have a darker underbelly that you must be aware of. Nothing to be afraid of.

[klatimer]

Originally Posted by Mojogirl

I'm a little apprehensive about this move because of things I've heard about Richmond. I lived in fredericksburg for 4 years, then moved out of state to a much more urban, liberal city. Fredericksburg is just too suburban for me and thus the reason why I'm looking at Richmond.

I will be living alone so my main concern is SAFETY. I get restless a lot and like to take walks at night or drives or visit parks and would like to be able to not have to worry about entering/exiting my residence or car. Also, I have two children that will be visiting me on weekends and would like a nice neighborhood for them to "roam" (they're young teenagers).

My personal preferences would be near or in downtown, near shops, restaurants, cultural events, festivals, theaters, clubs, etc. I'd also love to be in a fairly liberal, more accepting of alternative lifestyles section of this city. I'm 34 (definitely not college age) single, female and gay. oh and I'm not rich either LOL so i'm trying to find the neighborhoods that would best fit ME.

From what I gather so far, the FAN district or west end fits. Is this correct? and is there any other areas I should consider? Safety is my most important factor.

Thanks all!

if I was you I would definitely choose to move into the fan district over the west end. I live in the west end and there really is not an area for anyone to "roam around" although it is certainly much safer there. people are also VERY whitebread here, very little diversity and not much exciting stuff going on. the fan area is a safer part of the city, and it is in close proximity to carytown (which has AMAZING shops and restaurants) it is alternative without being extreme, and there is a lot to find there. the only thing about the fan is that because it is closer to the city crime is more likely to occur, but it is not an everday thing. during the day I would definitely consider myself safe there. as for carytown (which I would say should be a main attraction for you, considering the description of what you are looking for) I worked there in retail alone, even at night, and I never felt at risk.

if you have any more question feel free to ask me. I am only 17 so I may not be able to help with everything, but I have lived here my whole life and I am VERY familiar with the west end, the city, northside, and southside.

[Mojogirl]

Thank you both! It has taken me forever (as you can see) to re-find this website!!

I'm in NoVA now visiting for Thanksgiving and will be heading down this weekend to check the neighborhoods out in Richmond. I need to clarify "roam" lol. What I mean by that is- They can go outside and stay within looking distance to my residence and me not have to worry about them getting hurt. I certainly didn't mean to make it sound as though they would be roaming the entire city or neighborhood. But just my street, or maybe a park across the street, etc. They'd get a kick out of me saying they could roam though, I can see it now: " OMG, mom said we could ROAM! woohoo!!"

I feel a lot better with further research and both of your answers so again, thank you. I'm looking forward to this move way more than I was.

[blippo]

The fan might have more things to do than the west end, but I wouldn't feel safe walking around there at night. No way

[richmondpics]

And on the flipside I would feel safe walking around the Fan... whereas it's near impossible to walk around the west end.

[Mojogirl]

**UPDATE**

Yesterday I drove down to Richmond and checked several areas out as best I could. I have to say that hands down, the FAN district is one of the most gorgeous neighborhoods I've ever seen! By the time I made it to that part of town, darkness had already fallen, so I need to "see" it again, during daylight. I also want to check out the museum district & the west end. I'm here for one more week and will make two-three more trips to check out everything I can.

A couple of neighborhoods I'd like to see are bryd park & church hill. Are they safe, also?

And last, I read somewhere (perhaps on this forum) that certain parts of the FAN tend to be louder than others because of the college students. Now while I don't begrudge them their right to have fun (hey we were all once college partiers, right?) I'd like to have some peace lol. What areas or streets should I avoid?

Thanks all, This entire forum has been a tremendous help!

[richmondpics]

In the Fan, the further west from VCU, the quieter you'll find it to be. Byrd Park is a neat neighborhood and the parks nearby are spectacular... not to mention the vicinity to Carytown. The museum district is similar to the Fan, just west of the Boulevard. Carytown is in the museum district and definitely worth checking out.

Church Hill south of Broad is a great neighborhood with homes/buildings dating back to the colonial period. One is close to the bars/clubs/restuarants and shops of Shockoe Bottom and Shockoe Slip. Church Hill north of Broad is steadily improving, but it's what some might call a "neighborhood in transition."

The west end is certainly safe, but less walkable as it gets more and more suburban. A night out or shopping/grocery trip will require the car.

[Mojogirl]

Thank you richmondpics! I need to buy a map and highlight all these areas so I know exactly where I am when I go back down there. You've been a great source of help, I truly appreciate it.