How is Richmond for young, single professionals? (Glen Allen, Short Pump: rent, safest area)

[richmondpics]

The city of Richmond is consistently blue... it's suburban counterparts have historically leaned conservative.

Lady - I think a lot of the complainers on here are just miserable people and that no matter where they live they'll find something to be unhappy about. You don't seem to be one of those people. It sounds like you have crappy friends (who the heck says it's a no-no to flirt?????)... or at least friends that are not very compatible with you. I know plenty of openminded and adventurous people who enjoy diversity... and I do understand what those words mean.

I grew up in Richmond (lived elsewhere for 5 years), and there are certain types of people here I can't stand. There's certain things I don't like. But in general, I think it's a pretty good place to live. It's not for everyone though, just as NYC isn't for everyone, Japan isn't for everyone, and small town Louisiana isn't for everyone. If you're tied down here because of a career, try to make the best of it. Get involved and try to help make Richmond a better place with things you are passionate about. If not, it doesn't seem like you have too much attachment (family/kids) to the area, so why not relocate if you really dread it so much? I'm not trying to say "well if you don't like it then you should leave." If I hated a place and felt like I couldn't do anything to make a difference, I'd be looking to move as well.

[sls76]

Originally Posted by RonMaverick804

A lot of locations across the nation went blue that normally would not have. Otherwise Obama would not have won right?

That's not the point. The point is Richmond elected Obama by a margin far wider than he was elected nationally and Henrico elected him by a margin larger than the national average. So if the US is pretty much split down the middle and Henrico is slightly to the left of the nation and Richmond is far to the left of the nation, it's ridiculous to argue that Richmond is ultra conservative (or even moderate).

[oleo]

Originally Posted by sls76

it's ridiculous to argue that Richmond is ultra conservative (or even moderate).

+1

You will find that the intelligent young adults and older conservatives are about even with all the liberal college kids.
It depends who you hang out with, bros.

[NeilVA]

Sls think about when you drove around Richmond before election day. McCain signs were everywhere, and Obama signs were rarly seen. They put up a facade to go one way, but when they went to vote they went the other. They were anonymous.

[NeilVA]

Lady, by what you've said in numerous threads, Richmond is not for you. Before you head to Florida, try Charlottesville. Or maybe the Ft. Lee crowd may suit you better. By going through the military you are curently more mature than your counterparts who haven't. You've seen the real world. You don't live in a bubble. You stand outside the bubble looking in.

[sls76]

Originally Posted by NeilVA

Sls think about when you drove around Richmond before election day. McCain signs were everywhere, and Obama signs were rarly seen. They put up a facade to go one way, but when they went to vote they went the other. They were anonymous.

This was not my experience at all. I live in Wyndham and our precint went 65% for McCain. There were definitely more yard signs for McCain, but that's not surprising because this neighborhood is fairly conservative. When I went to Short Pump (before the election) for shopping (whether it was the mall or Walmart) I saw tons of Obama bumper stickers and rarely saw a McCain bumper sticker. Again, how can a city that went 4-1 for Obama be ultra conservative?

[NeilVA]

Short pump really doesn't count. Its not really related to Richmond, since most of it was woods within the past 10ish years. You would have to look east of Gaskins to start counting. But we've gone off thread with this. IMO Richmond is conservative in thier actions (not politically -ok). Which has a good mix for young professional adults who are getting into thier careers. Its for people who have grown up past the keggers. That said there are areas that rent out to the college crowd and are ....... you know.

[Mtaylo24]

Richmond is not too bad for us youngsters. Just make sure that you never do business with Bank of America because they will ********* over before you get comfortable. There are pleny of different companies operating here. When I first moved here, I wikipedia'd Richmond and went to the economy section. I hope this helps.

[travelnursemike]

I am a traveling nurse who will be in Richmond for the summer. I know nothing about the area other than what I've read on the web. Some things good. Some not so good. This post is going to be redundant. For that I apologize.

Dontsweatcathy mentioned predominately black people who seemed ghetto and not to walk around the Shockhoe area. RonMaverick rebutted with a bit of racial sarcasm I guess you'd call it. Of course there are no guarantees in life but that doesn't mean you can ignore the facts. Poverty and ignorance lead to desperation. And desperate people do desperate (read: violent) things. That being said what neighborhoods/areas in Richmond are safe enough to drive around in a very nice car or walk along the sidewalk, or leave your car parked outside your room and not have to seriously worry about being messed with. It's like in New Orleans. There are some places you just don't go. Plain and simple. If you do, you WILL get messed with (read:yelled at if you're lucky...shot at if you're not) especially if you are white. These are the ugly truths of human nature.

I am sure Richmond has a lot to offer. I am also sure it has places you don't want your car to break down.

So my simple question to whomever is: what are the safest areas to rent a room/apartment within 30 minutes drive time to MCV hospital?

[jhrichmond]

I would recommend the Short Pump or Glen Allen area. Midlothian is also safe, but not as much to do.