Is Richmond a walkable city? (Short Pump: fit in, crime, townhouses)

[kermita29]

I am relocating to Richmond next month to work with a non-profit in Highland Park. I am aware it is not a great neighborhood and since I grew up in "the hoods of Harlem and The Bronx I am not all intimidated (I survived the crack wars of the '80s where you had to literally dodge bullets, duck and run for cover everyday when going out to school and to work) and trying to help with that is the nature of the nonprofit that I will be working with, but I am taking a significant pay cut to work with them and won't be driving to save money. I am coming from NYC so I already know that the bus system there will not be like here...as well it shouldn't. I'm coming from a city of 8 million to a metro area of 2 million...the need is not as great.

But what I want to know is if the city is made for walking(I'm an avid walker for fitness and for fun). I am interested in living in areas like the West End or Midlothian (I'm working in the "hood" I don't want to live in the "hood" also---I paid my dues..LOL) but have noticed from the GRTC website that some bus lines don't operate on the weekends and I don't want to be trapped with nowhere to go and nothing to do. I'm looking to live in those areas because it seems from my online search that they have more spacious and open areas and that appeals to me...I could be wrong so please correct me if I am. But are they walkable?...Could I walk from the Near West End to the Museum District or The Fan? Or from Highland Park to The Fan if I wanted to hang out after work , etc.

[TrueVCU]

Basically it boils down to this: If you live in the city itself (especially around the fan/VCU), you can walk/GRTC almost anywhere you want. However, the West End was specifically designed to be driven to and from, and for reasons that can only be described as racist/classist Henrico County doesn't let GRTC run buses out to the main shopping areas in Short Pump (they don't want black/poor people showing up around there. No I am not kidding). Unfortunately if you plan to live in the west end you're going to need a car.

Happily you can live in Richmond itself and be perfectly safe. Neighborhoods like Jackson Ward, Church Hill, The Fan, and the Museum District all offer a wide variety of housing to fit any price range, and you can walk to most places from them, or use GRTC if you're going from one end of the city to the other. Crime in Richmond isn't nearly as bad as it once was, the murder rate's been dropping rapidly in recent years and the VCUPD makes the university area even safer. You'll also find it much cheaper to live in the city than Henrico County, rents are QUITE affordable (we're talking $700-$1000/month range for 2 bedroom townhouses near VCU. TOWNHOUSES.)

So if I had to sum up my post in a sentence I'd say this: If you can possibly help it, live in the city.

[kermita29]

Thanks for the response. It sounds unfortunate that the West End was created with such an intention, but I suppose it happens...

But I am a little confused actually. I was under the general impression that Church Hill and Jackson Ward were not so great neighborhoods. Someone actually told me that as long as I stay out of Richmond City, especially north and east of Downtown than I would be fine....but you say that those areas are safe? Interesting...

[richmondpics]

If you want walkable, you'll need to be in the City. Richmond's suburbs are sprawling, with few opportunities for walking from point A to B. Public transit, while improving is generally severely lacking in suburban Richmond for various reasons. Why not some place like the Byrd Park neighborhood? See some photos of the Byrd Park/Maymont Park area here:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/richm...-pictures.html ... about midway down in my first post. The Fan and Museum Districts are pretty neat options as well (I have some photos of Carytown, which is in the Museum District, and the Fan there also).

And then there's the vast James River Park System which snakes through the city. All of these areas are accessible via public transit and they are all quite walkable neighborhoods with green space nearby.


Walking from Highland Park to the Fan would be quite a hike. If you don't mind a slightly suburban area with bus access and depending on your budget, look at the near West End within the city west to the Willow Lawn area.

Best of Luck!

[WanderVA]

I guess 'safe' is really a relative term. Church Hill is pretty safe if you stay around Broad Street. The farther north and east of Church Hill you go, the less safe it becomes. The historic area of Church Hill is the most safe area in the neighborhood.

Jackson Ward also isn't too bad - you just have to identify the bad sections and stay away.

Keep in mind, suburbanites' idea of safe is usually not the same as urbanites'. City living has its edginess and that's why I love it. It's not for everyone, I know. Just as living in the suburbs is not everyone's cup of tea.

As another poster mentioned, Bryd Park may be a great option for you. VERY walkable and accessible to many things (park, Carytown, James River, Maymont, the Fan, etc). I have lived in Byrd Park for 4 years and love it. I've never been a victim of crime and I don't know anyone in the neighborhood that has. But it is a city neighborhood.

In fact, I think it's one of Richmond's best kept secrets - still affordable with tons of amenities. Good luck to you.