Am I the only person who can not reccomind living in Richmond to ANYONE? (Washington: renters, look for a job)

[540_804]

Originally Posted by ramgrl

90% of the city is African American and all of the rich white people that work here live in counties like Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover and Powhatan or in secluded little gated communities far away from the crime and filth that Richmond has become.

A bit of a hyperbole, no? LOL.

[richmondpics]

Holy crap... there are so many things that are flat out wrong in that post it's unbelievable. As a lifelong resident you should know your hometown a bit better.

The city is not 90% black (try 53% according to Census)

Rich white people... ever heard of Windsor Farms?

Crime has trended to the lowest level in DECADES. It's ticked up slightly this year, but given the economy that's hardly a surprise.

No real estate income from apartment buildings? First, many are NOT subsidized. Second, multifamily buildings are still assessed property taxes, which are paid by the landlord to the city. I think those who pay the city's property tax rates would disagree.

With regards to the school system, I take time volunteering at a city school. I don't agree with certain things in city schools (ex - I think they are wayyy to quick to give kids out of school suspensions when they would be much better off at school than home). I do feel that the issue isn't the school buildings or the books, but rather the home environment for many students in poverty. City schools handle a disproportionate amount of the region's poverty (look at the number of kids on free or reduced lunch programs). I don't think it's fair to blame schools for a crappy home environment. That said, I think we as a community need to do everything we can to make sure all kids in our area are afforded the best opportunities for success.

[ric75]

I seriously question the sanity of folks like ramgrl... sorry but I can't put it anymore nicely than that. Some of you have far more patience than I do. I wonder why people who obviously partake so little in City life seem to think they know so much about what is going on? I'm certain ramgrl is aware of the fact that the City isn't 90% black. I'm sure she's also aware of how many new/refurbished buildings have gone up in recent years and how much it costs to buy a home in the Fan or a condo downtown. So why do these people continue to spread lies and misconceptions about the City? Only their shrink can tell you. Have a nice day curmudgeons.

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by ric75

I seriously question the sanity of folks like ramgrl... sorry but I can't put it anymore nicely than that. Some of you have far more patience than I do. I wonder why people who obviously partake so little in City life seem to think they know so much about what is going on? I'm certain ramgrl is aware of the fact that the City isn't 90% black. I'm sure she's also aware of how many new/refurbished buildings have gone up in recent years and how much it costs to buy a home in the Fan or a condo downtown. So why do these people continue to spread lies and misconceptions about the City? Only their shrink can tell you. Have a nice day curmudgeons.

I question your sanity as well because she was not being literal. What she said is not too far off from what I originally said. The majority of the white population is no where near the black neighborhoods. This makes it seem like 90% black when you're in black neighborhoods and equally white in white neighborhoods. The city just does not mix. Other than the businesses downtown the majority of the city has a black population.

As far as "lies and misconceptions about the City" sorry but most of the people with issues (myself included) usually bring links or a detailed example.

People like you just continue to regurgitate the same nonsense. I doubt this thread would have over 100 comments and over 10,000 views if people did not feel like these issues needed to be addressed.

[richmondpics]

Nice try, but that's not what she said. You can link to whatever you like, but your links don't substantiate the bogus hyperboles presented by certain of us. What is nonsense about mentioning the number of new and refurbished buildings that have gone of in the city recently? Links are not required because it is undeniable. Where is the lie or misconception in Ric75's comment?

"People with issues"

[wgzinthecity]

Richmond flat out sucks just like Roanoke. The only good memories I have about Richmond is my social life while attending VCU during 1995-2000.

I never wanted to stay in VA, but my parents were adamant about not paying out-of-state tuition. I spent my junior high & high school years in VA Beach, so in order to please the parents I moved to Richmond. Bad idea on so many levels.

Here's my take - I do believe Richmond is cursed. The city is shiftless & seems to stay in a time warp. As someone has mentioned earlier on this post, the only social mixing is with the college students - that mainly come from Hampton Roads, NOVA & DC. Back then the city was black side/white side & it was very noticeable & unnerving.

I worked at the Commonwealth Club and yes Confederacy was abundant. You could feel the underlying tensions of upper-class rednecks.

Nightlife was a joke. My party days consisted of 2 hour drives to DC to get my DJ nightlife fix at Nations. Richmond's nightlife consisted of Tobacco Company, Secrets in the City, Club Boss, Have a Nice Day Cafe & Caffeines.

Oregon Hill was considered the no-no area for people of color. My college bud visited me in CA recently & I mentioned to her how I never ventured into Oregon Hill, although it was behind my dorm. Her experience was a guy igoing into hostile mode when he saw her Asian persuasion driving through the neighborhood. A Confederate flag was hanging off his porch BTW.

I made a stop in Richmond last Thanksgiving holiday on my way to VA Beach. Still the same Richmond, but extra perks. Chilis, Coldstone, VCU constantly building, etc. No matter hard the city tries, Richmond will always be Richmond.

The plus side of Richmond is the architecture - Monument, The Fan, Churchhill & the Bottom & cheap rent. Also, I do miss the good ol' Shockoe Shakes from Shockoe Espresso! There is a slight gothic beauty about the city that sort of reminds me of Dublin. The industrial layout is both depressing & beautiful, especially when it rains.

BUT....

The best thing that could have happened to me was getting laid off in 02. I made my move to Los Angeles a year later & never looked back. Most people that disliked Richmond either moved back to NOVA, DC or out of state.

My view is that people from smaller towns in VA may appreciate Richmond more because compared to areas like Lynchburg or Halifax County, it feels more like a "city".

[ric75]

Thanks for the post wgzinthecity. You remind me of another odd phenomenon... how frequently folks who no longer live in Richmond still insist on visiting the message boards and forums to talk about how much they hated the City and how great their lives are now that they live in "x". Honestly if I was happy with my life why would I bother going back and harassing the folks in my old haunt? If Richmond is "cursed" with anything, it's a rabid group of folks who insist on A) How terrible the City is and B) There's nothing anyone can do about it. Luckily despite the destructive desires of the naysayers, the forces of creativity are still winning out thanks to dedicated residents with a vision and the will to fight for something they believe in.

[wgzinthecity]

Wow, RIC75 you are Richmond to the core & very sensitive to other people's opinions.

First off it's not harrassment by putting in a POV of a city that I formerly lived. I happen to have friends that still live in Richmond & I'm curious just as everyone else to how much the city has or has not changed.

There's no harm in making a statement about being in a better place. I felt STUCK in Richmond so getting out was the best choice for me. My biggest memory of RIC was some punk kid that spat in my face on Grace Street. I'm a female & African-American.

As far as the "cursed" comment, my belief is that native residents - not all - are stuck in a plantation mentality. For me, living in an area where people were just hunky-dory with the racism/classism that is/was abundant in Richmond was depressing. Within the VCU bubble, not so much.

Sorry to bust your bubble, but when I came to RIC in 95, the folks before me felt the same way. The older grads said Richmond had a lot going on and then everything went dead. If old-money is continues to run the city, Richmond will never be what it's trying to become. VCU has sure come a long way since I attended!

I believe the original poster should travel outside of VA to get a different perspective. Richmond is not for everyone and it wasn't for me. If you are a homebody, barfly or want to raise a family in a small town city environment, then Richmond maybe the place for you. I will say that compared to Roanoke, Richmond is not so bad. But I'll save my harrassing comments for the Roanoke forum.

Richmond has a long way to go & hopefully the communities will come together & make it a more vibrant city for the progressive communities & those that don't feel included.

Hopefully you are doing something in Richmond's community to progress that change.

[Mtaylo24]

I moved here in October. My college degree is damn near useless in this hell-hole. I work customer service with a bunch of GEDs and High School graduates. The job boards are also a joke here promoting the same loan processor and customer service jobs through temp agencies. Im out of here as soon as I'm done with my Post-baccalaureate certificate from VCU.

[richmondpics]

We are in a pretty rough recession. Richmond's been hit pretty hard this time. Have you received negative feedback from that multidisciplinary studies degree?