Am I the only person who can not reccomind living in Richmond to ANYONE? (Chester: things to do, rating)

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by dubiousthoughts

The best thing about Richmond is its' location if you have to move here. You can take advantage of VA Beach and DC easily. Additionally, being on I-95, one can get as far as NY or Myrtle beach in a days drive. As far as residing in Richmond, there is really nothing unique about the area other than it's Civil War history, which I find offensive being a minority. Additionally, many people have limited views on Race, thus the area is very segregated. There are a few diverse areas like the Fan or Carytown, but that gets dry pretty quickly and your routine can quickly be work-home-back to work-tv on the weekends. If you like that type of life, Richmond won't dissapoint. But if you want some activity in your life and some diverse friends, pick another city.

On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being Detroit, and 10 being SF/Oakland/SJ, how is Richmond in terms of integration / segregation? For another data point, how is NoVA/DC?

[dubiousthoughts]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being Detroit, and 10 being SF/Oakland/SJ, how is Richmond in terms of integration / segregation? For another data point, how is NoVA/DC?

The city of Richmond is over 55% black. Most Blacks live in exclusively Black low-income areas. Most Whites live in the counties (Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover) where the highest Black % is maybe 10% in each county, maybe less. The Whites that live in the city limits are concentrated mostle in the West End of Richmond (still city limits) with some scattered in other pockets of the city. But these people are usually older and childless, as the Richmond city schools are a disaster after elementary school age. I'd say NOVA or the Bay area is far more diverse because of the many cultures and money in the area. Richmond is at best, lower middle class on average, less educated, which makes diversity and integration a struggle.

[sls76]

Originally Posted by dubiousthoughts

The city of Richmond is over 55% black. Most Blacks live in exclusively Black low-income areas. Most Whites live in the counties (Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover) where the highest Black % is maybe 10% in each county, maybe less. The Whites that live in the city limits are concentrated mostle in the West End of Richmond (still city limits) with some scattered in other pockets of the city. But these people are usually older and childless, as the Richmond city schools are a disaster after elementary school age. I'd say NOVA or the Bay area is far more diverse because of the many cultures and money in the area. Richmond is at best, lower middle class on average, less educated, which makes diversity and integration a struggle.

Your data is only correct for Hanover (9% African American "AA"). Henrico is 25% AA and Chesterfield is 32% AA according to Wikipedia. If you go to the Census Bureau (likely more up-to-date) they have Henrico as 28% AA, Chesterfield as 22% AA and Hanover as 10% AA. Both sets of data suggest there is a higher percentage of AAs living in Henrico and Chesterfield than in the state of VA and the nation as a whole.

[Woodlands]

If I wanted to come to Richmond and 'bar hop' what districts would be recommended? The only one I am remotely familiar with is Shockoe Bottom/Slip.. are there any others "districts" where you can park your car and walk from bar to bar as oppose to driving?

[richmondpics]

Robinson Street and Main Street in the Fan come to mind... not a club scene at all though - definitely smaller bars and outdoor decks etc. deLux, Buddy's, Three Monkeys, StarLite, Curbside, etc...

[HiPi43]

Two places you can bar or restaurant hop if you like.

[HiPi43]

I am amazed at all the people who come here to Richmond and make snap judgments without venturing out to see. I grew up here, moved away a few years, travelled several continents, and returned. Yes, this is a more conservative area, by that I mean politically it tends to be a Republican area. Other than that, there are churches of all faiths here, including Unitarian for those who are atheist, agnostic, wiccan, etc. There are events such as festivals: watermelon, beer, seafood, Armenian, Greek, Indian, Arts in the Park, Arts in the Garden, the swing festival Jammin' on the James, summer venues like Friday Cheers (free!), Dogwood Dell (free!) for outdoor ampitheatre plays, musicals, and bands from reggae to salsa to 4th of July fireworks and big band stuff, Innsbrook After Hours, the Broadway Under the Stars musical series at our historical mosque "Landmark" theatre (one of only two in the country, if I remember correctly), the Richmond Ballet, the Latin Ballet of Virginia, and restaurants of all kinds from Indian and Thai to Americana burgers and fries.

Want something to do? Go to the east to the beach, or go to the west to the mountains to camp or to a cabin. Go to the north to D.C. or go to any historical settlement like Jamestown. What about kayaking or taking a dip right here in the James River? If one is worried about heritage and racism, note that strengths and inventions are attributed at Jamestown to the Africans who were brought here, to the American Indians (as is now pc to name them) who were already here, and to the English settlers. When I grew up here my best friends were/are Asian, African American, and hispanic. We grew up in the same neighborhoods and went to the same schools, and we're still here shopping at the same stores our parents did and hanging out together at local Italian ice cream shops with owners direct from Italy.

I had a professor in college who stated, if a person is so easily bored, s/he must be an awfully boring person! If you are want for something to do or some culture, just open your eyes and look around.

Besides, who is being negative here? It is those who have come in and are yelling how awful it is here. And IF anyone is worried about racism here, I think it is important to point out that we got Arthur Ashe put on the same street as those Confederate white men. And I'll remind you that one of them is famous for stating that if the war were about slavery, he would have fought on the other side. The war was about states' rights vs. federal rights. And why should people not be proud of standing up for that? It is an issue states and the fed still debate today as seen in environmental protection legislation now being argued. Slavery did not become an issue in the war until the war had already been going on for some time (one to two years at least). But then, this forum topic is not about slavery and racism. Because the underground unfair issue is that poor people are kept in the city and the rich people out where the air is cleaner and the schools are better due to the financing of those who live in each sector... this goes on in every city and town, not just here, and not it is not right, but it is not strictly racist. There are poor Caucasians and poor Asians going throught he same thing in this city and other cities. In the end, people in Richmond do mix and they do care about each other and enjoy their time together, and there is certainly plenty to do. Just open your eyes and look around and get started!

[Drucili]

I wish this forum had existed before I came here. If I had known then what I know now, I wouldn't come near this place. Suffice it to say I think Afghanistan, Iran or Cuba would have been equal to or better choices.

[mrstewart]

Originally Posted by Drucili

I wish this forum had existed before I came here. If I had known then what I know now, I wouldn't come near this place. Suffice it to say I think Afghanistan, Iran or Cuba would have been equal to or better choices.

Afghanistan, Iran or Cuba??? Please Let us know how you like those places after you vist

[ric75]

Originally Posted by Drucili

I wish this forum had existed before I came here. If I had known then what I know now, I wouldn't come near this place. Suffice it to say I think Afghanistan, Iran or Cuba would have been equal to or better choices.

By and large this seems to be the intelligence level of most of the Richmond critics... "I hate Richmond because it sucks!". If you don't have anything constructive to say nor any desire to help fix the things you think are wrong just leave and bemoan your existence in some other City. I'm sure they'll love to hear it