Am I the only person who can not reccomind living in Richmond to ANYONE? (Jefferson: 2009, hotel)

[blueva]

Originally Posted by Yankeerose00

Richmond is absolutely not northern at all. I never implied that. It's just I've lived and spent a lot of time in all over the south from Virginia, down to Florida and have family in Mississippi and friends in Texas. By the same token, a rural area in the Appalaccian mountains in New Jersey will not feel as "northern" as Brooklyn, NY will. Every place is different and you can't paint an entire region with one brush.

Here's my opinion as a non-southerner: The people in the south speak of being southern as though it's a race or religion or ethnicity like being Polish, Irish or Jewish. When in fact, each state in the south is really and truly different. You are not all the same even though you label yourselves as such.

It also depends what state you are in and where you are in the state. The cities typically feel less southern than the outskirts do. Rural Alabama is nothing like Richmond is. Western Viriginia is nothing like Atlanta, Georgia. You're all southern, but in a different way.
I live out in the country in western Hanover county. It feels MUCH more southern here than it does in the city of Richmond. Richmond does feel southern but when I say it's not "extreme southern" in my own twisted way, I'm paying it a compliment. I think that anyone could move to Richmond and find a neighborhood that they can fit into. It's a very diverse city.

I've been to places in the south where if a person who was not a white, southern, Baptist Republican, they would feel like a fish out of water. Richmond is not like that. I find the people to be pretty open minded. I love the history here. I only want to move further north because I love the snow and snow sports and I want to be closer New England. That's another way I meant that Richmond didn't feel extremely southern. There is NO other southern state that has the colonial history that Richmond does. I felt very at home here. The arcitecture of the buildings and the colonial names are unique to this place. Parts of Richmond feel like New England and I've spoken to New Englanders who say they feel at home here for the same reason.
So you see, I wasnt' insulting Richmond in any way.

Then I agree with what you're saying, and retract my statements. I just was pointing out- I compare Richmond to other cities like Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Birmingham, etc. To me, Richmond feels more "Old South". I even know people from the Deep South that agree with me on this. However, there are places in Deep South, that would definitely make Richmond seem lightly buttered Southern at best. It is all relative. I dont like it when Deep South people call us North- they have to be joking . But most people I know from Deep South have no trouble adjusting to life in Richmond.

[shygirl38]

I have felt the same way about my home town, in fact I don't like going there. I use to stay in Durham,NC and I have moved to Raleigh,NC. Right now I like Durham better then I like Raleigh, but Raleigh do have more to do. I really wanted to move to VA and I was leaning move toward Richmond. As far as the phony people, trust me when I say this, there is people like that everywhere you go. Sometime I do believe that the person need to check out the place for themself. Like someone said before I might like or love Richmond and at the same time you don't. But, I do understand where you coming from.

[Artsywoman]

Originally Posted by RonMaverick804

I am 20 years old and I have lived in Richmond all my life. I'm starting to notice how all the good stuff just passes this place by. If you're into nursing or something like BioTech I could assume that would be your only reason to live in Richmond (Downtown) area if you plan to build a future here. The city uses the excuse of it being "historic" to keep old rundown buildings and communities up. What buildings they do finally decide to knock down after 30 years are turned into something for VCU or MCV.


People's attitudes here has got to be the nail in the coffin. No one here cares.. at all. Everyone has a negative attitude. I'm glad I'm not the only person that feels this way. This city constantly will remind you of it's dominance of the confederacy. Black, White, Mexican Asian.. They all are here but they NEVER mix. They will stay to their own with the exception of the younger crowds. This is even obvious with the city communities. Downtown and some of Varina is mainly white now, East End mainly Black and Chesterfield has seen a growth in Mexican population. You can not live in one place and get the feel of diversity at all. The nicest people I have met have moved here from elsewhere. My parents tell me how the community used to be a lot closer and a better put together city but it is very hard for me to imagine that from what I've seen.

The school system the past 2 years have been a joke, the mayor is a joke and over all this city has a serious budget problem. We never get the good concerts or events they go to Hampton Roads or DC. Our city is no where near what it could be as one of the founding cities of the COUNTRY. After all the money and taxes they still can't afford to do simple things like collect trash,put the proper amount of police in neighborhoods or have proper bus routes for children. They charge people the most insane fines for stupid things like speeding (first time offenders included originally), watering the grass (Then you're fined if your yard looks "too bad" if you do not water), you're charged if your garbage bin is on the curb earlier than 4 p.m. the day before collection. They must be removed by 7 a.m. the day after pick-up to avoid the fine.(I still have not figured this one out) and let's not forget regular taxes then they ********* out of your voting for the next US president.

Every week it's the same stuff on the news. I even noticed this from a young age. People argue there are tons to do here as a kid/teen or young adult. I would like to see a respectable list on exactly what that is. I have been to Science Museum of Virginia and other than the new iMax theatre they have the same stuff there from 1983. Schools like Varina High are over crowded to the point that even with FOUR separate bells students still can not fit in either cafeteria. A good number of them HAVE to go outside so their not elbow to elbow. This is due to the fact they are throwing houses up any and everywhere they can WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE SCHOOLS. Also Varina (Henrico County) is the only county.. or city within range to have students get laptop computers. But I'm sure this has nothing to do with the huge amount of money Varina/Highland Springs racks up year after year during the football season. Richmond City schools are lucky to have a computer LAB.

I could go on and on and on but I just wanted to know who else here had this same feeling. Maybe it is just me. Maybe it is because I'm so young, I'm not sure but I have always found this city SERIOUSLY boring. I realize NOW the city has rezoning projects and reconstruction projects.. but not only do I doubt it will ever fall through but I've heard this so many times before. Look at the Richmond Coliseum. Why can't we have a respectable building like the MCI/Verizon center? Why can't we have decent roads? Why can't we have decent docks for boats? We've lost more than we've gained as far as sports alone. There is nothing appealing here at all.

I've talked to my friends about this in class and we all agree. History is only so entertaining I'm sick of people using it as an excuse as something "to do" not everyone is in to it especially teenagers. I feel if something is not done either this city will take off mainly do to VCU/MCV research and the Bio-Tech explosion or it will continue to be a rundown wasteland as the youth migrates to DC.. Raleigh.. or even Hampton Roads for a more appealing & vibrant life. I hope the city of Richmond can see the light at some point and embrace diversity, change and the next generations.

I have provided links for what I could find so this does not appear as a "rant" it is fact and you have the links for proof. I'm sorry but to the people who are considering moving here please read this. This is NOT a friendly city by any means. I'm sick of the god reviews this place gets no one wants to be honest. You can read this and take it in or move her and be an outcast. No one here cares about any one. Don't expect to blend in. The only people that will tell you that this is a great place (FOR JOBS) people in the business/stock industry, people in the medical field, people who love NASCAR, trailers and smokin' finally the one group that out sizes all of that.. Historians. Even then most of them commute. I had to get that of my chest and if you are moving here by choice do a search here, do a search on google. See how many people love it for the kind neighbors, clean streets and awesome community.

Are you kidding?! I HATE RICHMOND. I finally left 17 years ago and never looked back. It sucked then and it probably sucks now. Closeminded Southern attitude, no culture, crime, racist people, no real downtown. UGH Unfortunately, I was born there and that I can't change! I would recommend if you are unhappy to leave. Life is too short. Research different cities on the Web. I also know a lot of people who dislike Richmond. It is pretty common. I feel bad you are still stuck in the god forbidden place. You are young and that is even worse. Also there are no jobs there.

[oleo]

2 more VCU students were mugged and shot last Friday night. Fortunately, they both survived.

There are plenty of jobs in Richmond. Look at all of the Fortune 500 Companies we have:

Philip Morris/Altria
Genworth Financial
LandAmerica Financial
MeadWestvaco
Dominion Power
Qimonda/Infineon Technologies
Owens & Minor
Capital One
Brinks
Circuit City
CarMax
Markel

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by oleo

2 more VCU students were mugged and shot last Friday night. Fortunately, they both survived.

There are plenty of jobs in Richmond. Look at all of the Fortune 500 Companies we have:

Philip Morris/Altria
Genworth Financial
LandAmerica Financial
MeadWestvaco
Dominion Power
Qimonda/Infineon Technologies
Owens & Minor
Capital One
Brinks
Circuit City
CarMax
Markel

Well I have to take Henrico county off the "safe" list as the Highland Springs area are starting to have more and more crime like break ins and as of yesterday night drive bys. Within the last week I've seen more and more stories that just reminded me of this thread. I don't even have the time or energy to post links to them all just check NBC12.com.

The jobs on that list you just gave have ALL laid off within the last year and I don't mean 5 or 10 people. As you said Richmond is a Fortune 500/1000 city and with the economy the way it is I would expect even more layoffs. Richmond is very dependent on those banks for city income however those very banks are going belly up right now..

[sls76]

Originally Posted by RonMaverick804

Well I have to take Henrico county off the "safe" list as the Highland Springs area are starting to have more and more crime like break ins and as of yesterday night drive bys. Within the last week I've seen more and more stories that just reminded me of this thread. I don't even have the time or energy to post links to them all just check NBC12.com.

The jobs on that list you just gave have ALL laid off within the last year and I don't mean 5 or 10 people. As you said Richmond is a Fortune 500/1000 city and with the economy the way it is I would expect even more layoffs. Richmond is very dependent on those banks for city income however those very banks are going belly up right now..

Unemployment in Richmond is running about 1.5% below the rest of the country.

[richmondpics]

Umm many of those company did not lay people off in the last year, particularly in our area...

[oleo]

Originally Posted by richmondpics

Umm many of those company did not lay people off in the last year, particularly in our area...

Circuit City and Qimonda are the only ones really.

[lori08]

I agree with RonMaverick804. Richmond is very boring.Has anyone noticed bars and resturants are the only attractions to downtown shockoe slip at night?????what happened to theatre?or anything fun for that matter? My family moved here in 2001 from europe and i have not seen much change except like u said Ron...MVC taking over downtown.Just drive around JSRCC campus and you will see most buildings have a MCV or VCU logo.Only reason am still living here is because of nursing school and even that,i am going to continue in another state.I cannot take it any longer.My sister moved to a small town near Seattle and she loves it. My brother is leaving in a few weeks.My mum and dad have agreed to follow us (so they will be near us).There is no diversity here. Although friendly,people here are afraid to hang out with each other(except college students ive seen).At work,there is always a definate division.Anyone who migrates from "up north" is viewed with suspision.This is not to say anything bad about Richmonders but you all need to get over whatever it is you have against NewYorker and "up north"people.Our neighbours are social, kind and always ready to help.Their hospitality is remarkable.But read the TimesDispatch and on average four days a week(shooting,killing etc..etc..mayor wasting time trying to kick school board out of cityhall..blah..blah..)nothing that helps the community and people seem to be okay with that since Nobody protests!!!....Try finding a dance class for adults 18-40(not senoirs..no offense)somewhere to have fun dancing while staying in shape.NONE.We have to drive one and a half hours to DC to attend concerts.Most celebrities bypass Richmond and head towards VA beach area.Why???....For someone like me who is starting out in life and does not fancy drinking every weekend,this IS a boring place.Moving out in March and i cannot wait.

[Anders15]

I think we need more attractions like a aquarium. What ever happened to the plans for that African American Museum Tim Kaine was talking about? There is not nearly enough stuff honoring African and Native Americans in this city IMO. They both played critical roles in developing this city and I think they should be honored a lot better around here. That small black history museum is not cutting it, besides they are having financial problems of their own so the one museum is about to go.

Instead of turning the old slave pins into new condos & putting parking lots over top of the slave's graveyards they should turn at least one of them into a museum. They preserved all the other houses like the Jefferson Hotel and Edgar Allen Poe museum why not those? Why not help out the one black history museum?