Am I the only person who can not reccomind living in Richmond to ANYONE? (Hampton: crimes, homes)

[luvmontello]

The City of Richmond is much more than just the downtown area! It doesn't sound as if you've ventured west of the Boulevard. I'll be the first to admit the city has its problems, but what city doesn't? If you haven't noticed, however, there's a movement afoot to correct some of these problems. You're all of 20 years old. I have shoes older than you are, and I've seen a thing or 2 in my day (says the old codger), and Richmond's not a bad place to live.

My daughter couldn't wait to leave Richmond either, and she did at 18. She went to college out-of-state and studied abroad for a year. She moved to NY and lived in Manhattan for several years and, believe it or not, couldn't wait to come back home. She's now living and working here and couldn't be happier. Richmond seems less "provincial" now that it did when she was a teenager. (She's still young -- not yet 30.) My advice to you is to leave. You'll either be much happier elsewhere, or you'll decide Richmond isn't so bad, maybe both. But you do need to get away for a while.

[lady8506]

I have lived in Richmond for 7 years, and like a previous poster, my only regret is that I didn't move sooner. I still haven't moved but it is forever on my mind, and I seriously have plans to leave this place for Florida, once and for all, in a couple months.

Here's my experience: I've lived in Okinawa, Japan, Thailand, Yokosuka, Japan, and visited Germany, Malaysia, and Iceland. I've also live in Indiana, North Carolina, California (Fresno area, San Diego, and visited L.A.). I've also served in the Navy for 4 years.

All my life I've lived in places where people flirt at the pretty girl they see coming down the street, and the girl flirts back. The people are open and if they want to talk to you, they will genuinely try to meet you. They're openminded, like to have fun, and love to live life.....just like me.

I come to Richmond, VA and everyone here is: clickish, closed-minded, flirting is a HUGE no-no and therefore nobody does it (yeah, good luck meeting new people if you're single), a homebody, a redneck, hick, a sports nut, or a gangsta. There is hardly any mingling of the different races, and people here don't really want to do anything, or see anything, or try to experience something new, nor do they know how to enjoy life.

People here who vouch for how great this place is were BORN and RAISED here (that's like 99% of the population here. Hardly anyone who comes here from a state where people have more lively and friendly attitudes, stays here). The natives who were born and raised will vouch for how great this place is, but they don't know the definition of what "great" is since they haven't been anywhere else, and haven't actually accumulated any experience. I recently had a guy friend tell me how "friendly" richmonder's were of all the places he's lived. When I asked him how many states he's lived in, his answer was "Just Virginia". He's lived in 3 other places in Virginia, and that's what he's comparing Richmond people to.

Don't get me wrong and think I'm some recluse who has no friends. I have friends, but I am really different from all of them. The only things they ever want to do is go to "Sidewalk Cafe" because it's such a "great" place! People, it is NOT a great place. It's a local hang out, smoke filled, joint with typical unhealthy american food fare. Or they wanna go to the Starlight, which is just another local club with nothing special to offer. Or they wanna go to Three Monkeys, or Sticky Rice because it's so awesome! Or Black Finn (just another sports bar). None of these places are anything great. They're smoke filled, average american, bars and clubs filled with people who are unfriendly, conservative, homebodies.

If you think you can meet someone new in these places, well good luck! It will be difficult, as people here get to know one another through a friend of a friend. They are not open enough here to try and meet someone through flirting or just a plain willingness, or openness, to meet new people.

Southern hospitality doesn't extend beyond good customer service here. Get past the customer service, and people are genuinely unfriendly in all other settings.

Am I the only one who's having this experience here? I agree with the OP, I hate this place because of the people. My friend recently vouched to me (yes, she was born and raised here) how great this place was because of all the bike trails we have, the river, 2 hours from the beach and mountains, yada yada yada....but what does all that matter if the people who live here rarely ever want to go enjoy those things, or if it's so hard for you to meet new people, especially when you're single, or if the people you do meet are so closed minded, such homebodies, and not willing to try out life, try living it for once? Or if you told your friend that you missed having guys flirt with you, and her response was, "What!? Flirting is a big no-no! Only shallow people flirt. You don't do that here!" She just said this to me two days ago.

That would put me, and anyone else like me, on a different page than everyone else who lives here. And I would say to anyone like me who lives here, or anyone like me who is even THINKING of coming here, don't! This place is very, very conservative. And if that's not you, don't come here.

[vman650]

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.

You are so very very young. Travel, explore,see other places and meet new people. Who knows, you may find out that Richmond was not that bad after all. As time marches on, all things change even us.

[christine243]

Gosh... I'm so glad to be reading this. I've lived in the Hampton Roads area (Virginia Beach) for about 2 years now... (came here for my husband) and I absolutely hate it. I recently met a young lady who is from this area, I told her how much I don't like it and she suggested that I would like Richmond better. Based on what you and others say on this Richmond post I don't think Virginia is the place for me period. Being from a well rounded, diverse and vibrant city (Boston), I'm noticing how close minded, prejudicial (in a myriad of ways) and just down right rude and inconsiderate most are here. The culture sucks. I fear I'm stuck here for a while... good gawd...

[Franklicious]

I live here.

My experience: It is VERY provincial. I have never encountered the level of rudeness I have experienced while living here in Richmond.

The Lesson: If you are not from around here you are most definitely NOT welcome here. Southern hospitality and charm is reserved only for members of their clique.

[Richmonder27]

Originally Posted by Franklicious

I live here.

My experience: It is VERY provincial. I have never encountered the level of rudeness I have experienced while living here in Richmond.

The Lesson: If you are not from around here you are most definitely NOT welcome here. Southern hospitality and charm is reserved only for members of their clique.

Richmond is not rude ! Except for the NY/NJ foreigners we have had in recent years.

We have art galleries, great restaurants, and our own photomat!

[Richmonder27]

Originally Posted by christine243

Gosh... I'm so glad to be reading this. I've lived in the Hampton Roads area (Virginia Beach) for about 2 years now... (came here for my husband) and I absolutely hate it. I recently met a young lady who is from this area, I told her how much I don't like it and she suggested that I would like Richmond better. Based on what you and others say on this Richmond post I don't think Virginia is the place for me period. Being from a well rounded, diverse and vibrant city (Boston), I'm noticing how close minded, prejudicial (in a myriad of ways) and just down right rude and inconsiderate most are here. The culture sucks. I fear I'm stuck here for a while... good gawd...

You can keep yer Boston. Ugly city, and those God awful accents! I have met Boston people in my neighborhood. They are anything but open minded.

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by Richmonder27

Richmond is not rude !Except for the NY/NJ foreigners we have had in recent years.

We have art galleries, great restaurants, and our own photomat!

Originally Posted by Richmonder27

You can keep yer Boston. Ugly city, and those God awful accents! I have met Boston people in my neighborhood. They are anything but open minded.

Other than you contradicting yourself over and over again, you represent the Richmond attitude. Read what I originally wrote and this is exactly what I am talking about. If anyone had any doubts in what I wrote they shouldn't anymore!

This is why there is no culture here. Richmond does not welcome others (from the north) and you refuse to expand your own city's history. Richmond is just stuck doing nothing. When someone tries to speak up or offer something new oh boy Richmonders hate that! How dare you want to bring change?! I feel that the city is so conservative it is just absurd.

[oleo]

this past election:

[Anders15]

Oh.. well, that just changes everything!!