NYC girl considering moving to Richmond (Williamsburg: fit in, apartment, for rent)

[linzertart]

I'm a 25-year-old single woman from New York City. I currently live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (the hipster capital of the world) but much preferred the tidy, laid-back, endlessly-convenient neighborhood I lived in on the Upper West Side. These days, living in NYC is utterly depressing - practically everyone I know is unemployed. My parents are planning to move to Richmond late this winter, and I'm contemplating going with them for a change of scenery. Thoughts of warmer weather, lower rent and a less-competitive job market definitely appeal to me, but I know nothing at all about Richmond and I'm looking for some advice.

I'd like to continue to live in an urban setting, with close proximity to entertainment and culture. I hope to keep up a relatively busy pace of life, with a lot of people around, and I'm hoping to spend around $800-$900 for a one-bedroom apartment. Can anyone give me some hints about where to look, and what to avoid? Where are all the cool kids living and hanging out these days? Please skip commentary about Richmond being a "dirty" city - you have not seen dirty until you've experienced Kent Ave in Brooklyn

[PickPatrick]

I think you should explore Jackson Ward, Church Hill, and Shockoe Bottom, and the Fan. These urban areas should meet your needs.

[Anders15]

Shockoe Bottom

[chrisman]

First of all, and I don't want to come off as too negative, but you should strongly reconsider moving to Richmond if you are expecting any kind of comparison to NYC. Richmond is somewhat convenient, but there is no decent public transportation so you will have to drive everywhere. The good news is traffic really isn't that bad and you can usually find a halfway decent parking spot.

As far as entertainment, there are really only a handful of things to do, but after about 6 months or less, you will have pretty much done everything in Richmond. The downtown scene can get extremely redundant, major concerts usually skip Richmond, and there is little in the way of musuems, etc.

As to the culture, looking at a demographic of the city may mislead you as to how it really is. While the city itself is diverse, it's not a melting pot. There is no blending of races as people generally are unable to overcome barriers. Think of Richmond as 50 years behind in terms of tolerance and intergration. Certain groups have inherited old southern money and will not associate with those they feel are beneath them. You will find a lot of negativity, unspoken racism, and lack of progessive thinking. Unlike NY, there is no pride from where you came from growing up in Richmond.

If you can deal with that, yes the weather is warmer and you will definitely be able to find a decent place for rent within your price range, but there's no guarantee the job market is going to be better in Richmond. Unemployment is hitting there as well. Oh and if you're wondering I grew up in Richmond, lived there for 20 years, and will probably never go back.

[traveling_in_the_sun]

Originally Posted by chrisman

First of all, and I don't want to come off as too negative, but you should strongly reconsider moving to Richmond if you are expecting any kind of comparison to NYC. Richmond is somewhat convenient, but there is no decent public transportation so you will have to drive everywhere. The good news is traffic really isn't that bad and you can usually find a halfway decent parking spot.

As far as entertainment, there are really only a handful of things to do, but after about 6 months or less, you will have pretty much done everything in Richmond. The downtown scene can get extremely redundant, major concerts usually skip Richmond, and there is little in the way of musuems, etc.

As to the culture, looking at a demographic of the city may mislead you as to how it really is. While the city itself is diverse, it's not a melting pot. There is no blending of races as people generally are unable to overcome barriers. Think of Richmond as 50 years behind in terms of tolerance and intergration. Certain groups have inherited old southern money and will not associate with those they feel are beneath them. You will find a lot of negativity, unspoken racism, and lack of progessive thinking. Unlike NY, there is no pride from where you came from growing up in Richmond.

If you can deal with that, yes the weather is warmer and you will definitely be able to find a decent place for rent within your price range, but there's no guarantee the job market is going to be better in Richmond. Unemployment is hitting there as well. Oh and if you're wondering I grew up in Richmond, lived there for 20 years, and will probably never go back.

I would like to respectively disagree with some of your comments. I moved to Richmond 7 months ago. I have not gotten bored with the city yet. There is still a lot I need to see in Richmond and the surrounding areas.

From my experience, people generally don't take pride in where they're from when they are born and grow up there. I don't believe anyone is meant to stay in one place their whole life. It would get too boring. It's just about not getting out and experiencing anything.

Honestly, I believe life is what you make of it no matter where you live. It's about those around you and a positive attitude.

a few of my favorite things about Richmond are:

-Belle Isle
-Carytown
-It's proximity to a lot of historical landmarks
-Maymont Park

[verguenza]

Don't move to Richmond. I'm from the DC area and moved there for school and it was the worst decision of my life--- mostly because of the huge culture shock. I can't even imagine how bad it would be coming from NYC. Unless you enjoy people who are so ignorant it makes you want to scream, don't go there. And I would not consider Richmond very "urban." It may be, physically, but the mentality there is just so redneck. The suburbs of Northern Virginia are more urban in mindset. I could write a 500 page novel on how much I hate Richmond.

I've been to Williamsburg, NYC, and can see the slightly similar "hipster" aspect Richmond might have, but trust me-- it's not worth it. I chose Richmond because I thought I'd fit in better with the artsy, hipstery set there, but once you come here you'll realize it's just a facade and it doesn't mean anything. Hipster on the outside, redneck on the inside...

[CNI]

I'm not trying to encourage or discourage.
I just think it would probably help if you scouted Richmond out (or any place, for that matter) before jumping in with both feet. Do you know anyone in Richmond that you could hang out with for a weekend before relocating? If you have anything that would be bringing you near Richmond then maybe you could stop here and get a sense of whether it will suit your tastes.
Also, have you targeted any companies that you might want to interview with?
Money and friends will go a long way in determining how you adjust in any new environment.
Richmond is definitely not NYC (or DC). Please don't expect to find all of the things you are used to. And just because you are from NYC (or DC) doesn't automatically mean that your tastes and styles are the final word. Different places have different trends and styles. New places bring new experiences. But if you are up for that (and it can be challenging) then you will likely have fun.

[sunny12416]

no not jackson ward, or church hill. you dont have all the things here in va like nyc. it is a laid back state though, which i like. if i could afford nyc i would live there. there is alot of young crowd in the fan, but certain area's there are not good.you should come here for a few days and check it out before you actually make the move here.

[Richmonder27]

Originally Posted by linzertart

I'm a 25-year-old single woman from New York City. I currently live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (the hipster capital of the world) but much preferred the tidy, laid-back, endlessly-convenient neighborhood I lived in on the Upper West Side. These days, living in NYC is utterly depressing - practically everyone I know is unemployed. My parents are planning to move to Richmond late this winter, and I'm contemplating going with them for a change of scenery. Thoughts of warmer weather, lower rent and a less-competitive job market definitely appeal to me, but I know nothing at all about Richmond and I'm looking for some advice.

I'd like to continue to live in an urban setting, with close proximity to entertainment and culture. I hope to keep up a relatively busy pace of life, with a lot of people around, and I'm hoping to spend around $800-$900 for a one-bedroom apartment. Can anyone give me some hints about where to look, and what to avoid? Where are all the cool kids living and hanging out these days? Please skip commentary about Richmond being a "dirty" city - you have not seen dirty until you've experienced Kent Ave in Brooklyn

There are tons of Hipsters in Richmond. Probably more so than Brooklyn.

I reccomend The Museum District of Richmond- just west of the Boulevard. Or the Fan.

Richmond is certainly not a dirty city. Its beautiful. Monument Ave is probably one of the most beautiful streets in the country. You could also try maybe some flats on W. Broad St near the VCU campus.

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by chrisman

First of all, and I don't want to come off as too negative, but you should strongly reconsider moving to Richmond if you are expecting any kind of comparison to NYC. Richmond is somewhat convenient, but there is no decent public transportation so you will have to drive everywhere. The good news is traffic really isn't that bad and you can usually find a halfway decent parking spot.

As far as entertainment, there are really only a handful of things to do, but after about 6 months or less, you will have pretty much done everything in Richmond. The downtown scene can get extremely redundant, major concerts usually skip Richmond, and there is little in the way of musuems, etc.

As to the culture, looking at a demographic of the city may mislead you as to how it really is. While the city itself is diverse, it's not a melting pot. There is no blending of races as people generally are unable to overcome barriers. Think of Richmond as 50 years behind in terms of tolerance and intergration. Certain groups have inherited old southern money and will not associate with those they feel are beneath them. You will find a lot of negativity, unspoken racism, and lack of progessive thinking. Unlike NY, there is no pride from where you came from growing up in Richmond.

If you can deal with that, yes the weather is warmer and you will definitely be able to find a decent place for rent within your price range, but there's no guarantee the job market is going to be better in Richmond. Unemployment is hitting there as well. Oh and if you're wondering I grew up in Richmond, lived there for 20 years, and will probably never go back.

well said.