The Portland Perspective: Richmond, Virginia? Another hipster-oriented city? (Donald: neighborhoods, to buy)

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by jjpop

I think it's somewhere on the spectrum between terrible and fantastic, and it all depends on geography and where you want to go.

If you live within walking/biking distance of a stop and you want to go to another location along one of the lines it's a great system. But for those of us who live in rail black holes around the Metro area, we simply don't use it. So in my opinion, the terrible thing is that it's not built out enough.

But since it's so expensive and there's such vocal opposition to new rail, I think the new Milwaukie line will be the last. Bus rapid transit will be the new focus.

It will be a while until we see any new light rail lines, but I think we will see the expansion of the streetcar system to handle areas that can't fit light rail lines. Which Portland could eventually run a double train on specific lines to increase the capacity.

[VTHokieFan]

Originally Posted by urbanlife78

Ah, so you assume I have not used trimet on a regular basis as well. And no, I think you actively despise the city you try to pretend you like, which really is your problem, not anyone else's problem.

Thank you for the psychological diagnosis from 3000 miles away.

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by VTHokieFan

Thank you for the psychological diagnosis from 3000 miles away.

Sure, I will be happy to do it from Portland come this time next year too if you would like.

[khyron]

Originally Posted by urbanlife78

It will be a while until we see any new light rail lines, but I think we will see the expansion of the streetcar system to handle areas that can't fit light rail lines. Which Portland could eventually run a double train on specific lines to increase the capacity.

Neither the streetcar system nor the MAX system in Portland are designed to accommodate longer trains than those currently in use. You could negotiate the turns okay, but you'd never be able to stop anywhere because you'd be hanging part of the train out into traffic and intersections.

[skiffrace]

-darn, posted in wrong place - too much Dead Guy Rogue

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by khyron

Neither the streetcar system nor the MAX system in Portland are designed to accommodate longer trains than those currently in use. You could negotiate the turns okay, but you'd never be able to stop anywhere because you'd be hanging part of the train out into traffic and intersections.

The streetcar currently runs as single car trains, they could upgrade to double car trains, but that would require expansions and lose of street parking spots at each stop.

The MAX obviously could not run longer trains without major upgrades at each station and a tunnel through downtown to solve the issue with being too long for a Portland block. (This is something that probably won't happen any time in the near or somewhat distant future.)

[urbanlife78]

Originally Posted by skiffrace

-darn, posted in wrong place - too much Dead Guy Rogue

You should try the PSU IPA, it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, just like the college. (Though with the new college president, they have been getting much, much better than when I went there.)

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by NickyBilly

Don't be scared off by the Portlanderthals who - again - think Portland is the 'end all, be all'. Give it a shot and go to Richmond and experience a new city/culture. I know that suggesting so is blasphemy to many in PDX because PDX is "so cool, hipster, uber-chic, etc.,etc" and everyone is the world is clamoring to get to Portland because of these self-proclaimed attributes. What do you have to lose? You can come back to boring old Portland anytime - but I bet you don't.

Originally Posted by ric75

Well you asked for the Portland perspective but got a couple of resentful ex-Richmonders instead. I've lived here for about 12 years now and enjoy it. Really reasonable cost of living, great food scene, FINALLY growing beer scene (try Hardywood if you get the chance), good music scene, GREAT arts scene, and one of the best inner city outdoors scenes you could find in the country. You can mountain bike, rock climb, and ride white water all within view of downtown. Consider however the scale. Richmond has a population a little over 200,000 and has a large African-American segment so it's definitely not Portland. The high AA population and associated poverty contribute to the crime problem. I've never had anything happen but robberies do occur even in the nice areas sometimes. Hipsters definitely have a strong presence here. We rank in the Top 5 of most tattooed cities in the country. It offers a lot on a small scale but that suits me. I like things to be accessible and everything in Richmond is. If you don't mind a little old city grit it has a lot to offer but I can't compare it to the likes of Portland, having never visited. My recommendation is to pay a visit sometime on an East Coast excursion and get a feel for it yourself.

A few links that show the variety Richmond can offer... if you're willing to look.

Dirty Richmond - Best Style Blog DIRTY RICHMOND
RVAlution Dance party
RVALUTION IS STILL HERE!!! - YouTube
Neighborhood Blogs RVA News, Events, Entertainment, and Sports in Richmond, Virginia
Outside magazine on Richmond The Best River Towns in America: Richmond, Virginia | Best Towns | OutsideOnline.com

It's funny how the single two posters defending Richmond includes a poster from Richmond that hasn't been to Portland and a poster from Portland that hasn't been to Richmond.

Take my advice and don't waste your time.

[pdxMIKEpdx]

NickyBilly, you are about five years behind the times.

[hhcc]

No, Portand can't compare to Richmond, that's obviously fact, but hey I'm still going to talk about it. Richmond's improving for sure so for those of you that haven't visited within the past 20 or even 10 years shouldn't say too much. The crime is improving, homophobia and etc is decreasing, and the food scene is really great now with a very cool grocery store called Ellwood Thompson's. Independent grocery stores are popping up everywhere around here. There's a strip of shops called Carytown that has a rad FroYo place called Yapple, a few skate shops, a supposedly haunted movie theatre with really cheap movie reruns, a 1920s-themed clothing shop, a chocolate shop, camera shop, an American Apparel, and a few restaurants. VCU is expanding rapidly as well which is improving the city, but Richmond definitely has to rely on it. All the trendy people are VCU students. If you have kids though, the schools are pretty awful with a few being the exception. For high schools, Open is the exception and the best middle school is probably Albert Hill Middle. Transportation is definitely a nightmare, but with Norfolk, a nearby city, getting above-ground rail, Richmond shouldn't be far behind. There is an airport nearby that calls itself international, but it can only take you to like Atlanta and Newark. The music scene is pretty cool with a sweet venue called The National. "It's a cool looking theatre," said Andrew Vanwyngarden, of MGMT, just last night. Richmond's river isn't beautiful, but atleast it's there so for locals it's a fun place to stop by on a hot day. If you ever get stuck here though, I definitely reccommend going by Hollywood Cemetary, Carytown, Maymont Park, The Forest Hill Farmer's Market, and one of the local restaurants. Bandito's if you want Mexican, Athen's Tavern if you want Greek, 8 1/2 for Italian. There's an African food place downtown that's worth checking out as well. Honestly, I won't be living here my whole life, but for people who like a small and hip city, Richmond's a good choice. Check back on it in the future and it will have improved even more.