How is Richmond for young, single professionals? (Charlottesville, Glen Allen: apartment, to rent)

[AllTheWayToMemphis]

Originally Posted by dontsweatcathy

Hi there, well I just moved to Richmond a little over a month ago from New york and let's just say what a culture shock. I definately didn't expect Richmond to be anything like New York, but I have had a hard time meeting people here. Most of the people living in the Richmond area are black, and a bit ghetto. I would say in the Shockoe area it is not the kind of area you would want to walk around in. I havent explored the fan yet.

Is this a joke?

Anyone who is taking this thread seriously should just avoid this post entirely. The Shockoe Bottom area is about as safe as walking through your local grocery store.

[SteelCityRising]

What's wrong with Richmond having a relatively high population of African-Americans? I live in area that is roughly 95% white, Non-Hispanic, and crime is SURGING here, so please don't be trying to imply that somehow Richmond is a "ghetto" merely because of the primary race of many of its denizens. I have a few African-American friends around campus up here in Pennsylvania, and they are all wonderful upstanding people. I'd take a respectable black family living next-door to me ANYDAY over some of the white-trash ones we have.

As an upcoming Virginian I look forward very much to exploring Richmond someday in June and posting some photo tours here on City-Data. The people of the Northern Virginia sub-forum may now hate me with an undying passion for my divergent belief system on urban sprawl (apparently I'll be the ONLY NoVA resident who doesn't think sprawl is the right direction for our nation to be headed into), but nevertheless I think I'm going to be happy in Virginia. Best of luck to everyone moving to Richmond, and I can't wait to visit!

[Anders15]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

What's wrong with Richmond having a relatively high population of African-Americans? I live in area that is roughly 95% white, Non-Hispanic, and crime is SURGING here, so please don't be trying to imply that somehow Richmond is a "ghetto" merely because of the primary race of many of its denizens. I have a few African-American friends around campus up here in Pennsylvania, and they are all wonderful upstanding people. I'd take a respectable black family living next-door to me ANYDAY over some of the white-trash ones we have.

As an upcoming Virginian I look forward very much to exploring Richmond someday in June and posting some photo tours here on City-Data. The people of the Northern Virginia sub-forum may now hate me with an undying passion for my divergent belief system on urban sprawl (apparently I'll be the ONLY NoVA resident who doesn't think sprawl is the right direction for our nation to be headed into), but nevertheless I think I'm going to be happy in Virginia. Best of luck to everyone moving to Richmond, and I can't wait to visit!

Although what you said is true, keep in mind this is the city that dedicates a whole street to worshiping the confederacy, who I thought were the bad guys..

When you have that kind of stuff still around of course people are going to still think like that.

[richmondpics]

Ahh Mr. Negativity... you mean the same Monument Avenue listed on the NATIONAL Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark which has been named one of the top 10 Great Streets in the US by the American Planning Association? The last "Confederate" related monument was dedicated nearly 100 years ago. In historical context, there were still Civil War vets walking around town. How many Confederate worshipers do you see bowing on Monument (save the Sons of Confederate Veterans)? Today, it's much more a beautiful avenue with public art and historic homes than a temple to the Confederacy.

If all one sees on Monument is the worshiping of the Confederacy, someone should politely let them know the "war" ended 144 years ago.

[Anders15]

Yes. That one.

[vcuram11]

Richmond is a great place for young singles. The Fan area is great. It's a mix of college students and young, recently graduated professionals. Of course there are some ghettos but if you just steer clear of those areas you'll be fine. Heading down to MCV campus you might run into some ghettoness but you'll be fine. I feel perfectly safe walking the streets during the day, but if you find yourself having to work the graveyard shift I'd recommend a taxi or a big gang to walk with you. I've had my share of run ins while walking alone or with a small group, best bet it to get home before dark.

[lady8506]

Originally Posted by dontsweatcathy

Hi there, well I just moved to Richmond a little over a month ago from New york and let's just say what a culture shock. I definately didn't expect Richmond to be anything like New York, but I have had a hard time meeting people here. Most of the people living in the Richmond area are black, and a bit ghetto. I would say in the Shockoe area it is not the kind of area you would want to walk around in. I havent explored the fan yet.

Yes, thank you, HALLELUJAH!! OP, this is the man you need to listen to, and nobody else saying how "great" and "easy" it is to meet people here.

I too, have experience living in many different places: Okinawa, Yokusuka Japan, Thailand, California (San Diego, Fresno, L.A.), North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, and a couple others.

And I will say from my experience, that it's not easy to meet people in Richmond, especially if you're single and want to get married one day.

Richmonders, in a nutshell, are: closeminded, VERY clickish, homebodies. Most folks are rednecks or gangstas, and that's all you get.

Don't let anyone who's lived here most or all of their lives, or has lived in nothing but conservative states, tell you different! Their definition of the word "diverse", or "open-minded", or "adventurous" is twisted, because they've never really experienced what diversity, open-mindedness, and adventurous is. They don't know the real meaning of those words. ALL of my friends are like this, and most were born and raised here, or born and raised in another place just like this, and haven't really "seen outside of the box", so to speak.

The way things are here, is 98% of the population is FROM here, born and raised. There is no one coming in from other non-conservative states that aren't just like Richmond, and actually staying! Most people leave as soon as they can, when they realize what a mistake they made coming here.

[Pruzhany]

Maybe Richmond was different 15ish years ago. I moved to the West End directly from NYC, met someone here and was married to her within two years (We no longer live in that area). In NYC I did heavy clubbing and met no one to have a lasting relationship with. So here is my advice: Go to a market (Whole Foods 5:30-6:30) to meet people. Change to a venue that suits your interests. And just as an FYI none of friends whom are married met thier spouses in the club scene. Richmond in itself is ultra conservative compared to numerous other cities and countries I've travelled (and lived in) too. Western Henrico and Chesterfield are less, but this is due to a higher percentage of northerners. Those of us who chose to move here were not looking for a Nothern life. We were looking for the stereotypical Southern life. We wanted our lives to slow down. In my area of choice I have no Northern neighbors (NY,NJ,DE etc). The people I currently mix with are all Sotherners (and we try not to go north of the river).

[sls76]

Originally Posted by NeilVA

Maybe Richmond was different 15ish years ago. I moved to the West End directly from NYC, met someone here and was married to her within two years (We no longer live in that area). In NYC I did heavy clubbing and met no one to have a lasting relationship with. So here is my advice: Go to a market (Whole Foods 5:30-6:30) to meet people. Change to a venue that suits your interests. And just as an FYI none of friends whom are married met thier spouses in the club scene. Richmond in itself is ultra conservative compared to numerous other cities and countries I've travelled (and lived in) too. Western Henrico and Chesterfield are less, but this is due to a higher percentage of northerners. Those of us who chose to move here were not looking for a Nothern life. We were looking for the stereotypical Southern life. We wanted our lives to slow down. In my area of choice I have no Northern neighbors (NY,NJ,DE etc). The people I currently mix with are all Sotherners (and we try not to go north of the river).

Again, please explain how Richmond, a city whose residents voted 79% for Obama (meaning the city is far to the left of the nation) is ultra conservative. Also, how is Richmond more conservative than Chesterfield, a county that McCain won? I just don't get that this area is "ultra conservative" although there are pockets of Henrico that I certainly would describe as moderate/consevative.

[Anders15]

A lot of locations across the nation went blue that normally would not have. Otherwise Obama would not have won right?