Union Hill ...safe? (Richmond, Jefferson: renting, homes, safest neighborhood)

[nthompso1]

I'm looking at renting in Union Hill. I'd like to know what you think about safety of the neighborhood there. What is walkable as far as coffee shops and such and what grocery store do most people in that area use? I am a single woman.

[mpier015]

It's gentrifying. Not the safest neighborhood but also not the most unsafe. It is blocks away from one of the more unsafe housing projects, Mosby Court. The schools in the area aren't great. However, that entire area is gentrifying like crazy and in the next 5/10 years, those homes will all be ridiculously expensive due to the proximity to downtown and the historic nature of the neighborhood/architecture. You can find the neighborhood shops by doing a google street view. Its a pretty walkable area, alamo bbq is close by.

[nthompso1]

Thank you. I have a preschool age grandson. Would you think we could take walks in the neighborhood?

[mpier015]

Originally Posted by nthompso1

Thank you. I have a preschool age grandson. Would you think we could take walks in the neighborhood?

You should have no issues walking around the neighborhood. There is a Farm Fresh grocery store within walking distance:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Jeff...3452!3e2?hl=en
Farmers Market:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Jeff...6134!3e2?hl=en
Bakeries and Bars:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Un....4199931?hl=en

[spencer114]

I do a ton of work in the area (renovation carpenter here).
The southern edge of Union Hill is very nice and safe. There are some great restaurants, a stellar bakery (technically that’s Church Hill because it is on the south side of Jefferson), very hip market, a brand new grocery store on 25th, a library, a hospital and there’s a good mix of old timers, middle class black people, yuppies, hipsters and med students.

As has been noted, the area is gentrifying very quickly. Some very nice people are being priced out but lots of previously abandoned buildings are now occupied and empty lots have been built upon. The area may feel safer for those of us that have been around a while because we remember what the area was like 10-15 years ago* and it feels like Disneyland now by comparison.


*the area was pretty safe even back then, if just didn’t look it.