Southern Cities: Greensboro and Richmond??? (Chester, Pocahontas: colleges, places to live, beach)

[RunD1987]

Curious on anyone who lives or has lived in either city. What's your thoughts on these two southern cities.

We currently live in Greensboro area in a suburb town. Just love NC all around. Does have some cons but a lot of pluses. Weather is great, good food, lots to do, it's growing, great family activities, and so much more. Like that you can take a day or two trip to the beach or mountains.

Just curious how Richmond stacks up to Greensboro.

Any pros or cons? Are they pretty comparable?

Appreciate the insight.

[Bigfoot424]

That is quite a hike for a day trip to the beach from Greensboro. Isn't it like 3 hours? Kind of long for a day trip but from the center of Richmond to Va Beach is close to 2 hours and much worse during the summer on certain days. I have never lived in Greensboro but I do like the area and one of my brothers lives nearby in High Point and seems to really like it. I just spent 3 days in the Short Pump/Manakin area in Richmond and enjoyed it but the traffic was pretty heavy. Richmond has many plusses but not sure it is enough to draw you away from Greensboro.

[rural & red]

I went to Greensboro once but didn't know what to do there.

Tell us what you like/dislike about Greensboro and we may be able to tell you how Richmond compares.

[TheMarino]

Live in RVA now, lived in Gboro for a year and most of my life in Winston so I’m familiar with the area very well.

Greensboro is one of the most boring cities I’ve ever been in, for a city of 300k, I cannot believe it and I would consider 2/3 of the city not even great places to live.

I strongly recommend you checking out Richmond. I don’t consider it a southern city but many do.

[RunD1987]

Originally Posted by rural & red

I went to Greensboro once but didn't know what to do there.

Tell us what you like/dislike about Greensboro and we may be able to tell you how Richmond compares.

Country suburbs, greenways, parks, science center, good food, close to the zoo, and lot of family related activities. Also, depending on location can have a 20 mile or less commute to a lot of hospitals & colleges.

[rural & red]

Originally Posted by RunD1987

Country suburbs, greenways, parks, science center, good food, close to the zoo, and lot of family related activities. Also, depending on location can have a 20 mile or less commute to a lot of hospitals & colleges.

Country suburbs can be found in West/South Chesterfield, Hanover County and Eastern Henrico. If you want rural, check some outer ring counties like Powhatan, Goochland, Amelia, and Prince George.

Metro Richmond is a great place to live and raise a family. Plenty of kid-friendly activities and parks all around, especially Chesterfield County.

We're at 1.3 million people spread out among many counties, plenty of activities do around here without feeling like you're in a congested metro.

Pocahontas State Park is nearby, so is Powhatan State Park. Richmond City has the James River Park system with 7 miles of intermediate to advanced whitewater paddling, mountain bike trails and awesome fishing spots. We're on the fall line where the Piedmont meets the Coastal Plain, so we have both inland and tidal fishing, with saltwater beaches not too far.

Plenty of good hospitals like Chippenham, Johnston Willis, etc.

[Charlesaf3]

I don't get the impression greensboro and Richmond are comparable metros. Richmond is very urban. RVA MSA is twice the size, which probably undercounts the difference