Living in Richmond, Virginia

Interesting Richmond restaurants continue to pop up each year, making this Virginia city a growing foodie destination! Any day of the week, Richmonders love to experience the finer side of dining. Oysters on the Half Shell and Seafood Paella at Rappahannock. Chicken Schnitzel or Boar Shank at Metzger Bar & Butchery. Creative breakfast classics with the Wavy Gravy at The Fancy Biscuit. Lump Crab and Scrambled Egg Enchilada at Millie’s Diner. We could go on and on after you’re done dining. Locals like to finish things off with a Pumpkin and Salted Caramel Pie from Proper Pie Company.

Also, Richmond = Breweries. Richmonders can’t get enough of the 30 Breweries, all with very distinct vibes. Stopping in at just one or two is enough to see why Richmond is one of America’s top beer destinations. Grab a Bourbon Barrel GPS at Richmond Brew House & Tap Room or enjoy the diverse selection of IPAs, Hefeweissens, and more at The Veil Brewing Co. Sip on a Fresh Pair of Sambas or a Frozen Papaya Colada at The Answer Brewpub. Do you prefer hard ciders to beer? Sample varieties of apple ciders at Blue Bee Cider.

Virginia is home to America’s original contradiction – the peculiar juxtaposition of slavery and freedom. As the former capital of the Confederacy, Richmond has tried to move from its past while still preserving its history. 2020 brought protests on Monument Avenue and the subsequent removal of Confederate statues. The city is embracing being a progressive leader on racial, social, and economic issues.

Richmond ranked #5 in the US Hipster Index. Hipsters are a subculture of 20- to 30-somethings who position themselves as non-mainstream pioneers; free-thinkers and non-conformist conformists. The city districts that give off that vibe are Scott’s Edition, Shockoe Bottom, The Fan and Church Hill. Each has their own unique qualities that people are drawn to. The Far West End, the most suburban area of Richmond, and the farther west you go, sidewalks and tight neighborhoods give way to sprawling newer developments that require residents to drive rather than walk to neighborhood amenities.

If you want to see what's happening in Richmond check out the calendar of events.

We highly recommend visiting Richmond and staying in the community in a VRBO rather than a hotel to get a feel for living among the locals. You can also receive discounted travel fares via our partnership with Expedia.

Richmond is known for a lot of things -- the amazing views of the city from the James River, the rich history, the local cuisine, and the growing job market. The city was ranked at number 24 on the top 25 best places to live in the U.S., according to U.S. News and World Report. Top employers in the area include Capital One Financial Corp., VCU Health System Authority and the HCA Virginia Health System.

Richmond is a vibrant Southern city with a multitude of livable, walkable neighborhoods; a thriving foodie scene with amazing restaurants; an arts scene that will soon include a combination boutique hotel/art gallery; and a city landscape that includes numerous parks and locations for outdoor physical activities – hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle boarding, among others.