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.



 Let’s go…The food and brewery scene.

LookyLOO Review of Richmond

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**](https://www.visitrichmondva.com/events/). 

We highly recommend visiting Richmond and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.

 In the city’s historic districts or the far West End neighborhoods

Lifestyle 

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.


The rising star of the south 

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**eziam**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

RVA is a great small/medium-sized city. Here is what we do have:


Pros: We have a nice wild river that runs through the city. I say wild because there is no true commercial development on it. People go rafting on it (we have some class 4s rapids), swim in it, or sunbathe on it. There is some good restaurants that are local and not a chain, no traffic, two hours from the beach or mountains, the city is walkable, very historic parts, weed is almost legal here, and if you like BEER...boy you are in luck.

Cons: There isn't much of a sports or music scene. We have a baseball team and soccer in crabby stadiums. The big music acts either do Raleigh or D.C. to play. The school system isn't the greatest, crime is rising, people are bitching more, and it's humid in the summer.

For more reviews of what living in Richmond is like from locals, check out [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/richmond/reviews).

The uneasy marriage of new liberalism and historic racism 

Reviews of Richmond from Locals

**The Best Thing About Richmond?** Let’s go…The food and brewery scene.

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 diverse atmospheres.  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 Frozan Papaya Colada at The Answer Brewpub. Prefer hard ciders to beer? Sample varieties of apple ciders at Blue Bee Cider.

**The Worst Thing About Richmond?** The uneasy marriage of new liberalism and historic racism 

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 the progressive leader on racial, social and economic issues.

**How You Living?** In the city’s historic districts or the far West End neighborhoods

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 have 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.

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** The rising star of the south 

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.


Monroe Ward is an incredible option for young professionals in the Richmond’s Downtown district. Amazing apartments and condos filled with a mix of students, young professionals, and families, it is perfectly walkable to tons of restaurants, bars and clubs. An added benefit is the ability to walk to work if you work in the downtown area. Just west of Monroe Ward is The Fan District. Home to VCU, with plenty of cheap and high-end food options, tons of bars and coffee shops and great live-music venues. The Fan District is a really interesting mix of young professionals, college students, and families living in the stunning 19th and early 20th-century homes.
- Monroe Ward
- The Fan District


Young Professionals

Monroe Ward

If you want to live in the downtown area but get a bit of a reprieve from the VCU/Zoomer neighborhoods then look at The Museum District. Unique apartments, condos and homes built 100 years ago, it is filled with art and history. It also sits just a few minute walk from all the restaurants, bars and shops you could possibly need should you crave a bit more social spunk. 
- The Museum District


DINKs/SINKs

The Museum District

Bellevue is a great neighborhood for families. Located in Northside, the mature tree-lined streets protect beautiful historic homes. While only a 10-minute drive from downtown, Bellevue feels suburban. It’s also surrounded by two amazing green spaces; Bryan Park and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. These places provide tons of room to hike and bike as well as one of the country's most highly rated Public Gardens for when you’re feeling a bit more contemplative. Finally, you have great public schools and a small but great area for boutique shopping and interesting food options. 
- Bellevue
- Church Hill
- The Fan
- Westham


Families

Bellevue

Richmond

**eziam**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

RVA is a great small/medium-sized city. Here is what we do have:


Pros: We have a nice wild river that runs through the city. I say wild because there is no true commercial development on it. People go rafting on it (we have some class 4s rapids), swim in it, or sunbathe on it. There is some good restaurants that are local and not a chain, no traffic, two hours from the beach or mountains, the city is walkable, very historic parts, weed is almost legal here, and if you like BEER...boy you are in luck.

Cons: There isn't much of a sports or music scene. We have a baseball team and soccer in crabby stadiums. The big music acts either do Raleigh or D.C. to play. The school system isn't the greatest, crime is rising, people are bitching more, and it's humid in the summer.

**subzeenoble**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

This thread is so funny.

Ok -- Richmond is a walkable city in key areas. I live in Church Hill, and I absolutely love it. I can walk to two public parks, really amazing coffee, a bakery with the best Almond croissants I have ever had, a cute wine shop, some of the best restaurants in the city.

There is also a TON to do. I would follow local influencers like Elaine and Lauren Ray. There are a ton of food popups, events, festivals, and different parts of the city take a lot of pride in creating their own events. Similar to the "quirkiness" of SF's Bay to Breakers or SantaCon events. Richmond, VA has that style of event in our Oregon Hill Halloween Parade, our Annual Irish festival, and more.

The nature is beautiful. There are a ton of parks, there are great hiking trails, and the river is really fun.

The culture is genuine. People who live in Richmond are looking to place roots down, look out for eachother, and engage in conscious collective thought. It's one of the most liberal / leftist cities I've ever lived in. It's an incredibly alternative city, with beautiful progressivism when it comes to mutual aid, citizen responsibility, and more.

**cherylinabarrel**
1y ago
🦉🦉

I moved to Richmond for a job from the DC/DMV area. There are definitely pros to living in RVA, especially when you factor in COL. Some things I like are: -proximity to the River -cute, historic neighborhoods to walk through in the Fan and Museum District -quirky, hipster feel in different parts of the city -mild weather (or at least what I was used to, but yes summers are humid) -lots of breweries -cheaper COL compared to DC (though getting pricier as people moved during Covid)

While I’ve enjoyed my time in Richmond, I’m looking to move within the next year. Richmond is nice, but it is SMALL. I’m in my mid-20s, so we may potentially want different things from our communities, but I find I’ve kinda done about everything the city has to offer. My friends really only go to the same 3-4 bars every weekend. I’ve explored the shops in Carytown many times and while they’re cute, I’ve been there done that. The breweries are fun but it gets a little old when it’s the same places and the same people. You can drive through the whole length of the city in like 10/15 minutes. There’s lots of restaurants and places to explore, but might feel lacking compared to NYC. The airport nearby is nice, but I find the flights are rarely direct and are kinda inconvenient compared to other major airports I’m used to.

I also definitely agree with other folks that while parts of the city are walkable, it would be very challenging to live here without a car.

**Fivefecta**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I lived in Richmond for a year after 3+ years in Seattle and 2 years in Northern VA before that. I also have friends who live there and I visit regularly. My pros and cons:

Pros:

Nice, walkable, and historic neighborhoods

Great food and beer scene

Interesting arts scene

Large state university

Little to no traffic

“Affordable” - see job market con

Short drive to DC

Cons:

Average job market at best; quality job opportunities will vary greatly depending on your field

Pay is not good

Not cosmopolitan; way less diverse and more conservative than other major east coast cities

Population felt less innovative/goal oriented than Seattle or Northern VA

Sketchy in spots

Lacking in public transportation

Have to travel for major tours or professional sports

Airport is smaller so you’ll have to connect often when traveling

Richmond, Virginia

Where Urban Edginess Meets Southern Charm

Looklyloo Score: 90