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Richmond, VA

Richmond, VA

Google MapsPhoto:Kris Steketee

Ettrick is part of the Richmond area. This page covers the whole metro.

Everyday life
Shops, cafes, and daily routines
Hobbies & activities
Trails, parks, and pastimes
Nearby scenery
Lakes, overlooks, and drives

Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.

Tends to love it
Tends to struggle
Where locals disagree: Making friends. Some residents find community through clubs and sports groups while others say friendship remains very difficult.
The vibe
Festival spirit
"One resident says the Richmond Folk Festival is the best festival in town and suggests going elsewhere for more options."
Scenic trails
"One resident said the Richmond slave trail hike is both enjoyable physically and humbling."
Community through clubs
"One resident describes the River City Social Sports Club as a beer league that involves playing music and making friends."
A day in the life
Midday
Outdoors and trails

One resident said the Cole Mountain Loop or Mt. Pleasant Loop trail is challenging in sections with amazing mountain views.

A local says

“Pleasant Loop trail is challenging in sections and the views from on top of the mountains are amazing”

Evening
Nightlife and social

One resident says they are not the type to walk into a bar and make friends with strangers, finding adult friendship surprisingly difficult.

A local says

“I'm not really the type who can walk into a bar and make friends with strangers”

Will I find my people?

From 4 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.

77 events in the next 30 days
Within 20 miles, ticketed events listed on Ticketmaster. Mostly music (30), arts & theatre (11), other (8), sports (1)
Event listings from Ticketmaster. Free and community events aren't included.
What residents say about events

One resident says the Richmond Folk Festival is the best festival in town and suggests going elsewhere for more options.

In their words

“The Richmond Folk Festival is the best festival in town. If that one doesn't do it for you, best to go to a bigger city for your festival fix.”

Read the full comment

One resident explains that Richmond lacks good concerts due to its size and venues, but praises The National as a great venue.

In their words

“Like everyone has said the major reason Richmond doesn't get "good" concerts is because of size and lack of venue, and The National is fantastic...”

Read the full comment

One resident believes Richmond could support a festival as large as Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza that draws major national acts.

In their words

“Richmond could support a festival on the scale of Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza! They each have music festivals that draw huge national acts for...”

Read the full comment

One resident says groups are often formed to attend concerts and festivals together, which helps them keep up with local events.

In their words

“A lot of times people will put groups together to go to concerts, festivals, events, etc. Its really nice and it helps me stay on top of events...”

Read the full comment
How residents meet people

One resident suggests joining the Scott's Addition Board Game Society and groups like Sports Backers running groups or cycling.

In their words

“Check out the Scott's Addition Board Game Society meetup. Try to join groups around activities like the Sports Backers running groups, cycling...”

Read the full comment

One resident describes the River City Social Sports Club as a beer league that involves playing music and making friends.

In their words

“River City Social Sports Club or whatever it is called. is all beer league, playing music and making friends.”

Read the full comment

One resident says after living in Richmond for almost two years it still feels nearly impossible to make friends or connections.

In their words

“Anyone else finding it difficult to make friends/connections in Richmond? I have lived here close to 2 years and it feels close to impossible. My fiance...”

Read the full comment
Dating
Residents aged 20 to 34
18% (U.S.: 20.2%)
Main county, 2024 Census (ACS 5-year)

No resident has talked about dating here yet.

The social scene

One resident says they are not the type to walk into a bar and make friends with strangers, finding adult friendship surprisingly difficult.

In their words

“I'm not really the type who can walk into a bar and make friends with strangers, so meeting new people as an adult feels surprisingly difficult.”

Read the full comment
What people wish they'd known about Richmond

One resident warned that newcomers should not expect the city to change for them and should get involved instead.

In their words

“Don't expect people to change their city to meet your desires and be friendly. Go out and get involved. Richmond has big-city problems without...”

Read the full comment

One resident noted that Richmond is not as cheap as its size suggests, though still cheaper than places like New York City.

In their words

“Definitely get away for some time. Richmond isn't as cheap as the size of the city would suggest, but it's definitely cheaper than NYC and...”

Read the full comment
Will I fit in?
Walkability
Below average walkability
8.46 on a 1 to 20 scale, averaged across the metro. More walkable than 57% of U.S. metros.
EPA National Walkability Index
Median age
39
Half of residents are older, half younger
2024 Census (ACS 5-year)
How the county voted, 2024
44.8% Republican, 53.8% Democrat
Chesterfield County, presidential race
2024 presidential results by county
Reported crime per 100,000 people
Violent 162 (state: 199)
Property 1,393. Chesterfield County
FBI, 2024
City LGBTQ+ laws and policies
100 out of 100
Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index rates a city's non-discrimination laws, services and policies, not how people feel.
LGBTQ community
The Gay Community Center of Richmond is a 47,000 square foot center in Richmond's Northside.
Source: outhistory.org
VA Pridefest 2026 took place at Midtown Green in Richmond on September 12, 2026.
Source: diversityrichmond.org
Side by Side provides programs for LGBTQ+ youth ages 11-20 based in Richmond.
Source: sidebysideva.org
Jobs and money
Unemployment
3.4%
2025 average, BLS
Jobs over the past year
-0.8%
Fewer jobs than a year ago, BLS
Median household income
$98,910
2023 Census (ACS)
Cost of living
About 2% below the US average
2024, BEA
Common jobs and what they pay
Fast food and counter worker · 17,100 people$29,500/yr
Retail salesperson · 16,210 people$33,580/yr
General and operations manager · 15,770 people$108,670/yr
Registered nurse · 15,700 people$93,580/yr
Cashier · 14,460 people$30,350/yr
Truck driver · 11,760 people$58,190/yr
Customer service rep · 10,960 people$42,660/yr
Office clerk · 10,890 people$46,320/yr
Median yearly pay for the whole metro, 2025, BLS.
What residents say

One applicant said the job market feels brutal, estimating only a 0.4 percent chance of getting hired.

In their words

“I've applied to TONS of jobs (SPCA, marketing, etc) but the current job market gives applicants a 0.4% chance of getting hired. There's...”

Read the full comment
A year here

Pick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.

October
Average high 71°F, low 48°F
About 3.6 inches of rain and snow
1991 to 2020 averages, NOAA climate data (ACIS)
About this time of year

Mid October days in Richmond typically see highs near 72 degrees and lows around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

From a weather source, not a resident
What locals say
Based on 18 resident comments on Reddit.
Resident testimonyOutdoors and trails

One resident said the Cole Mountain Loop or Mt. Pleasant Loop trail is challenging in sections with amazing mountain views.

In their words

“Cole Mountain Loop trail or the Mt. Pleasant Loop trail is challenging in sections and the views from on top of the mountains are amazing. Lots...”

Read the full comment
Resident testimonyOutdoors and trails

“One resident said the Richmond slave trail hike is both enjoyable physically and humbling.”

Resident testimonyJobs and work

One applicant said the job market feels brutal, estimating only a 0.4 percent chance of getting hired.

In their words

“I've applied to TONS of jobs (SPCA, marketing, etc) but the current job market gives applicants a 0.4% chance of getting hired. There's...”

Read the full comment
Resident testimonyMaking friends

One resident suggests joining the Scott's Addition Board Game Society and groups like Sports Backers running groups or cycling.

In their words

“Check out the Scott's Addition Board Game Society meetup. Try to join groups around activities like the Sports Backers running groups, cycling...”

Read the full comment

“I love the bars, breweries, and event venues around the city”

Where it is
Richmond
Richmond in Virginia
Virginia in the U.S.
State outlines: U.S. Census Bureau.

What's nearby

Within 5 miles of the center of the Richmond area.

42
grocery stores
200+
restaurants
74
coffee shops
148
parks
173
playgrounds
18
libraries
4
movie theaters
20
live theaters
21
museums
31
bookstores
1
comic shop
42
gyms
53
bars
22
pharmacies
6
hospitals

Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What rent costs

Of about 166,319 rented homes in the Richmond area, 87% rent for under $2,000 a month and 98% for under $3,000.

Under $1,000: 20%
$1,000 to $1,499: 40%
$1,500 to $1,999: 28%
$2,000 to $2,499: 9%
$2,500 to $2,999: 2%
$3,000 or more: 2%

Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.

Public schools

One public school district serves this county, with about 63,916 students. Which one serves a home depends on its address.

Chesterfield County Public Schools · Chesterfield
63,916 students · 14.1 students per teacher · 73 schools · grades Pre-K to 12

NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For test results and programs, see each district's site and your state's school report card.

The facts behind it
Typical home value
$394,521
What a typical home sells for across the Richmond area.
Source: Zillow Home Value Index, August 2026
Cost of living
About 2% below the U.S. average
Everyday prices (rent, groceries, services) run about $98 here for what costs $100 nationally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis price index 97.9 (U.S. = 100), 2024
Average commute
26 minutes one way
How long residents' trips to work take on average, counting every job and way of getting there. U.S. average: about 27 minutes.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
Data centers nearby
7 within 15 miles
The nearest is about 12.3 miles from the town center (Flexential). The largest is about 4,671,000 sq ft.
Source: PNNL IM3 Data Center Atlas, from OpenStreetMap (ODbL), loaded July 2026
Homeowners insurance
About $2,074 a year
The statewide average for a typical policy in VA. Your own quote will depend on the home.
Source: Statewide estimate, 2026
Natural disaster risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA's overall rating for the county, covering floods, storms, wildfire, earthquakes and more.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025
Unemployment
3.4%
The share of people looking for work who can't find it, averaged over the year. U.S.: about 4%.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025
Median household income
$98,910
Half of households in the county earn more than this, half earn less.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
Property tax
0.78% of home value a year
About $780 a year for every $100,000 of home value.
Source: U.S. Census (American Community Survey), 2023
State income tax
Graduated, up to 5.75%
VA's state income tax. Some cities and counties add their own.
Source: 2026

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