Photo:Kris SteketeeSandston is part of the Richmond area. This page covers the whole metro.
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Around Richmond
What Richmond is known for
Every year
OctRichmond Folk Festival: Free three day festival celebrating American music and cultureventurerichmond.com
Dominion Riverrock: Outdoor sports and music festivalvisitrichmondva.com
2nd Street Festival: Festival in Historic Jackson Wardbunndjcompany.com
On a normal week
Visiting Brown's Island on the riverfrontventurerichmond.com
Walking the Canal Walk along the former industrial canalsen.wikipedia.org
Visiting Maymont and Byrd Parken.wikipedia.org
Shopping in Carytownen.wikipedia.org
One resident said the Cole Mountain Loop or Mt. Pleasant Loop trail is challenging in sections with amazing mountain views.
“Pleasant Loop trail is challenging in sections and the views from on top of the mountains are amazing”
One resident says they are not the type to walk into a bar and make friends with strangers, finding adult friendship surprisingly difficult.
“I'm not really the type who can walk into a bar and make friends with strangers”
From 4 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.
One resident says the Richmond Folk Festival is the best festival in town and suggests going elsewhere for more options.
“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 commentOne resident explains that Richmond lacks good concerts due to its size and venues, but praises The National as a great venue.
“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 commentOne resident believes Richmond could support a festival as large as Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza that draws major national acts.
“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 commentOne resident says groups are often formed to attend concerts and festivals together, which helps them keep up with local events.
“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 commentOne resident suggests joining the Scott's Addition Board Game Society and groups like Sports Backers running groups or cycling.
“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 commentOne resident describes the River City Social Sports Club as a beer league that involves playing music and making friends.
“River City Social Sports Club or whatever it is called. is all beer league, playing music and making friends.”
Read the full commentOne resident says after living in Richmond for almost two years it still feels nearly impossible to make friends or connections.
“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 commentNo resident has talked about dating here yet.
One resident says they are not the type to walk into a bar and make friends with strangers, finding adult friendship surprisingly difficult.
“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 commentOne resident warned that newcomers should not expect the city to change for them and should get involved instead.
“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 commentOne resident noted that Richmond is not as cheap as its size suggests, though still cheaper than places like New York City.
“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 commentRecent stories from local outlets. Tap a headline to read it.
About 3,879 business locations in the Richmond area, employing about 84,869 people. That's about the usual U.S. share.
U.S. Census County Business Patterns, 2023. Counts business locations with paid employees, not job openings.
One applicant said the job market feels brutal, estimating only a 0.4 percent chance of getting hired.
“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 commentPick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.
Mid October days in Richmond typically see highs near 72 degrees and lows around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
One resident said the Cole Mountain Loop or Mt. Pleasant Loop trail is challenging in sections with amazing mountain views.
“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“One resident said the Richmond slave trail hike is both enjoyable physically and humbling.”
One applicant said the job market feels brutal, estimating only a 0.4 percent chance of getting hired.
“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 commentOne resident suggests joining the Scott's Addition Board Game Society and groups like Sports Backers running groups or cycling.
“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”
What residents said in a local survey
From the 2026 Richmond Community Survey (National Community Survey).
- About 8 in 10 residents reported they are likely to remain in Richmond over the next five years and would recommend the community as a place to live.
- Opportunities to attend cultural, arts, and music activities rose to 77% positive rating.
- Overall quality of the natural environment improved significantly to 66%.
What's nearby
Within 5 miles of the center of the Richmond area.
Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Biking and trails
Within 5 miles of the center of the Richmond area.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.
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.
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.
What moving costs
Average cost: $1,946
From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.
The middle rented home in the Richmond area rents for $1,000 to $1,499 a month. First month plus a one-month deposit comes to about $2,000 to $2,998 before you get the keys.
Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.
Your first weeks in Virginia
- Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
- Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the Virginia DMV.
- Register to vote at your new address: Virginia voter registration.
- Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
- Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.
Public schools
One public school district serves this county, with about 63,916 students. Which one serves a home depends on its address.
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.
Childcare and colleges
Virginia keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.
Search licensed childcare in Virginia →10 colleges in the county and the wider metro around Richmond. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.
Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less, and community colleges often charge even less to people who live in their district. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.
IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.