Once upon a time, Richmond was primarily known as a historical city. Not only was it the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War, but it was the site of Patrick Henry’s iconic “Give me liberty or give me death” speech at St. John’s Church. Civil War statues no longer line Monument Avenue; instead, they have been removed and transferred to the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia. Richmond has attempted to move out of the shadows created by history and into the light focusing instead on the impressive art & culture, top notch education, thriving food & beverage scene, lively neighborhoods and abundant outdoor activities found in what is now commonly referred to as RVA.
The city is trending, finding its way onto noteworthy “Best” lists in publications ranging from CNBC to Travel and Leisure.
According to CNBC, Virginia boasts the best education system in the country including an average 10.9 students per teacher and solid test scores at the K-12 level along with phenomenal higher education offerings boasting 5 historically black colleges. It was the only state to be rated in the top half of each and every category applied:
Infrastructure - the state shines because it is the most advanced and well funded
Workforce Cost of Doing Business Education
Economy Tech & Innovation Access to Capital
Quality of Life Business Friendliness Cost of Living
Lively neighborhoods was one of many reasons CNN Travel named Richmond the #1 City to Visit in 2024. Shockoe Bottom and Shockoe Slip house centuries of history as well as contemporary restaurants with historic architecture within its cobblestone streets. Jackson Ward, once known as the Harlem of the South, is home to the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia. While many of the city’s museums are found in the Museum District and more than 150 murals are found throughout the area, Carytown’s “Mile of Style” hosts specialty shops, restaurants and the historic Byrd Theatre.Victorian architecture, tree lined streets, trendy cafes and upscale shops define the Fan District. Scott’s Addition is home of the Richmond Beer Trail boasting more than 30 craft breweries. Finally, across the river, Manchester’s industrial chic vibe includes art studios and views of the river and downtown skyline.
Maymont, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, a diverse festival season, and the James River trails and water activities make RVA a nature lover’s paradise. The minor league, Flying Squirrels, will be playing in a brand new stadium soon, and the much anticipated Riverfront Amphitheater will be complete in 2025.
When choosing Richmond as one of the best cities for retirement, Country Living Magazine noted its unmatched art scene, accessibility to the VCU/MCV leading hospital network affordability, and its accessibility to Washington, DC. Money Magazine noted the excellent performing arts culture, food scene and museums and affordability in its assessment of Richmond as one of the 50 Best Places to Live.
Short Pump, in the West End, found itself ranked in the 10 Best US Suburbs, according to Travel & Leisure. This area is conveniently located to the I-95 and I-64 corridors making accessibility to Virginia Beach, Washington, DC, Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains easy. Additionally, a blend of excellent schools, diverse housing options, outstanding healthcare, and multiple entertainment and shopping venues makes the Short Pump area appealing.
If you currently live in the RVA area, consider yourself lucky. If you would like to visit or consider moving to the city or surrounding areas, now is the time. Current cost of living is affordable and below the national average, while business is booming. Richmond is rising in popularity due to its ability to provide a multitude of entertainment, dining, cultural and recreational activities for everyone.