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10 Things You Must Know Before Moving to Richmond (From a Disillusioned Consultant)

@Maya Stone2/12/2026blog
10 Things You Must Know Before Moving to Richmond (From a Disillusioned Consultant)

okay, so you're thinking about Richmond? good. or maybe bad. depends on what you're running from. i used to crunch numbers for a firm in DC, all power suits and pretending to care about synergy. now? i mostly just…exist. and drink a lot of coffee. it's a step up, honestly.

right now, it's that weird Richmond weather. not quite humid, not quite crisp. it's like the air is politely asking if it should commit to fall. you'll need layers. always. and a good umbrella. seriously. it rains here like someone's constantly testing a sprinkler system. you could be in the Outer Banks for a beach day in a few hours, or DC for a show, both just a short drive away.

look, i'm not gonna sugarcoat it. i moved here hoping for a slower pace and cheaper rent. got the pace, mostly. the rent…well, let's just say my spreadsheets are still weeping. here's the deal, broken down like i'm explaining it to someone who's already had three beers:

Rent: Forget finding anything decent under $1400 a month these days, especially in Church Hill or The Fan. Seriously. It's climbing faster than my blood pressure when I think about my student loans. I've seen studios going for two grand. Two. Grand. Check out current rental listings here.
 *Jobs: It's not DC. Don't expect a ton of high-paying consulting gigs. A lot of people work remotely, or in healthcare (VCU is huge), or…well, the arts. Which pays in exposure, mostly. Here's a look at the job market.
 *Traffic: It's not terrible, but 95 is a nightmare during rush hour. Avoid it like the plague. Seriously. Take surface streets, even if it adds time. Your sanity will thank you.
 *The Vibe: It's…complicated. It's trying really hard to be cool, and sometimes it succeeds. Sometimes it just feels like a bunch of people wearing flannel ironically. But there's a genuine sense of community, which is nice.
 *Food: Oh god, the food. This is where Richmond shines. Forget chain restaurants. Go to Scott's Addition. Just…go. Yelp has a ton of reviews.
 *Safety: It's a city. There's crime. Some neighborhoods are sketchier than others. Do your research. Don't walk alone at night in poorly lit areas. Common sense, people. The stats aren't horrendous, but it's not Mayberry either. Check out the city's crime map.
 *Parking: A bloodsport. Prepare to circle blocks for twenty minutes looking for a spot. And then get towed anyway. Just kidding…mostly.
 *The James River: It's beautiful. And full of…stuff. People kayak, paddleboard, fish. Just don't drink the water. Seriously.
 *Local Politics: Buckle up. It's a mess. Lots of passionate people, lots of disagreements. Don't get involved unless you're prepared for a fight.
 *The Humidity:* I mentioned the weather, but it bears repeating. The humidity will try to steal your soul. Invest in a dehumidifier.

wide-angle photography of buildings during daytime


I overheard someone at a brewery the other night saying, "Richmond is like Portland, but with more history and less pretension." I don't know if I agree with that, but it's a good starting point. Another local warned me, "Don't move to Manchester if you value your sleep. There's a bar that has live music every night." Truer words were never spoken.

And a drunk guy at a dive bar told me, "Just embrace the weirdness. Richmond doesn't care who you are, as long as you're interesting." Which, honestly, is the best advice I've gotten since I moved here.

aerial view of city during night time


so, yeah. Richmond. It's not perfect. It's messy. It's frustrating. But it's…real. And sometimes, that's enough. just don't expect to get rich. or sleep much. Check out the Richmond subreddit for more unfiltered opinions.

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About the author: Maya Stone

Writing is my way of listening.

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