The Safest (and Most Dangerous) Neighborhoods in Richmond – Seriously

okay, so like, i’ve been staring at this map for, i don’t even know, six hours. rain’s coming down sideways - that weird, thick kind that smells like wet asphalt and regret, you know? it’s like a permanent November in Richmond, honestly. and i’m pretty sure i just saw a raccoon wearing a tiny raincoat. it was… unsettling.

right, so, the question everyone asks when they’re thinking about Richmond: where should you actually live? and, like, it’s not as simple as ‘safe’ versus ‘sketchy,’ is it? it’s more like… a gradient of weird. i’m talking about the data, people. i’ve been digging. i’m a freelance photographer, so i’m used to looking at numbers, but this is… intense.


*Cost of Living Breakdown (Rough Estimates - as of Oct 26, 2023)

(Source: Zillow, Numbeo, Reddit r/Richmond - seriously, check it out: https://www.reddit.com/r/Richmond/)


Okay, so, Fan Run. it’s… charming. like, aggressively charming. think Victorian houses, antique shops, and a whole lotta people who look like they’ve been filming a Wes Anderson movie. crime rate? relatively low. but, and this is a big but, i overheard a bartender at The Veil (amazing beer, by the way - 9/10) saying something about “the shadow people” and “strange lights” near the old textile mills. just a rumor, probably. but, you know, Richmond.


Then there’s Church Hill. historic, beautiful, and… kinda intense. it’s got a lot of tourists, which is great for business, but also means more petty theft. a local warned me about leaving your phone unattended near Monument Avenue. “Trust me,” she said, swirling her bourbon, “it’s a magnet for sticky fingers.” (Seriously, check out Yelp for reviews: https://www.yelp.com/)


Scott’s Addition is a different beast entirely. it’s exploding with breweries, art studios, and that whole hipster vibe. it’s generally safe, but it’s also packed with people, especially on weekends. it’s like a constant, low-level buzz. i’m thinking about setting up a studio there, but the rent is brutal.


Fulton is… complicated. it’s undergoing a massive revitalization, which is awesome, but it’s also still a bit rough around the edges. there’s a lot of development happening, which means a lot of construction and, you know, the usual urban decay stuff. i saw a guy trying to sell vintage amps on the corner yesterday - that’s Fulton for you.


And Oregon Hill? it’s quiet. too quiet, maybe. it’s got a really strong sense of community, but it also feels… isolated. i’m not sure I’d want to live there long-term, but it’s definitely worth a visit.


Pro-Tip (from a perpetually exhausted photographer): Always carry cash. Seriously. And don’t trust anyone who offers you a “deal” on a vintage camera.


Overheard Gossip #1: “I saw a guy in a trench coat talking to a pigeon in Shockoe Bottom last night. Just… a pigeon. It was weird.”


Overheard Gossip #2: “My roommate swears she heard a ghost in the basement of our apartment in Church Hill. Said it smelled like mothballs and regret.”


Overheard Gossip #3:* “Don’t go to Carytown after midnight. Seriously. Just… don’t.”


(Check out TripAdvisor for some tourist-friendly spots: https://www.tripadvisor.com/)


Look, Richmond is a weird city. it’s got a soul, a history, and a whole lotta character. it’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for a place that’s a little bit off the beaten path, a little bit gritty, and a whole lot of interesting, then you might just find yourself liking it. just… be prepared for the rain. and the raccoons. and the shadow people.

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