What’s Your Favorite Thing About Living in Richmond?
I posed this question to some of Richmond’s most beloved, involved and dynamic residents. The answers may surprise you!
Ryan Rinn, Executive Director, Storefront for Community Design
The James River Park System is an oasis in our urban setting. Each bank of the river for 7 miles is accessible to the public and when you’re hiking, swimming, fishing, rafting, kayaking, tubing, SUPing or just hanging out; you can easily forget you are in the epicenter of a 1.2 million person urban environment. Just a few steps away, there are amazing restaurants, breweries or entertainment venues to walk to.
Katie Ukrop, Owner, Quirk Hotel and Gallery
I love that Richmond has something for everyone. There are wonderful pockets within Richmond that allow everyone to be themselves… entrepreneurs, artists, foodies, fashionistas, etc… We are fortunate that so many creative people have stepped up and taken risks to make Richmond an even more eclectic and interesting to place to live.
Kip Dawkins, Commerical Photographer, Kip Dawkins Photography
I think my favorite things are all about ease of living. If you live in the city you seem to be 5 minutes from anything you need. The cost of living is so low. The lack of traffic is great…except in Short Pump.
Kim Vincze, Owner, Verve home furnishings
As a breast cancer survivor, having access to one of the best cancer treatment centers in the county, Massey Cancer Center, is my favorite thing about RVA.
Andrew Park, Attorney, AR Park Attorneys
What other city of this size has miles of trails to run or bike. And, a beautiful river that runs through it?
Suzanne Hall, Stewardship & Development Director, St. James’s Episcopal Church, former Chief Communications Officer, VMFA
We live in a beautiful, historic neighborhood with young families, empty nesters, students studying art, music and resembling the United Nations. Hungry or thirsty? Walk to one of a dozen great restaurants – no worries about parking. Ditto grocery stores. We’re also close to the popular loop trail that follows the river on both the north and south banks, giving us access to the wet, wild Central Park of Richmond. Each fall we walk or bike to the three day Richmond Folk Festival on Brown’s Island. I ride my bicycle a lot and appreciate Richmond’s increasing awareness of cycling culture. Joe and I are currently training to cycle northern Spain’s ancient pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago. We’re enjoying Virginia’s Capital Trail, a beautiful trail, dedicated to bikes (and runners/walkers) which connects Richmond, Jamestown and Williamsburg. We can leave from our house on Grove Avenue and bike out to the Upper Shirley Vineyards for lunch and then back home – again, no car needed!
Martha Rhodes, Owner, Travel with Martha
I travel internationally several times a year, and I have come to appreciate the simplicity and ease of the Richmond airport. While having more non-stop flights would be the icing on the cake, the easy parking, quick check-in, short walks to the gate and short security lines make the departing and arriving so much more pleasant than at major airports. Fares are much more competitive than in the past. Very rarely do I, or my clients, find that the Washington area options are worth the drive.
Stacie Vanchieri, Owner, Modelogic MidAtlantic
I love Richmond because there is SO much to do here. Amazing foodie scene, lots of music venues and endless outdoor activities. If you live in the Fan, it’s a total big city/small town feel. You can walk everywhere, chat with your neighbors on the porch and the architecture is so beautiful.
I’m sensing a theme here…RVA: Where the Livin’ is Easy!
