The Guide to Living in Richmond, Virginia

A historic Virginia city along the banks of the James River

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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

The History of Richmond, Virginia

Established in 1737, Richmond, Virginia stands as one of the most important destinations in the Mid-Atlantic.

The capitol of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia served as a central location in early American history, including the location of Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech as well as the capitol of the Confederacy during the American Civil War.

Today, Richmond, Virginia stands at the as one of the most prosperous, fastest growing, and culturally important locations in the Mid-Atlantic.

Along historic Monument Avenue, late 19th and early 20th century architecture, including Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Classical Revival, Mediterranean, Romanesque, and Tudor Revival serve as living museums, while modern developments along the James River cater to an influx of young professional seeking the dynamic pace of urban life.

As one of the most populous cities in the Mid-Atlantic, Richmond, Virginia offers cultural diversity and economic opportunity as the home base for many important public, private, and cultural institutions, including Capital One, CoStar, the U.S. Court of Appeals, and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

Windsor Farms Revival of Richmond, Virginia. Image courtesy of Ansel Olson.

THE HOMES COLLECTION

The Homes of Richmond, Virginia

Explore a curated collection of the most iconic homes of Richmond, Virginia

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Browse homes for sale in Richmond, Virginia presented by Sotheby’s International Realty

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

“Ideally positioned on the James River — and a short drive from the beach, the mountains, and the Nation’s Capital — Richmond, Virginia draws people in with its attractive lifestyle, unmatched energy, and natural beauty.”

— Lindsey Frank, Principal of Duet Design Studio

TRAVEL GUIDE

A Weekend in Richmond, Virginia

The capital city of the Commonwealth, Richmond, Virginia offers a unique blend of urban dynamism, amazing food, and historic charm.

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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore Frequently Asked Questions about life in Richmond, Virginia, including the best neighborhoods, restaurants, and more

HOW FAR IS RICHMOND, VIRGINIA FROM THE BEACH?

The nearest beach to Richmond, Virginia is in Virginia Beach, Virginia, which is roughly 100 miles away via car. For those who are a bit more adventurous, the famous beaches of North Carolina’s Outer Banks lie only 200 miles away.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO COMMUTE FROM RICHMOND, VIRGINIA TO WASHINGTON, D.C.?

With the rise of remote work and larger investments in commuter rail by local and state government, commuting from Richmond, Virginia to Washington, D.C. is becoming more feasible each day. However, for daily commuting, the 100+ mile trek from Richmond, Virginia to Washington, D.C. may not be sustainable over the long term. The easiest way to get to Washington, D.C. from Richmond, Virginia is the Amtrak Northeast Regional route.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BUY A HOME IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA?

The median sale price for a single family home in Richmond, Virginia is $280,000, which is just below the national average of $308,980. Ready to buy the home of your dreams? Browse homes for sale in Richmond, Virginia presented by Sotheby’s International Realty.

WHAT IS THE PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR RICHMOND, VIRGINIA?

Property taxes for the City of Richmond are $1.10 per $100 of assessed value for tax year 2024. Property taxes are due on January 14th and June 14th each year.

IS RICHMOND, VIRGINIA AN EXPENSIVE PLACE TO LIVE?

In Richmond, Virginia, median sale price of homes is $242,750, which falls just below the national median sale price of $277,796. Further, Richmond, Virginia falls well below the national cost of living index, which means Richmond, Virginia is quite affordable.

WHAT ARE THE BEST NEIGHBORHOODS IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA?

As the capitol of the commonwealth of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia is as diverse as it comes. From walkable urban neighborhoods like Shockoe Bottom, The Fan, Carytown to leafy suburbs like Windsor Farms, Monument Avenue, Three Chopt, and Mooreland Farms, chances are Richmond, Virginia has something that fits your taste, style, and budget.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST COMPANIES BASED IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

As one of the Mid-Atlantic’s most vibrant cities, Richmond, Virginia has a robust job market. Of note, Capitol One, Altria, CoStar, CarMax all have headquarters in Richmond, Virginia.

HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA?

According to the 2020 Census data, Richmond, Virginia has a population of 226,610 people, including a median age of 34 and a median household income of $51,421.

WHAT IS RICHMOND, VIRGINIA KNOWN FOR?

Richmond, Virginia is known perhaps most prominently for its role in the American Civil War, which has been preserved and well-documented. As an important and historic city, Richmond, Virginia has many beautiful buildings, homes, and natural amenities thanks to its desirable location along the James River.

HOW FAR IS RICHMOND, VIRGINIA FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.?

Richmond, Virginia is approximately 110 miles from downtown Washington, D.C. For those paying a weekend visit to Washington, D.C. from Richmond, Virginia, the Amtrak offers daily trains that take approximately 2.5 hours.

WHAT IS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR RICHMOND, VIRGINIA?

Residents of Richmond, Virginia attend Richmond City Public Schools. For residents living outside of the city limits of Richmond, Virginia, the surrounding counties have their own school districts, including Henrico County Public Schools and Chesterfield County Public Schools.

WHAT ARE THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA?

As one of the biggest cities in the Mid-Atlantic, Richmond, Virginia is home to many great restaurants. In the historic neighborhood of Jackson Ward, Restaurant Adarra offers upscale cuisine inspired by the Basque region of Spain. Other great restaurants in Richmond, Virginia include: Heritage, The Roosevelt, Lemaire, Shagbark, and Bookbinder’s Seafood & Steakhouse.