Between April 1, 2020, and July 1, 2022, Richmond had the highest population growth in all of Virginia. While many metropolitan areas shrank during the COVID-19 pandemic, Richmond grew thanks to its affordable cost of living and wealth of amenities. This historic city offers something for nearly every type of resident, with a diverse selection of neighborhoods to explore.
Selection criteria
Richmond, Virginia, offers a wealth of beautiful homes, so choosing the best neighborhoods was no small task. Each is distinct in its delights and caters to particular needs. Some focus on urban highlights, such as ample access to foodie destinations, while others emphasize good schools and green spaces. Other considerations in the selection include walkability, historical highlights, and affordability for the area’s amenities.
1. Church Hill
For picturesque parks, expansive views, and historic highlights, Church Hill is one of the best neighborhoods in Richmond. This was the first neighborhood in the city, and St. John’s Church is where Patrick Henry famously uttered, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Church Hill is an extremely walkable neighborhood with many gorgeous green spaces, such as Libby Hill Park, Chimborazo Park, Patrick Henry Park, and Taylor’s Hill Park. Church Hill is also a great place to find locally sourced eats, with destinations such as Cobra Burger and Urban Farmhouse Market & Cafe at hand.
Church Hill is a popular neighborhood for young professionals and singles for its affordable pricing and proximity to downtown. Despite the plethora of parks, Church Hill is less popular among families because the schools sometimes fail to meet expectations. The split between renters and homeowners in Church Hill is almost even. Housing here is a diverse blend of condos, apartments, and Queen Anne-style houses. A one-bedroom apartment averages $1,325, while a two-bedroom is $1,500 on average.
2. Carytown
Carytown is a bustling blend of residential and commercial buildings that are particularly suitable for college students, singles, and young professionals who want to have shopping and dining just steps from their door. This neighborhood has more than 230 shops and restaurants. You can shop carefully curated vintage finds at Bygones, grab a green juice at The Beet Box, score vegan treats at the Minglewood Bake Shop, or catch a film at the historic Byrd Theatre.
Carytown hosts the largest one-day festival in the state each August when 115,000 people flock to the streets for the Carytown Watermelon Festival. Residents who’ve scored an apartment rental above one of the shops in town can enjoy a prime view of the action. Carytown also offers more traditional apartment complexes, cozy homes, and multifamily units. Though the area’s schools are excellent, the housing options around Carytown are on the smaller side, making this area more popular among singles and couples than families.
Just 38% of Carytown residents are homeowners, while the other 62% rent. A one-bedroom apartment averages $1,249, and a two-bedroom goes for about $1,500. Prices have declined over the past year.
3. The Fan
The Fan reflects how the streets in the area branch out from east to west in a fan shape as they lead into the Museum District. This neighborhood has the kind of quaint charm that looks like it is straight out of a storybook. The Victorian-inspired streets artfully combine beautifully preserved historic buildings with modern murals. The homes feature several eye-catching architectural styles, including Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Beaux-Arts, and Italianate.
The Fan features an abundance of coffee shops, rooftop bars, restaurants, fitness centers, and thrift stores. A foodie haven, this area offers a wealth of flavors, such as inspired Cuban dining at Kuba-Kuba, dressed-up burgers and hot dogs at City Dogs, and loads of comfort food, including the Loaded Spaghetti Dinner at Joe’s Inn. This is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Richmond. The Fan is most popular among college students and young professionals, but it also offers family-friendly highlights, including the Children’s Museum of Richmond and the Randolph Community Center.
The biggest downside of living in The Fan is its price tag. The cost of living in this neighborhood is 22% higher than the Richmond average. A third of the area’s residents own their homes, with a median sale price of $648,950. Renters will find The Fan a bit more competitive. The average one-bedroom apartment is $1,295, and a two-bedroom apartment costs $1,550 on average.
4. Shockoe Slip
The name Shockoe Slip refers to its location along the canal basin. This narrow strip between the James River and Main Street was once the Kanawha Canal and was an important site for loading and unloading ships. After Richmond was set aflame by retreating Confederate troops, Shockoe Slip rose gracefully from the ashes, transforming warehouses into restaurants. The Tobacco Company Restaurant is a prime example, housed in a former tobacco warehouse dating back to 1866. The original beams, columns, and brickwork give this elegant four-story restaurant a timeless air.
The quaint cobblestone streets of Shockoe Slip perfectly complement its old-world airs, making the area feel a bit out of time. The Canal Walk offers an immersive look into the area’s rich history via medallions, exhibits, statues, and public art. Many of the apartment buildings in Shockoe Slip are converted stores, such as the Lofts at Shockoe Slip, which was originally a grocery store in 1874. Features such as exposed beams and brick walls retain the building’s original ambiance.
Most Shockoe Slip residents rent, as the majority of the area’s housing comes in the form of apartments and lofts. The cost of living in Shockoe Slip is 34% higher than Richmond’s average. A studio apartment costs $1,279 on average, and a two-bedroom apartment is $1,719.
5. Shockoe Bottom
Shockoe Bottom is among Richmond’s oldest and most storied neighborhoods. The area was once the second-largest slave-trading hub in the country, and it maintains several historic plaques and metal markers that pay homage to its painful history. Like Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom has seen a dramatic change of face. The 17th Street Farmer’s Market dates back to 1780 and was the site of the town’s whipping post, a place for political speeches, and a destination for religious meetings. Today, the 17th Street Market features art, music, and festivals alongside its vendors.
The Shockoe Bottom neighborhood covers just 129 acres, sitting east of Shockoe Slip and west of Church Hill. This is a convenient place to live if you don’t have a car, as the centrally located Shockoe Bottom Station has buses that frequent Greater Richmond every 30 minutes and Pulse buses serving the 7.6 miles of Main Street and Broad Street between Rockets Landing and Willow Lawn every 15 minutes. This is an eclectic and walkable neighborhood with a vibrant nightlife that draws a lot of college students and other young adults.
Shockoe Bottom residences are primarily apartment buildings, and 89% of residents rent rather than own. Slightly cheaper than Shockoe Slip, the average studio apartment in Shockoe Bottom is $1,129, while a two-bedroom averages $1,619.
6. Manchester
Manchester sits along the James River, offering access to breathtaking natural highlights, including Belle Isle. This 54-acre island is an ideal destination for adventure, with thrilling mountain biking trails and a rock-climbing wall. If you prefer a more sedate afternoon, you can stretch out in the sun on the flat rocks along the water.
Richmond’s first food hall, Hatch Local, is also in Manchester. This 10,000-square-foot space houses several eateries, so you can sample delights such as a half-pound Italian sandwich from Fat Kid Sandwiches, Cambodian fried wings from Royal Pig, vegan burritos from TBT Gallito, and spanakopita from Greek on Cary, all in one spot.
Manchester is a popular neighborhood for families because it offers access to more than just the standard Richmond Public School system schools. From Manchester, you’ll also have easy access to the alternative Open High School and Franklin Military Academy. Manchester is quickly gaining popularity, and rent prices reflect this, having seen a 71% year-over-year increase. In this neighborhood, 81% of residents rent. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,464, and you can expect to pay around $1,672 for a two-bedroom.
7. Colonial Place
Just west of downtown Richmond, Colonial Place is a popular neighborhood for wealthy families seeking a safe and tight-knit community. The area isn’t as walkable as those closer to downtown, but it offers a more suburban feel that many parents with young children prefer. The highly rated Mary Munford Elementary School serves the area. Mary Munford Playground is another family-friendly highlight featuring four tennis courts, three soccer fields, two basketball courts, and a playground.
Spacious homes dominate Colonial Place, with a median sale price of $540,000. Over three-quarters of the residents here own their homes. The median rent in this neighborhood is $1,320.
8. Union Hill
Union Hill is a historic neighborhood that dates back to 1805. Initially serving the working-class population, Union Hill is still an affordable option for singles or young families who need a low-priced neighborhood to establish themselves in Richmond. Jefferson Park is a particular highlight, offering a tot lot, bandstand, and stunning views of the city.
The average one-bedroom apartment in Union Hill is just $990, and a two-bedroom one costs about $1,673. In this neighborhood, 77% of residents rent.
9. Byrd Park
If you’re looking for convenient housing just minutes from Downtown Richmond, Byrd Park is a prime pick. This charming neighborhood features Colonial- and Craftsman-style homes in a picturesque spot north of the James River. Liberally dotted with lakes, Byrd Park offers ample opportunities for boating and fishing. William Byrd Park has 287 acres of green space, including Fountain Lake, picnic shelters, softball fields, restrooms, a concession stand, and a tennis complex. The adjacent Dogwood Dell Amphitheater hosts the annual Festival of the Arts, featuring dance, music, and theatrical productions.
The surrounding neighborhood’s most notable feature is Byrd Park Court, which is officially a National Historic District. This stunning court features six duplexes and six single-family residences originating from 1921 behind a dramatic Beaux-Arts-style gate. These homes comprise Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Mediterranean Revival, Tudor, and Spanish Revival styles. Coming together around a fountain, they present an inspiring sight and offer a stunning option for those who can scoop one up as their home.
The remainder of Byrd Park is a diverse collection of single-family homes and multifamily condos. Some of these are available at surprisingly competitive prices, with the average two-bedroom rental going for $1,295. Roughly 43% of residents here rent their homes, while 57% own.
10. Woodland Heights
Woodland Heights is a popular neighborhood for young families, with a close-knit community that works hard to promote sustainability and conservation in the area. Originally forming in 1889, this historic 80-block community was the first streetcar suburb in Richmond. Woodland Heights has retained much of its original charm, maintaining a variety of historic homes in Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and Italianate styles. Around three-quarters of the neighborhood dates back to between 1895 and 1935.
The Woodland Heights Civic Association works to maintain and protect this historic community through programs such as the Neighborhood Watch and Conservation Yard of the Season. The latter recognizes one resident each quarter for their outstanding conservation practices by rewarding them with a yard sign and nursery gift card.
Children in Woodland Heights have access to the Richmond Public School system and the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts. The Patrick Henry School is a charter school that serves children from kindergarten through fifth grade. Families also enjoy the neighborhood’s numerous outdoor features, such as the Buttermilk Trail, Canoe Run Park, and Sunday South of James Market. Around 55% of Woodland Heights residents rent. The average one-bedroom apartment goes for $1,439, while you can expect to pay $1,794 for a two-bedroom.
If you’re looking for the best neighborhoods in Richmond, Virginia, you’ll find a wealth of choices. This vibrant city is rapidly growing to offer an ever-increasing variety of options and opportunities.
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