Richmond, VA is one of the most exciting cities when it comes to living in the commonwealth of Virginia. You’ll find many beautiful parks throughout the city along with plenty of sports and entertainment activities around the community for everyone to enjoy. There are many great educational opportunities as well at secondary schools like Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond.
One popular aspect of living in the area involves the many desirable Richmond neighborhoods that make up the city and suburbs. There are numerous communities that cater to people of all ages from professionals and young families to college students and retirees. Find one that fits you and your family’s needs and personality.
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1. The Fan District – Largest Community in Richmond
- Population: 13,533
- Median Household Income: $55,400
- Median Home Price: $600,000
- Homes For Sale in The Fan
The Fan District is known for being the largest Richmond neighborhood and can be found to the west of downtown. The campus of Virginia Commonwealth University is in the eastern end of the community, offering easy access to the college.
You’ll find many exciting shops and restaurants in the southern end on West Main Street. The Science Museum of Virginia and the Children’s Museum of Richmond are also close by. You can also enjoy some time at Monroe Park on the VCU campus.
As a bike-friendly and walkable neighborhood, you may not require a car for many things when living in this cool neighborhood. The Fan is also home to three schools: William Fox Elementary, Binford Middle School, and Maggie L. Walker Government School.
Most of the people who live in The Fan are college-age with the VCU campus being in the area. But there is also a strong population of young professionals in the region as many recent graduates settle into the area and start businesses in the community.
Learn more about what living in the Fan District is like!
2. Colonial Place – Wealthiest Neighborhood in Richmond
- Population: 2,144
- Median Household Income: $121,200
- Median Home Price: $425,000
- Homes For Sale In Colonial Place
Colonial Place is a small neighborhood located to the west of downtown Richmond. This community is the wealthiest of all the Richmond suburbs as you will find many beautiful single-family houses worth up to $1 million. The area is mostly quiet, and the people here are affluent and well-connected with one another.
The I-195 is in the eastern end of the neighborhood providing easy commuting to nearby areas. Another destination near Colonial Place is the Mary Munford Playground to the south.
Mary Munford Elementary School and Thomas Jefferson High School are the closest schools to the Colonial Place area, offering educational programs to local children.
The neighborhood is filled with many new families including parents with younger kids. The region’s nice houses and job opportunities make it a popular and family-friendly Richmond community.
3. The Museum District – A Historic Richmond Neighborhood
- Population: 6,720
- Median Household Income: $53,700
- Median Home Price: $449,950
- Homes For Sale in the Museum District
Also known as the Upper Fan, the Museum District is a diverse Richmond neighborhood home to some of the city’s most popular museums. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is in this suburb, offering a look at unique pieces and interesting collections from figures like Picasso and Fabergé. The Virginia Museum of History and Culture is also in the area along with the Arthur Ashe Monument in the northern end of the community.
The walkability of the Museum District is one of the most popular things about living in this historic Richmond neighborhood. The sidewalks and roads are nicely maintained and the trees grow well without obstructing walking paths.
You can enjoy relaxing at other spots on West Broad Street while living in the Museum District. The road includes many local eateries like Lemon Cuisine of India and Blanchard’s Coffee. Albert Hill Middle School is also in the heart of the neighborhood. Shopping is also accessible in the Museum District with the Carytown Exchange shopping center being in the southwestern part of the community.
Our guide to the best museums in Richmond covers many of the top attractions in the Museum District!
4. Fulton Hill – Family-friendly Community with Many Parks
- Population: 4,572
- Median Household Income: $29,600
- Median Home Price: $225,000
- Homes For Sale In Fulton Hill
Fulton Hill is southeast of downtown Richmond and is south of Gillie Creek. The neighborhood includes many small houses that are affordable and ideal for single-family use. These include three-bedroom properties with two to three bathrooms. The community is popular among professionals and growing families.
You can drive to many parks in the neighborhood and enjoy fun outdoor activities throughout the year. Gillies Creek Park to the north features a disc golf course, a BMX path, a playground, and a baseball diamond. Powhatan Park to the south has a playground and a public pool, plus there’s a community center that hosts many activities for residents in this Richmond neighborhood.
5. Ginter Park – A Quiet and Comfortable Community
- Population: 4,175
- Median Household Income: $42,000
- Median Home Price: $418,500
- Homes For Sale In Ginter Park
The northern Richmond neighborhood of Ginter Park is a little on the quiet side, but it is nice for people looking for a peaceful place to live. You can find homes of all sizes in Ginter Park including larger properties with four or five bedrooms.
You’ve got plenty of convenient places to shop in Ginter Park as the Brookhill Azalea Shopping Center is to the north of the area. There are also plenty of bus stations on Chamberlayne Avenue that will lead you to downtown Richmond.
The community has many schools in the neighborhood including Ginter Park Elementary, Henderson Middle School, and John Marshall High.
6. Three Chopt – Active Country Club Community
- Population: 2,541
- Median Household Income: $112,600
- Median Home Price: $496,000
- Homes For Sale in Three Chopt
Another option to consider when looking at which Richmond neighborhoods are the best is Three Chopt. The western suburb is next door to the University of Richmond campus.
The best part of living in this neighborhood in Richmond is its proximity to the Country Club of Virginia – Westhampton. It features a private golf course, swimming pools, and multiple buildings for indoor activities. The area provides many things to do, although membership to this club is fairly exclusive.
A few private Catholic schools are in the Three Chopt neighborhood such as St. Catherine’s School, St. Christopher’s School, and Saint Bridget Middle School. Three Chopt is also in the vicinity of The Village, a popular shopping mall with stores and great places to eat.
The mix of activities for older professionals and families makes Three Chopt a diverse neighborhood. The Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital is also conveniently located in this community, providing jobs for local healthcare workers.
7. Stratford Hills – A Riverside Community For Retirees & Professionals
- Population: 3,111
- Median Household Income: $89,600
- Median Home Price: $379,000
- Homes For Sale in Stratford Hills
Stratford Hills is a good choice to check out if you’re looking to live in Richmond near the James River. It is popular among older professionals and retirees. Most of the people in the area are at least fifty years of age.
As a great place for boating, the neighborhood has a few portage sites available so you can get to and from Williams Island in the middle of the river. You’ll also enjoy relaxing at the local James River Park that offers multiple hiking trails and other nice features. The park even has a few horse trails for equestrian riding.
This area is one of the quieter neighborhoods in Richmond as many of the homes are far apart from one another. But the area is also close to plenty of spots for shopping and work.
The Shops at Stratford Hills area to the south includes many spots for dining and shopping. Southampton Elementary School is the only school located within this cozy Richmond neighborhood, while Huguenot High School is further to the south in Chippenham Village.
8. Oxford – Home to Great Richmond Schools
- Population: 1,602
- Median Household Income: $72,900
- Median Home Price: $400,000
- Homes For Sale in Oxford
Parents looking for up-and-coming Richmond neighborhoods with the best schools will find the Oxford neighborhood as one of the best places to explore. This kid-friendly community includes Huguenot High School, Elkhardt-Thompson Middle School, and Southampton Elementary School. The streets are safe, clean, and walkable to create a peaceful space for raising a family.
The family-friendly neighborhood is also near the Shops at Stratford Hills shopping area and the Lewis G. Larus Park, which has numerous hiking trails. The region provides many entertaining things for people to do within its charming atmosphere.
9. Broad Rock – Safest Neighborhood in Richmond
- Population: 1,518
- Median Household Income: $24,800
- Median Home Price: $265,000
- Homes For Sale in Broad Rock
Broad Rock is often seen as the safest Richmond community due to its secure environment that is popular among active residents. The neighborhood is relatively small but much of the activity here is based around the Broad Rock Sports Complex. The local park features multiple courts and fields for baseball, softball, tennis, basketball, and soccer.
The region is also home to the Southside Plaza shopping center, one of the busiest and most popular malls in the Richmond area. The Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Hospital is also in the area.
Map of Neighborhoods in Richmond, VA
Ready to Move to One of The Top Richmond Communities?
You’ve got plenty of options to think about when looking for top-rated neighborhoods in Richmond. You can choose where to live based on the amenities you want close by and other preferences that fit your lifestyle.
Are you deciding between local Richmond communities before an upcoming move? Once the time comes for your transition, trust the best Richmond movers here at On The Fly Moving Guys to help you! Give us a call today at (804) 836-4954 or fill out the Request a Quote form above for a free moving estimate!