Here Are 12 of the Best Neighborhoods in Richmond, VA, Worth Exploring

With over 300 historical markers throughout the city and an abundance of outdoor activities along the James River, Richmond, Virginia, is a great place to live if you love history and exploring. And in addition to being part of one of the oldest major cities in the U.S., the best neighborhoods in Richmond, VA, also boast a thriving arts scene and plenty of dining options to choose from. Did we mention this is also the fastest-growing region in the state, offering other great perks as a result, like an affordable cost of living? 

If moving there seems like a no-brainer to you, check out these 12 neighborhoods in Richmond, VA, that score the top spots on our list of faves.

Planning a move to Richmond? Start by getting a quote from PODS.

Housing Prices in Richmond, VA

Before diving into the specific Richmond, VA, neighborhoods, it’s important to look at the real estate trends in the area as a whole. The average home value in Richmond is approximately $352,700 — less than the U.S. average of a little less than $357,500. And the average rent in Richmond for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,550, compared to the U.S. average of around $1,750.

Q: What is so special about Richmond, Virginia? A: As one of the best places to live on the east coast, Richmond is a city with a great social scene and full of eclectic culture, history, art, and more!

12 Best Neighborhoods in Richmond, VA 

Richmond attracts all different kinds of people — from young professionals to families to retirees — and, luckily, there are a variety of neighborhoods and suburbs with plenty to offer everyone. Check out our picks for the top 12 best neighborhoods in Richmond, VA. 

Q: What is the nicest area of Richmond, VA? A: Colonial Place is one of the nicest (and wealthiest) neighborhoods in Richmond, as you’ll note from its higher-than-average home value. However, City Center and Malvern Gardens are also considered some of the best neighborhoods in Richmond, VA, to live in.

Stratford Hills is one of the best neighborhoods in Richmond, VA, for retirees to settle down, with plenty of shops and parks to keep you entertained.
(Source: Shaheen, Ruth, Martin & Fonville Real Estate via Facebook)

 

1. Stratford Hills 

• Average rent: $1,550
• Average home value: $440,000
• Great for: Retirees, lake activities, shopping, hiking

If you’re a retiree looking to live in a safe area near the James River, then Stratford Hills is the place to choose. 

The area provides access to several portage sites, allowing easy access to Williams Island. If you’d rather stay on land, you can head over to the nearby James River Park, which features various hiking trails and other facilities.

This area in Richmond is on the quieter side, as most of the houses are far apart. It is also close to areas for shopping and work — and the Shops at Stratford Hills is a great place for both.

2. Three Chopt 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,750
• Average home value: $659,700
• Great for: Families, retirees, country club, private catholic schools, shopping, restaurants

The Three Chopt neighborhood is situated near the University of Richmond. It’s also close to the Country Club of Virginia Westhampton — an exclusive club with a great pool and golf course. Despite the club’s exclusivity, there are still plenty of things to do in the area.

You can head over to Village Shopping Center for shopping and great food options. And with a great school district and plenty of upscale activities, Three Chopt is perfect for families and retirees. In fact, it’s one of the absolute best neighborhoods Richmond, VA, has to offer if you’re looking to raise a family, followed by Malvern Gardens and Colonial Place. 

Situated by Virginia Commonwealth University, The Fan is one of the most popular Richmond neighborhoods, thanks to its mix of restaurants and bars. 

3. The Fan

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,725
• Average home value: $643,800
• Great for: Families, young professionals, restaurants, beautiful homes, higher education, museums

One of Richmond's most prominent neighborhoods is The Fan, which is a mix of restaurants, bars, and lovely (yet fairly expensive) homes. It's located near Virginia Commonwealth University and was originally named to reflect how certain streets fan toward the west from Monroe Park to the Boulevard.

This area is full of local establishments that cater to the needs of food lovers. There are plenty of new restaurants popping up, but some of its old standbys are still popular with the locals. Kuba Kuba is a great one, and it’s been there since 1998.

You’ll also have access to the Museum District living in The Fan, meaning easy access to museum-lined streets. One of these is the Children’s Museum of Richmond, with various programs and events for kids. Another prominent museum is the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which has a variety of classes for both adults and children. 

4. Monroe Ward 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,700
• Average home value: $1.07M
• Great for: Young professionals, job opportunities, walkability, entertainment

Downtown Richmond's Monroe Ward is a great place for young professionals, such as those working in the fields of medicine, government, or healthcare. It's close to the VCU Medical Center and Biotech, making it an easy commute.

As the most walkable neighborhood in Richmond, there are plenty of easily accessible stores and restaurants to choose from. It's also easy to reach other areas with the help of public transit.

The Greater Richmond Convention Center is also nearby, which offers lots of entertainment, from cultural festivals to fun sporting events.

Though technically a suburb of the city, Lakeside still makes our list of the best neighborhoods in Richmond, VA, because it’s only eight miles away and has so many fun shops, parks, and markets to visit.
(Source: RERVA Richmond Real Estate via Facebook)

5. Lakeside 

• Average rent: $1,500
• Average home value: $327,300
• Great for: Families, young professionals, outdoor lovers, antique shops 

Lakeside is a suburb of Richmond in Henrico County, just a 15-minute drive from the city center, and it’s a great place for families expanding their search beyond Richmond, VA, neighborhoods to settle down. It’s bordered by Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and Joseph Bryan Park, meaning easy access to local nature and plenty of opportunities to get out of the house.

In addition to its beautiful parks and gardens, Lakeside is home to a slew of local boutiques, antique shops, and even its own magic store. Plus, don’t miss out on the Lakeside Farmer’s Market, which takes place twice a week year-round and is a great spot to stock up on fresh produce and mingle with neighbors.  

6. Scott’s Addition 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,875
• Average home value: $459,000
• Great for: Young professionals. restaurants, breweries

Over the past 10 years, Scott's Addition has transformed from a series of warehouses into one of Richmond's most popular entertainment districts. It features a variety of restaurants and craft breweries, making it an ideal location for young professionals. If you're planning on moving to Richmond, it's hard to beat a neighborhood like this one. In fact, Niche ranks it No. 6 on its list of the best neighborhoods in Richmond, VA.

In Scott's Addition, you'll find some of Richmond's most prominent breweries, such as The Veil Brewing Co. and Väsen Brewing Company. 

Located near Downtown Richmond, Church Hill is one of the best neighborhoods in  Richmond, VA, if you’re looking for more affordable rent.

7. Church Hill 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,375
• Average home value: $496,000
• Great for: Young professionals, singles, restaurants, bars, historical sites 

One of Richmond's well-rounded neighborhoods is Church Hill. It's located near downtown, but its affordable prices make it a popular choice for young professionals and singles. For instance, while the citywide average rent sits around $1,550, the average rent in Church Hill is a couple hundred dollars cheaper at $1,375 for a one-bedroom. 

More sprawling than some other Richmond neighborhoods, Church Hill has a population of about 3,500 people. There are a variety of housing options in this area, including apartments, condos, and Queen Anne-style homes, and more people (about 60 percent) rent than own their homes. There are also plenty of things to explore, like restaurants, historic sites, and unique bars. 

If you’re looking for a cool place to get a bite to eat, check out Liberty Public House, which was once a movie theater that has since been converted into 30 apartments and a restaurant, serving everything from breakfast burritos to tomato tortellini soup. 

8. Carytown 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,650
• Average home value: $533,000
• Great for: Young professionals, shopping, restaurants, fun activities

The Carytown District is a mix of residential and commercial areas in Downtown Richmond. It features over 230 shops and restaurants, including the Shop Center and Cary Street Park. In addition to a variety of stores and restaurants, Carytown also offers all kinds of other activities 
and services, such as movie theaters, cafes, and vegan bakeries.

For a delicious Mexican meal, head to Lolita’s, where vegan options and mouth-watering craft cocktails abound — and don’t forget to feast your eyes on the pink tiled bar and sunny yellow walls. Or if you’re looking for a gorgeous spot to score a basket of beignets and a mimosa, check out Can Can Brasserie, a French eatery that looks like it was plucked out of Paris. Given its wide variety of fun things to do, it tracks that Carytown ranks fourth on Niche’s list of the best neighborhoods in Richmond, VA, for young professionals.  

This is no misnomer — if you’re a fan of history and art and value living close to Downtown, The Museum District is one of the best neighborhoods in Richmond, VA, for you. 
(Source: Small & Associates, Inc. via Facebook)

9. The Museum District 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,650
• Average home value: $607,000
• Great for: Young professionals, retirees, history buffs, art lovers, variety of housing options

If you're looking for a tranquil neighborhood that offers easy access to Richmond's Downtown, The Museum District might just be the place for you. This area is very affordable and tends to draw people who love history and art — two of Richmond's best qualities.

This neighborhood features homes on the historic register, but you don’t have to commit to an older home. In fact, there are plenty of housing options in the area, including traditional homes, townhouses, and apartments.

Q: What is the safest part of Richmond, VA? A: Woodland Heights, situated just a few miles southwest of Downtown Richmond, is considered one of the safest and best neighborhoods in Richmond, VA, according to NeighborhoodScout’s rankings. Generally speaking, many of the safest neighborhoods in Richmond are clustered west of the city center.

10. Woodland Heights 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,500
• Average home value: $454,300
• Great for: Families, young professionals, more affordable housing, outdoor lovers, commuters

Woodland Heights is just a 10-minute drive from Downtown Richmond, with plenty of home styles and green space to offer. It’s great for families and young professionals who love the outdoors and want to get out during the weekends.

Although there are plenty of affordable apartments in Woodland Heights, you can also find reasonably priced two-story and ranch-style homes. And from a safety perspective, it’s one of the best places to live in Richmond, VA — per NeighborhoodScout, it’s the second-safest area to be. 

Colonial Place is one of the wealthiest Richmond neighborhoods, with many single-family houses worth over a million dollars.
(Source: Meghan Dickey Real Estate via Facebook)

11. Colonial Place 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,675
• Average home value: $606,800
• Great for: Young professionals, nightlife, bars, restaurants, trails

The Colonial Place neighborhood is located west of Downtown Richmond. It is one of the wealthiest communities in the Richmond suburbs, with many single-family houses worth over a million dollars. The area is quiet, and residents are very close.

The eastern part of the neighborhood provides easy access to Interstate 195, making it easy to commute to nearby areas. A great place to visit nearby is the Mary Munford Playground. This area is full of new families, with many of them having young kids. There are also plenty of job prospects and housing options.

12. Shockoe Slip

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,675
• Average home value: $408,900
• Great for: Nightlife, bars, restaurants, trails, young professionals 

Located near Downtown Richmond and the James River, Shockoe Slip is a downtown neighborhood that is known for its vibrant late-night atmosphere. This area is home to many bars and restaurants, as well as walking trails and iconic cobbled streets. If you’re into punk music and spooky-eclectic decor (think: scary clowns and neon lights), check out the Wonderland bar. Or if slurping on oysters and noshing on truffle fries is more your vibe, check out The Hard Shell, a popular spot for seafood.  

If you are a history lover looking to rent a home, this is one of the best neighborhoods in Richmond, VA, to check out, as it’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city and the vast majority of residents here rent.

Q: How much does it cost to live comfortably in Richmond, VA? A: The median household income in Richmond is approximately $62,700. Depending on your lifestyle and family size, you may want to make more or less than that to live comfortably.

Make Your Move to Richmond With PODS

Once you’ve found the perfect spot for you among the best neighborhoods in Richmond, VA, let a portable moving and storage container from PODS help make the moving process easier. It can be conveniently transported to and from your residences (old and new). And the best part? One month's storage is included in each rental, making it easier to unload on your own time. 

Editor’s note: Average rent prices were obtained from RentCafe; average home values were obtained from Zillow; and median home sale prices were obtained from Redfin. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.