Richmond is the heart of our state in more ways than one. As the state’s capital, it’s centrally located and there’s a little bit of everything mixed into it. For Virginians, it’s a city that you embrace as home even if you live hours away. For out-of-staters, it’s one of the most frequently visited cities. There’s just something for everyone here, and we would be so bold to say it’s the best city in the entire country. It’s traditional, trendy, artistic, food-loving, and always evolving. Richmond is consistently named as one of the top cities to live in, and here’s why.
- It’s “The Best Town Ever”
jeff horne/flickr In 2012, Outside Magazine listed Richmond as “the best town ever.” There’s just no arguing with that.
- The arts
Bill Dickinson/flickr A walk around Richmond’s downtown will show you some of the incredible mural projects that have taken place. It’s no wonder the city was rated “Most Artistic Mid-Sized City in America” in a Gogobot study.
- The music
Jason Pier in DC/flickr It’s no secret that Richmond is a hub for local talent, and a great place to catch some incredible live acts.
- Education
PROEli Christman/flickr Richmond houses top-ranking schools at all levels of education. With over 33,000 students, VCU is one of the largest schools in the state.
- The restaurant business
Eli Christman/flickr National Geographic notes Richmond as a “top destination” for food travel. And it seems like restaurants continue to keep popping up in every corner of the city.
- Businesses in general
PROBill Dickinson/flickr River City is ranked 3rd in the top 10 best places to start a business. It’s also in the top 10 places for finding employment (Forbes).
- The food
anokarina/flickr According to Conde Nast Traveler, it’s “the southern food destination you need to know about.”
- Biker friendly
Eli Christman/flickr The UCI Road World Championships was held in Richmond in September of 2015.
- Appreciation for the past…
Jeffrey Zeldman/flickr This city has an impressive history. TripAdvisor has named it a “Top Historical Family Destination.” Monument Avenue is just one of many examples of how the city is devoted to honoring history.
10…with an eye for the future
Will Fisher/flickr It’s also the city of the future. Richmond was ranked 4th overall among the “Top 10 Mid-Sized American Cities of the Future.”
- Uniqueness
Eli Christman/flickr Galaxy Diner has been named the #1 diner in Virginia. And that’s a big accomplishment since there are tons of great ones in the state.
- Patriotism
Bill Dickinson/flickr RVA has been listed as the best place to celebrate the 4th of July.
- Happy people
Bill Dickinson/flickr Richmond is “most content area” in America, according to the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research. If that isn’t the tell-all sign, I don’t know what is.
- Greenspace
Donnie Gladfelter/flickr RVA is home to many beautiful parks. Even downtown, nature is just a stone’s throw away. (Forest Hill Park pictured above.)
- Small businesses
Black Hand Coffee Co./Facebook Small business is the soul of Richmond’s economy, and the city has been named in the top 10 best cities for overall small business friendliness in the country (Thumbtack.com).
- Location
Google Maps Look at all those other incredible Virginia cities, all within three hours of driving.
Most importantly, Richmond is our capital. We’re proud of RVA and all it has contributed to life in Virginia. What do you love most about the city?
jeff horne/flickr
In 2012, Outside Magazine listed Richmond as “the best town ever.” There’s just no arguing with that.
Bill Dickinson/flickr
A walk around Richmond’s downtown will show you some of the incredible mural projects that have taken place. It’s no wonder the city was rated “Most Artistic Mid-Sized City in America” in a Gogobot study.
Jason Pier in DC/flickr
It’s no secret that Richmond is a hub for local talent, and a great place to catch some incredible live acts.
PROEli Christman/flickr
Richmond houses top-ranking schools at all levels of education. With over 33,000 students, VCU is one of the largest schools in the state.
Eli Christman/flickr
National Geographic notes Richmond as a “top destination” for food travel. And it seems like restaurants continue to keep popping up in every corner of the city.
PROBill Dickinson/flickr
River City is ranked 3rd in the top 10 best places to start a business. It’s also in the top 10 places for finding employment (Forbes).
anokarina/flickr
According to Conde Nast Traveler, it’s “the southern food destination you need to know about.”
The UCI Road World Championships was held in Richmond in September of 2015.
Jeffrey Zeldman/flickr
This city has an impressive history. TripAdvisor has named it a “Top Historical Family Destination.” Monument Avenue is just one of many examples of how the city is devoted to honoring history.
Will Fisher/flickr
It’s also the city of the future. Richmond was ranked 4th overall among the “Top 10 Mid-Sized American Cities of the Future.”
Galaxy Diner has been named the #1 diner in Virginia. And that’s a big accomplishment since there are tons of great ones in the state.
RVA has been listed as the best place to celebrate the 4th of July.
Richmond is “most content area” in America, according to the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research. If that isn’t the tell-all sign, I don’t know what is.
Donnie Gladfelter/flickr
RVA is home to many beautiful parks. Even downtown, nature is just a stone’s throw away. (Forest Hill Park pictured above.)
Black Hand Coffee Co./Facebook
Small business is the soul of Richmond’s economy, and the city has been named in the top 10 best cities for overall small business friendliness in the country (Thumbtack.com).
Google Maps
Look at all those other incredible Virginia cities, all within three hours of driving.
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