Thinking about moving to Virginia and starting your search in Richmond? Welcome! You’ve found your RVA 101 class.
The Greater Richmond Metropolitan Area (RVA) is a dynamic region with a population of over 1.3 million people. But finding your perfect home here is about much more than just the City of Richmond—it’s about understanding the unique geography and the lifestyle offered by the five surrounding counties. By the end of this post, you’ll be armed with a clear map of the region, understand the top communities, and know why Richmond consistently attracts people from all over the world.
RVA Geography: The Core and The Belt
The key to understanding Richmond is knowing that when locals say they live in ‘Richmond’ or ‘RVA,’ they are typically referring to the wider metro area, which is physically surrounded by five major, independent counties.
The Primary Core
The most desirable and densely populated areas form a core around the city:
- Richmond City: The central point and capital of Virginia.
- Henrico County: Sits directly north of the city, bordering it to the north, west, and east.
- Chesterfield County: Sits directly south of the city, separated by the James River.
These three areas—the City, Henrico, and Chesterfield—make up the most populated
and highly desirable core of the metropolitan region.
Is Richmond a Good Place to Live? (Yes!)
Before diving into the neighborhoods, here’s why Richmond consistently ranks high for relocation:
- Affordability: RVA consistently ranks as one of the most affordable mid-sized cities on the East Coast. The overall cost of living is nearly 6% below the national average.
- Buying Power: If you’re relocating from a major metro area like Washington, D.C. or a Northeastern city (like New York), you will see a significant bump in your buying power. Housing costs alone are nearly 17% more affordable than the national average.
- Job Market: Richmond is a thriving hub for careers. It is home to Fortune 500 company headquarters, including CarMax, Performance Food Group, Dominion Energy, and Altria.
- Vibrant Lifestyle: RVA delivers a big city feel without the major city stress, famous for its nationally recognized foodie scene, over 30 craft breweries, a massive arts community, and Class IV rapids on the James River running right downtown.
The Heart of RVA: City Neighborhoods
The City of Richmond offers the ultimate urban, history-rich lifestyle. The name of the game here is walkability and historic charm.
The Fan & Museum District: The premium urban experience. Renowned for stunning, hundred-year-old row houses and the highest level of walkability to boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Northside & Church Hill: The “value play” opportunities within the city. You still get historic homes and great community vibes, but the density of walkability and nearby amenities is more attainable.
Forest Hill: Highly desirable for its proximity to the James River and the extensive James River Park System, giving residents easy access to the region’s best outdoor recreation.
The Major Suburbs: Henrico & Chesterfield
These two counties offer most of the RVA metropolitan area’s population and feature sought-after suburban lifestyles.
Henrico County (The “Hat” on the City)
Located north and west of the city, Henrico is the place to ask: “Where are the highest rated schools and best commercial amenities?”
- Short Pump: The most recognized suburban retail hub, home to the Short Pump Town Center along the West Broad Street corridor. It offers an upscale, convenient, and relatively dense suburban lifestyle with all amenities along a short stretch of road.
- Glen Allen: Located just north of Short Pump, enjoying similar convenient proximity to West Broad Street.
Chesterfield County (South of the James River)
This enormous county offers a huge range of choices, from mature suburbs to new construction.
- Midlothian: A large, unincorporated area famous for its highly-rated schools, established neighborhoods, and its own major commercial hub along Midlothian Turnpike. A ton of relocation clients choose this area.
- Moseley: Located further south and west of Midlothian, this area is booming with new master-planned communities. It appeals to those who want a new home in highly rated school zones with excellent HOA amenity packages.
The Outer Counties: Space and Tranquility
If your dream includes significant land, larger private homesites, and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, these counties are where you should focus your search:
- Hanover County (North): Offers a diverse mix of lifestyles, from private rural properties with acreage to the charming college town of Ashland. Areas like Mechanicsville provide established, family-friendly suburbs closer to the city.
- Goochland County (West/North of James River): Known for large private homesites and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. It enjoys proximity to Short Pump’s West Broad Street amenities.
- Powhatan County (West/South of James River): Mirrors Goochland but sits south of the James River. It offers one of the best value propositions for those seeking acreage and has better proximity to Midlothian’s amenities.
Your Welcome to RVA 101 class is now adjourned! You are armed with the knowledge to understand the Richmond metro area’s diverse geography. We highly encourage you to check out our channel’s dedicated playlists and the videos that go deeper into these individual areas.
When you’re ready to start discussions about your home search, please don’t hesitate
to reach out to us!
