Living in the City of Richmond, VA: The Fan, Church Hill, Scott's Addition and More

The City of Richmond is the region's urban core, and it's an independent city, so it isn't part of any county. Historic rowhouses, river views, walkable streets and one of the best food scenes on the East Coast all sit inside city limits. If you want character and a short walk to dinner, this is where to look.

Where People Live in Richmond

The Fan and the Museum District

The Fan gets its name from the way its streets fan out west of VCU. It's packed with early-1900s rowhouses, front porches and tree-lined blocks. The Museum District, just west, has a similar feel with a little more breathing room, plus the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Carytown's shops and restaurants close by.

Church Hill

Church Hill, east of downtown, is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. You'll find restored historic homes, views of the river and skyline from Libby Hill Park, and a growing restaurant scene along 25th Street.

Scott's Addition

Once an industrial area, Scott's Addition is now full of breweries, cideries, restaurants and converted loft apartments and condos. It's popular with buyers who want walkability and newer construction.

Manchester and Southside

South of the James River, Manchester has riverfront lofts and quick access to downtown across the bridges. Farther south and west, Forest Hill and Westover Hills offer older single-family homes near Forest Hill Park and the river trails.

Northside

Northside neighborhoods like Bellevue and Ginter Park have larger early-1900s homes, wide streets and a quieter, established feel, with MacArthur Avenue's local shops close by.

Schools

Richmond Public Schools serves the city. Families also look at the region's specialty and application-based options, including Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, plus private and parochial schools. School assignments can change, so I always verify zoning for a specific address before you write an offer.

Getting Around

• I-95, I-64, the Downtown Expressway and the Powhite Parkway all run through or next to the city.
• The GRTC Pulse bus line runs along Broad Street, from Willow Lawn to Rocketts Landing.
• Main Street Station has Amtrak service right downtown.
• Richmond International Airport (RIC) is usually about 15 to 20 minutes away.
• Fort Gregg-Adams is roughly 35 to 45 minutes south on I-95, and Defense Supply Center Richmond is about 20 minutes away.

Taxes and Costs

The City of Richmond's real estate tax rate is $1.20 per $100 of assessed value for 2026, the highest in the area. On a $400,000 assessment, that's about $4,800 a year. Vehicles are taxed separately as personal property.

Things to Do

The James River Park System runs right through the city, with Belle Isle, river rapids and miles of trails. Add Maymont, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Carytown, Brown's Island concerts and a constant lineup of new restaurants, and there's always something to do.

Is Richmond a Good Fit for You?

The city is a great fit if you want:

• Walkable neighborhoods with restaurants, parks and shops nearby
• Historic homes with character you won't find in the suburbs
• A short commute downtown, to VCU or to the hospitals

Things to think about:

• Many homes are 80 to 120 years old. A thorough inspection matters, especially for electrical, plumbing and roofs.
• Some neighborhoods are in historic districts where exterior changes need city approval.
• Street parking is the norm in the Fan and Museum District.
• The tax rate is higher than in the surrounding counties.

Thinking About the City?

Every Richmond neighborhood has its own personality, and the right one depends on how you want to live day to day. I'm happy to help you sort it out. Call or text me and we'll start there.

Tax rates come from county sources as of October 2026 and can change each year. Drive times are typical and depend on traffic.