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Best Neighborhoods for Families in Richmond
Moving to a new city is always challenging. And a large part of that challenge is looking for a place to live, especially when you have a family. There are so many things to consider when weighing your options. House styles and sizes, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, and the convenience of location are all things to consider.
It can be quite overwhelming. That’s why we’ve done the research for you, so you don’t have to (oh, and by way of introduction, we’re Bellhop —Richmond movers and movers throughout the country). We can even have last-minute Richmond movers. Looking to move to a suburb outside Richmond? Try out Midlothian
If you’ve seen our Richmond City Guide, you’ve noticed the brief neighborhood section listing a few of our favorite Richmond neighborhoods. This list is a more in-depth neighborhood guide.
Why listen to us? Well, I’ve lived in Richmond for over ten years, and I have two young children. So, I’d say I’m reasonably credentialed!
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Safety in Richmond
Surprisingly, Richmond was one of the most dangerous cities in America at one point – for one year in the 90s, it had the highest per-capita homicide rate in the country. Thankfully, Richmond today is a much better place. In my twelve years in Richmond, I’ve rarely felt unsafe. As long as you exercise some basic caution, Richmond is a very safe place to live. Crime tends to be concentrated around Richmond’s “big five” public housing projects.
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Bon Air
Bon Air is in Chesterfield County and was first developed in the late 1800s as a resort community for Richmond residents, a place to get away from it all. Now, Bon Air is a recognized historic district and is a popular area for families looking for their first homes. It’s got a small-town feel, where there are tree-lined streets and walkable neighborhoods. The crime rate is low there because of Bon Air residents’ commitments to the community. The joke in Richmond is that Bon Air is where punks go to retire – while it’s undeniably suburban, it’s also quirky and fun.
What’s Happening in Bon Air
Because Bon Air is close to Chesterfield and Richmond, residents can easily enjoy the amenities each of those cities have to offer. But there are plenty of locally-owned shops and restaurants in Bon Air as well, such as Joe’s Inn at Bon Air, Perk! (a coffee shop with a great play area for your littles), and The Treasury, a popular antique store.
Good Foods is a locally-run health and wellness grocery store with a mission to help individuals with autism learn interpersonal skills. Being right next to a Trader Joe’s doesn’t hurt, either.
Schools in Bon Air
Bon Air is part of Chesterfield County, which means it’s part of the Chesterfield County Public Schools system, which has a consistently high rating.
Homes in Bon Air
There are still many of the Victorian homes from the 19th and early 20th century. Homes in Bon Air tend to sell quickly. One of the reasons is because housing is so affordable, with the average home price just over $430,000.
The Fan District
You’ll become a fan of The Fan neighborhood (yeah, we’re pretty sure everyone has used that joke at some point). Filled with late 19th and early 20th century homes, The Fan has tree-lined streets perfect for kids to ride their bikes along, waving to neighbors sitting on their front porches. If you’re wondering about the name, it comes from the way the streets are shaped, which are laid out in a fan design. The Fan is west of downtown and has an eclectic mix of residents, from students attending nearby VCU to professionals and young families.
What’s Happening in The Fan
The Fan has around 80 restaurants and cafes, so finding a place to eat that’ll satisfy the whole family shouldn’t be a problem. And there are plenty of places for the kids to play including Paradise Park and Lombardy Park, both with playgrounds.
Schools in The Fan
Families who reside in The Fan district have several school options. Because the area is within Richmond city limits, public schools are part of the Richmond Public School System. Public schools in the area are Fox Elementary, Albert Hill Middle, Binford Middle, and Thomas Jefferson High. There are also a number of private schools around including Benedictine High School, New Community, and Trinity Episcopal, just to name a few.
Homes in The Fan
There are various architectural styles in The Fan District including Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Bungalow and American Foursquare. The Fan runs pricey, though – expect to pay around $800K for a house.
Church Hill North
In 2015, this historic neighborhood was the runner up in Richmond Magazine’s Best Family-Friendly Neighborhood list. Church Hill North began as a neighborhood of middle-class merchants and tradesmen at the beginning of the 20th century. As the years passed, the area saw many highs and lows. In the 1960s and ‘70s the city introduced urban renewal, demolishing many of the older homes in the area, including that of Shed Town, a neighboring community.
Residents of Church Hill began leaving, and in the 1980s, the Historic Richmond Foundation swept in and bought more than 30 historic properties there. Since then, more than 200 houses have been restored in Church Hill North, mostly by white and African-American first-time home buyers. The Church Hill North Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. Once again, parts of this community are in transition, with older homes being rehabilitated and new construction going up, as well as new businesses like the East End Grocery Store and the J. Sergeant Culinary Institute.
What’s Happening in Church Hill North
There are a number of businesses around this are.. Sub Rosa Bakery is a popular destination for bread, pastries, and coffee. Though they recently had a fire (in late 2024), they’ll assuredly be back soon. Alewife and Grisette are both nationally-renowned restaurants with a loyal following in the neighborhood. Historic Libby Hill Park is a great place to gaze at the beautiful scenery and for a family walk. The neighborhood association offers residents family-friendly events throughout the year including a fall festival (Hog on The Hill) and an Irish festival. Also, there are four parks in the area for kids and two dog parks. The Market at 25th st and Hope Pharmacy provide a badly-needed grocery store and pharmacy to the neighborhood.
Schools in Church Hill North
There are a few different elementary schools in Church Hill generally, all of which are generally well-regarded. MLK Middle and Armstrong High School are both below-average for Virginia, though they are showing signs of improvement. Franklin Military Academy is a well-regarded charter school for middle and high school students.
Homes in Church Hill North
With a mix of historic and new homes, Church Hill North’s architectural styles range from brick and stone Colonial Revival to Greek Revival, with newly-built row homes and an increasing number of apartments. Prices range from $350,000 to $500,000 while rent ranges from a really affordable $900 to $1,400 per month.
The Museum District
With a mix of young professionals, long-time residents and families, the Museum District is an attractive alternative to The Fan, as it’s a bit cheaper in price but with similar historic home styles. Also, it’s close to tons of museums, duh! The Museum District is really walkable and on average, is about a five-minute walk from restaurants and shopping.
What’s Happening in The Museum District
So, about those museums. This neighborhood is close to the Science Museum of Virginia and the Children’s Museum of Richmond. There’s also the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which offers around 100 art classes for kids.
Schools in The Museum District
There are so many schools within the area, with three elementary, three middle and five high schools. Some of them are John P. Cary Elementary, Lynnhaven Academy and Jefferson High School.
Homes in The Museum District
Like The Fan, this neighborhood has a lot of late 18th and early 19th century homes. But the prices are a bit less expensive. Still, expect to pay up to $700-800k, and expect home to go quickly.
Bellevue
A very family-friendly neighborhood, Bellevue is in Richmond’s Northside. It boasts beautiful historic homes and tree-lined streets. Bellevue has a suburban feel but is only ten minutes from downtown. And it’s got a compact commercial district that has some terrific eateries and cute shops, along McArthur Ave. It also has a strong neighborhood association.
What’s Happening in Bellevue
Bellevue is near two great parks. Bryan Park is a 262-acre park with hiking and biking trails. The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden hosts a number of popular events such as a New Year’s Eve Family Frolic. And during the holiday season, the garden is lit up aglow with lights galore. It also has a children’s garden where kids can dig in the dirt and climb into a treehouse.
Porchella is a neighborhood wide music festival that takes place every April. Attendance is free, and many food trucks descend to serve the attendees.
Schools in Bellevue
There are three elementary and middle schools. One of the best schools is Linwood Holton Elementary School. The public schools in the area are part of Richmond Public Schools, though schools part of Henrico County Public Schools are close by.
Homes in Bellevue
A mix of residential and retail line the streets of Bellevue. The house styles are diverse, and the average price is around $500,000.
Neighborhoods are about location and lifestyle, to be sure. But more importantly, they are about the people who live in them. These neighborhoods offer a variety of lifestyles to meet most anyone’s needs. We hope this guide helps you make the right choice to fit your lifestyle.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Richmond?
If you’re concerned chiefly about neighborhood safety, you may want to avoid some of the neighborhoods in Richmond’s east end and Northside. While Richmond neighborhoods are generally safe, there are some pockets of crime that may give you pause. Richmond’s West End is typically considered it’s safest area.
Some of the safest neighborhoods in Richmond are:
- The Museum District
- Westhampton
- Windsor Farms
- Bellevue
- Westover Hills
- The Fan
There you have it: The Best Neighborhoods for Families in Richmond
I hope this has convinced you that there’s a place in Richmond for you and your family.
If you decide to move in or to Richmond, don’t hesitate to reach out. We coordinate local Richmond moves and long-distance moving services in Richmond and other nearby cities like Washington DC, and we would love to help!
Need to move quickly? We also provide last minute moving services!
Other Richmond Guides
- Richmond Moving Guide
- Richmond’s Best Suburbs
- Best Up and Coming Neighborhoods in Richmond, VA
- Richmond Schools Guide
- Our Favorite Richmond Neighborhoods
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