Compared to D.C. or New York, Richmond feels like a financial hug. You can actually afford a whole apartment without selling a kidney. Rent is reasonable, and your money goes way farther here.
The Most Beautiful Hikes in the Bay Area | Best places to live, Day
But—and it’s a big but—the property taxes can sneak up on you. And if you buy a historic home, you’ll befriend a repairman named “Frank” real quick. Old houses have personality… and plumbing problems.
Traffic: A Miniature Fury
Richmond traffic is nothing compared to D.C., but it has its own special brand of chaos. The highways have ramps that make zero sense and merge lanes that feel like a dare.
Pro tip: Avoid the “Rocketts Landing” merge at 5 PM unless you want to test your blood pressure. But really, you can get from one end of town to the other in 20 minutes tops. It’s a small city, so just breathe.
