Stay south of Broad st, north of 195 and west of 14/15th Street you'll be fine and traveling in groups isnt a bad idea. Also most of the people outside of gas stations asking for help aren't gonna cause actual issues they just want a few bucks. I'm not a VCU student (too expensive) but I was born and raised here. If you're looking for welcoming people and ideas of where to go check out the restaurant Joe's Inn and anything in the "devils triangle" people in those areas are super friendly and really like showing off neat spots to people unfamiliar with RVA.

Only visit Scotts Addition if you have money to burn ( it's where all the rich kids tend to gravitate). The food is good but the people that have recently gentrified that neighborhood are the worst type of entitled.

ABSOLUTELY STAY OUT OF GULPIN AND MOSBEY COURT UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOURE DOING AND WHO YOU'RE WITH.