Possible but a car makes it so much easier. A good bike would do

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The bus services are mostly adequate within the city limits, taking into account delays, hours of operation, an almost disgraceful dearth of shelters and benches at stops, and for what I'm certain will be a confusing reorientation of routes over the next couple of years. Better than nothing, and for the immediate future, fare-free, so yay.

Definitely would have to pad out the transportation experience with some ride share service. If you're able, procure a bicycle or moped or something if a car isn't an option.

No thank you.

I work from home and rarely drive. Mass transit is a bit of the pain unless you're taking the Pulse, but the city is fairly bike-friendly. Actual bike infrastructure is a bit sparse, but the city itself is pretty doable by bike.

There will be parts of the city that will be rather inaccessible (getting to a Trader Joe's will be a hike) but if you're comfortable with urban biking and the risks that entails, it's doable.

Hard to say without knowing the details of your specific interests, but yes, I know people in Carytown, and The Fan who do not have cars. Many are avid bike riders who do fine. There is a long running joke about the fact that there are way more breweries than grocery stores in Richmond. That said, there is a Pubix and Fresh Market as well as some smaller corner stores in Carytown. The Fan/VCU are has a Whole Foods, an infamously sketch Kroger, and an Aldi. Hope it all works out for you. These neighborhoods are probably your best best for shedding the suburbia boredom.

Happy Thanksgiving.

It's possible, provided you live near a pulse stop. Our bus routes leave a lot to be desired, but the Pulse is pretty regular and as a bonus stops at Willow Lawn (shopping and groceries and some restaurants), Scott's addition (breweries and some nightlife), downtown (arts and restaurants), and Church Hill (some stuff). Your problem would be when you want to do anything else, like go somewhere specific not on that route. It's gonna suck.

If your housing budget is a million dollars I’m sure you’re able to live a “comfortable” life pretty much anywhere, car or no car.

You can but you'd be very limited to where you can live. Like living in DC (dc is better to be carless in because at least there's robust public transportation)

it depends on where you live in RVA. The more expensive the area the more bus stops there are. I believe by express GRTC you mean pulse. That goes up + down broad only.

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GRTC is by far better than the NOVA bus system. It's also free. If you need to be somewhere at a specific time then GRTC isn't great. Also you gotta know where you going, and there are times when its faster to walk. Especially if you have to take multiple.

I’ve never owned a car in Richmond and would say it’s very doable. I think the Museum District is the best neighborhood to live in without a car. You have everything you need within walking distance and multiple grocery store options.

I currently live in Church Hill and find it more difficult than the Museum District, but still doable. Getting groceries is harder because I have to ride a bike or take the bus.

I would continue to live without a car in any of these neighborhoods: Scott’s Addition, The Fan, Jackson Ward, Downtown, or Shockoe Bottom.

Rva transit is fine enough. There are cities either just as affordable or slightly more expensive with much better transit though, but one perk is that the buses are currently free here.

If your work situation is going to be permanently remote and you have no reason to believe you’ll have to commute, rva can be a solid choice car free. The job market here is very unimpressive in case something changes though, as an fyi.

Lol @ people downvoting you. $1mm is a reasonable home budget for a lot of people. Richmond isn’t “very expensive”, it’s just more expensive than it was like 5-10 years ago. Or more expensive than like, somewhere in rural Tennessee. I bought my house here for $230k — this is laughable to friends of mine who live in actual “very expensive” cities and have $5-8k per month mortgages. Richmond isn’t expensive, but it will be.

Haha yes but the goal is to not spend the millions.

I was exaggerating the monetary amount.

I think this is a fair take on it. I could pull off a car free option downtown and have a friend who does currently (I could do it in the MD if I made a little more effort). Grocery/post office options exist on the 5 and Pulse routes which is what makes it possible and otherwise getting around via the rest of the system for stuff is doable.

Exactly! I'm not literally looking to spend $1m on a house. It's just that my definition of expensive is far higher that a lot of people outside of big coastal cities.

It is doable, but just understand that Richmond is not DC or New York. We have the pulse bus line, uber/lyft, and those scooter things. The main thing your going to run into is of the most great things about Richmond are the surrounding areas which public transit specifically doesn’t go to. For Some stupid reason people in the suburbs believe that having public transit into the city will cause the rifraf to invade, so only the city itself has decent public transport. Also, btw, the buses like to hit people here, so never cross a street when a GTRC bus is around. Finally the ebike sounds great, but bike theft is definitely a thing here, so just make sure you have a go way to store it. You mentioned your budget is a million dollars in some comments, which great for you, but understand the locals don’t really appreciate out of towner coming in and driving up real estate price, so maybe don’t mention that if your trying to make friends. Best of luck, hope you like Richmond!

So my budget is definitely not $1m. I simply meant that I've lived in places where a $1m house is considered 'affordable' so Richmond does not seem very expensive in comparison.

It’s not great. There aren’t a ton of supermarkets you’ll be able to walk to, most bus routes run very infrequently, and good luck if you have to get out to the suburbs for anything

The Fan or the Museum District are super doable without a car, especially if you're a bike enthusiast. But there's lots you can get to on foot or by bus.

Biking between roughly museum district and church hill areas is very easy. Living in southside with just a bike may be a bummer as their aren't many grocery stores, but just check out specific locations on google maps.

I haven't had a car for 6 years or so. Only have sporadic experience taking buses here.

I live in Byrd Park and rarely drive...there's a bus on my corner and it's easy to either walk or bike everywhere. You said you have an electric bike, so do I. That's a great way to get around.

I can vouch for living in Museum District without a car. While I have one, there are some weeks where I only move my car for street cleaning. That was a big selling point for me when I was looking for a house in the area. You can even walk to multiple movie theaters! I walk to Willow Lawn occasionally which is about 1.5 miles and has all the eating and shopping variety of a mall. Not to mention being in walking distance of all the perks of the adjoining neighborhoods.

in terms of bike lanes and transit access its probably worse than alexandria

I found the Museum District to be incredibly easy without a car. You might need a car for work, but I guarantee you can do everything else without one. I lived near the VMFA. I would walk to Publix, Kroger, and ALDI for groceries (invest in nice reusable bags for carrying groceries). I would use the CVS on Broad for prescriptions (Quicker walk than Carytown). I would use the post office near Carytown. The only time I used the bus was to get downtown for events. Anything outside of groceries that I needed I would just order online. If I needed a lot of groceries I would just order delivery. Still cheaper than all of the expenses that come with a car.

There is very little worse than Alexandria

Do not move here.

Why not? Please elaborate.

Jackson Ward, no car. If you can get what you need to eat from the Krogs, Whole Foods, and Publix it is fine. Just check which grocery stores you need, and how far they are. I'm WFH and can't justify getting a car due to the added expense, and the fact that biking to the stores helps keep me in shape, when I work such a sedentary job.

Yeah but those places have higher median wages to match, usually. As it stands the cost of housing here, while cheap compared to a lot of places, still well out-strips a lot of native Richmonders' earnings. This is only being exacerbated by remote workers from out of state and NoVa coming in with their "modest" budgets of $500k+.

I live downtown without a car, the Pulse and the #5 bus serve most of my transit needs. I am fortunate enough to work within walking distance so I don't use the buses to get to anything too crucial. Whenever I have to leave city limits (Short Pump, airport) I use a rideshare service. Express GRTC buses are really only for people who live in the suburbs and work downtown, they only run during AM PM rush hours and then only in the direction to transport suburban office workers so that isn't really an option. An electric bike would certainly open your options!

The median income of the city is $25k and the average home price is $330k. You’re right — but the problem is not the cost of living, it’s the shockingly low median income for a city in such a great location with so much to offer its inhabitants. I’m not saying that it shouldn’t be frustrating for native Richmonders — I understand how it would be. I’m just saying it’s not objectively expensive in an era where there are a lot of high-earning remotely working individuals who routinely relocate to lower cost of living areas.

I do this already living downtown and it is very very doable (esp with you having an e bike) Richmond is relatively small (less than 5 miles from west to east). Dm me if you have any questions about logistics or tips.

The busses are pretty hit or miss, but biking for transportation here is pretty great when you get past the aggro and angry drivers.

Excellent guidance. I’d add that Carver is exceptionally well set for no car.

Hey now, I love my Kroger! It has its own personality 🙂

I live near Willow Lawn and don’t have a car, perfectly fine without it.

I'm a remote, car-free individual as well. I haven't had any problems living here due to being vehicle free. The bus system isn't perfect, but it gets the job done well enough. I can walk to get just about anything I'd want or need. While I do have a pretty liberal definition of walking distance, with an e-bike, you should be fine.

The bus is free until 2025 and they have bike racks. I use an electric scooter and get around just fine in about a two-mile radius, going to the store and whatnot. I use the bus for longer trips. The bus system could be better but I don't miss the hassle of car ownership.

yes, you can. Easier with a car of course.

To do it you pretty much have to be in Fan or Museum District or close by

But I know at least 1 person in Church Hill who does it

people are feeling like they are getting priced out of a city they love because of all the people moving down from Nova. Online that's a thing, in real life you won't come across it

I empathize with that! I've seen firsthand the damage gentrification does to community members.

That's partly why I want to move to a place that might actually have a community.

I think people moving in is great. I'm the opposite of a nativist and I don't believe in gentrification.

but the people complaining have a point. They are being priced out. Because of a shortage of supply. But that's not your fault, it's the city's

Don't move here.

Yup' and f*** me because the places I can comfortably live without a car, are all ruined by skyrocketing real estate prices.

I live in The Fan and while I do have a car, I could easily get around without it. I normally walk to get groceries, go out for brunch or dinner, etc.

There's also a (less sketch) Kroger in Carytown as well. Between Aldi and Kroger that's usually enough for all I need haha

why can't you drive

if OP is used to Alexandria and the bus systems in NoVA, ours may as well be a horse drawn cart and a donkey

Just make sure you live somewhere between the Museum District and Churc Hill, and make sure you don't have kids.

From experience, as soon as you go north of the interstate (still within Richmond-proper, mind you) things become dramatically less walkable and more auto dependent, and the bus network is sparser. It's still an easy bike ride---for an adult---but don't expect your kids to make that ride with you.

In summary check this map: https://www.walkscore.com/VA/Richmond

I feel like you haven't tried to ride a bike in Alexandria.

Point well-made :)

I do it from Shockoe. I am also near a Pulse stop so that helps.

And when I need something outside of the Pulse (which isn't frequent) I Uber or Lyft.

Get a bicycle to get across town. I’ve found bike paths are far quicker than the slow ass bus.

PULSE (express GRTC) is great, but the regular bus lines are inexcusably slow.

I have been car free my entire time in RVA, which hasn’t been that long, but I’ve been dedicated to it. Most other car free people are northside it seems but I manage from Southside. The bus is generally good enough, never perfect, but it does enough.

Biking is generally good here on certain routes, but I’ve had a few encounters with drivers who are extremely hostile or have 0 clue what a bike is and how a bikes signals. Fortunately they’re few and far between, and avoiding busy roads makes it a lot easier.

Getting groceries is difficult, especially in my location, so I had to give up and just get all my groceries delivered.

The biggest issue is just that every once in a while I have to get somewhere with a car. Ubering has been fine mostly, but occasionally I just get screwed over by not having a car. It doesn’t happen enough to justify buying a car, however.

Getting out of the city is harder, the train to DC or tidewater is good, but that’s about as far as you can get.

But I encourage you to try! I know a lot of people in RVA that are one car households, low-car or completely car free. It’s a lifestyle all of us seem to like and it saves so. much. money.

I lived in Richmond city for over ten years without a car and it was great! The city is walkable, pulse busses are great and the city is relatively safe. I say go for it!

I’ve been car free for almost a year and I live on the southside!! It’s very DOable! There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear.

Lmfao, you're not wrong. 🤣

The best part about Richmond, IS Richmond, not the grotesquely plastic surrounding counties.

Not 'feel like ' ARE. We ARE being priced out of our neighborhoods by investment firms gentrification flips to begin with, and then cake on the DC socialites getting to remote work so they can schlep it down here, overpay for whatever home they wanted and still be saving themselves money compared to the DC market, while widening that income inequality gap here.

Actually, it's still investment firms. Landlords provide housing like scalpers provide tickets, IJS. And, as someone who worked the Census, you'd likely be appalled at just how many people are illegally Air BnBing places across the city.

Really getting in the James in the city is like rolling the dice if your going to a rash, but 30 mins up river the water is beautiful and clean, we have amazing state parks dotted around the surrounding counties. A hour Northwest and your in amazing wine country. The Mountains and beach are like 2 hours away. I would say that the surrounding area have a lot to offer, not that Richmond is lame, but what really finishes the masterpiece that is Richmond is the surrounding areas.

Surrounding areas aren't Richmond though. And really, I wouldn't trust the James for at least 70 miles upstream of RVA, and truth be told... I don't really trust water this far south, period. Too much industry north of us to be dumping god knows what in the rivers leading to us. Dominion dumps coal ash roughly 60 miles upstream of the city. It might look clean a half hour up... But it isn't. Richmond boasts way more restaurants that aren't plastic (chains) than the surrounding counties. And we have the best traffic conditions of any metropolitan city in the country. That said... I have swam in the James, and immediately took a shower when I got home. Just don't drink the water 😂

Okay, I mean their are a lot of great local places in the counties as well, I mean the city is great for 4-5 years, but there so much to explore in Virginia, live here all my life and honest the time I enjoyed the least was living in the middle of the city.

I love the city. Been here since 1999. I hated my stints in the counties. Only time my cars were ever broken into was the counties. Apparently when there aren't as many chances of witnesses they'll break in. Keeping it locked is enough in the city though. 😂

I love how central the city is to everything. I can be most anywhere in under 20 minutes, being near several highways is kinda convenient.

Ya been since the mid 90s, sorry to hear that, never had any issues with crime in the county or really the city. I mean the incorporated city boundaries are pretty small, so many of the areas people consider the city are the counties…. But hey to each their own glad you like our city.

Same! I love the VCU Kroger.

I live in Southside and would argue there are plenty of grocery stores here. I'm right near an Aldi, Publix, Kroger, and food lion. You could walk to the Aldi Publix and food lion from my house. I just walked to the river and back. It actually would be doable. I'm considering getting an ebike to commute to work.

Yeah, it's kind of a thing if you actually live IN the city proper. I lived here in the city when getting mugged was a normal occurrence. So, I'm kinda defensive about that boundary line, don't tell me you live in the city when you live in a cozy suburb away from the bus line, hobos, crackheads and hookers. 🤣

we have made it illegal to build the kind of places you and I want to live in.

no that's nonsense. Read the Atlantic articles debunking that.