Best Neighborhoods in Richmond for Families

Moving to Richmond? River City is a top destination for families because of its affordable housing options, top-rated schools, and ample family-friendly activities. Here are the five best neighborhoods in Richmond for families!

Bellevue

  • Home Price: $270,133 median purchase price; $1,141 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 60% of Virginia cities

If your family is looking for a safe, affordable neighborhood to buy a home in Richmond, look no further than Bellevue. With a tight-knit community, this cozy neighborhood is ten minutes from Downtown Richmond and has over 1,200 single-family homes. If you’re looking for quality schools, start your child’s formal education at Linwood Holton Elementary School, or help them earn their high school degree at The New Community School. From shopping and dining to hiking and biking at Bryan Park, Bellevue is an excellent place for the whole family.

Things to Do in Bellevue

Admire seasonal trees and flowers with your children at Azalea Garden Center. Support local makers and artisans by buying organic, local meals like the Polyface Farm Turkeys for family dinners at Little House Green Grocery. Get involved with kid-friendly programs like the Family Storytime and Cinema Saturdays at the Ginter Park Branch – Richmond Public Library. Check out the game room and computer lab, or get involved with an after-school “Fun Klub” or special workshops at the Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center. Order a meal like the Turkey Reuben Burger or Rajun Cajun Burger and order a kid’s meal from the Dot’s for Tots menu at Dot’s Back Inn. Pick up a Country Ham Biscuit, Sabroso Sub, and Cellar Door Espresso for lunch to-go at Stir Crazy Cafe. Try sweet treats like Pumpkin Nutella Bars or Buckeye Brownies at Morsels. Or grab a Pig Pie Pizza in the heart of Bellevue at The Mill on MacArthur.

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Bon Air

  • Home Price: $215,600 median purchase price; $1,194 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 48% of Virginia cities

Situated on the northwestern edge of Chesterfield County, Bon Air is an elegant Richmond suburb with a rich history. Known for its mix of Victorian, 19th to early 20th-century architecture, and Modern Ranch homes, Bon Air is one of the best places in Richmond for families purchasing their first home. This suburb is home to Bon Air Elementary School, Crestwood Elementary School, and Huguenot High School, which makes it perfect for growing families looking for high-quality education. Filled with beautiful parks, delicious cafes, eateries, and shops of all kinds, Bon Air is the perfect place for families looking for an active lifestyle!

Things to Do in Bon Air

Admire the azalea gardens, have a picnic, or play family games outdoors at the beautiful, 53-acre Huguenot Park. Read your favorite book under the artificial tree centered in the children’s area at Bon Air Library. Stroll along a selection of the best Richmond shops, local eateries, and retail storefronts at the Huguenot Village Shopping Center. Enroll your child in swimming lessons or practice your swing at one of the tennis courts at the Bon Air Community Association. Take part in an authentic Indian dining experience with meals like Lamb Tikka Masala, Chicken Curry, or Kid’s Paneer Makhani at Taste of India. Grab exceptional pan-Asian cuisine for lunch like Chicken Chow Mein, Hunan Park, and Moo Goo Gai Pan preserved to perfection at Cathay Gourmet Chinese. Eat locally-sourced Crab Cake Sandwiches and Double Cheeseburgers with Gimmie S’mores for dessert at the Richmond family restaurant, Southbound. Or sip a specialty Cake Shake or Candy Land Shake while enjoying a mouthwatering Mickey Toddler Cone at Coco + Hazel.

The Fan District

  • Home Price: $383,990 median purchase price; $1,090 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 42% of Virginia cities

Named after the fan-shaped streets that extend westward, the Fan District is an urban arts-based neighborhood with stunning 19th-20th century architecture. Flush with Italianate and Colonial Revival townhouses alongside modern apartments, The Fan District offers vintage vibes with local conveniences like coffee shops, corner stores, and around 80 Fan District restaurants. This RVA neighborhood is home to Virginia Commonwealth University, where you can finish your formal education and earn a college degree in Richmond.

Things to Do in The Fan District

See an award-winning Broadway musical, concert, or comedy show with family at the Altria Theater. Appreciate agricultural exhibitions while strolling along the trail at Richmond’s oldest park, Monroe Park. Stock up on used books a the largest independent bookstore in Richmond, Shelf Life Books. Join a guided tour through beautifully-preserved Tudor Revival architecture in Commonwealth Virginia at The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design. Take part in Spaghetti A La Joe and Homemade Crab Cakes at the retro-style comfort-food eatery, Joe’s Inn. Rise and shine with hot, savory Buttermilk Biscuits, Ham Biscuits, and Chicken Biscuits at Early Bird Biscuit. Have lunch with Cuban-style eats like a Kubanaso, Pesto Tomato Jack Melt, and Elena Ruiz in a bodega-like atmosphere at Kuba Kuba. Or pull out a chair and order the Bone-In Pork Chop, Stuffed Butternut Squash, and Cajun Fish at the New American joint, The Savory Grain.

Museum District

  • Home Price: $334,660 median purchase price; $984 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 55% of Virginia cities

The Museum District is a premier shopping and arts destination, populated with cozy late 19th and 20th-century townhouses. As the name suggests, the Museum District offers no shortage of high-quality museums in Richmond, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Complete your middle school curriculum at Albert Hill Middle School and graduate with a degree from Cristo Rey Richmond High School. If you’re looking for a highly-walkable Richmond neighborhood with a passionate, diverse community and great housing for families, the Museum District is the perfect place to settle down.

Things to Do in Museum District

Peruse any number of dining and boutique destinations at the Carytown Shopping District. Engage with community programs like Sprout School and Book Bank to facilitate growth and development at the Children’s Museum of Richmond. Unleash your child’s creativity, inspect insect specimens, and have an up-close encounter with snakes and beetles at the Science Museum of Virginia. Play a few standard bowling rounds or try hitting moving pins while listening to live music at River City Roll. Grab a specialty burrito like a Baja or Bandito Burrito, or order a Kids Bean Burrito for your little one at Bandito’s Burrito Lounge. Have brunch at the Southern-inspired pub and order the Corned Beef Hash, Eggs Benedict, or Breakfast Nachos at Buddy’s Place. Enjoy Persian-style eats like Beef Tartare, Prosciutto & Manchego Fritters, or Banh Oui with kids at Can Can Brasserie. Or pick up fresh-pressed Greengo or Shaolin juice, or a Popeye smoothie at North End Juice Co.

Three Chopt

  • Home Price: $433,900 median purchase price; $1,227 median monthly rent
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 54% of Virginia cities

Three Chopt is a quiet residential area located in the southern section of historic Three Notch’d Road, which ran from Richmond to Shenandoah Valley. Located on the western edge of the city, this neighborhood is a relaxing getaway from downtown with quaint, Colonial-style cottages. Enroll your child in top-rated Richmond schools like Three Chopt Elementary School and St. Christoper’s School, or earn a degree at the University of Richmond. Three Chopt combines suburban charm with outstanding outdoor recreation, which makes this suburb one of the best places to live in Richmond.

Things to Do in Three Chopt

Browse a selection of Richmond shops, restaurants, and boutiques while browsing Three Chopt’s Village Shopping Center. Play 18-hole golf through the James River, Tuckahoe Creek, and Westhampton courses by grabbing a membership to the Country Club of Virginia. Walk the trail around the park, have a family picnic, and appreciate native wildlife at Bandy Field Nature Park. Take your kids out to Robins Center and Robins Stadium to cheer on the University of Richmond Spiders. Root for your favorite local and regional teams while enjoying Bacon Brussel Sprouts and Pimento Cheese Wontons at Toast. Try authentic seasonal Mexican food for lunch at Conejo Cocina like Torta da Milanesa with Salsa Macha on the house. Slurp down a delicious bowl of Lo Mein, Mei Fun, or Chow Fun rice noodles at Yum Yum Good Chinese. Or pick up Plain Jane or Carrot Cake cupcakes while taking part in baked goods at Pearl’s Bake Shoppe.

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Moving to Richmond? Extra Space Storage has self storage facilities located throughout the area to help with your transition. Find a storage unit near you!

Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes

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