RVA vs Charlottesville for 40 something single woman

Submitted by Chocolatecitygirl82 t3_z31wlb in rva

Hello! I’m a NOVA native who’s previously lived in Columbia SC, Raleigh, and, most recently, Charlotte. I’m single and childless after an almost three year struggle with infertility. Since it’s going to be just me, myself, and going forward, I’m kind of looking for a change. The DC area is way too expensive on one income, even though it’s a pretty decent income. I’m considering Richmond (leaning more towards RVA) or Charlottesville so I’ll still be close enough to see family and friends pretty regularly plus easily get to work if I need to go into the office for something. I’ve also considered moving to Charleston or Myrtle Beach to embrace my inner beach bum/coastal grandma but, the realistic options are RVA & Charlottesville.

I’m looking for an affordable rental (though I would like to later buy), dog friendly, diversity, some amount of walkability, good shopping, and interesting people. Plus fairly easy access to hiking and water. Dating would be nice but that’s terrible everywhere so I won’t take off marks for that. LOL

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joshatworkreddit t1_ixjgzj4 wrote

Check out the Westover Hills neighborhoods

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Hedgecore138 t1_ixjhpkg wrote

Yeah, literally was thinking Forest Hill just to the East as well. Rentals are remarkably reasonable there, and it literally abuts the south bank of the James and that incredible park system. Museum District still has affordable apartments on a single income if you look around for a bit. Good luck!

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Laurenfromrichmond t1_ixjstmz wrote

I was born and lived most of my life in Richmond. I moved to Charlottesville a little over 3 years ago and I really enjoy it. I was single in Richmond (in my 20’s so dating was a different ballgame), got married, moved to Cville and got divorced, so just recently did the dating thing in my mid/late thirties. It was fine - I guess I felt like there was a pretty decent pool of candidates in cville.

I will say cost of living and walkability is much better in richmond. There are lots of great neighborhoods with varying degrees of walkability and the apartments are going to be more affordable there. Also if you want to eventually buy you get a lot more for your money there. Cville is dumb when it comes to housing.

I’d say both are dog friendly. Richmond has the James river park system which is great for dogs, plus lots of dog friendly breweries. Charlottesville is surrounded by wineries, most of which are dog friendly, but you’re going to have to drive to them.

They have very different vibes. Richmond is definitely more urban, whereas cville is a small liberal town surrounded by some pretty red areas.

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Chocolatecitygirl82 OP t1_ixkke1h wrote

Thanks! This is really helpful. I love the wineries near Charlottesville but you’re right, you definitely have to drive to them. I’m glad to hear that Richmond is walkable. I miss living somewhere walkable.

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Impossible_Bill_2834 t1_ixjs6xr wrote

Sorry to hear about your infertility struggle💜 I think Richmond is great for single women in terms of lifestyle - I participate in a lot of crafty hobbies and I always meet a lot of single 30-40 year old women in those groups who are living their best life - friend vacations, meet ups, concerts, etc. And the beach is still close !

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Chocolatecitygirl82 OP t1_ixkknwm wrote

Thank you! This is really helpful.

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Dangerous-Abalone381 t1_ixlnki1 wrote

I second what this person said, I’m in a Facebook group (I think it’s called ladies of rva) and there’s always women 30-40s meeting up and hanging! I would choose richmond over Charlottesville

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Ditovontease t1_ixk7dmv wrote

The dating pickings are slimmer down here than DC, I imagine its worse in Charlottesville if you're not college aged.

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Chocolatecitygirl82 OP t1_ixkkh52 wrote

Good to know! Dating isn’t a huge priority for me now but I imagine I’ll want to get back into the swing of things at some point.

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Ace417 t1_ixk3450 wrote

Are you interested in still going to dc from time time? The train up is pretty easy from here

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Chocolatecitygirl82 OP t1_ixkkmhh wrote

Yes! My office is in DC and I’ll need to go in every once in a while for meetings and to check on things.

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RVARiverSit t1_ixkz6hs wrote

There are many more trains a day from RVA than C’ville. Definitely better than the 95 crapshoot.

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ambitiousbee3 t1_ixk7by8 wrote

Both are great! Think it just depends how big of a city you want. Cville is a cool tiny city, but you’ll find yourself driving to Richmond a lot for shows, niche things etc.

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Dr_Poop69 t1_ixw5w9f wrote

Depends on your music taste. A lot of smaller touring bands will hit the southern or the Jefferson in Cville and they get way bigger acts at JPJ than we get at anything in Richmond.

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___zero__cool___ t1_ixjgk3p wrote

What exactly are you asking for here? Read the sidebar, search the subreddit, go stay for a weekend in both places, then pick where you want to move.

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JVorhees t1_ixjlr42 wrote

>I’ve also considered moving to Charleston or Myrtle Beach to embrace my inner beach bum/coastal grandma but, the realistic options are RVA & Charlottesville.

Virginia Beach?

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Chocolatecitygirl82 OP t1_ixkkpw4 wrote

I had not considered Virginia Beach. I’ll have to look into that.

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the-denver-nugs t1_ixl7n1k wrote

don't. VA beach is not it. I grew up in richmond, spent time in the mountains. VA beach was for buying drugs and seeing people dying on the corner from gunshot wounds. it's baltimore by the beach. it's tourists and drug dealers. myrtle is much the same but less drugs more tourists.

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okcknight t1_ixmp36p wrote

I wouldn’t live in VA beach for the simple reason of bridge tunnel traffic.

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the-denver-nugs t1_ixl7e5s wrote

uhhh both are kinda similar, about what your looking for. i'm 28 spent my time in both. richmond is all walks of life but decent young crowd plus the variety of all walks. Charlottesville is young people or old doctors with married people in the middle. I'd recommend Richmond if you want to be single tbh. unless your looking for like 45 year old divorces with money. though both beautiful places.

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Charlesinrichmond t1_ixkf1pr wrote

RVA all the way. I love Charlottesville, but RVA will be a better fit. Not Myrtle Beach ever for the love of god

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Tilden_Bear804 t1_ixksto7 wrote

Richmond is a great city! Much larger than a color so there is a lot more opportunities to meet people. It has a very upbeat urban vibe and many eclectic neighborhoods. It truly is the center of culture and innovation for Virginia. If walkability is important to you then the following downtown neighborhoods are worth checking out….. The Fan district, The Museum District, Manchester, Church Hill/Union Hill, City Center, Jackson Ward, Riverside and Scott’s Addition . Each of these neighborhoods have their own unique vibe. Richmond is also very conveniently located, interesting, fun and growing very quickly. The city has SO many beautiful parks and beautiful architecture along with modern skyscrapers and stunning natural beauty with the James River Park System running right through downtown. All in all there is just so much more going on in Richmond. Good luck on your move let me know if you have any more questions. I love Richmond and am happy to share my love of it with others

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Chocolatecitygirl82 OP t1_ixqdn9a wrote

Thanks! The James River Park System sounds amazing. When I lived in Charlotte there were a ton of green spaces nearby where I could walk my dog or take pictures and I definitely miss that.

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dreww4546 t1_ixm4xhh wrote

Avoid new Apts in Richmond. They are remarkably overpriced.

Check the fan and museum district for rentals. These are young walkable neighborhoods with a fair number of singles, and dig friendly

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