Essentials

πŸ™οΈ City Richmond is the capital city of Virginia, known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse neighborhoods.
πŸ‘₯ Population Approximately 226,000
πŸ’» Internet Speed Average home internet speed is about 100 Mbps.
πŸ’Έ Currency & Banking 1 USD = 1 USD; local banks include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Virginia Credit Union.
🚰 Tap Water Drinkable and meets safety standards.
πŸ”Œ Power 120V, 60Hz, Type A and B sockets.
πŸ“Ά SIM Card Major providers include Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
πŸ’³ Banking for Expats Credit and debit cards are widely accepted; services like TransferWise are popular for international transactions.
πŸ›Œ Accommodation Options include Airbnb, local real estate listings, and short-term rentals.
πŸ’³ Cashless Friendly Yes, cards accepted widely in stores and restaurants.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and Vrbo are popular options.
πŸ›οΈ Budget Accommodation Hostel RVA offers budget-friendly dorms starting from $30 per night.

Working and Networking

🏒 Best Coworking Space Gather Richmond, located in the heart of the city, offers flexible workspaces and meeting rooms.
β˜• Best Cafe for Work Lamplighter Roasting Company provides excellent coffee and free Wi-Fi.
πŸ’Ό Networking Events Check out RVA Tech Meetup for tech-related networking and events.
πŸ₯‚ Social Events for Expats Richmond International Meetup Group is a great place to connect with other expats.

Transportation

πŸš• Best Taxi/Ride App Uber and Lyft are widely available.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental GRTC offers bike-sharing options for nearby trails.
πŸ–οΈ Best Beach Nearby Virginia Beach is approximately 1.5 hours away.
✈️ Top Regional Airline American Airlines operates from Richmond International Airport.
✈️ Top International Airline Delta Airlines offers international flights from RIC.
πŸ›£οΈ Highway Access Access to I-95 and I-64 makes traveling convenient.
πŸš‰ Main Train/Transit Hub Richmond Main Street Station serves Amtrak and local transit.
🚍 Public Transport Passes GRTC offers a range of fare options, including daily passes for $2.
✈️ Regional Travel Bus services connect to nearby cities: Greyhound and Megabus.

Health and Wellness

πŸ₯ Best Hospital Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center is the top healthcare facility.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Yoga Studio Richmond offers various classes for all levels.
πŸ‹οΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers Gold's Gym and YMCA have locations throughout the city.
🧺 Laundry Services Wash House is a popular laundromat in the downtown area.

Food and Drink

πŸ“± Best Food Delivery App UberEats and DoorDash are leading food delivery options.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Try the Virginia-style BBQ at The Pit and The Peel.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options I Love Lucy's offers extensive vegan and vegetarian dishes.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Shyndigz is famous for creative desserts and cakes.
πŸ›’ Affordable Shopping Spots Richmond Farmers Market offers budget-friendly, fresh produce.
πŸ›’ E-commerce/Online Store Amazon and local artisanal websites offer delivery options.
πŸ›’ Grocery Delivery Instacart provides grocery delivery from local stores.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area The Canal Walk and Broad Street are popular nightlife spots.
🍻 Local Brewery Strangeways Brewing is a must-visit for local crafted beers.
🍷 Wine Bars Garnetts Cafe offers a selection of local wines.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Richmond Food Trucks are popular and found at local festivals.
πŸ• Popular International Cuisine Shushiko offers an acclaimed sushi experience.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks The Virginia State Capitol and the Historic Monument Avenue.
πŸ›οΈ Museums & Art Venues The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts showcases extensive collections.
🏰 Historical Sites The American Civil War Museum is a key historic site.
πŸ• Religious Sites St. Paul's Episcopal Church is an iconic place of worship.
πŸŽ‰ Annual Events The Richmond Folk Festival celebrates the city's cultural heritage.
🎨 Cultural Districts The Arts District is known for galleries and public art.
🎭 Theater Venues The Altria Theater offers diverse performances.
πŸ›οΈ Local Markets The Churchill Farmer's Market operates weekly.
🎼 Music Scene The National hosts a variety of live performances.
🎨 Street Art Explore the murals in the Manchester neighborhood.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ³ Cooking Classes The New Kitchen offers comprehensive cooking classes.
πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ¨ Art Galleries The 1708 Gallery supports contemporary artists.
πŸ•°οΈ Historic Buildings The John Marshall House is a preserved historic home.
🏴 Local Heritage Richmond embraces its diverse history through various monuments.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

πŸŒ… Nearby Nature Escapes The James River Park System offers extensive outdoor recreational areas.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Petersburg National Battlefield is approximately 45 minutes away.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths The Capital Trail is 52 miles long and great for biking and walking.
πŸŒ„ Scenic Viewpoints The view from Brown's Island is stunning, especially at sunset.
πŸ¦‰ Birdwatching Locations Widewater State Park is a popular birdwatching spot.
πŸ”₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots There are designated areas at the James River Park for bonfires.

Other Services and Amenities

πŸ“¦ Parcel Delivery Service FedEx and UPS offer reliable delivery services.
πŸ› οΈ Tech Repair Services Richmond Computer Repair specializes in various tech fixes.
πŸ“ Table Tennis Spots The Table Tennis Club Richmond offers facilities for players.
πŸ§‘β€πŸ« Language Classes The Language and Culture Center provides English and other languages.
πŸ“š Libraries & Study Spots Richmond Public Library offers great resources for studying.
🏘️ Community Centers The Robinson Community Center hosts various local events.
πŸ•ΉοΈ Gaming Lounges The Game Vault is a popular spot for gaming enthusiasts.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Colonial Downs offers horse racing and gaming options.

Business

🏒 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $300,000 per m² (e.g., a 500 ft² studio = $300,000)
🏒 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $200,000 per m² (e.g., a 500 ft² studio = $200,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $350,000 per m² (e.g., a 700 ft² 1-bedroom = $245,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $250,000 per m² (e.g., a 700 ft² 1-bedroom = $175,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $400,000 per m² (e.g., a 1000 ft² 2-bedroom = $400,000)
🏑 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $300,000 per m² (e.g., a 1000 ft² 2-bedroom = $300,000)
πŸ’Ό Corporate Tax Virginia's corporate tax rate is 6%.
πŸ’΅ Dividend Withholding Tax The tax rate on dividends is typically 0% unless specific conditions are met.
🏦 Tax System Residents are taxed on worldwide income.
πŸ“ˆ Highest Income Tax Bracket The maximum personal income tax rate is 5.75%
🧾 VAT There is no VAT, but local sales tax is 6-7% depending on locality.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, Virginia follows federal CFC rules.
🏠 Property Tax Property tax rates are around 1.10% of assessed value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Virginia does not have a direct property transaction tax.