Looking for fellow Brits in Richmond, VA and surrounding areas.
 

Hi All,

We're planning a move soon from Houston Texas to Richmond VA, would love to meet some fellow Brits, would also like to get your views on the best areas to move especially with a 2 year old toddler. Thank you all.

Aaron.

Re: Looking for fellow Brits in Richmond, VA and surrounding areas.
 

Need a bit more background - where will you be working, interests etc.

Richmond is a great "outdoors" city. Mountain Biking, kayaking, hiking all available in the city.

As for craft breweries - I don't know how we manage to sustain so many (I help out where I can).

Re: Looking for fellow Brits in Richmond, VA and surrounding areas.
 

Good morning!
I'll be working from home, my move is more for my son who is 2 years old to spend time with his cousins who live in Moseley, VA. I still need my essential British 'Fix' and would love to meet new friends. I would love the opportunity to join a sailing club something that is not achievable here in Houston, perhaps Kayaking as well, we live on a lake here but ever since our son came into the world I haven't done much of that. I have familiarity with Moseley and Midlothian but would love to get more of an impartial take on Richmond, i.e. where are the good schools presumably we're there for the long term.
Thanks in advance, Aaron.

Re: Looking for fellow Brits in Richmond, VA and surrounding areas.
 

I'm down in Hampton Roads, not too far from Richmond, but we're moving this summer. Richmond is a great city. I know there are a few British Army officers at Fort Lee, which is nearby. One that I met lives in Richmond. Also if you follow the premier league, there are a number of supporters clubs. Sorry I don't know about living advice, but it seems like an affordable area. I do love visiting the breweries.

Hope the move goes well!

Re: Looking for fellow Brits in Richmond, VA and surrounding areas.
 

Sorry Aaron - don't know that area very well, don't sail and don't have any kids !

Downtown Richmond has the Penny Lane pub plus a number of Irish pubs (Sine, Rosie Connolly's to name 2) but these are somewhat stereotypical.

As I'm sure Texas has, most supermarkets have an international aisle with some very basic UK items (tea, beans etc) then there's a Trader Joe's and a World Market for a wider variety of stuff - but they are over in Short Pump, which, on the weekends, is my idea of hell !

Kayaking - The James River as it passes through Richmond is a kayakers paradise and is great for all levels - flat water, class 1 rapids through to class 5.

Good luck !

Carl.

Re: Looking for fellow Brits in Richmond, VA and surrounding areas.
 

I lived for three years in Glen Allen, while working in Midlothian. Either area would be good if you have a child - family friendly suburbia, decent schools. Downtown/Fan area is good if you want more City/apartment living and be able to walk from your house to restaurants, shops. A reasonable sprinkling of Brits - I can recommend the upstairs pub quiz at Penny Lane as a good ice-breaker. I loved Short Pump for a bit of retail therapy!

Richmond is greatly underrated as a place to live and work, I’m sure you’ll love it. As benign a climate as you’ll get in the USA, a couple of hours from beach and mountains, easy to get to DC for museums and events (and Ikea at Woodbridge was essential for me) also Philly and New York for a long weekend are doable. If you like history, Colonial Williamsburg and Monticello were my go-to places to take visitors. Skyline Drive in Shenandoah in the fall.