Richmond & Jacksonville: More In Common Than You Think

[jcjohnpaint]

I was in Richmond about two years ago for a conference.  I was blown away by the historic fabric.  I really enjoyed walking around all of the streets.  I feel the city gains a lot from having VCU right outside of downtown.  VCU's art program is one of the best in the nation and THE best sculpture dept in the nation.  I noticed much art due to the the Universities presence, but I would have to say we don't do such a bad job here in Jacksonville for not having such a large program. 

[edjax]

I think he may just be off base. Gulliford just came close to having him removed from council chambers as he sang some nonsense of a song.  Issues. He being Noone.

[ProjectMaximus]

Never been.  Does Richmond feel very large, or kind of small-townish?  Also, did you get any pics of "the Fan"?

Yeah, I'll add my vote to Richmond feeling like a large city at street level. I've only passed through twice...two years ago and last year...but both times I was very impressed and left wanting to return for a longer visit. I believe VCU is technically in the Fan District, which is a big reason why the Fan is what it is. Vibrant, cool vibe...and quite hipster-ish. When people talk about what city will be the next Portland and Austin, I usually think of Richmond first. Louisville and Grand Rapids are other possibilities (I've never been to GR...just based on what I've read)

I was in Richmond about two years ago for a conference.  I was blown away by the historic fabric.  I really enjoyed walking around all of the streets.  I feel the city gains a lot from having VCU right outside of downtown.  VCU's art program is one of the best in the nation and THE best sculpture dept in the nation.  I noticed much art due to the the Universities presence, but I would have to say we don't do such a bad job here in Jacksonville for not having such a large program. 

Yeah I didn't realize this until more recently. I was also at a conference and got to hang out with a professor of fashion history and design at VCU. She gets to fly to Japan regularly for long-term projects in Tokyo. The school has cache.

[Agent99]

VCU also has the top advertising graduate program in the country. It's constantly visited by CEOs, CMOs, CCOs, and directors of brand, strategy, and innovation from the large agencies, top creative shops, and Fortune 500s.

[Redbaron616]

I currently live in Midlothian, a suburb of Richmond in Chesterfield County. I have also lived in Jacksonville, granted, on the edge in Argyle. If the state capital wasn't in Richmond with its many state agencies and jobs, I believe the whole city would up and blow away. I rarely ever go into the city since everything I need is in the suburbs. Richmond is not that safe,either, particularly at night. Between the two, I would definitely prefer to live in Jacksonville, by a long shot. I intend to retire in the area in a few years.

[simms3]

^^^And Jacksonville [or insert any FL city and most southern cities here] has a "safe" reputation?

I just learned that Tobacco Row is actually for sale (since May 2013).  4 Apt buildings (719 apts renting for avg $1.18/sf) and 1 office building (165,000 SF, 97% leased primarily to Ernst & Young and local law and architecture firms).

The main brick loft apartment buildings (the late 1800s/early 1900s constructions) have names like American Cigar, Consolidate Carolina, Cameron Kinney, and Lucky Strike.

The following businesses can be found in Shockoe Bottom/Shockoe Slip:

321 Supper Club
The Canal Club
Pearl Martini Lounge
Honey Whytes
Havana '59
McCormick's Pub
River City Diner
Bistro Bobette
Buffalo Wild Wings
Mortons
Segway of Richmond
YMCA

and countless other restaurants and bars.

[I-10east]

^^^And Jacksonville [or insert any FL city and most southern cities here] has a "safe" reputation?

Seems like you're definitely reaching for a counter-argument Simms. All the person did was simply state their opinion from experience. I swear, anytime anyone critiques any city outside of Jax, BAM! in comes the instant factory made counter-argument, complete of course with the obligatory Jax slighting. That's why I don't say certain things sometimes about cities (even cities that I've lived in) on MJ, because the immediate overly-protective defense comes in just like a knight in shining armor. I've just come to the conclusion on MJ that every city is perfect and Jax is the only city to have flaws....   

[simms3]

^^^You're such a 1-tune song.  Please just...doi!  Your record has broken enough times to wipe out all remaining records on this planet.  I can't even believe you're still permitted to post when you literally don't ever contribute (more like detract every time you open up your keyboard lips).  Every time you put your pointer finger on a keyboard, a part of me dies.  Your keyboard serves as a voodoo medium against me - it's very painful.

[fsquid]

all cities have their areas of high crime.  I'm sure Richmond is no different.

[Wacca Pilatka]

all cities have their areas of high crime.  I'm sure Richmond is no different.

In the 80s and 90s, Richmond had one of the highest violent crime rates in the country.  It's improved substantially since then, I think.

The Washington Post frequently sensationalized Richmond crime coverage when I was growing up, contributing to the city's then negative reputation.  Many in the Richmond suburbs and other parts of Virginia still perceive the city as crime-riddled, but I'm pretty sure it's crime rate has dropped quite a bit.

[thelakelander]

^Same goes for DC. Roughly 15 to 20 years ago, it was the Murder Capitol of the US. Now, you can't recognize the place from the early 1990s.

[I-10east]

no kidding.  consistently some of the most grindingly uninformed posts weve ever had.

But it provides nice contrast, I suppose.

I appreciate the compliment, I suppose. 

[I-10east]

^^^You're such a 1-tune song.  Please just...doi!  Your record has broken enough times to wipe out all remaining records on this planet.  I can't even believe you're still permitted to post when you literally don't ever contribute (more like detract every time you open up your keyboard lips).  Every time you put your pointer finger on a keyboard, a part of me dies.  Your keyboard serves as a voodoo medium against me - it's very painful.

I definitely struck a nerve. Must have been hella accuracy within my earlier comments.

[krazeeboi]

I've said it several times: Richmond is one of the most underrated cities in the country. Sure it has its warts like any other city, but it combines the positive aspects of the "Old South" cities (history, architecture, culture) with those of the "New South" cities (economy, pro-business attitude).

[Wacca Pilatka]

^Same goes for DC. Roughly 15 to 20 years ago, it was the Murder Capitol of the US. Now, you can't recognize the place from the early 1990s.

Absolutely.  I think a lot of the anti-Richmond coverage in the Post at that time was a veiled "Look, here's a city with worse problems than ours!" campaign.