About Richmond, Virginia

Established as the commonwealth’s capital in 1779, Richmond, Virginia, is a vibrant mix of history, diverse culture and real-world opportunities. Its rich history can be seen in the architecture, the Capitol grounds and the cobblestone streets around the city. Distinct neighborhoods, cozy restaurants and cafes and quaint local markets give the city an intimate feel, but theaters, galleries, music festivals, sports attractions and a steady stream of annual events bring the region to life. With the historic James River and 550 acres of parks bordering it, bike trails, wineries, breweries, affordable suburbs, and a flourishing arts, entertainment and restaurant scene, this small city with a low cost of living punches well above its weight in terms of attractions and buzz.

Richmond’s location in the middle of the state allows for day or weekend trips to the beach, the Blue Ridge Mountains or to Virginia’s many wineries (Travel + Leisure magazine named Virginia one of its five wine regions in the world to visit). Richmond’s location places VCU within a two-hour drive of Washington, D.C., and a multitude of excellent institutions of higher education. It lies within a day’s drive of 50% of the nation’s population and is in the path of growth in the mid-Atlantic metropolitan corridor. The Richmond metropolitan area is also home to 10 Fortune 1000 companies, a broad base of financial companies, hospitals and media firms, high-tech manufacturing companies and state and local government agencies. Named in 2017 as Time magazine’s No. 2 city in the U.S. for attracting millennial talent, Richmond is one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the country.