Anxious_Nights1 t1_ixj72tu wrote on November 23, 2022 at 9:01 PM

I’ve never owned a car in Richmond and would say it’s very doable. I think the Museum District is the best neighborhood to live in without a car. You have everything you need within walking distance and multiple grocery store options.

I currently live in Church Hill and find it more difficult than the Museum District, but still doable. Getting groceries is harder because I have to ride a bike or take the bus.

I would continue to live without a car in any of these neighborhoods: Scott’s Addition, The Fan, Jackson Ward, Downtown, or Shockoe Bottom.

HayGirlKK t1_ixjdcf3 wrote on November 23, 2022 at 9:44 PM

I can vouch for living in Museum District without a car. While I have one, there are some weeks where I only move my car for street cleaning. That was a big selling point for me when I was looking for a house in the area. You can even walk to multiple movie theaters! I walk to Willow Lawn occasionally which is about 1.5 miles and has all the eating and shopping variety of a mall. Not to mention being in walking distance of all the perks of the adjoining neighborhoods.

gamerthrowaway_ t1_ixj9zp4 wrote on November 23, 2022 at 9:21 PM

I think this is a fair take on it. I could pull off a car free option downtown and have a friend who does currently (I could do it in the MD if I made a little more effort). Grocery/post office options exist on the 5 and Pulse routes which is what makes it possible and otherwise getting around via the rest of the system for stuff is doable.

Anxious_Nights1 t1_ixjem1e wrote on November 23, 2022 at 9:53 PM

I found the Museum District to be incredibly easy without a car. You might need a car for work, but I guarantee you can do everything else without one. I lived near the VMFA. I would walk to Publix, Kroger, and ALDI for groceries (invest in nice reusable bags for carrying groceries). I would use the CVS on Broad for prescriptions (Quicker walk than Carytown). I would use the post office near Carytown. The only time I used the bus was to get downtown for events. Anything outside of groceries that I needed I would just order online. If I needed a lot of groceries I would just order delivery. Still cheaper than all of the expenses that come with a car.

pchnboo t1_ixjz6ed wrote on November 24, 2022 at 12:27 AM

Excellent guidance. I’d add that Carver is exceptionally well set for no car.