After a few years in The Villages, Florida, I realized something was missing. The promise of retirement utopia, with golf carts, community events, and perpetual sunshine, started to feel more like a polished illusion than a fulfilling reality. That’s when I began looking north, and Richmond, Virginia quietly stole the spotlight.
Why I Left The Villages Florida
The Villages is designed for a very specific kind of lifestyle. And while it’s well-manicured and endlessly social, I found it increasingly hard to connect with a deeper sense of place. I wanted seasons, architecture with history, and a more diverse local culture. Richmond offered all that, and more, without sacrificing affordability or comfort.
The move wasn’t just about lifestyle. It was about real estate that felt like a long-term investment, not a temporary escape.
What Richmond Offers That The Villages Doesn’t
In The Villages, everything feels curated: the same home styles, the same shops, even the same conversations. Richmond, on the other hand, surprised me with its architectural diversity, cultural depth, and a pace that feels balanced, not too slow, not too fast.
Here, I found historic row homes in Church Hill, charming bungalows in Northside, and modern condos downtown. Unlike the repetitive layouts in The Villages, Richmond neighborhoods feel distinct, each with its own personality, history, and rhythm. And yes, you can still find walkable communities and friendly neighbors, but with the bonus of farmers markets, local art, and actual seasons.
Real estate in Richmond feels grounded, homes with stories, not just square footage.
Cost of Living and Home Value
One of the biggest surprises after leaving Florida was just how reasonable home prices in Richmond still are, especially for a city with such rich character. In The Villages, newer homes often came with high HOA fees and minimal lot sizes. In Richmond, I found more variety and better long-term value.
The median home price here hovers around $390,000, and you can still find solid starter homes well below that. Taxes are lower than many parts of the Northeast, and unlike The Villages, you’re not paying a premium just for being part of a branded lifestyle.
According to the Richmond Economic Development Authority, Richmond’s cost of living is about 3.1 percentage points below the national average.
What I got for my money in Richmond wasn’t just square footage, it was a home with potential, in a neighborhood with depth.
Lifestyle Differences: Community, Culture, and Climate
The Villages is famous for its social scene, happy hours, pickleball, golf carts everywhere. But after a while, it all felt a bit manufactured. Richmond’s culture is less about curated entertainment and more about authentic community.
Here, I can walk to a locally owned coffee shop, catch live jazz on the James River, or spend a quiet afternoon in a neighborhood park. There’s diversity, not just demographically, but in thought, taste, and lifestyle. Whether you’re into food, history, music, or the outdoors, Richmond gives you options that feel real.
And then there’s the climate. Trading year-round humidity and sameness for four distinct seasons, yes, even snow now and then, was one of the best decisions I made. It makes home life more dynamic, and honestly, more enjoyable.
Lifestyle Differences: Community, Culture, and Climate
The Villages is famous for its social scene, happy hours, pickleball, and parades of golf carts. But after a while, the calendar of events felt more like a script than a lifestyle. Everyone was friendly, but conversations started to sound the same. There was little room for serendipity.
Richmond, on the other hand, invites curiosity. One weekend, I might explore the Farmers Market at Forest Hill Park, sipping small-batch cider and listening to a street violinist. The next, I’m strolling through the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which, by the way, is free to the public. There’s depth here, neighborhood block parties, community gardens, local theater, and pop-up food truck festivals that feel spontaneous, not scheduled.
Then there’s the architecture. I traded beige stucco and prefab rooftops for Queen Anne-style porches, brick townhomes, and craftsman bungalows with real character. Every street seems to tell a story, and I felt connected to my surroundings in a way The Villages never quite allowed.
The climate shift was more than just temperature. Yes, summers in Richmond are warm, but not punishing. Fall, with its fiery foliage, made me fall in love with the city all over again. And snow, even the lightest dusting, brought a sense of change and renewal I didn’t realize I missed.
What I value now is balance. In Richmond, I’m not boxed into a lifestyle; I’m part of a living, evolving city. One where homeownership means investing in place and potential, not just amenities.
What struck me most after a few months in Richmond was the variety of people I met. In The Villages, most residents were retirees like myself, pleasant, but largely homogeneous in background and routine. Here, my neighbors range from young families restoring old homes to artists, teachers, and lifelong Virginians with deep roots in the community.
At first, I thought I might miss the all-in-one convenience of The Villages. But I quickly came to appreciate the independent charm of Richmond’s neighborhoods. I love being able to drive five minutes and end up somewhere completely different, Church Hill for Sunday brunch, Carytown for vintage shops, or Scott’s Addition for local brews and small-venue concerts. There’s an energy here that feels authentic, not pre-packaged.
And the food, let’s talk about the food. In The Villages, the dining options were mostly chains. Dependable, yes. Memorable? Not really. In Richmond, you can have shrimp and grits made with local cornmeal one night, and a Thai street-style noodle bowl the next. It’s not just about eating out, it’s about experiencing the city’s creativity and heart.
Even daily errands feel different. Instead of navigating oversized golf cart lanes and endless roundabouts, I can walk to a local bakery or take a scenic drive along Monument Avenue. It’s a slower, more thoughtful rhythm, not because it’s designed that way, but because it grew that way.
Living here has reminded me that real community doesn’t need to be gated or uniform. It just needs to be real.
Ready to Explore Richmond for Yourself?
If you’re thinking about making the move, whether you’re coming from Florida or just ready for a change, Richmond has more to offer than you might expect. From historic homes to modern neighborhoods full of life, it’s a city where real estate still feels personal.
Explore our website to browse current listings, explore Richmond’s most livable neighborhoods, and connect with a local expert who understands the difference a real home can make. and if you need any help don’t hesitate to contact us.
Final Thoughts: Finding a Real Home in Richmond
Leaving The Villages wasn’t just about changing zip codes, it was about redefining what “home” means. I traded planned activities for spontaneous experiences, uniformity for architectural character, and a retirement narrative for a life with more texture and growth.
Richmond gave me that. It offers history without being stuck in the past, culture without being pretentious, and community that feels earned, not assigned. The real estate value here is undeniable, but more importantly, it feels like a place where I can build a future, not just live out a script.
If you’re considering a move, don’t just look for a house. Look for a place that feels like you belong, even if you didn’t expect to find it there. For me, that place was Richmond.
FAQs About Leaving The Villages for Richmond VA
Is Richmond VA a good place to retire?
Absolutely. While it isn’t a “retirement community” like The Villages, Richmond offers a rich cultural scene, walkable neighborhoods, and diverse housing options, without feeling age-restricted or isolating.
How does the cost of living in Richmond compare to The Villages?
Richmond tends to have lower HOA fees and more housing variety. Utilities can be slightly higher due to seasonal shifts, but many essentials, like property taxes and healthcare, are comparable or even lower.
What are winters really like in Richmond?
They’re mild compared to northern states. You’ll get some chilly days and an occasional snowfall, but nothing that requires snow tires or shoveling every weekend. For me, it brought just enough seasonal change to feel refreshing.
Are Richmond neighborhoods safe?
Like any city, Richmond has areas that are more desirable than others. But neighborhoods like The Fan, Westover Hills, and Bon Air are known for being both safe and community-oriented. I’ve felt more at home, and secure, here than I ever did in a gated community.
Is the real estate market competitive?
Yes, especially in popular areas. Homes move quickly, and prices are rising steadily. But with the right agent and some flexibility, there are still plenty of affordable, high-potential properties available.
Will I still have a sense of community in Richmond?
Without question. In fact, I found the sense of community here more genuine than in The Villages. It’s not built into a marketing plan, it’s built into how people live, gather, and care for their neighborhoods.
