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Find Out More About
Metropolitan
Richmond!
Greater Richmond ~ ~
Centrally located along the
"Golden Crescent" between Washington DC and Hampton Roads, the Richmond
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is home to nearly 1,000,000 people and
encompasses a number of cities and counties. At the heart of this population
center lays the City of Richmond, with 194,173 residents, first recognized as a
prime location for development in 1607 when English explorers discovered the
powerful rapids of the James River.
Photo Courtesy of Richard
Nowitz.
Today,
Greater Richmond claims a population of 780,400- a figure that includes the
residents of Richmond City and those who have settled in surrounding
counties. The agricultural fields, open space and woodlands of such counties as
Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Goochland, and Powhatan are rapidly
transforming into suburbia.
The
cutting-edge commercial centers located in Henrico and Chesterfield
Counties are attracting some of the nation's largest and most influential
corporations as well as a hose of international companies. Lovely subdivisions
and prestigious residential developments are springing up throughout the
countryside, graces by rolling hills and plenty of land for generous
acreage.
In many
respects, Greater Richmond is shifting into a whole new dimension of
excellence. Widespread revitalization of historic areas, riverfront
development, economic prowess, visionary leadership and outstanding
transportation amenities have all played a part in this success. Plaudits and
commendations for a variety of achievements have been issued by leading
researchers and publications across the nation, including Dun and Bradstreet,
Partners for Livable Places, Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur magazine, Money
magazine, Inc. magazine, U.S. News and World Reports and Kiplinger's Personal
Finance magazine.
 In the category of mid-sized cities,
Money magazine selected the Richmond area of Virginia as the "Best Place to
Live in the South". The study based its high marks for Richmond on
considerations that included quality of life issues as well as the beauty and
ambience of the cityscape. The Richmond metropolitan region received top marks
for essential concerns such as clean air, job growth, unemployment rate and
average commute time.
Economy and Services ~ ~
Economic growth in Greater
Richmond can only be described as explosive. The area is home to 6 companies on
the Fortune 500 list, 14 companies on the Fortune 1000 list, and 35 companies
with annual sales exceeding $500 million. However, Richmond's economic ground
has proven to be equally fertile for smaller companies and entrepreneurial
activity. Both Dun and Bradstreet and Entrepreneur magazine have praised
Richmond as the best mid-sized city in the U.S. for small business.
 Greater Richmond claims over 100 office
and industrial parks, a quality work force, and building costs and business
operations costs that fall below the national average. Virginia also ranks
fifth lowest in average state and local taxes per $1000 of personal income of
the 50 state and the District of Columbia. Outstanding transportation resources
include a network of interstate, US and state highways; over 100 motor freight
companies; passenger and freight rail service and public bus service. In
addition to the passenger-friendly Richmond International Airport that
accommodates over 150 daily domestic flights to and from major cities, the Port
of Richmond is a container and cargo facility that specializes in customer
service.
Claiming
premier enterprises like the Center for Innovative Technology's Biotechnology
Institute and the Geriatric Education Center, Richmond is a pacesetter for
genetic research and national headquarters of the United Network of Organ
Sharing that links transplant centers and laboratories across the country. The
American Medical Association has designated Greater Richmond as a Prime Medical
Center, and Health magazine has named the city as No.1 in the nation based on
opportunities for combination of healthy lifestyle and first-class medical
care.
Over 2000
physicians representing every major specialty practice in Greater Richmond.
Eighteen hospitals to provide over 4000 staffed beds, including the nationally
acclaimed Medical College of Virginia Hospitals. MCV Hospitals have been cited
in the annual national study, 100 Best Hospitals- Benchmarks for Success, and
also ranked by US News and World Report as one of America's best in gynecology,
orthopedics, and rehabilitation.
Photo Courtesy of Brian Gordineer
Opportunities
for higher education, vocational training and continuing education are abundant
in Greater Richmond. Two Community colleges- J. Sargeant Reynolds and John
Tyler- offer Associates Degrees, certificate programs and credit courses in
occupational and technical areas. The presence of leading corporations has
expanded options to include such innovative options as Motorola University,
Customer Service Academy, and the Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology
programs developed by a consortium of semiconductor manufacturers.
The areas
four-year institutions of higher learning include state-supported public
institutions as well as private colleges like Randolph-Macon College in
Ashland, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union University, and the
University of Richmond are located in Richmond; Virginia State University has
its main campus in Petersburg.
Lifestyle ~ ~
Greater Richmond is creating a
benchmark as a pleasing Southern town that offers a healthy and positive
environment for families, retirees and young professionals. You'll discover an
abundance of housing options within its cities, residential communities and
counties- from the seclusion of a heavily wooded lot in a rural environment to
a refurbished condominium in the heart of the city. Those who prefer the slower
pace and natural beauty of a more rural atmosphere will want to explore
Goochland and Powhatan Counties. Open space, forested hills, fields, horse
properties and unspoiled countryside still prevail.
 Henrico, Hanover and Chesterfield
Counties are the most rapidly developing metropolitan regions, attracting
an influx of new businesses as well as residents. New shopping centers, planned
communities, subdivisions, industrial parks and recreational centers are taking
root in the soil that once yielded tobacco and other cash crops. As the home of
the world-famous Hanover tomato, Hanover County faces the challenge of
balancing its agricultural heritage with a blossoming of cosmopolitan amenities
and economic growth. In addition to world headquarters and leading companies,
Hanover is home to Paramount's King's Dominion theme park- one of Virginia's
most popular family attractions.
Few areas of
the nation can rival Chesterfield County for sheer quality of life. This
rapidly growing boasts residents who rank among the nation's wealthiest and
most highly educated. With its award-winning government and outstanding growth
management, Chesterfield was included on the Wall Street Journal's list of
America's 20 hottest white-collar addresses. Some of the metropolitan area's
most frequented recreation destinations are located here, from Pocahontas State
Park to the Dutch Gap Conservation Area and Presquile National Wildlife
Refuge.
Henrico
County, already home to half of Greater Richmond's Fortune 500 companies,
remains the focal point of economic growth. Forming a half-circle around the
City of Richmond, Henrico naturally falls into western and eastern quadrants.
To the west is the community of Glen Allen, an economic "hot spot" of
burgeoning corporate centers like Innsbrook. Short Pump is another rapidly
expanding area of Henrico County that combines pleasing residential
developments with tremendous retail growth. Eastern Henrico County is home to
Richmond International Airport, serving the entire regions with first-rate
domestic and international passenger and cargo service.
Photo Courtesy of Richard
Nowitz
Leisure hours
in Greater Richmond are easy to fill, whether you prefer outdoor activities
or a night at the opera. Symphony, ballet, concerts, special events, galleries,
children's theater, Broadway shows, live stage productions- Richmond can
guarantee magical moments every night and day. Special events, festivals,
celebrations, parades, fairs, carnivals, historic re-enactments, garden shows,
holiday events and home tours light up each season of the year. For pulsating
nightlife, head down to Shockoe Bottom near Richmond's downtown district for
dancing, music, and comedy in clubs and restaurants tucked away in refurbished
warehouses.
 The vast recreational opportunities
provided by the James River add to Richmond's allure as a unique place to
live, work and play. The adventurous can tackle everything from perilous rock
climbing walls to Class IV urban whitewater rapids. Bridges, Parks, benches,
picnic pavilions, fishing piers and lush parks along the riverfront invite
residents to enjoy a quick or extended escape from the city streets and
avenues.
Day trips and
weekend getaways include some of the east coast's most popular recreation and
vacation spots. You'll find hundreds of popular places along the James
River or by the Chesapeake Bay with cottage for rent. Most river towns have a
public landing or at least a marina if you're looking for a place to drop a
boat or a jet ski. Driving just an hour or two from Richmond will bring you to
the frothy surf of Virginia Beach, the cultural mecca of Washington DC, the
Outer Banks of North Carolina, or Colonials Williamsburg and the Historic
Triangle. To the west is the alpine splendor and breathtaking vistas of the
Blue Ridge Mountains, filled with panoramic places for camping, hiking,
backpacking, and skiing.
 The attractions and advantages of
Greater Richmond are so rich and varied that newcomers will want to spend
months in pure exploration; collegiate sports and activities, professional
hockey, AAA baseball competition, legendary golf courses, Paramount's King's
Dominion theme park, thoroughbred racing or NASCAR thrills at the Richmond
International Raceway. Around every corner and every turn, Greater Richmond
continues to enrich, enlighten, entertain, and delight! Welcome home!
| REAL ESTATE TRIVIA |
| Q |
The upper walls of what famous holy temple are lined with gold?
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| A |
The Golden Temple in Amritsar, India is the most sacred temple and spiritual center of the Sikhs. |
| More Real Estate Trivia |
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"Richmond has always been special
to me, and I can't imagine a better place to raise my children."
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