Richmond, Virginia is a thriving city with a growing population, but not everybody wants to live in an urban environment. Fortunately, there are popular options for suburban living within a few miles of Downtown Richmond, including some areas located just outside the city limits. An area rich in history and proud of everything local, greater Richmond offers everything from world-class outdoor activities to a low cost of living.

While the Greater Richmond Transit System bus line does provide some public transportation for the suburbs located closer to Richmond, most local commutes are by car, so it’s important to have good access to highways and interstates. Fortunately, Richmond has two interstates and several major highways that make getting between work, home, and fun a breeze.

Ashland train station photo courtesy of photographer Jeff Hawkins

Ashland

It’s difficult to find any town in central Virginia that doesn’t have an interesting history, and Ashland is no different. Located 16 miles north of Richmond on a main rail line, Ashland was built in the 1840s as a mineral springs resort with a racetrack. Randolph-Macon College moved to Ashland in 1868, turning the small railroad village into a college town.

Known by its residents as the “Center of the Universe,” the town has worked to create an active downtown with eclectic local shops and restaurants. It’s a straight shot into Richmond on the interstate and there’s still a train station in Ashland that’s part of the Amtrak Northeast Regional line.

Bon Air

Bon Air was originally a resort village and summer retreat built for wealthy Richmonders in 1877, as it was an easy train ride from the city. Still a well-to-do enclave today, Bon Air is an official historic district and retains the old-fashioned charm of its Victorian cottages and tree-lined streets. It also has a vibrant community, local retail shops, and good schools.

It’s also an easy drive into Richmond. Multiple routes into the city include Powhite Parkway and Chippenham Parkway, which take you into the West End, and Midlothian Turnpike, which takes you into the East End. Depending on traffic, the drive will only take you about 20 to 30 minutes.

Short Pump

If you’re into retail therapy, Short Pump is where you want to be. In addition to Short Pump Town Center, an open-air shopping mall, there’s also West Broad Village, which has an ice skating rink in the winter, some bustling restaurants, and the only Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s located in the metro Richmond area (so far).

Short Pump is a growing residential area as well, with new townhomes, condos, and apartments springing up. It’s around 15 miles outside of Downtown Richmond, with easy access to I-64 or I-295/I-95. Rush hour can see traffic get a bit backed up, especially around the I-64/I-95 interchange, but it’s still better than Northern Virginia.

Lakeside

Just north of the I-64/I-95 interchange is a lovely area in Henrico County called Lakeside. It’s been around since the late 1800s when Major Lewis Ginter built Lakeside Park (now Jefferson-Lakeside Country Club). It’s home to some of the best green spaces in the region, including Belmont Park, Belmont Golf Course, and the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.

No more than five miles from Downtown Richmond, Lakeside is an easy bike or car ride into town. Sure, you could take I-95, but there are plenty of main surface streets that will get you there almost as fast and offer a much more relaxed commute.

Goochland

If your idea of close-to-city living includes rolling hills, wide open spaces, and maybe a few horses here and there, Goochland is where you want to be. The county seat of Goochland County, the town is located about 30 miles west of Richmond and sits just north of the James River, near Powhatan State Park.

Goochland has the eighth highest income per capita in Virginia, and though it has some real estate priced to match, it’s also where you can find land to build your own dream home. The town sits about halfway between Richmond and Charlottesville, with easy access to I-64.

Midlothian

Money named Midlothian the #47 Best Place to Live in 2017, and it’s easy to see why. The houses are big and it’s got all the amenities of spacious living while being close to the city.

Midlothian was founded as a coal town and was the source of the first commercially mined coal in the colony of Virginia. Today, it’s a highly desirable suburb. Located in Chesterfield County, Midlothian is directly connected to Richmond by US-60 (Midlothian Turnpike), but there’s all the shopping and amenities you could desire at Chesterfield Towne Center and in smaller local shopping centers.