Situated on the James River and less than 100 miles from Washington D.C., Richmond is Virginia’s capital city. While the city itself is home to only 200,000 people, it’s part of a much larger Richmond region that encompasses the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and New Kent. Richmond real estate is appealing and provides residents with a comfortable lifestyle.

Richmond enjoys a prominent role in the nation’s past, boasting several centuries of impressive history. Its oldest church, St. John’s, was the site of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” speech in 1775. In 1780, Richmond replaced Williamsburg as Virginia’s capital city, only to be burned by British troops the following year. Its Tredegar Iron Works was of such strategic importance during the Civil War, that Richmond was made the Capital of the Confederacy in 1861. Today, the Richmond region is preparing to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English colony in the nation.

The city’s rich heritage is visible everywhere. Richmond real estate includes charming historic neighborhoods and many plantations that line the James River. The city also offers a variety of contemporary attractions. These include performances by the Symphony, Philharmonic, and Ballet; horse racing at Colonial Downs—home of the Virginia Derby—and NASCAR racing at the Richmond International Raceway; minor league baseball games at Diamond Ballpark; and dining at the many restaurants located in the city’s trendy Fan District.