RICHMOND: City of Microchips

Introduction: The 10 Best Things About Richmond
	City of the Microchips by Teresa Lemons Coleman		In Training by Leila Marija Ugincius
	Bank Notes by Leigh Anne Larance		On the Rebound by Jim Bacon

I just finished proofreading this regional profile, and one thing was obviously missing. We used up all our ink writing about semiconductors, education, financial services and downtown redevelopment. I didn't find much about the quality of life in Richmond.

Now I'm not much of a civic booster, but if I didn't like Richmond, I wouldn't live here.

I first came to Richmond in 1980 to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. I moved away briefly in 1984 -- because no one in my chosen field would hire me here -- and I moved back the following year when I took a job with this magazine.

I wasn't crazy about Richmond when I first arrived, but over the years I have developed an appreciation for the many fine things this city offers. So I have nominated myself to inject some quality-of-life commentary by listing the 10 things I like best about Richmond in the order that I discovered them.

1. VCU Basketball -- Students at VCU got free tickets, so that's where I took the woman I would later marry on our first date. Since she also was a VCU student, we didn't have to go Dutch. Someday our children will discover that they owe their existence to our mutual love and affection -- for college hoops!
   
   
2. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts -- You guessed it: another cheap date. I was beginning to believe that the best things in life really are free. The Virginia Museum is the best museum I've ever visited in a city this size. If you like art or history, this should be your first stop in Richmond.
   
   
3. Churches -- I felt obligated to put something in the plate, particularly since my fiancee's grandfather was the preacher. I have since enjoyed services at dozens of area churches. I even sat in the St. Paul's pew where Robert E. Lee got word that the Yankees were marching on the city.
   
   
4. Richmond Braves -- $2 each for bleacher seats. Years ago, my wife and I went with a group on our anniversary, and I think my father-in-law paid for our seats. He even got the home team to flash congratulations to us on the scoreboard. Back then the Richmond Braves were better than the Atlanta Braves.
   
   
5. Location -- When the price of gas dipped below $1 per gallon, I discovered that Richmond is less than two hours from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Washington, D.C., and Virginia Beach. It's less then one hour from historic cities such as Williamsburg, Charlottesville, Petersburg and Fredericksburg.
   
   
6. History -- When the price of gas went back up, I learned that the Richmond area has plenty of its own great historic sites. I highly recommend the plantations along Route 5 in Charles City County. Their guided tours are almost as good as the one at the State Capitol -- which is free by the way.
   
   
7. Hospitals -- Both of my children were born at St. Mary's Hospital. The hospital waived our copayment because we signed them up in advance for the "Little Lambs Club." I also went to St. Mary's vomiting blood at 2 a.m. Since I was admitted to the hospital, there was no copayment. Ah, the good ol' days.
   
   
8. Expressways -- I finally learned that it is cheaper to pay tolls than it is to snake around on the back roads. Richmond has the best highway network I have seen for a city this size, and more major roads are on the way. Proposed Interstate 895 may be a toll road, but Route 288 will be a freeway.
   
   
9. James River -- I took this magnificent river for granted until I hiked across the pedestrian bridge connecting downtown to Belle Island with some of my co-workers. I was amazed to find so much natural beauty within view of the Richmond skyline, and the price is right.
   
   
10. Schools -- My daughter's first year of free public education nearly bankrupted us. We paid an "instructional fee" plus PTA dues plus a $100 donation to help build a playground. Then there were unofficial sales quotas for candy and wrapping paper and entertainment books. But it was worth it.
    
    

So there you have it, my personal top 10. Add it all up, and you'll discover a very nice quality of life.

Add it all up, and it's less than $500 for more than 15 years.

Karl Rhodes
Executive Editor