Janine F. reports in this review:
| Weather | | How much crime? | | What are the neighborhoods like? | | What are the people like? |
| Richmond sits in the western foothills of the Green Mountains, making for lush, arid summers, foliage-rich autumns, cold snowy winters, and brief, muddy springs. End of winter thawing can sometimes cause excess mud and flooding. Winter storms can hit hard, and it is not uncommon to see several feet of snowfall throughout the season. | | Thefts and burglaries are the most commonly reported crimes in Richmond, typically car break-ins and some some home robberies. There is rumored to be a bit of a drug trade and a lot of talk lately about meth labs increasing in the area in general. | | Richmond spans the socioeconomic gamut, from areas of low-income trailer parks to developments of mansion-like homes. A number of the aforementioned developments are located off of Route 2 as you come into the West Main Street area of "downtown" Richmond. The town becomes more rural as you drive towards neighboring Bolton or Huntington with more older homes (Victorians, A-Frames, some more well-maintained than others) and trailer homes vs. the pre-fab development models. Richmond is predominantly white and is home to mostly families and retirees. | | Richmond is a small town that would appeal to nature lovers, hippies, aging liberals and families looking for a small town with a strong community, or anyone who wants to enjoy the "small town" feel over the more suburban pace of neighboring towns like Williston and Essex. It would not appeal to anyone who craves the fast-pace and conveniences of city living, and the harsh winters make it rough on anyone that doesn't enjoy the cold. |
| Downtown Area | | Restaurants | | Schools | | Single life |
| West Main is a very short strip, which is why I usually put "downtown" in quotes. Those looking for a real shopping experience would be better served going to Downtown Burlington and visiting the many locally-owned boutiques, or hitting up the big box retailers in Williston. | | Bridge Street Cafe is a basic sandwich and pizza place that's been an area staple for years. On The Rise Bakery has healthy options for breakfast and lunch. The main fine dining option is the Kitchen Table Bistro, a high-quality (read: expensive but worth it) restaurant located by the entrance to the Interstate. | | Richmond is home to Camel's Hump Middle School and Richmond Elementary. The nearest high school is Mt. Mansfield Union in Jericho. Both the elementary school and middle school are well-respected by community members. | | There are a few cute date spots and activities, though in terms of meeting a date to begin with you may be better off in Burlington where there is more of a night life. |
| Noise | | town comparison vs. | | Best hospital | | Tourist attractions |
| Traffic from nearby I-89 and Rt 2 may cause audible noise, and you may pick up the occasional plane, but the area is otherwise rather quiet. | | Richmond is adjacent to Jericho, another typical New England small town albeit without a traditional "Main Street", and Huntington, which is an underpopulated rural area. Richmond offers a bit of an edge with West Main Street as well as easy access to Interstate-89 and a number of local mountains for hiking and winter sports.
Richmond is also close to Williston and Essex, two of the more suburban-like towns in the area, with Essex Junction offering a feel that falls somewhere between traditional small town and suburb. They are home to shopping outlets, major groceries, pharmacies and box stores. | | The nearest hospital is Fletcher Allen Health Center in Burlington. It is a teaching hospital associated with the University of Vermont, which can mean uninvited med students in your visits. It is a clean hospital with a friendly staff, though the size of the operation can sometimes cause redundant work amongst the staff and cause miscommunication and confusion for patients. | | The local park is beautiful, and a great place to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July. The Round Barn is a historic landmark that finds it's way into most local photography portfolios. Huntington is home to the local Audubon Center which is a lovely place to spend time outdoors. |
| General comments | | | | | | |
| The "downtown" area off of West Main Street (Rte 2) is home to a number of locally owned businesses and eateries, a main gas station/convenience store and a public park. The nearby Round Barn is a historic landmark and popular location for weddings, and there are regular holiday parades down West Main. Richmond is very classic small town New England with a proud community and residents that have lived there for generations. | | | | | | |
