Some notes on Richmond, VA

A very productive day yesterday, in that I got my actual address of the apartment which will be home for the next three years. With that,

will be able to get the power changed over (though not yet, people living there now) and also was able to find what internet providers provide service as an exact address is needed. Much like the Charlotte move, the internet has been a real good tool. I have been able to get a great deal of information on many necessary things from the web. Great sources of information are the local newspapers (always good for many points of information), various web sites (some good and some not so good) and for this transfer bloggers. I have gotten a real feel for parts of the city by reading blogs. Of course some are shall we say "artistic" to a point that its difficult to figure out what they are actually about, but even some of those are pretty informative. The web is a great tool though once again as it has been in the past. Back in the Navy days, different places were learned about via asking people who had been there, and of course books. All those are still important, and have been lucky to get information from those sources as well.

Of course, while all that is good, nothing beats actually being there. This photo above was another taken during the November 8-9 trip, and is of downtown Richmond. It was interesting to me in that the two large buildings are Bank of America in the center, and Wachovia to its left. Funny, in that the two largest buildings (or at least Bank of America is) are those same banks.

Charlotte is a town I have really enjoyed exploring....one which calls itself the city of the "New South." Constantly growing and adding to itself, the skyline of Charlotte is dotted with overhead cranes and new construction. Charlotte looks at an old building and sees a condo, or a NASCAR Hall of Fame (opening soon) or a new arena. Going to Charlotte after a few weeks, one is struck with the changes you discover. Charlotte is like a thing alive, constantly changing.

Richmond on the other hand, seems to change much slower. Both Charlotte and Richmond are older cities; both have history dating back to the American Revolution (though Richmond is much older I believe). Richmond though uses its old buildings in new ways. There are few old things in Charlotte that one can point too, but Richmond has a great many old buildings. That gives the city a certain charm I am used to. Louisville, Kentucky where I am from has a lot of older buildings as well. I often visit Louisville, and am sure to have some photos of that city on my Flickr page. You can also see some photos of Charlotte there as well on my page, in addition to many of the Richmond photos.

My next visit to Richmond will be the first weekend in February. That is also when I will be moving into the apartment; before that have to get some items for "the second household" and also of course will be doing more research. More on that in an upcoming post.

Richmond, Part II (The November 8-9 trip)

I have been thinking all week about the trip to Richmond. I took these two photos downtown of the city. As I noted, really reminds me a great deal of my home town of Louisville. Much different then Charlotte which has a very new feel and look. In Charlotte they don't reuse old things; they knock them down and build new things on top of the old. Charlotte is also a much larger city in area. However, it does remind me a great deal of the Derby City as I noted. Louisville does mix the new with the old, it is also located on a river, and uses the river a great deal. In the case of the Ohio River, that is a transportation link, as well as a entertainment center. I am hearing that the James River has much the same function in Richmond.

I am an avid motorcyclist, and among the many things I will miss will be my motorcycle. I liked this photo of the bike rolling down the street between the old buildings. It was fun walking about the town, though I did notice in the area there were police warnings that the area was being "patrolled" and that people should lock cars and keep items out of view (which is always a good idea no matter what city you find yourself in). However I do need to note that a lot of people were wandering around, and I never felt in danger. Patty was also very comfortable in Richmond. I think it will be a fun city to explore, having three years to check it out will be a lot of fun.

Found a very inexpensive apartment. Not looking forward to apartment living, having been in a house for the last 15 years or so. I did enjoy them when I was younger, but you can deal with a lot when you are in your 20s and early 30s. Still I have mostly happy memories. As for my place, will be stocking it with an old tv, a boom box, some old furniture and a day bed. I also have an old chair and ottoman. I will need to get a few things, but mostly will be using stuff from here (older stuff). Least it will be items that should something happen, will be no big loss (and will be sure to have renters insurance). So that at least will be of little concern. In fact while I will need a truck to take it there, plan to bring little if any back. I also have an old computer that I will be taking along.

Car is somewhat of a concern, being 9 years old (but ok on miles) with the definite plus that the drive is flat as a pancake. I expected some hills or mountains, but none going there at all. Traffic is also not too bad (least not so far). I was told I-95 is a real nightmare, but did not see it; yet anyhow.

Next few weeks will be getting the few things I need together, and getting things ready for the February move. Sure will be interesting. Know I can do it, was a regular thing in the Navy, and with my company this will be my third factory in 17 years. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.

Getting the Call

Its been a difficult year and a half. When the company announced the closing of the factory (which will put some 1500 out of work sometime next year) they also announced transfers to Richmond VA. I have already been through one which happened some 10 years ago and brought me to North Carolina with my family. It has been a very interesting time, and we have enjoyed the area, and put down roots here.

The photo at left is of Grandfather Mountain, taken from the Blue Ridge Parkway where I took my motorcycle on the day that I got the word that my number had come up, and I would be going to Richmond, VA starting on February 16. We plan to stay here, so my wife son, and dogs (as well as the motorcycle) will remain here. I will be getting an apartment in Richmond, and commuting back to North Carolina on (most hopefully) weekends. This will go on for three years when I will be eligible for early retirement. The job has great benefits, and has been a good place to work; though it has come at a pretty good cost at times for sure.

I am looking at this as an adventure; a chance to explore a new area. Amazingly I have not been to Richmond, so will be going pretty much sight unseen (except for the wonders of the internet). I hope to share what its like to do something like this (again in my case, and many times in my life...did spend four years in the US Navy, so did some moving then).

Patty and I are planning a scouting trip to the city to see where the factory is, and also to check out some apartments. That will happen November 7-9 if all goes well. Will be back here with a report then!