Moving from Chicago, IL, to Richmond, VA

Get ready for life in RVA 

When you’re leaving the “Windy City” of Chicago, IL, for life in the smaller town of Richmond, VA, known as “RVA,” there are many things to look forward to.  

One of the first things you’ll notice is a less crowded city. Richmond is the capital of Virginia, but it is significantly smaller than Chicago, which has over 2.7 million residents (9.6 million in the metro). Around 227,000 people live within the city limits of Richmond, and 1.3 million live within the metro. 

If you miss the big city vibes of Chicago, living in Richmond puts you less than 250 miles from the larger metropolitan areas of Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. 

Experience less snow and warmer summers

Richmond averages around 11 inches of snow annually, much lower than Chicago’s average of 35 inches. Although the average winter low temperature of 28 degrees in Richmond dips below freezing, the season is milder than Chicago winters, with average lows of only 19 degrees. 

Richmond's summers are pleasant, with average highs reaching 90 degrees during the hottest month of July. If you love being outside, there are typically around 210 dunny days in Richmond each year. 

Things to do and sites to visit

If you enjoy activities like biking, hiking, kayaking and rock climbing, Richmond is a perfect city to call home, with 174 parks to explore.  

History enthusiasts will enjoy the museums in town, including the American Civil War Museum, the Black History Museum, the Poe Museum and the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. 

Don’t miss these other attractions: 

  • Altria Theater 
  • Children’s Museum of Richmond 
  • Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden 
  • Science Museum of Virginia 
  • Virginia Museum of Fine Arts 

Working and learning in Richmond

With a lower cost of living than Chicago and low unemployment rates, Richmond has a lot to offer its residents. Many people work in government and law, and the city is also home to large companies in the finance sector, including Bank of America, Capital One, Truist and Wells Fargo.  

Other major employers include Amazon, Car Max, Dominion Energy, Genworth Financial and the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. 

Forty-seven public schools and 86 private schools serve Richmond's K-12 students. Seven colleges and universities serve adult learners. 

Get a quote to move to Richmond with U-Pack

U-Pack® has over 25 years of experience in out-of-state moves, and we can get you from Chicago to Richmond through our nationwide network of service centers. We’ll handle the driving so you can focus on packing, loading and unloading. Request your free, no-obligation online quote today or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant. We’re here to help!