The Fan

Vibrant Student Hub

Home to Virginia Commonwealth University, the Fan District is named from its fan shape size of all the streets. Here at The Fan, there are many locally-owned cafes, shops, and restaurants. There is also the historic Monument Avenue. At Monument Avenue, several annual events are held, one of them being a 10k race. It is also the site of the town’s “Easter on Parade”. Altria Theater also resides within The Fan, hosting concerts and plays for the townies to enjoy. The Fan is a great place to live for any college student attending Virginia Commonwealth University. The short commute to classes is a huge perk of living in the area.

There are plenty of recommended places to eat and drink at The Fan. Big spots for the college crowd include Joe's Inn, Bamboo Cafe, El Pope, and Piccola Italy Pizza and Subs. Bars to grab a drink and socialize with some friends include GWARbar, Penny Lane Pub, and Kabana Rooftop. The Fan is a great college neighborhood and offers exciting activities.

What The Fan Residents
Think About Their Apartments

overall

8.0

value

7.5

amenities

5.9

social

8.0

management

6.4

Median rents in The Fan

Studio

835

1 Bedroom

920

2 Bedroom

1,120

Living in
The Fan

Very Safe

Great Restaurants

Nearby Cafes and Shops

Walkable

Museums

Altria Theater

VCU

The Fan — 8.9/10 Rating (based on 31 neighborhood reviews)

The Fan is a historic neighborhood in Richmond. 603 N Davis Ave is in the heart of The Fan. There are many restaurants and museums within a 20 minute walk of the apartment. Additionally, the DMV is only a 5 minute walk away, which is very convenient when you're first getting moved in. There is no (convenient) public transportation close by, although public transport isn't very prevalent in Richmond to begin with.

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Reviewed by

Young Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

603 N Davis Ave

Perfect area with restaurants and shops in walking distance. The art museum is also in walking distance and you can walk to Byrd park. At night the area isn’t super loud, but there are bars within walking distance. Easy access to 195 as well. The neighborhood is also very safe, although there have been more homeless people in the area over the last six months.

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Reviewed by

Richmond Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Cary Street Station

I'd recommend students live closer to the Fan/downtown. We already spend a lot of time on campus, so it's nice to be able to walk places or have restaurants/bars only a short car ride away. The commute to school is only 12 minutes!

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Reviewed by

Richmond Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

22 S. Arthur Ashe

The location is great--walking distance to restaurants, cafes, and museums. An easy drive down Grove Ave. to campus. Historic neighborhood with lovely homes.

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Reviewed by

Richmond Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

2320 Grove Avenue, Richmond

Love the fan! Awesome bars and restaurants nearby, young crowd, and very safe!

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Reviewed by

Young Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

1411 grove avenue

Love Love love it. It has resturants and shops. Great to go out and to study.

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Reviewed by

Richmond Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Cary Street Station

Great experience! Within walking distance of practically everything.

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Reviewed by

Financial Services Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Collection Midtown

Pros:
-Lots of bars and restaurants very close
-In my area (farther from VCU), street parking is plentiful

Cons:
-Traffic out to the office can be difficult at times (for Richmond)

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Reviewed by

Richmond Resident

/10

Neighborhood Rating

2707 W Grace St Apt 2

It's a little overhyped from what people tell you to try and sell you on Richmond, but if you do have to live in Richmond, then you might as well live here.

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Reviewed by

Young Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Cary Street Station

Everything you need is in the fan. There's great restaraunts, bars, and shops. It's close to nearly everything in Richmond.

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Reviewed by

Young Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Cary Street Station

Love the neighborhood, mix of college students as well as families with children.

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Reviewed by

Financial Services Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

1726 Grove Avenue

I described the neighborhood in the previous section- it is amazing!

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Reviewed by

Caroline, Richmond Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

223 N boulevard, unit 2

Love it. Beautiful and walkable

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Reviewed by

Richmond Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

N/A

Great can walk to the bar

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Reviewed by

Young Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Cary Street Station

fun, busy, lots of students, social

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Reviewed by

Financial Services Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Grove Castle

Walkable, all kinds of amenities, scenic.

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Reviewed by

Financial Services Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

1930 Floyd Avenue

Right on the border of the museum district and the fan, living on the Boulevard is a steal. Wide street so feels very safe. Across from the museum for lots of cool events. Plenty of fun places for dinner and drinks in the area, including Main St. and Carytown. Excellent area for running. Not too far from the highway for an easy commute to work or further into the city.

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Reviewed by

Young Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Bernie Apartments

You should live in the fan! If you are thinking about Short Pump right after you get out of college I encourage you to think again! You will save money in Short Pump, but you're only young once, so save the 20 minute uber rides into the city and just live there. This is coming from someone who is not a city person.

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Reviewed by

Financial Services Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

2329 Hanover Ave

I really like the fan - there is a lot to do within walking distance. It's a weird gentrified neighborhood so very white but with very different financial situations living right on top of each other.

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Reviewed by

Richmond Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

No Name

Everyone is friendly and it is fun to walk around. I am not totally dependent on my car now, and the homes are beautiful to walk by. A lot of things are close by so you're never far off. Travel time to work is lengthy but enjoyable. More of a feel for a real home rather than a college apartment

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Reviewed by

Financial Services Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

N/a

Tons of restaurants, bars, things to do. Great neighborhood to walk around. Limited off-street parking. Lots of students and young professionals. Can be noisy and sometimes feels like you're living on top of others. Sharing walls with strangers is not always the best situation.

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Reviewed by

Richmond Law Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

n/a

Good food and coffee shops, easy to drive to other parts of the city

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Reviewed by

Young Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

West Grace Street

The Fan is the best place for young professionals to live. Its walkability is out of this world and it is even better because I have always felt safe. Restaurants and bars are always only steps away. It has a real neighborhood feel!

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Reviewed by

Young Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating

307 N Boulevard

I love living in the Fan. I live super close to campus, yet it is still quiet. The people are a friendly mix of students and working adults, and there are many good restaurants nearby.

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Reviewed by

Hunter, Virginia Commonwealth University Student

/10

Neighborhood Rating

Ritz Building

Love the Fan. Very walkable/runnable area with plenty to do. Lots of my friends live in the area so I rarely have to drive anywhere on the weekends.

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Reviewed by

Financial Services Professional

/10

Neighborhood Rating