Ginter Park - Richmond, VA

In the late 19th century, an industrialist named Lewis Ginter visited Australia, where he was intrigued by the concept of living in the country and working in the city. Upon his return to the US, Ginter bought several hundred acres north of Richmond and developed the land according to his plan, which included long, broad streets, tile sewers, long hedges and lots of trees. By 1891, the families began populating the neighborhood. In 1895, a trolley line began servicing Ginter Park and residents could take the 15-minute trip into the city for only five cents.

Most of the homes in Ginter Park feature architectural styles from the turn of the 20th century. The neighborhood has remained largely unchanged, thanks to the efforts of the Ginter Park Residents Association GPRA, which makes historical preservation a priority. The association puts on home and garden tours throughout the year.

Ginter Park's limited restaurant scene means date night probably includes leaving the neighborhood, but it houses a couple restaurants worth checking out.

Vegans and omnivores find what they're hankering for at Phoenix Garden Vegetarian Restaurant. This place dishes out vegetarian Vietnamese fare with finesse, and the only thing locals love more than the food here are the owners. Be sure you save room for dessert; this place makes a mean plate of black-eyed peas with sweet sticky rice.

Red House II, another local favorite, is known for its Chinese food and features an unusual special fried chicken. The building used to be the home of a fried chicken restaurant, and Red House II continues to serve the former tenant's specialty so well that Southerners craving a fried treat still flock to the wonton soup-serving establishment.

When the city goes to bed, so does Ginter Park. While there isn't much in the way of a nightlife scene, bars and clubs are less than 10 minutes away in the Fan District. Curbside Cafe is known for its relaxed atmosphere and drink specials. For live music, you can head over to The Camel in the Fan District; there's always something going on here, with live music performances seven nights a week. The venue is known for promoting up-and-coming acts from all different genres.

While it's possible to get around without a car in Ginter Park, having access to one makes life much easier. The neighborhood is walkable and within walking distance of other nearby neighborhoods, but many of Richmond's neighborhoods and attractions are too far to walk, and public transportation is limited. There is a bus service that serves the whole city of Richmond, with regular stops in Ginter Park. The bus fares are $1.50 per trip, with reduced fares for seniors and people with disabilities. Hailing a cab in Ginter Park is unlikely, so you're better off calling a cab service or using Uber, which services the Greater Richmond area. Bike lanes in Ginter Park and throughout most of Richmond help bikers stay safe.

The majority of residents have a commute that is shorter than 30 minutes, which is shorter than the commute for most Americans. Most commuters drive to work. If you're looking to reduce your carbon footprint, you might find a few like-minded neighbors in Ginter Park. Just over 10 percent of commuters in the neighborhood participate in a carpool. The percentage of people who choose to pedal to the office is higher in Ginter Park than in 95 percent of the nation - 3.6 percent of Ginter Park's commuters ride their bikes to work every day. About 10 percent of residents take public transportation.

Ginter Park's proximity to Interstate 95 and Interstate 64 make getting out of the city easy. For longer trips, Richmond's Amtrak station is just under 15 minutes away by car, and Richmond International Airport is only 20 minutes away.

The neighborhood's founder is also the namesake for the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, with 50 acres of themed gardens, educational buildings and cafes. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for children, but if you plan on going often, it's worth getting the individual membership for $65 or family membership for $100. Membership includes free admission and access to special events.

The Lewis Ginter Recreation Association, better know as Ginter Park, is a family-friendly recreation facility popular during the summer months. Year-round membership costs $500 per family and includes access to two pools and a clubhouse. In the colder months, the clubhouse hosts movie nights, classes and happy hours.

The cost of living in Ginter Park is six percent higher than the Richmond average. It costs $1.50 to get to the city center via public transportation, and gas prices are nine percent lower than the national average. The median rent for a one-bedroom residence is $590 on average per month. A beer at Curbside Cafe will cost you $3.75.

Most of Ginter Park's businesses are located along Azalea Avenue, where you'll find everyday conveniences like banks, fast food restaurants and telecommunications providers. The only supermarket in the neighborhood is Food Lion, and there is a CVS Pharmacy. There are few places to go shopping in this quiet community, but it's a quick trip to areas with more active business districts.

One interesting shop is the Cokesbury Campus Bookstore, which is operated by the Union Presbyterian Seminary. The Seminary has been in Ginter Park ever since Lewis Ginter gave them a gift of land while he was developing the area.