Mary Munford - Richmond, VA

Richmond has its roots in early English settlements. It grew initially because of its location on the James River, where the falls halted water traffic. The city continued to grow during the Colonial era and was strategic during the Revolutionary War. During the Civil War, the city became the capital of the Confederacy.

Tobacco was an important cash crop for the area and made the fortunes of many, including those who lived in the posh Windsor Farms neighborhood across from Mary Munford. Windsor Farms was designed in 1926 as a planned neighborhood, crafted to be like an English village.

Historical buildings that reflect Windsor Farms's history, arts and architectural gems include the Virginia House and Agecroft Hall.

The neighborhood’s most popular annual festival is the Greek Festival, sponsored by the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in late May. It presents authentic Greek cuisine and entertainment.

Residents of the Mary Munford neighborhood have enviable choices for nearby dining: go to Carytown or head to the shops at Grove and Libbie avenues. Both areas host local independent restaurants with a diversity of fine cuisines from casual to more upscale.

One longtime Carytown favorite, Coppola's Deli, has served authentic delicatessen fare since 1982, pleasing vegetarians as well as meat lovers. Popular sandwiches include the South Bronx Club, voted by Richmond Magazine readers as one of the best 50 foods in Richmond. It features sauteed corned beef, sauerkraut and pastrami smothered with melted Swiss cheese and the restaurant's house-made dressing on three slices of toasted rye bread. Diners also love The Industrial, a classic Italian sub with mortadella, Genoa salami, Capicola ham, provolone cheese, peppers, onions, lettuce, tomatoes sprinkled with oil and vinegar. Locals rave about the vegetarian Cheese Columbo, topping fine deli cheese with a choice of marinated eggplant or artichoke hearts.

Carytown's Burger Bach serves New Zealand-inspired cuisine, highlighting premium beef and lamb burgers and sustainable ingredients in a contemporary, high-energy environment. The meat is ground fresh daily, hand patted and served on homemade local rolls. The chicken sandwiches use free-range birds, and the vegetarian burger uses Virginia-made No Bull Burger patties.

At Grove and Libbie, the Continental Westhampton serves American fare in a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere. For brunch, check out the unique popover Benedicts, including the Benedict Arnold (given that this hollandaise-topped breakfast entree has no meat, you are not betraying anyone) or the maple sausage corn dogs: three pancake-battered and fried maple sausage dogs served with syrup for dipping. For a hearty entree, try the Home Run burger with sliced brisket atop the beef patty. Even salads rate high here. Just look at the locally named Three Chopt Salad, with chicken, chopped bacon, avocado, eggs, roasted red pepper, tomato, onion, blue cheese and romaine, topped with blue cheese dressing and served with a side of jalapeno cornbread.

After dinner, you can find live music every day at Cary Street Cafe-jam bands, reggae, bluegrass, rock and alternative country-as well as a decent selection of beers. For bigger-name bands, check out The National, The Camel or the Richmond Coliseum. For an upscale bar, a place to be spotted and duly noted, go to Carytown's Can Can Brasserie.

The Byrd Theater in Carytown and the Regal Cinemas Westhampton Cinema 2 on Grove Avenue serve the area in their historic buildings.

The primary mode of transportation for residents is automobile. Locals can access public transportation through GRTC, with bus stops scattered along Grove Avenue. Cabs and rides can be hailed by phone and through the Uber app. Parking is free and available throughout the neighborhood.

Cary Street, one main thoroughfare around the Mary Munford neighborhood, does not have a bike lane, while the other, Grove Avenue, does. Bikers throughout the Richmond area typically travel the roads safely, although they lobby for improved road biking conditions. Neighborhood back streets are wide enough and the traffic travels slowly enough to make safe conditions for both pedestrians and bikers. Businesses nearby make the neighborhood walkable.

The entrance to Richmond’s I-195 lies at the foot of the neighborhood, providing easy access to downtown and to I-64 and I-95.

Area families visit Merry Funford Playground, a fenced-in modern playground with equipment for special-needs children, wooden bridges and tunnels, and benches for parents to relax on while kids play. Merry Munford Elementary School also provides tennis and basketball courts and soccer fields for public use. The playground and street parking are free.

A favorite nearby city park, Byrd Park, stretches over 287 acres and features a variety of activities. At the head of the park, you can take pedal boat rides in Fountain Lake, play tennis on the self-lighted courts or play ball on the softball fields. The next section of the park features two more lakes, a Vitacourse year-round exercise trail, picnic shelters, grills and open fields. The area toward the James River features the historic Carillon bell tower, the Dogwood Dell Amphitheater and Ha’Penny Stage, more picnic shelters, a playground for kids and Barker Field for dogs.

Byrd Park hosts several annual events, most notably a popular Fourth of July concert and fireworks. In the summer, Festival of the Arts presents free outdoor entertainment, including music, theater, dance and kid-centered performances. The Carillon’s bells are played on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and other special events.

The park welcomes leashed pets and charges no fees.

The cost of living in Mary Munford is higher than the city average. Average rent for a one-bedroom residence is $1,308 per month. The price of beer at a local pub ranges from $2.25 for domestics and $3.50 for craft beers on draft during happy hour, to about $7 for specialty craft beers at more-upscale bars.

GRTC buses travel directly from the neighborhood along Grove Avenue to downtown at the cost of a single fare, $1.50. Fuel prices in the area run about 8 percent below the national average.

Residents frequent three nearby shopping areas: Carytown, Grove and Libbie, and Willow Lawn.

Carytown hosts primarily independent boutiques and specialty stores and services. Though most shops are moderate to high end, the shops also include high-value shops such as Second Debut upscale thrift store, two vintage clothing shops, and a home fashions consignment store. Specialty shops cater to musicians, photographers, bikers, and runners.

World of Mirth in Carytown pegs itself as a store “where Pee Wee’s Playhouse meets Dr. Seuss.” It’s a toy store for all ages, stocking toys for infants and children, crafts and books as well as collectible vinyl toys, Mexican folk art, games, and prank gifts for all ages, obscure items and more.

GlassBoat carries luxurious home decor with a splash of personal fashion. Its goodies include sofas, new or antique tables, lamps, chandeliers, and bedding as well as women’s clothing, handbags, accessories, and jewelry.

Willow Lawn features both national and independent names for shopping. Stores run the gamut from Bath & Body Works, Dressbarn, Dollar Tree, and Old Navy, and locally-owned Lucky Foot running store.

Willow Lawn also hosts Kroger, the neighborhood’s most convenient large grocery store for everyday food shopping needs. For organic and specialty food products, head to two Carytown stores: Fresh Market and Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market, which has been meeting natural food needs since 1989.

Richmond is rich in seasonal farmers markets, but one nearby market services the area year-round. Just across the James River lies the South of the James Market, an open-air, producer-only market, featuring local farmers and artisans. The market sets up every Saturday at Forest Hill Park from 9 a.m. to noon during the winter and 8 a.m. to noon from May through November.