Our comfortable 2 story brick house (1500 sq ft) is next door to a huge park, so it's filled with the sights and sounds of birds and other wildlife. The primary bedroom has a park view, and though in a city neighborhood, feels quite private. the second floor also has two studies. The kitchen is fully equipped. The second bedroom is in the finished basement. There is a large sunroom for relaxing and a large back yard with picnic table for outdoor grilling. Though Luddites, we have the usual amenities (cable TV, wireless internet, AC).

What makes this location so pleasant is its proximity to both a wild park (two blocks from 500 acres lining both sides of the James River) and to downtown Richmond (a five minute drive or ten minute bike ride). The park is known for its diverse bird population (including bald eagles), mix of placid waters and rapids for swimming, fishing, sunbathing, and rafting, and miles of paths for walking or mountain biking. You can walk for thirty minutes without seeing anyone if you get up early.

The house is also a ten minute walk to a wonderful neighborhood café with homemade ice cream, funky décor, and national newspapers; to fine family run (native) Mexican and Italian restaurants, and to an Asian grocery. It is a five minute car ride or 10 minute bike ride to downtown Richmond, which hosts free summer music events, boasts many art galleries, and features a mix upscale and down-home Southern restaurants.

There are nightclubs, diverse music options including local bluegrass bands, cultural activities, ethnic restaurants (Vietnamese, Korean, Ethiopian, Caribbean, Mexican, among many), and a classic movie theater from 1929 with $2 movies and organ concerts. Families enjoy a variety of museums and attractions, including the Science Museum, Children’s Museum, and Maymont Park. Civil War buffs come for the numerous historic sites and museums; architecture aficionados appreciate the many late 19th century buildings that have been lovingly restored.

Richmond is also an excellent base for day trips. It is a two hour drive or train ride to DC, 2 hours to Virginia Beach, and 1-2 hours to Charlottesville (UVa and Monticello), Colonial Williamsburg, and the Blue Ridge Mountains (Shenandoah Drive, wineries).

Posted photos were taken during winter. The summer here is lush and green, so the pictures of the river don't compare to its true summer beauty.

Gene teaches philosophy at a state university nearby, and I teach English at a Liberal Arts college. We have two dogs we walk daily in the park. We also play music in local bars, cafes, and at farmers’ markets. Gene speaks Spanish and some German. I have studied several languages but suffer from not practicing them.