“If you are looking for the ultimate in concierge service, along with unparalleled experience and expertise in the current market, there is no better choice than April Straus.”

-L.M.

A Few Neighborhoods Where I Work:

The Museum District

Two substantial museums face Boulevard, the Museum District’s eastern border, greeting visitors with a combination of modern lines and classic architecture. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia Historical Society carve out a large footprint for their growing collections and attract visitors from the Richmond area and far beyond.The Museum District shares the same northern and eastern borders as The Fan, although Main Street changes its name to Ellwood Avenue when it crosses Boulevard. Traffic on Interstate 195 travels past the Museum District on its western side.

The Museum District has fewer rental properties than the Fan and a lot of generational diversity with young families living alongside retirees. The common bond residents share is lifestyle – they have a common interest in walking to local restaurants and entertainment, riding bicycles for local transportation and participating in an active social neighborhood. With Carytown adjacent to the Museum District on its southern side, residents enjoy shopping, restaurants and nightlife just a short distance from their homes.

Northside

Just a short drive north from The Fan and the Museum District, through the commercial development along Boulevard and past The Diamond, Richmond’s historic Northside neighborhoods are tree-lined reminders of Richmond’s past.

A mixed-generation neighborhood, homes in areas such as Bellevue, Ginter Park and Lakeside are an opportunity for home buyers who are interested in large yards and more space for a historic renovation.
Like other historic neighborhoods in Richmond, Northside is home to a growing number of locally owned shops and restaurants that draw residents out for an afternoon stroll, as well as destination diners and shoppers. The shops along Lakeside Avenue are known for antiques, bargains and collectibles. The Lakeside Farmer’s Market is a must-stop on Saturday mornings, but not until you’ve picked up breakfast at Early Bird Biscuit Co. & Bakery known for hot buttermilk biscuits and locally-roasted Blanchard’s coffee.
Gardens and outdoor space are at a premium in Richmond’s Northside, home to nationally-acclaimed Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and the mountain-bike friendly trails at Bryan Park.

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The Fan

Bordered by Belvidere Street to the east and Boulevard to the west, The Fan is home to Virginia Commonwealth University, locally-owned restaurants, funky shops, Retreat Doctors’ Hospital and Richmond’s scenic Monument Avenue. The neighborhood spreads north to Grace Street and south to Main Street, creating a fan shape that led to its name. On any given day, sidewalks are busy with students walking to class and residents walking to neighborhood markets and restaurants. Cyclers are commonplace on the two-lane roads.

The Fan’s unique vibe is on display during the holidays, especially on Halloween when Hanover Avenue becomes a citywide destination for young goblins and ghouls, and those who are just young at heart. Nationally recognized as one of the top 5 Halloween events, residents along the historic street decorate their homes with lavish Halloween displays, and children leave at the end of the night with bags of goodies after going block-to-block asking for treats.