Choosing where to live is about more than square footage. It's about the rhythm of a place — where you'll spend your Saturdays, how you'll unwind after work, and what's waiting a short walk or drive from your front door. Richmond packs a remarkable amount into one mid-sized city: a wild river running straight through downtown, a food and craft-beverage scene that punches far above its weight, centuries of architecture, and a creative streak you can feel on any given weekend.

Richmond has quietly become one of the most dog-forward cities on the East Coast. Long patio seasons, a serious trail network along the James, and neighbors who greet your dog before they get your name — it adds up. Some pockets of the city are especially well set up for life with a dog, too: long on green space, trails, and dog-friendly patios. After nearly a decade in Richmond real estate, here are six I'd put at the top of the list, and what makes each one work. The Fan If