Getting started at VCU
Health insurance
Our postdoctoral policy states that individuals must hold appropriate health insurance coverage on appointment as a postdoctoral scholar, or as soon as possible thereafter. Learn about health insurance options as well as other benefits.
Housing options
We recommend that you wait until you arrive in Richmond to lease an apartment for a variety of reasons. It is difficult to determine from the internet an apartment’s true condition, distance from campus, safety of an area or the character of a potential roommate. Apartments are available at varying prices, within walking and biking distance from the university. The estimated cost for a one-bedroom, unfurnished apartment is $850-$1,000 per month. Two-bedroom, unfurnished apartments rent for $900-$1,300 per month. Most landlords require a one-year lease and a security deposit, usually equal to one or two months’ rent.
Learn more about RVA neighborhoods
Temporary housing (short-term while locating more permanent housing)
Some postdocs have found the AirBnB website to be an option for locating temporary housing.
Contact the VCU Postdoctoral Association; they may be able to connect you with someone who can help you with temporary housing: postdocs@vcu.edu.
There are a few student organizations such as the Indian Student Organization or Chinese Student Organization that could provide information about temporary and more long-term housing in the Richmond area.
International postdocs are also encouraged to contact International Student and Scholar Programs at issp@vcu.edu for additional assistance in locating temporary housing.
Location of the VCU campus
The VCU campus is in the center of the city of Richmond. It has both a west campus (Monroe Park Campus) and an east campus (MCV Campus). Click here for maps of the campus.
GRTC Program
Virginia Commonwealth University signed a three-year paid agreement with the Greater Richmond Transit Company, effective Aug. 1, 2019, to fund unlimited transportation access on Pulse Bus Rapid Transit, local and express routes for all VCU, VCU Health System and Virginia Premier students and employees.
There is shuttle bus service — RamRide — that is free to VCU faculty, staff and students with a valid VCUCard that travels to VCU’s remote parking facilities Monday through Friday.
If you prefer to be within walking or biking distance of the VCU campus you will want to consider areas such as Shockoe Slip or Bottom, and the Fan. The Fan is closer to the Monroe Park Campus where many of our undergraduate students reside, so this is likely to be a bit more active (and noisy) than if you look in the Shockoe area, which is closer to our MCV campus.
Resources for locating longer-term housing options
The following housing advice and options have been identified by current VCU postdocs:
This website directs you to apartments in various locations in the city
Main Street Realty
zillow.com
areavibes.com/richmond-va/neighborhoods
grad student page
Horsepen apartments
Richmond Police crime index
Child care
VCU Work/Life Resources (828-1533, worklife@vcu.edu) provides information about child care options in the surrounding area and across the country. The Virginia Department of Social Services also has a website that allows you to search for child care facilities in the area. Depending on your income, you may be eligible for child care assistance from the Department of Social Services.
VCU resources
VCUCard
(804) 828-8385
VCU Libraries
Monroe Park Campus – Cabell Library, 901 Park Ave., (804) 828-1110
MCV Campus – Health Sciences Library, 509 N. 12th St., (804) 828-0636
Office of Parking and Transportation
Monroe Park Campus – 1111 W. Broad St., (804) 828-8726
MCV Campus – 1000 E. Clay St., First Floor, (804) 828-0501
Technology Services
Help Desk: (804) 828-2227
Monroe Park Campus - Cabell Library, Room B-9
MCV Campus - Sanger Hall, Room B3-015
Campus Police
Emergencies: (804) 828-1234
Information: (804) 828-1196
Security escort service: (804) 828-WALK (9255)
Rape Aggression Defense classes: (804) 828-8730
Off-campus housing
Student Commons
907 Floyd Ave.
Dining Services
1111 W. Broad St.
(804) 828-1148
dining@vcu.edu
VCU Center for Psychological Services and Development
(804) 828-8069