Should you move to Petersburg,VA?

[@kolomo44]

Philip Morris did not have a tobacco Factory in Petersburg Virginia. However Petersburg did have a tobacco manufacturing center name Brown and Williamson....

[@fourthhokage8446]

My great grandma worked there. My great grandpa was too short to work there though! They had a tough height requirement lol

[@JannaBrewer]

Yeah..I was confused about the Philip Morris, too. But back in the day, it seemed like almost everybody worked at Brown & Williamson!

[@ms.deeham5335]

I was born here. I went into the military and I didn't grow up here but I'm back because I bought a house here and I know Petersburg. I'm ok here

[@jenniferlacue6443]

My dad was the first African American sheriff of petersburg for 16 years Joseph harper jr

[@ThePodCastDojo]

That's so cool!

[@JannaBrewer]

I grew up in Petersburg 60’s -mid 80’s. Went to Walnut Hill Elementary, Peabody Middle, & new high school. Petersburg has some beautiful houses, architecture.. old towne is still wonderful. The only reason I moved across the bridge into Colonial Heights was bc I had 2 children.. and the school system in Petersburg was really bad at the time. In Petersburg we can also say we’ve turned out some celebrities and fine people such as Moses Malone (whom i met!), actor Blair Underwood, and singer Trey Songz (who i also met and got to take a picture with when i was working at Applebee’s!!) I have very fond memories of my hometown♥️

[@ThePodCastDojo]

Thats so cool! Thank you for sharing your experience. I was talking to my mom and she was sent to the catholic school here because the schools were bad even back in the 70s.

[@JannaBrewer]

@@ThePodCastDojo you’re welcome! Petersburg High School was great in the 70’s! (they had just built the new high school) However, Peabody Middle School was awful (a lot of my friend’s parents sent them to private schools like Bollingbrook, St. Joseph, and Tidewater those 2 years. But my mom wouldn’t.

[@73beetle19]

My Mom would take us kids shopping downtown Petersburg back in the 1960’s. I remember one store we went in had ceiling fans all running on a long belt with one motor driving the fans.

[@calebdouglas7622]

It’s been years since I passed through Virginia but from the highway I remember how industrial it looked

[@oliviachapman6572]

I went to Walnut Hill Elementary... Desks were falling apart along with the wooden chairs in the auditorium. I remember kids just sitting in class without books. I was one of those kids.... I also remember the Pepsi-Cola plant/sign whenever driving down by the VA Tees and old DAV warehouse. Father relocated just so I could get a better education. Haven't lived in the area in 20 years...

[@JannaBrewer]

Hi Olivia, I’m sorry to hear that about Walnut Hill Elementary..I went there in the 60’s and early 70’s and it was really nice. I have fond memories of first - 7th grade there🧡 Take care!

[@dandreadyson2267]

I lived there when i was stationed at Ft Lee. My son went to VSU Trojans in Ettrick VA for 4 years of college. Ettrick is a city adjacent to Petersburg. I got robbed twice while living in Lee Hall Apartments. Petersburg is a very earthy city.

[@michelleavery-l4z]

I am considering leaving downtown Richmond for Petersburg. I’m obsessed with the downtown area and the houses are totally renovated and affordable. I keep heading out there and driving around aimlessly looking at houses. Thanks for this video!

[@ThePodCastDojo]

No problem! Hope it helps! I'd definitely rather live here than Richmond, less crowded and easy to access the interstate

[@michelleavery-l4z]

@@ThePodCastDojo Well I may hit you up for an opinion if I find a house. 🍻

[@lerandagarib378]

Thank you for a great overview on this city in this state. I appreciate it and it was very much helpful ❤

[@matteng1448]

Man, If I haven’t lived here my whole life I would honestly think it’s a nice place. I don’t mean to rain on your parade because I see you have a lot of history there so it makes sense why you see a lot of positive. I’ve lived in henrico and Mechanicsville my whole life and even worked as far over as Chester of route 1 and 10. I can honestly say I’m Leary if even setting foot in the more city parts of Petersburg. I will give you that the more rural parts near Pamplin park are actually very quiet and nice. I will say I enjoyed the old school mall music you did in the background of this video. I could honestly see you doing small town reviews here throughout Virginia as you did quite a good job for Petersburg which does not have a whole heck of a lot as you mentioned in the video. I was happy to see you posting a video like this for the first time in a while it was quite refreshing and I appreciate these types of videos you put out.

[@ThePodCastDojo]

I appreciate it thank you! I also appreciate your respectful and insightful comment. I try to be fair and not just go off what people have said

[@matteng1448]

You are 100% man. No need to be disrespectful haha. I will say it’s nice that the old motel will be fixed up

[@Eagles4life04]

I live over there and it’s ghetto around here

[@kaileysweeney4240]

Thank you for the video PodCastDojo. I recently had a job offer in the Petersburg/Chester area. I was debating about where to live and I had ruled out Petersburg. I think I want to revisit that based upon your video. Thanks a lot!

[@ThePodCastDojo]

Glad I could help!

[@jamesbradford5869]

The former hotel building is no longer there as of May 2023

[@deepark984]

I own a construction company and we’re always hiring. My daughter goes to St Joseph and they offer partial scholarships. There is a lot of jobs here , we just have trouble finding people.

[@ThePodCastDojo]

Nice! Do you guys have a website? I'll add it in the description

[@SentinalforGod]

Thanks for this my family and I are moving to Petersburg next year I had no idea about the hurricanes

[@ThePodCastDojo]

Glad I could help!

[@susank.4945]

i"m from SOME SKETCHY PLACES IN Suffolk, NY...LIVED IN oLD tOWN FOR A FEW MONTHS LAST sUMMER/Fall and honestly....unless I'm on a main rd. but somehow without much foot traffic....I can't see myself doing it again...tried to sleep with teens drinking and playing on the hood of my car (till they heard gun fire and ran), a hit-and-run outside my window, and the pool hall & bar/restaurant turning into a mess on the weekends... right below my bedroom.

[@ronaldfarmer7205]

Great job I would love to find a house to buy for under 3k

[@colonial6452]

In the 1960s, there were quite a few hotels at the Washington St. exit from I-95. The Holiday Inn, Howard Johnson's and America House come to mind. All gone today. Petersburg's nearly bankrupt as a city, but is counting on a recently approved casino to be built nearby to provide jobs and tax revenue.

[@Classy4514]

I heard the cost of living there is the best I'm gonna check it out cus it's a perfect location right in the middle of everything it's not down south it's not up north right smack dab 💯 in the middle.

[@rorydickinson7969]

The school in the painting was Appomattox Regional Governors school. Which is a public highschool

[@JannaBrewer]

Well it was the original Petersburg High School. If you graduated before1975, that is where the high school was. The new high school on Johnson Rd. was built in 1975.

[@theresadehart3431]

This city has a ton of potential. It has certainly earned a bad reputation but you are talking a few bad areas like most city’s. I’ve seen a lot of change for the better for sure. It has such a rich history. An eclectic range of beautiful homes although many still need major renovations. Great food and super friendly people. It’s unfortunate that most people don’t see the potential of this little city.

[@dandreadyson2267]

The singer Try Songz 🎵 is from Petersburg VA.

[@keo0918]

I could see Petersburg as an outpost once Richmond becomes too crowded and expensive for the average person to live in. There's a lot of development in Richmond right now despite the pandemic observed by the numerous of cranes in the skyline right now. If the Richmond 300 plan comes to fruition I could see it go in either one of two ways. It could help Petersburg grow as a satellite city to Richmond OR it could be the final nail in the coffin as people gravitate towards living in and around Richmond leaving Petersburg to continue to deteriorate and fall behind.

[@leonation89]

I am from Petersburg. Petersburg has had plenty of opportunity to become a better city, truth be told, no one in the city wants change. You gotta remember, People in Richmond move to neighboring Chesterfield County or Henrico county or anywhere else. Ain't nobody in Richmond checking for Petersburg. No matter how much Richmond is growing. I hate to say it but Petersburg will never get better. True story. I got love for where I come from but I'm glad I got out while I could.

[@Bwh-rm3py]

Richmond sucks now

[@JerseyTee]

you are absolutely right. i live in the california bay area. SF has enriched cities as far as 3 hours away. When i visit family in richmond, i can see the potential. Thats one of the reason im looking at petersburg to perhaps get in on it early.

[@dandreadyson2267]

I was told my by some older folk that the Burg was the place to be in the 70's. Folks made good money at the cigarette plant during the 70's. I have found memories of the Burg. I departed Petersburg in 2005 December!🤎

[@ThePodCastDojo]

Yes thats what I've heard is that when Phillip Morris was here, this was the place to be. Hopefully someday it will return to its former glory. Thank you for checking out and supporting my video

[@williamcarter4710]

From 1932 until October 1985, the Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company was the largest employer in the city, with 4,000 employees running 3 shifts. When Southpark opened in the late 80s Petersburg really started to fall apart. New businesses were being built around Southpark while shutting down all over Petersburg. There are over 300 (and counting) abandoned homes in Petersburg and most are falling apart and the city does nothing.

[@lawrencemerriman9507]

The Pepsi Place moved to Chesterfield County a couple years ago. The Coca-Cola plant hasn't been there for like 20 years. It has been a body shop, retail store and several other various businesses.

[@mrclub-zs4yq]

Petersburg is doing its best to turn around.

[@leehudson8202]

NOT

[@southernman5839]

I love the historic homes but would take a chance on buying a home there.

[@thrillington2008]

I passed through there and Colonial Heights years ago going on 95. I been in Southpark Mall a limited number of times back in the 90s. Norfolk, Portsmouth and Newport News has worse crime levels. It's a worthwhile experience going there.

[@ThePodCastDojo]

Oh I've heard stories about Norfolk and portsmith

[@thrillington2008]

and I left out Hampton

[@kioripinkston]

Anywhere you live its crimes not just Petersburg is a full of wonderful peoples who treats you like family older generations

[@dwaynelockett4613]

I live here and the way it looks it's in despair

[@robertcollins22]

Many many memories there!!!! Many memories there!!!! But there is always a but!!!! Wouldn’t want to live there much less move back there!!!!

[@tomjacobson631]

If you move out of Petersburg, the city will still try to bill you for the taxes on your car even if you don’t live in state any more.

[@Hadukenstan]

I just stayed at one of the worst hotels in Petersburg, VA. Stay as far way from this place as can!!!!!!!

[@dandreadyson2267]

The Actor Blair Underwood went to Petersburg Highschool.

[@bethedmonds3028]

Moses Malone from Petersburg

[@EloisPowell-jg3io]

So

[@Hadukenstan]

Drugs murder and prostitution are daily events here.

[@neshanee318]

Never in my 25 years of life have I seen prostitution in Petersburg. You have your hotel room hoes and Onlyfans girls taking customers but it’s not flat out prostitution it’s something that now since only fans and entertaining men has become more mainstream that ppl tend to do . All the seedy parts of pburg will have crackheads and dope dealers . But prostitution., no

[@michaelkeckler8434]

Great video Justin! I enjoyed the insight on Petersburg. I didn't know much about it. The city gained the reputation of being "sketchy" many years ago, but it looks like a place worth exploring. I can tell you put a lot of effort in this. I like this kind of documentary and I hope you create more in the future.

[@ThePodCastDojo]

Thanks I want to do more as well. You should come to old towne sometime and try one of the restaurants

[@crisliv5697]

Moses malone played at that high school

[@bethedmonds3028]

I remember way way back in the day when I lived in Petersburg. My mother had a yard sale and Moses Malone s mother came to my mother's yard sale. She was a very nice lady and bragged about her son. Rightfully so

[@williamcarter4710]

I've lived here since 1977. It will never be rebuilt, too far gone.

[@bethedmonds3028]

I left in 1986, I'm from Petersburg

[@williamcarter4710]

I can tell you with first hand knowledge. We lived at Fort Lee from 1977-1982 and Colonial Heights the past almost 40 years. What Petersburg has become is sad and pathetic. It really is a city in ruins. I can send you pictures of entire neighborhoods that should be comdemed but ppl still live in them.

[@marshalkrieg2664]

Petersburg is very low energy. Crime and squalor. Don't move here, never send any kids to school here. Now, if you can work from home, downtown has a certain breezy charm and you can live in some upscale lofts that are very cheap compared to the DC area etc... Downtown has nice restaurants. But overall, the place is backwards.

[@73beetle19]

The Ramada was brand new in the 70’s .

[@ThePodCastDojo]

Ok thanks. My mom had her senior prom dinner there that would have been about 77 or 78

[@73beetle19]

@@ThePodCastDojo My wife’s cousin spent their first night of their honeymoon there. We followed them down route 36 thinking they were headed for Myrtle Beach but I guess they couldn’t wait and stopped at the Ramada for the night.

[@Itz.fatboyroy]

Burg🔒

[@rebelwithacause3574]

I've lived in Central Virginia all my life, and would never recommend anyone to move to Petersburg. The more rural areas of Virginia are the safest areas, especially if you are White or have children. The crime is still off the charts considering the small population, and the schools are even worse than Richmond.

[@gwarrichmond6232]

👍🏼...... *VERY TRUE !!!!!*

[@Emm.B]

I’m an international student and I got accepted to study abroad in Virginia State University, where do you recommend is the safest place to live in Virginia and cannot be to far from Petersburg if you may

[@susank.4945]

@@Emm.B Chester

[@StromLxrd6]

@@Emm.B chester, colonial heights, prince george

[@nocap-7141]

Chesterfield ain’t even bad I live here and I say i would recommend moving to chesterfield

[@geodezix]

short answer: no

[@gwarrichmond6232]

*NO WAY JOSE !!!!!* That place has gone to junk since the battle of the crater lol!!! The only thing I enjoy there is the civil war parks. They have tried to polish that turd multiple times with no good results. I come through there yesterday Getting on 85 with passing Washington Street....just a TERRIBLE trashy place !!! Great video bud 👍🏼

[@ThePodCastDojo]

Thanks man. I feel one thing slowing the city down is they take too long to get with the times

[@theresadehart3431]

Wow that’s super harsh and obviously one persons opinion. Petersburg has a ton of potential and is a great place to live. It does need work for sure.

[@jamesdean3125]

You completely left out Virginia State University home of the Trojan... #HBCU

[@davidbell1684]

I'll save you the video. NO. Dont move here. It's getting better, but the county is just as cheap and safer

[@EloisPowell-jg3io]

Petersburg is finished

[@leehudson8202]

No,, don’t move here. I live very close to Petersburg and it’s an absolute shit hole .

[@kioripinkston]

My family lives there is a lied

[@williamcarter4710]

And for they record, unless you enjoy welfare and high crime don't move to Petersburg.

[@bulldurham2465]

NO NO NO NO NO NO.

[@kioripinkston]

Rebelwith a cause that is a racist comment

[@jourdenwilliams9274]

it’s 4 elementary schools