A Spider's Guide to YoUR City 

Welcome to the ultimate city guide for young Spiders navigating a new city! Whether you’re hustling in New York, exploring the streets of San Francisco, or settling into a new chapter in another bustling metropolis, we’ve got you covered. The Spider City Guides are packed with insider tips, all from your fellow young grads. YoUR next adventure starts here - let us help your city feel like home!

Looking to give back or share your favorite spots in the city? We’d love your help! Whether you’re interested in volunteering for upcoming events or have some go-to places that every Richmond alum should check out, we want to hear from you.

Your experiences and recommendations can make a real difference for fellow Spiders settling into their new urban adventures. If your city isn’t included in this guide yet, don’t worry—we can connect you with other alumni in your area and help build a network where you are. Reach out today and help us build a stronger, more connected alumni community!

Curious about what is happening in yoUR city? See our full list of alum events here.

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  • Alexandria, VA

    What Makes the City Special:

     

    Tips & Tricks: Utilize public transportation, Join a DC or Northern Virginia sports league to meet new people, explore the shops and sites of Old Town, experience the historic sites of the city

    Where to Find Local Info:

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

    Transportation: 

  • Annapolis, MD

     

    What Makes the City Special:

    Tips & Tricks: Everyone is so friendly - go out and explore!

    Where to Find Local Info:

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

    Transportation: 

  • Atlanta, GA

     

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

    Transportation: 

    Tips & Tricks:

    • Each town’s historic downtown is unique and so much fun.
    • Traffic is terrible, but you absolutely need a car here unless your work and living are directly accessible to Marta rail. Even then, you will need a car if you ever want to go anywhere.
    • Explore different areas - new things are happening everywhere. Don’t be pigeon-holed into one location.

  • Austin, TX

     

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • Austin is pretty spread out and has very diverse neighborhoods. Be sure to explore the whole city, and not just the neighborhood you live in!
    • The bus system is wonderful if you do not own a car.

     

  • Baltimore, MD

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • It is a great city for biking or scooting around!

  • Beaufort, SC

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • The downtown area is very walkable including the Historic District.
    • Don’t miss the Verdier House if you want to catch up on Beaufort history during the Civil War.
    • Both Savannah and Charleston are less than an hour away.

  • Berkeley, CA

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • Berkeley is one of the most expensive cities around, so get a roommate if you want to save up and always, always, always have enough emergency funds if you want to consider moving.

  • Boston, MA

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

    Transportation: 

    Tips & Tricks:

    • Utilize public transportation.
    • Sign up for alerts from MBTA - learn alternative bus and train routes for wen there are unexpected delays.
    • Explore on foot - it’s the best way to see the city.
    • Utilize Library Passes to see things around the city for cheap.
    • Each neighborhood has coordinator who you can email to express concerns or opinions you’d like to share with City Hall.
    • The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is free on Wednesdays after 4pm.
    • Get out of the city and explore New England.
    • Check out opportunities with the Boston Ski and Sports Club or the Appalachian Mountain Club.
    • Explore beaches and surrounding towns using public transportation or driving.

  • Cardiff, UK

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • The city center is very lively, but be sure to visit the neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and restaurants.
    • Explore the Bay

  • Cincinnati, OH

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • If single, I always wanted to live on top of Hill overlooking downtown in Mt. Adams.
    • Great food, art and entertainment for single business crowd.

  • Denver, CO

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • Find a neighborhood that you love, with shops and stores and whatever within walking distance.
    • Be close to the light rail for easy access to downtown and the like.

  • Fairfax, VA

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

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    Transportation: 

    Tips & Tricks:

    • The Fairfax County Courthouse has jobs for legal professionals and GMU has jobs for those who are interested in academics.
    • There is lots of new residential building going on so Fairfax is becoming more of an upscale residential area these days - mostly townhouses and condos.

  • Gettysburg, PA

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • Check out some of the smaller museums.

  • Jacksonville, FL

    What Makes the City Special:

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • Live in a central location because everything in Jacksonville is very spread out!

  • London, UK

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

    Transportation: 

    Tips & Tricks:

    • No need for a car!
    • Walk and cycle as much as you can, you never know what you’ll find in the streets of London.

  • Los Angeles, CA

    What Makes the City Special:

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • Make sure to explore different neighborhoods. Walk them, bike them, or find a new local coffee shop. There are so many unique neighborhoods in Los Angeles that are underrated.

  • Nashville, TN

    What Makes the City Special:

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • Bring or buy a car. Nashville is pretty spread out, and unfortunately public transportation is not very reliable. Driving is the best way to explore all of the different parts of the city.

  • New York City, NY

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

    • TimeOut publicizes interesting local things to do.

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

    Transportation: 

    Tips & Tricks:

    • Walk as much as you can - and walk fast.
    • Enter lotteries to score reduced priced Broadway tickets.
    • NYC is less intimidating if you think of it as multiple neighborhoods strung together.
    • Take advantage of the deep reach of the subways into the outer boroughs to find neighborhoods and cultures you may not have realized existed within the city.
    • Do all the unique things the locals do - you have plenty of time to go fo all the tourist stuff.
    • Learn which car on the subway will leave you off closest to your desired exit from the subway.
    • Explore and get outside the main boroughs.
    • Seek out rooftops - a haven during the summer.
    • Cultivate variety- try something new!
    • Have a list handy of all of the things you want to do and explore, so when you wind up in the area, you can do it!

  • Philadelphia, PA

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • Explore different neighborhoods to find a place that best suits your interests.
    • Philly is incredibly walkable, so get out and explore to discover new places.
    • Many people who move here are local, so branch out from your hometown friends. If you are not local, befriend someone who is, who can introduce you to more people and show you the city.

  • Pittsburgh, PA

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • Take advantage of our world-class Carnegie Library system.

  • Princeton, NJ

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

    Transportation: 

    • Having a car is very helpful!

    Tips & Tricks: 

  • Richmond, VA

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

    • Grab a Richmond Magazine or Style Magazine for local recommendations.
    • Join Lindsey’s List on Facebook for available housing, jobs, etc.
    • Check out richmond.com’s happy hour listing.
    • Subscribe to The Richmond Experience or follow them on Instagram for current happenings around the city
    • Find events using the Richmond Times Disptach calendar.

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

    Transportation: 

    • Utilize the GRTC Pulse.

    Tips & Tricks:

    • Get a bike - the city is very bike friendly.
    • Support locally owned businesses.
    • Embrace the history.
    • Take advantage of Restaurant Week.
    • Get involved with a volunteer organization.
    • Enjoy the many free outdoor activities, from the James River to hiking Humpback Rock.
    • Be wary of parking signs throughout the city.
    • Richmond has 114 rainy days per year- invest in a good umbrella!

     

  • San Antonio, TX

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

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    Transportation: 

    Tips & Tricks:

    • San Antonio is a big city (7th largest in the US) with a smaller city feel.
    • Join a church, book club, exercise class, etc in order to find and meet new people.
    • It is all about who you know. Networking will get you jobs and open up opportunities.

  • San Francisco, CA

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • Utilize scooters and bikes controlled by the Lyft and Uber apps - they’re way cheaper than calling cars.
    • Be safe and aware of your surroundings when walking around the city.
    • Make a budget to ensure you can afford to not just live but also enjoy all the city has to offer.
    • A light jacket and layering is your friend.
    • The city has plenty of great farmer’s markets- check them out.
    • Take weekend trips out of the city - snowboarding in Tahoe, wine tasting in Napa, hiking in national parks, biking in Marin, or sailing in the bay.
    • Neighborhoods vary greatly, so spend time exploring before settling.
    • Ditch the car if you can.

  • Seattle, WA

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

    Transportation: 

    Tips & Tricks:

    • Ask people to meet for coffee and keep in touch with those contacts!
    • Seattle is a great place for networking and people are usually really happy to share their insight.

  • Virginia Beach, VA

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

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    Tips & Tricks:

    • Spend some days driving around and exploring Pungo, it is a hidden gem.

  • Washington, D.C.

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

    Transportation: 

    • Utilize public transportation - Metro, ART buses, car sharing services, and bikes.
    • Get the SelectPass for Metro.

    Tips & Tricks:

    • Take advantage of free events and the museums.
    • Sign up for the Capital Bikeshare program.
    • Check the metro newspaper for local festivals and events.
    • Ditch the car if you live and work in the city.
    • Join local "young adult/professional" groups.
    • Get outside of the more popular neighborhoods for exploring and cheaper eats.

     

  • Williamsburg, VA

    What Makes the City Special:

    Where to Find Local Info:

    • There are so many things to do here, sign up for some of the "happenings in town" mailing lists.

    Neighborhoods & Housing: 

    Transportation: 

    Tips & Tricks:

    •  This is a small place, but it’s very lively.