Let’s talk about Richmond’s "secret suburb." If you drive past the exit too fast, you might miss it, and honestly, the residents here kind of like it that way. May Valley is where the city meets the hills.
Here is why I think this spot is special: It feels like a throwback to a simpler time. You drive through these streets and you see well-maintained 1950s ranch homes, people walking their dogs, horses off beaten paths, and kids playing. But the real magic is the nature. Because you are tucked right up against the canyon, it’s not weird to see deer grazing on a front lawn or wild turkeys trotting across the road.
If you want a solid yard, a single-story home that’s easy to maintain, and neighbors who actually look out for one another—without paying the prices you see just a few miles south in Berkeley—May Valley is the place. It’s quiet, it’s safe, and it feels like home.
