Highland Springs

Fairfield is a Henrico County suburb that sprawls a leafy landscape east of Richmond. Residents here enjoy spacious, laid-back living near all the necessities, such as grocery stores and highways. Fairfield’s suburban-style subdivisions feature curving streets and cul-de-sacs lined by classic American architecture, and its main thoroughfares wind past public schools and small-scale commercial buildings. Across Fairfield’s subdivisions is a variety of simplistically designed single-family homes that pull from a handful of architectural ilks. Throughout the 1940s and ‘50s, small, two- to three-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch-style homes and bungalows were the most popular styles. The ‘60s brought Colonial Revivals with more bedrooms and bathrooms. More split-level and bi-level homes cropped up in the ‘90s, typically adhering to the Colonial Revival style. Lastly, in the early 2000s, townhouses were built, completing the architectural profile of Fairfield’s current housing stock. “They don’t make homes quite like this anymore,” says Shawn Shurm, Realtor with Realty Richmond. “A lot of the architecture found in the Fairfield area, like split foyers, for example, has become increasingly rare. Many homes are getting updates, but they’re solidly built, and the renovations are being done in ways that keep their character.” Overall list prices in Fairfield range from $156,000 for, say, a midcentury two-bedroom bungalow in need of some updates to $506,000, which could afford a move-in-ready, five-bedroom Colonial Revival. The median lot size in Fairfield is a little more than a quarter-acre, giving folks plenty of room to enjoy their property. According to Shurm, inventory is low, and demand for homes in this part of town continues to increase. Students in Fairfield attend schools in the Henrico County Public Schools district, which is ranked No. 6 on Niche’s list of the best school districts in the Richmond area. Students can start school at Arthur Ashe Jr. Elementary School, rated C on Niche, before attending Fairfield Middle, rated C-minus. Highland Springs High, rated C-minus as well, moved to a brand-new building in the fall of 2021 with state-of-the-art facilities, including interactive classrooms, an open-area library and modern labs. The former Highland Springs High building has been repurposed as the “Oak Avenue Complex” and will house part of the Achievable Dream Academy, a non-profit program that provides resources to under-served communities to support their success in school. Hidden Creek Park and Recreation Center is tucked on the western edge of Fairfield, perfect for some fresh air and exercise. This well-maintained park spans several acres and features a wide, paved walking path that weaves through the woods. Kids can enjoy the colorful playground with climbing structures and slides, or you can play pickleball or tennis on the courts. Covered picnic tables and grills provide the perfect spot for an afternoon barbecue. Robinson Park on Westover Avenue is another nice space to spend time outdoors in Fairfield. The park has two playgrounds, several basketball courts and walking trails. Small commercial areas for quotidian shopping needs can be found around Fairfield, such as Oak Hill Plaza, but for a wider variety of chain retailers, folks head to White Oak Village on Laburnum Avenue. This commercial complex has a Target, Publix, Lowe’s, PetSmart and more. Familiar fast-food joints like Chik-Fil-A and Cookout, as well as chain restaurants like LongHorn Steakhouse, Red Lobster and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. For a taste of more local flavor, Jackie's Restaurant Southern Style Cooking sits on the corner of Creighton Road and Laburnum. This spot has gained a large following thanks to its perfected old-fashioned Southern home cooking away from home, complete with hearty portions. Several major thoroughfares run through and around Fairfield, making it a convenient area for commuters. Laburnum Avenue, Nine Mile Road, Creighton Road and Mechanicsville Turnpike are the area’s main arteries. Residents also have immediate access to Interstate 64, one of Richmond’s main connectors. While this is a car-dependent area, Laburnum Avenue is studded by a few GRTC bus stops.