Esmont

Schuyler —pronounced “sky-ler”— feels geared towards homesteaders who like big views but want a small-town lifestyle. Partly that’s because a pop culture phenomenon put Schuyler on the map as a mountainous rural retreat. “This is where ‘The Waltons’ television show was based,” says Lori Meistrell, associate broker at Nest Realty. She’s referring to the entertainment sensation that followed a family’s evolution through the Great Depression and World War II, set in fictional Jefferson County but modeled on Schuyler. Indeed, there’s a whole tourism industry built around Waltons fandom, with a museum and general store. But just a step away from these attractions, there’s a Baptist church, post office and convenience store serving meals – a reminder that a quiet community lives on, and that’s a niche increasingly sought after by homebuyers. “Charlottesville is culturally diverse, with a high quality of life, but you’re also seeing people fill out the surrounding counties,” says Patricia Irby, a Realtor with Keller Williams Alliance. Housing tends to be minimal traditional, which is typically one story and rectangular, with two bedrooms. But this genre can show up in different ways – like using rustic unfinished wood on the façade to highlight the neighborhood’s mountainous environment. These also tend to represent the entry point of the market, being in the $150,000 to $200,000 range. But there are larger three-bedroom properties, too, that can sprawl across nearly 2,000 square feet of living space. Colonials, large cottages and lodges will show up in this category. These sell from $250,000 to $370,000. Regardless of the style that homebuyers choose here, yards tend to be heavily wooded. The Quarry Gardens at Schuyler is a nature preserve that has popped up in recent years and gathered popularity. The soapstone quarries once fueled the area’s economy from the late 1800s into the middle of the 1900s, and used in furnishings like sinks and fireplaces. Trails take visitors past a variety of local flora, onto bridges that cross gorges and through scenes that look onto creeks. Walton’s Mountain Museum is certainly one of the biggest attractions, with 90,000 visitors a year from across the country coming to view memorabilia. Surrounding the Walton’s Mountain Museum is a Walton’s Mountain General Store, plus a bed and breakfast. But residents are likely to pick up a meal at Ike’s Country Store, just a few paces away from these destinations. All three meals are served at the store, with chili and pizza being some of the more popular menu items. Of course, Southern fare is spotlighted, such as baked beans, collard greens and barbecue. Produce, baked goods and wines are also available. Brent Manor Vineyards is less than 10 miles north, providing entertainment, local flavors and mountain views. Students in Schuyler can attend Nelson County public schools. There are two elementary options. Tye River Elementary is C-rated by Niche, while Rockfish River receives a C-plus rating. Nelson Middle is a B-minus institution with an 11-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Nelson County High receives a B-minus, and is known for its artistic contributions, including a series of public service announcement billboards created by students. There are a few major routes that residents rely on. Schuyler Road becomes Route 20, leading directly into the city’s downtown, while Route 29 is equally popular, especially because it synchs up with Interstate 64. Residents can use these routes take advantage of outdoor recreation opportunities, like Ragged Mountain Nature Area, and city amenities. “Charlottesville has a lot of top employers, from S&P Global to the National Ground Intelligence Center,” Meistrell says. For getting around within Schuyler, residents will need to have a car to navigate the smaller winding country roads.