Fairfield offers a country lifestyle near the city
Scenic mountain views, a country setting and proximity to Lexington and Staunton draw people to Fairfield, a village at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “You’re in the Shenandoah Valley, so you've got mountains on both sides,” says David Stull, a broker with Sterling Properties & Management who’s lived in the area for 18 years. “People want to be in a rural area and still have the convenience of being able to go to a big city.” The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests make up half the community, and the other half is farmland in the valley. Interstate 81 and U.S. Route 11 pass through the area, making it easy to get to Lexington and Staunton within 30 minutes.
Scenic hikes and drives in national forests
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are in Fairfield’s southeast, providing opportunities for hiking, hunting and fishing. Some of Virginia’s most popular hikes are here, including the Crabtree Falls Trail, a 3-mile trail leading to the top of a 1,200-foot cascading waterfall. The Appalachian Trail also passes through the area. Drivers can take in the region’s natural beauty on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic road that spans the range. The Blue Ridge Recreation Area in Fairfield’s village has a public swimming pool and playground. Nearby, Hull’s Drive-In is a retro drive-in movie theater that shows new releases and old favorites.
Stull says temperatures here rarely get above 90 degrees. “There’s normally a 20-degree temperature change from the day to the evening, so nights are cool and comfortable,” he says, also noting that snow is uncommon. “Most people don’t even plow when we do get snow because it melts in a day or two.”
Houses in a village or country setting
Most of the homes in Fairfield’s village are ranch-style houses, bungalows and manufactured homes. Lots are large, ranging from around a third of an acre to 2 acres, and there are mountain views. Outside of the village, hilly pastures separate the homes near I-81, while wooded properties are close to the national forest. Here, ranch-style homes are also common, as are farmhouses and custom homes with cabin architecture like wood interiors and exposed rafters. Most homes range from around $220,000 to $410,000, and luxury or custom homes can cost between $480,000 and $730,000. Undeveloped land ranges from around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on acreage.
Kids attend Rockbridge County public schools
Kids can start school at Fairfield Elementary and then go to Maury River Middle; both earn a C-plus from Niche. At the B-rated Rockbridge County High, students can take dual enrollment courses at Mountain Gateway Community College. They can also choose between five musical electives, including the symphonic band and the jazz band.
A variety of businesses in Fairfield’s village
Fairfield’s central village is bisected by Route 11, where there are locally owned businesses like auto shops, an antique store and a quilt store, as well as houses of worship like Fairfield Presbyterian Church and Fairfield United Methodist Church. Augusta Cooperative Farm Bureau sells farming equipment and supplies, and DG Market sells groceries. Frank’s Pizza II is one of the few restaurants here and serves Italian comfort food in a casual atmosphere. On state Route 56, Gertie’s serves American comfort food and invites diners to sign the walls. Fast food restaurants are near I-81. Lexington has more dining and shopping options, including Walmart and Food Lion.
Interstate 81 and Route 11 connect to Staunton and Lexington
Interstate 81 passes through Fairfield, leading 25 miles to Staunton. Route 11 is another major thoroughfare that leads 11 miles to Lexington and to the closest hospital, Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital. Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is a 61-mile trip.
Music festivals in Buena Vista
Nearby, Buena Vista’s Glen Maury Park has a full schedule of spring and summer events, most of which are concerts or music festivals. The Maury River Fiddler’s Convention has invited local musicians here to compete for cash prizes since 1994. The Rockbridge Mountain Music & Dance Festival has no contests, favoring a jam session feel.
Written By
Annie Franklin
