Just off the southern ridges of Massanutten, Penn Laird is a neighborhood outside of Harrisonburg in northwestern Virginia. Cut through by Route 33, Penn Laird is often a destination for homebuyers seeking access to Harrisonburg and the malls within its orbit while staying somewhat removed from city life. “It’s a beautiful area,” says Oleksii Humaniuk, an associate agent with Re/Max Performance. “It’s definitely growing, and there are really only a couple of neighborhoods there. It’s definitely a great area.” With Massanutten Resort and Shenandoah National Park both close by, Penn Laird has dual proximity to recreational havens and the bustle of Harrisonburg.
Two neighborhoods, many housing options
Many homes in Penn Laird are located just off Route 33. “There are really two neighborhoods,” Humaniuk says. “The Donnagail subdivision has somewhat older homes and is a little bit smaller, while the nearby Battlefield Estates is along 33 and has more upscale homes.” A number of houses in the area are ranch-style homes and split-levels, and larger properties can take the form of custom-built designs. Prices in Donnagail range between $300,000 and $400,000, while homes in Battlefield Estates can cost $500,000 or more. Properties on acreage typically sell for $700,000 or more, with some approaching $1 million. Penn Laird receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score and below the national average of 4.
Four-season recreational opportunities abound in Penn Laird
Just off the western side of Penn Laird, Rockingham Park at the Crossroads has nearly a dozen amenities for visitors. “Rockingham Park at the Crossroads is a very popular park,” Humaniuk says. “It’s beautiful and gorgeous. You can walk a trail around it, and there are baseball and soccer fields, some shelters and a playground. It’s a really nice facility and had sponsorship from local Rotary clubs.” There are four baseball fields arranged in a quadrant alongside four multi-purpose, rectangular fields, all encircled by the mile-long walking trail. Lakeview Golf Club is open to the public and has three different 9-hole courses and an on-site restaurant.
Close to Penn Laird, Massanutten Resort offers a variety of year-round recreation. While best known as a ski resort – the mountain includes 83 skiable acres with 23 runs and seven different lifts – Massanutten is also a prime springtime destination. When the temperatures warm up, visitors can take chairlifts up the mountain to take in the scenic views, ride a zipline or cool off at the waterpark. Shenandoah National Park spans more than 310 square miles and includes part of the famed Appalachian Trail. The park offers networks of shorter trails and other recreation, like camping and biking, about 20 miles east of Penn Laird.
Education at Peak View Elementary and Montevideo Middle in Penn Laird
The neighborhood is served by Rockingham County Public Schools. Peak View Elementary School receives a B-minus from Niche, while Montevideo Middle School gets a B. Both schools are located within Penn Laird’s boundaries. Just across the east side of the neighborhood, kids can finish off grade school at Spotswood High School. Spotswood High garners an A-minus rating and its school band has won numerous awards, including being named a Virginia Honor Band nine times since the school’s establishment in 1980.
Locals often head into Harrisonburg to shop at multiple malls
Crossroads Café & Catering offers salads, specialty sandwiches, vegetarian options and more. The shopping hub of Harrisonburg is less than 5 miles northwest of Penn Laird, and Humaniuk points out that most residents do their major shopping runs there; the city is home to Costco, Walmart and multiple shopping malls.The Valley Mall’s anchor stores include Target and JCPenney, as well as other storefronts like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Old Navy. Walmart, Best Buy, Staples and Home Depot are among the primary destinations at the Harrisonburg Crossing complex just across University Boulevard from the Valley Mall. Local restaurants at the shopping centers include O’Neill’s Grill, which serves up classic American food, and Island Wing Company Grill & Bar. A Martin’s grocery store is close to the Valley Mall for more grocery options.
Traveling east and west in Virginia on Route 33
Route 33 runs east-west through Penn Laird and is the primary thoroughfare for commuters, many of whom make the short drive to Harrisonburg for work. “It gets busy in the mornings and evenings, but it’s pretty convenient,” Humaniuk says. “You’re not going to be sitting in traffic but so much. Our idea of traffic is very small-town-ish, maybe a five-minute delay.” Central Harrisonburg is less than 7 miles northwest down 33, while Charlottesville sits around 50 miles southeast.
Many local events take place in Harrisonburg
Locals also often head up into Harrisonburg for events. “Harrisonburg has a lot of stuff going on downtown,” Humaniuk says. “They have cultural festivals and some parades. There are a lot of JMU events and a lot of JMU games.” The Harrisonburg International Festival spotlights an array of cultures in the city, while the Harrisonburg Rockingham African American Festival takes place each September. An annual Holiday Parade is part of the community’s Winter Wonderfest, which also includes live performances, carriage rides and photos with Santa.
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,227
Median Age
41
Population under 18
25.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$90,295
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$124,752
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.5%
College Graduates
50.4%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
28.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
7''
Area Factors
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
