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Waterman

Waterman

$325,531 Average Value
$254 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

A relaxed neighborhood close to downtown Harrisonburg

Just north of downtown Harrisonburg is Waterman, a neighborhood with 20th-century homes and a peaceful atmosphere. The area is about a mile north of James Madison University, a large public college with about 22,000 students, but college students don’t tend to live in the neighborhood. “JMU has a huge footprint on the town, but you don’t feel like there’s a permeating influence on everything. You might see purple doors on houses and students around, but it’s not like you can’t get away from it,” says Stephan Gleason, who operates the Virginia Mountain to Valley Living YouTube channel with his wife, Lesley Gleason. Residents enjoy a more relaxed environment while remaining close to downtown's restaurants and shops and the football games at JMU's Bridgeforth Stadium.

You'll have views of the Shenandoah Valley from your home in Waterman.
You'll have views of the Shenandoah Valley from your home in Waterman.
Waterman residents head to downtown Harrisonburg to take their pups for a nice walk.
Waterman residents head to downtown Harrisonburg to take their pups for a nice walk.
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Bungalows, Foursquares and Colonial Revivals on gridded streets

Older homes, with small lots often decorated with garden landscaping and red-brick walkways, sit close together in Waterman. Brightly colored bungalows from the early 1900s, depending on condition, cost between $200,000 and $300,000. American Foursquares from around the same period are priced between $250,000 and $400,000. Ranches and Colonial Revivals added in the 1980s cost between $350,000 and $500,000. Occasionally, there are duplexes from the early 2000s that sell for between $200,000 and $250,000. Investors can find multifamily homes from the early 20th century for between $400,000 and $500,000.

American Foursquare homes in Waterman date back to the early 1900's.
American Foursquare homes in Waterman date back to the early 1900's.
Bungalows in Waterman often have wide front porches with large overhands to beat the heat.
Bungalows in Waterman often have wide front porches with large overhands to beat the heat.
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Vintage shops and popular restaurants nearby

Waterman Drive is lined with industrial businesses, like auto repair shops and construction warehouses, but there aren’t many retail stores or restaurants in the neighborhood. La Morena, a Mexican convenience store with a restaurant that stocks Mexican snacks and serves burritos and aguas frescas, is one of the only restaurants in Waterman. However, downtown Harrisonburg is about a mile away; many residents live within walking distance of popular restaurants and stores. For brunch, there are cozy eateries like The Little Grill Collective, which serves breakfast platters and pancakes, and Clementine Café, where locals enjoy breakfast burritos and mimosas. “You can get pizza at Bella Luna Wood-Fired Pizza and then walk 100 feet away to get dessert at Bella Gelato. Plus, the parking garage is right across from there, so it’s super convenient,” Stephan Gleason says. Downtown also has small business communities, like the Liberty Street Mercantile and the Shops at Agora, which gather local vendors in one building. Locals can browse retailers that sell vintage clothing, home décor, beauty products and more. For nationally recognized stores, East Market Street is 3 miles southeast. The commercial corridor has supermarkets like Kroger and Martin’s and retail shops like T.J. Maxx and Target.

Magpie's is a popular spot for weekend brunch just minutes from Waterman.
Magpie's is a popular spot for weekend brunch just minutes from Waterman.
Browse through the small shops inside of the Liberty St Mercantile right near Waterman.
Browse through the small shops inside of the Liberty St Mercantile right near Waterman.
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Weekly activities and seasonal festival downtown

Downtown Harrisonburg is a hub for weekly and seasonal activities. More regularly, residents make their way downtown to compete at trivia nights at local breweries or to bring their kids to story hour at the Massanutten Regional Library. The Harrisonburg Farmers Market at Turner Pavilion draws crowds as they shop for fresh produce and sip coffee from local shops. A few weeks before Halloween, the city gets into the spooky spirit at the Skeleton Festival. Local businesses hand out treats, kids and dogs compete in a costume contest, and residents make seasonal crafts. In December, there are horse-drawn carriages decked in pine garland and festive cookies at the Winter Wonderfest. The festivities conclude with Harrisonburg’s annual holiday parade and tree lighting.

Playgrounds and walking trails near Waterman

Morrison Park is a public recreational space near the middle of Waterman, where residents can play pickleball or watch their kids run around on two playgrounds or swing on the swing sets. The large stretch of green space invites pickup soccer games, and there’s a small track for jogging. The covered picnic shelter is a popular spot for laidback gatherings and small birthday parties. Westover Park is under a mile south of the neighborhood; the park has a large disc golf course that weaves through a wooded, hilly terrain. Locals can cool off in the summer at the park’s aquatic area, which has a splash pad and an Olympic-sized pool with lap lanes. Family summer pool passes cost $75 for Harrisonburg residents. Joggers and bikers often pick up the Friendly City Trail at Westover Park, as the trail winds for 2 miles south and connects them to Hillandale Park and the Heritage Oaks Golf Course. On the weekends, locals pack picnics and head out to the Blue Ridge Mountains to go hiking or enjoy scenic drives. The Swift Run Gap Entrance for Shenandoah National Park is 24 miles east. Massanutten Resort, a popular ski resort with trails and an indoor water park, is 15 miles east.

Westover Park includes an inclusive swing set for all ages.
Westover Park includes an inclusive swing set for all ages.
Get your steps in along the Friendly City Trail that weaves through Waterman.
Get your steps in along the Friendly City Trail that weaves through Waterman.
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Dual enrollment options at Harrisonburg High

Children may begin at Waterman Elementary School, which has a C-plus rating from Niche. As the name suggests, the elementary school is in the middle of the neighborhood, so many families can walk their kids to school in the mornings. They can progress to Thomas Harrison Middle School, which has a B-minus rating and then Harrisonburg High, which earns a B-plus. High school students can earn college credits through the Blue Ridge Scholars program. James Madison University, a large public college that has around 20,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate students, is about 2 miles south of the neighborhood. Eastern Mennonite University, a small private college with about 1,500 students, is a mile northwest.

Waterman Elementary School has 530 students.
Waterman Elementary School has 530 students.
Harrisonburg High School has an enrollment of more than 1,900 students.
Harrisonburg High School has an enrollment of more than 1,900 students.
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Sidewalks lead to bus stops to go throughout the 'Burg

Some roads have sidewalks, allowing residents to the park or downtown. Buses operated by the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation traverse the neighborhood; locals catch Route 5 to go downtown or to the Cloverleaf Shopping Center to go grocery shopping. The on ramp for Interstate 81 is 2 miles away. Drivers merge onto the interstate to travel south and link with Interstate 64, which heads toward Charlottesville and Richmond. Driving north on the same highway connects them with Interstate 66 to travel toward Washington, D.C.

Amanda Boivin
Written By
Amanda Boivin
Bill Marrs
Photography Contributed By
Bill Marrs
Emily McNamara
Video By
Emily McNamara

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Whit Faulconer, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Charlottesville-Albemarle

72 min drive

Bus

Chicago Ave. Across From Del Acres

Bus

Mt. Clinton Pike & Gift & Thrift

Bus

Chicago Ave. Across From Shenandoah St.

Bus

Chicago Ave. Across From Waterman Dr.

Bus

Chicago Ave. Across From Red Front

Waterman Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$324,900
Median Sale Price
$595,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$315,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
8%
Last 12 months Home Sales
4
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$254

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
702
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1960
Months of Supply
3.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,427
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,734
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
9,583

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Whit Faulconer, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,467
Median Age
36
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$58,749
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$69,821

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
78.5%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
34.6%
Advanced Degrees
13%
% Population in Labor Force
68.7%
On par with the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
1''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

58 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

67 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

22 / 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.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Waterman
Whit Faulconer
Valley Realty Associates
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