Lewisburg offers mountain living in Greenbrier County
Lewisburg is a city of about 4,000 people set in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. Considered by Thrillist as one of the best mountain towns to visit in America, the county seat of Greenbrier County offers a charming downtown dotted with historical buildings repurposed into storefronts and restaurants, lively festivities and art programs offered by local culture centers. Residents also have many outdoor opportunities, like exploring the Greenbrier State Forest and the Greenbrier River. “Lewisburg is part of the Greenbrier Valley Region, and we offer tons of outdoor activities and a rural lifestyle,” says Linda Rodgers, Realtor at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central with 35 years of experience. “The best thing about Lewisburg is the people. We have many fun festivals and different fundraising events that help and support the local community. People are very involved and giving, and that’s what makes it tick.”
From eclectic 19000s homes to newer properties in Lewisburg
With grassy front lawns, winding hillside roads and scattered oak trees, houses in Lewisburg have a rustic, country feel. Eclectic homes dot the roads, ranging from Cape Cods, cottages and ranch-style homes to Colonial Revivals and split-levels. Largely built in the 20th century, single-family homes start around $170,000 and can go up to $450,000. Large 21st-century houses in New Traditional or contemporary styles may sell for over $650,000. “For houses in town, lot size is usually about a quarter-acre to half-acre, and those on the outskirts start with at least an acre,” Rodgers says. “People will usually keep a garden, and some are into homesteading and keep chickens or horses.” Condos and townhouses go between $200,000 and $350,000, while mobile and manufactured homes are between $100,000 and $180,000.
Explore local parks and the Greenbrier State Forest
The city has about half a dozen public parks. Hollowell Park has walking trails, sports fields and pickleball courts. The waterfront Ronceverte Island Park has a launch site for kayaking, multipurpose ball fields and sports courts, a large play area, a skate park and an amphitheater. The 18-hole golf course at Lewisburg Elks Country Club is open to the public, and residents can go bowling or play billiards at Greenbrier Bowling and Recreation Center. The Greenbrier State Forest offers opportunities for camping, hunting, disc golfing and wildlife viewing. The forest also has nearly 20 miles of trails for biking, horseback riding and hiking. The Greenbrier River offers opportunities for fishing and kayaking.
Myriad festivities in Lewisburg and Greenbrier County
“Lewisburg has things for different groups of people,” Rodgers says. “There’s a group called Active Southern West Virginia that has many sporting and outdoor events like golf tournaments, 5K runs and races.” Those into the arts can explore the performances and programs at Carnegie Hall and the Greenbrier Valley Theatre. Empty Bowls is a fundraiser for local food pantries, where people can buy handcrafted bowls, sample gourmet soups and bread and enjoy live music. Highlighted annual festivities include the Lewisburg Literary Festival and the State Fair of West Virginia, both of which occur each summer. The Lewisburg Chocolate Festival takes place each spring and celebrates chocolate in all its forms with tastings, live music and live presentations from pastry chefs.
Shopping and dining in downtown and along Jefferson Street
Restaurants are concentrated in Lewisburg's small downtown area. The Asylum is a popular gastropub. The French Goat offers farm-to-table French fare in a cozy, white-tablecloth setting, and The Wild Bean has fair-trade coffee and vegan eats. From April to October, residents can shop for fresh produce at The Courthouse Farmers Market. Jefferson Square and Walmart are along Jefferson Street, as are other big-box stores like Lowe's. Walmart has some groceries, and there's a Kroger a few miles south in Ronceverte.
Prospective schools at Greenbrier County Schools
The community is served by Greenbrier County Schools. Prospective primary schools include Lewisburg Elementary School and Ronceverte Elementary School, which get a B and a C grade from Niche, respectively. Eastern Greenbrier Middle School has a C, and Greenbrier East High School rates a B-minus. Greenbrier East High offers career and technical education in agriculture, health sciences and marketing. Lewisburg is also home to the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. “It’s a world-renowned school, and it’s right within the city,” Rodgers says.
Major highways and airport near Lewisburg
Lewisburg is accessible via Interstate 64 and U.S. routes 60 and 219. Greenbrier Valley Airport is just north of the area, offering direct flights to about a dozen cities. Mountain Transit Authority provides public transportation within Greenbrier County, and CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center is about 3 miles away in Ronceverte.
