Lynchburg, known as “The City of Seven Hills,” is embraced for its natural beauty among the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the James River. Residents of this central Virginia city take full advantage of the surrounding mountainous counties and the nature trails that weave through it. With just over 80,000 residents, Lynchburg is estimated to have a population increase of 5% throughout the next five years. A boom in local business has also fostered a new, vibrant energy in the downtown area over the past decade. “You can see Lynchburg progressing at a really fast pace,” says Kelvin Whitehurst, the business development coordinator for Downtown Lynchburg Association and a University of Lynchburg alum who moved away from the city after graduating, “That’s why I came back. I want to be part of the growth that’s happening here – the resurge in retail and all the new blood pouring in.”
Lynchburg offers a beautiful countryside place surrounded by nature and hills.
The Central Business District of Lynchburg sits right along the James River.
Downtown Lynchburg is a hub of history, entertainment, and local flavor.
Downtown Lynchburg is stunning at dusk.
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Century-old single-family homes and brand-new apartment complexes
The city is evenly mixed with single-family homes, townhouses, and downtown lofts converted from warehouses. Homes in Lynchburg span from the late 1800s in historic districts like Rivermont to the 21st century, with new houses in developments like Vista Acres and Cornerstone. The median price for a home here is $285,000, though homes can sell for anywhere from $75,000 to over $1 million. The national median home price is $418,700. “I know they’ve got some apartment developments going on,” says Sabrina Tomlin, a lifelong resident and Realtor at NextHome TwoFourFive. “They’re still in the building phase.” Several apartment complexes are popping up around the city, such as Miller’s Rest near the suburban Sandusky neighborhood and Rosedale Apartments along Graves Mill Road. The more rural areas of Lynchburg, such as Tyreeanna and Pleasant Valley, are slated for redevelopment, and officials are planning to add more residential and commercial buildings, improve roadways and add sidewalks.
Loft style homes are found all throughout the Central Business District of Lynchburg.
Lynchburg has plenty of gorgeous colonial revival mansions.
Raised ranch styles provide basements and increased space for home owners in Lynchburg.
Modern apartments in Lynchburg can be found along the Bluff Walk.
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Scenic views and mountain trails in and around Lynchburg
In the city, residents can hike and bike on miles of trails, such as the James River Heritage Trail, which crosses the river through a 1-mile stretch of leafy nature on Percival’s Island. Liberty University’s “LU” monogram on Liberty Mountain can be seen from miles away, but it’s just a half-mile hike to the top, where locals and students can soak in city views from 1,190 feet up. The trail begins at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, the university’s year-round slope for skiing, snowboarding and tubing, all open to the public. Lynchburg’s hills are prominent at Peaks View Park, which offers 60 acres of fields and woods, a disc golf course and other recreational activities. One of the most scenic drives in the country, the Blue Ridge Parkway, is just 30 miles from Lynchburg, offering stunning overlooks for 470 miles. It leads to Sharp Top Mountain in Bedford County, one of Virginia’s most popular hikes, with a 1.5-mile trail that leads to 360-degree views of the mountain range and the Peaks of Otter below. Meanwhile, Smith Mountain Lake, known as “The Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains,” is 40 miles away and where many Lynchburg residents have vacation homes and visit to boat, fish and relax on the beach.
Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre features year-round skiing and snowboarding in Lynchburg.
Peaks View Park is the second largest park in Lynchburg.
Take a short hike up to the Liberty Monogram and enjoy a beautiful sunset in Lynchburg.
Percivals Island in tLynchburg makes for a great bike ride.
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Lynchburg celebrates art and artists during First Fridays
Lynchburg has an eclectic arts scene with Opera on the James, Academy Center of the Arts and Commerce Street Theater putting on community performances all year. The downtown area also hosts First Fridays, a monthly cultural event that gets people together to celebrate local, regional and national artists. The city also has plans for an amphitheater at Riverfront Park, which is part of the city's Downtown 2040 plan and Riverfront Master Plan, which aims to make the park and the downtown area a destination for locals and visitors. Residents cheer on the Lynchburg Hillcats, a minor-league baseball team and an affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. The Liberty Flames also provide Division I college sports, especially the football team, which went undefeated in 2023, won its first conference championship, earned a spot in the College Football Playoff Rankings for the first time in program history and played in the Fiesta Bowl.
The annual 4th of July celebration draws large crowds from all over the Lynchburg metro area.
The Lynchburg Arts Fest has been celebrating and showcasing local works for 51 years.
Celebrate moto culture at the annual Mods n Rockers event in Lynchburg each September.
The 51st Annual Lynchburg Arts Fest brings out the best of Lynchburg's colorful community.
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Revitalization in downtown Lynchburg
Downtown Lynchburg’s growing business scene has an area full of cafes, restaurants, bars, and local shops, some of which are right by the riverfront. “There’s been a huge effort to revitalize downtown with a thriving retail and restaurant scene,” says Whitehurst, “We have a lot of dilapidated buildings, but the owners are refreshing them for all of these new businesses coming in.” One of the busiest roads, especially during the school year, is Wards Road near Liberty University, which has big box retailers and a mix of national chains and local restaurants.
Head to downtown Lynchburg just a short walk away from Garland Hill.
This decorative fountain in Lynchburg on the James river is a unique feature.
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Commuting on U.S. Routes 460 and 29
U.S. Routes 460 and 29 are frequently used for getting around town. Commuters don’t have far to go, as most residents work at one of the colleges or hospitals in the area, two of the top industries along with nuclear engineering and manufacturing. Route 460 also runs 115 miles east to Richmond, while Route 29 runs 70 miles northeast to Charlottesville. According to the city's comprehensive plan, many roads are set to undergo improvements, such as new turn lanes and ramp realignments. The addition of more sidewalks will increase walkability. Locals can also get around by taking a public bus through Greater Lynchburg Transit Company. Lynchburg has an Amtrak station for those making long trips. Lynchburg Regional Airport also offers American Airlines flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The Greater Lynchburg Transit Company connects locals with the city.
US Route 29 makes traveling through Lynchburg easy.
US Route 460 easily connects many Lynchburg points of interest with the community.
Locals can use the public bus service or hop on Route 501 to commute to work in Lynchburg.
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Public schools, private institutions and plentiful local colleges
Lynchburg City Schools gets a B from Niche. It offers 11 elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools for students living in the city. Students in Lynchburg and surrounding counties may also attend Central Virginia Governor’s School for Science and Technology at Heritage High School, a specialty school for mathematics, science and technology. Lynchburg is home to many religious private schools, including Liberty Christian Academy, an affiliate of Liberty University. Along with Liberty University, Lynchburg is home to several other colleges, including the University of Lynchburg, Randolph College, Virginia University of Lynchburg and Central Virginia Community College.
Liberty University is a major contributor to the College Park and greater Lynchburg community.
Boonsboro Elementary School welcomes students from the greater Lynchburg area.
Virginia Episcopal School offers a faith based education for Lynchburg students.
The E.C Glass High School offers a great curriculum to Lynchburg students.
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Unpredictable winters and summers
Lynchburg saw an 11% decrease in violent crime and an 18% decrease in nonviolent crime from 2022 to 2023. In May 2023, Lynchburg implemented a city-wide curfew for anyone under 18. From 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., minors cannot be in public spaces unless accompanied by a parent or participating in work or school-related activities.
While Lynchburg weather is unpredictable, it comes with reliably hot summers and cold winters, with an average high of 86 degrees in the summer and a low of 26 degrees in the winter. “One thing I love about Lynchburg is we have all four seasons,” says Tomlin. “You don’t know what you’re gonna get in the summer or winter time, but the spring and fall are beautiful. We can go a couple of years with no snow, then get 18 inches. Same with the summer, you can have fairly decent summers, and then you’ll go for a spell like this past summer, where we had a lot of humidity for a couple of weeks. The Appalachians block a lot of the severe weather.”
Born and raised here in Lynchburg, I've witnessed Central Virginia grow into a terrific place to live and raise a family. It's been a joy to raise my own children here and now enjoy the role of ‘Nannie’ to my six amazing grandchildren. (Trust me, it's the sweetest gig!)
In my journey, I've gathered a wealth of experience, initially in Finance, where I earned a BS in Accounting and a Minor in Global Business from Franklin University. For over 25 years, I crunched numbers as an Accountant while also working with my family in the residential construction industry. I made the decision to dive into the world of Real Estate in 2017, bringing my knowledge of new construction into my profession which allows me to better serve all my clients.
As your trusted real estate advisor, I'm here to guide you through the sometimes-overwhelming process of buying or selling. Whether you're starting a family, downsizing, or embarking on a new adventure, I've got your back. My mantra is "Humans Over Houses" which means your needs and dreams come first. I’ll never push you to buy a certain home. I want you to walk into a home and “feel” that it’s the one. I tell my clients that you’ll know when you’ve found THE ONE. You’ll begin to see your belongings in there and it’ll just “feel” like home. That’s my wish for all my buyer clients. If you’re a seller, I’ll guide you through the current market, whether it’s a buyers, sellers, or neutral real estate market. I’ll listen to your needs and develop a plan to help you fulfill those goals. Every client is different so my plan for you will be catered to your specific needs.
With a blend of honesty, integrity, and a big dose of TLC, I'm committed to making your real estate journey as smooth and satisfying as a Sunday morning stroll. Let's team up and make your property dreams a reality!
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.
