Lynchburg

Bedford Hills is a trendy suburb with friendly home prices and access to all kinds of entertainment in Lynchburg. It’s just 2 miles south of Boonsboro and 5 miles north of downtown. “It’s a nice little neighborhood to live in if you need to get where you need to be quickly. The 501 is right there,” says Aaliya Robertson, a Lynchburg resident who grew up in the city. U.S. Route 501 helps workers and students reach major employers like the Virginia Baptist Hospital and nearby universities. Robertson says Virginia Baptist is the area's only hospital with a maternity unit. “Basically everybody I know was born there, and so was I,” she says. “That’s where everyone goes to give birth.” Children can attend Bedford Hills Elementary School, before moving on to Linkhorne Middle School. Both schools earn a B-minus from Niche, while Linkhorne offers plenty of extracurriculars including a science fair. “A lot of people move here for the schools,” Donovan says. Kids can advance to E.C. Glass High School, which receives a B-plus and recently let students start a garden, with the help of the Virginia Department of Forestry and staff from Roanoke College and The University of Lynchburg. For a private education, children can attend James River Day School and advance to Virginia Episcopal School. Both schools earn an A-minus from Niche. Randolph College is less than 3 miles away, while the University of Lynchburg and Liberty University are less than 20 minutes down the road. Liberty University is affiliated with a popular church, Thomas Road Baptist Church, which has over 20,000 members. Churches in Bedford Hills include Boonsboro Presbyterian PCA Reformed Church, Church of the Covenant and the Peakland United Methodist Church. Donovan says homes in Bedford Hills have lower prices compared to surrounding areas. “It’s nice for first-time homebuyers, which I see a lot of here,” he says. For single-family homes, architectural styles include ranch-style and American Foursquares. Houses have decent-sized front lawns and wooded backyards, and range from $300,000 to $500,000, depending on the number of bedrooms and lot size. Homebuyers will also find larger contemporary homes that range between $500,000 and $600,000. Peaks View Park has everything most parks have — especially since it’s Lynchburg’s second largest park — with a playground, walking and running trails and a disc golf course. There’s also a tennis court and multipurpose sports fields. During the warmer months, the James River is a popular destination for canoeing and kayaking. Peakland Pool is another go-to spot in the summer. People can also go swimming at Oakwood Country Club, which also acts as a space for events like weddings. Oakwood used to have a golf course but now is known for its swim team and tennis club, Donovan says. Golfers visit Boonsboro Country Club, which has an 18-hole course. Every August, Bedford Hills Elementary School hosts a Bedford Hills Carnival, which includes face painting, bouncy houses, games, food and a silent auction. No matter the season, it’s a quick trip to downtown Lynchburg, a walkable area with plenty of restaurants such as Depot Grille and The Water Dog, and antique shops like Simpson Salvage Company. Most people visit Peakland Crossing Shopping Center to grocery shop at Kroger, or to enjoy Sunday lunch buffets at Milano's Enoteca & Italian Ristorante. Meanwhile, Boonsboro Shopping Center offers people a casual shopping experience and is home to many clothing stores like LOFT and Francesca’s. It also has an outdoor food court. Market At Main - Boonsboro sits in the center and serves breakfast. U.S. Route 501 turns into Boonsboro Road, the main thoroughfare in Bedford Hills. People can get around by using the many bus stops along the street. The Lynchburg Regional Airport is 11 miles, or about 20 minutes away. While Lynchburg as a whole has an extreme risk of flooding, Bedford Hills specifically has a moderate risk.

When it comes to Beverly Hills, some may just think of the popular California city, but it's also be a small Lynchburg neighborhood with well-known restaurants and Southern charm. “The neighborhood has lots of shops, restaurants, apartments and homes,” says Sabrina Tomlin, a Realtor with NextHome TwoFourFive who has lived in Lynchburg her entire life. “It almost reminds you of areas in Northern Virginia.” Due to the proximity to Liberty University, Beverly Hills has expanded over the years, Tomlin says. “There are just so many places to go, you’d think they’d stop building more, but they aren’t because of all the people that Liberty University brings in,” she says. “And once people graduate, a lot of them stay in the area.” Even with the nearby university, the neighborhood is still very family-oriented. “It has a Southern charm. People here are very friendly,” Tomlin says. People visit the Kroger on Timberlake Road for grocery restocks. Across the street is the Timberlake Station shopping center, which includes a Family Dollar and Harbor Freight Tools. Tomlin says she enjoys Muse Coffee Shop. It’s known for its “Christmas in a Cup,” a coffee flavor that has sweet, cinnamon accents. For a quick breakfast, people head to Blue Ridge Bagel, a family-owned shop. “It’s a cute little bakery,” Robertson says. “I usually only go over to that area for the bagels. That’s it.” County Smoak serves dishes like brisket and southern-style sides such as mac and cheese and collard greens. La Villa Italian Restaurant is another popular spot that’s locally owned in Beverly, Tomlin says. Meanwhile, for dessert, Outside The Cone makes handcrafted ice cream. Kids can attend Tomahawk Elementary School, before advancing to Brookville Middle School, which offers clubs and activities including an annual book fair. Both schools earn a B from Niche. Kids can move on to Brookville High School, which offers many sports and receives a B-plus. Timberlake Christian Schools is the nearest private school and earns an A-minus from Niche. The University of Lynchburg and Liberty University are both 5 miles away. Thomas Road Baptist Church sits on Liberty’s campus and is a popular place of worship that welcomes thousands of members weekly. Churches in Beverly Hills include Cornerstone Community Church, Mercy Presbyterian Church and Crosspoint Church. While the neighborhood mostly has single-family homes, there are a few apartment options as well, Robertson says. Apartment complexes include the Wyndhurst Villas and The Gardens on Timberlake and start with one-bedroom floor plans. Homes include 1960s and newer 2000s ranch-style homes with modest-sized lawns. Prices range between $200,000 and $400,000, depending on the number of bedrooms and when the home was built. Family events including birthdays and wedding receptions are held at the Brookville Ruritan Clubhouse. Tiny Town Golf is the place to go for some outdoor fun. People of all ages can hit colorful golf balls into little buildings and kids under 5 can play for free any day of the week. On glow golf nights, visitors wear glow sticks while golfing. The Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre is an extensive ski resort on Liberty University’s campus that includes a skate park and offers year-round snow tubing and snowboarding. Timbrook Park has a playground, soccer fields, and trails that lead to the nearby Timbrook Library. Timberlake Dixie Youth Organization is a neighborhood baseball and softball league that children can join. Games are usually on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, and Saturday afternoons. Before joining the league, kids can practice their swing in the batting cages at the Powerhouse Sports Training Facility. Golfers head to Poplar Forest Golf Course, which is just 5 miles away. The James River is a popular destination for canoeing and kayaking that’s only 8 miles away. People can hop on U.S. Route 460 or use the public bus to reach work in Lynchburg. Lynchburg Regional Airport is just 5 miles away for quick travel. While the airport is close, residents don’t have to worry about the noise.

Blue Ridge Farms is a small neighborhood that was once just dairy farmland in the 1950s. Today, it’s a community known for its convenient location in Lynchburg. The James River — a popular summer destination — and downtown Lynchburg are both just 5 miles away. “Blue Ridge is a very open area that accommodates a range of needs,” says Victoria Watts, a Realtor with Keller Williams Lynchburg, who grew up in the city. “Since it’s right off the expressway, you could be anywhere in Lynchburg in 15 minutes.” Blue Ridge Farms is home to many different cultures and ethnicities. ”This town is very diverse,” says Crystal Bierd, who works at Harbor Inn Seafood, a local spot, and has lived in Lynchburg for 16 years. “People here are nice and really get along with one another.” Due to its proximity to the James River, Lynchburg has an extreme risk of flooding but continues to put efforts in place to combat it. Since 2010, the Blue Ridge Farms Subdivision Water and Sewer Improvements Phases — which consist of four steps — have helped better drain the neighborhood and create easier access to Peaks View Park. Peaks View Park is the second largest park in Lynchburg and sits on the northern corner of the neighborhood. Here, people can play disc golf, softball, soccer, tennis and rugby. There’s also a playground and trails for walking and mountain biking. For golfing, the Oakwood Country Club is just 5 miles away. Crosswhite Athletic Club is the go-to indoor recreation spot with fitness classes, tennis and pickleball memberships, and an aquatic center. The club also has a spa and a small childcare space where kids can hang out while adults exercise. During the warmer months, the club’s splash pad is a popular spot. While people can swim the James River, it’s used more for canoeing and kayaking. Ivy Creek Park and Clemmons Lake are known as great spots to fish, canoe and kayak. Watts says she recently had a listing in Blue Ridge Farms and noted how different all the homes are, ranging from midcentury to modern. “Several homes are still keeping their original character but are modernized,” she says. Blue Ridge Farms consists of 1960s ranch-style homes and Cape Cods that have decent-sized lawns and range from $200,000 to $350,000. Kids can attend Linkhorne Elementary School, which earns a C from Niche, before advancing to Linkhorne Middle, which has many activities such as a Spanish and French club, and receives a B-minus. Children may advance to E.C. Glass High School, which offers students events like the annual Senior Art Show and earns a B-plus. New Covenant Schools is the nearest private school with an A-minus from Niche. The University of Lynchburg and Liberty University are two private colleges that are about 10 minutes away. Thomas Road Baptist Church sits on Liberty’s campus and welcomes thousands of members every week. Meanwhile, churches in the area include Bedrock Church Lynchburg, Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Redeeming Grace Baptist Church. Walmart Supercenter sits outside the neighborhood, on Old Forest Road. Harbor Inn Seafood and Monte Carlo, an Italian restaurant, are across the street. Bierd says that La Caretta, a local Mexican chain, is very popular in Lynchburg. “It’s one of my favorite places to go to. They have great prices for how much food you get,” she says. Residents can use the public bus service or hop on U.S. Route 501 to commute to work in the city. Lynchburg Regional Airport is 7 miles away.

Boonsboro is a well-established Lynchburg neighborhood that brings in a mix of people from students to retirees to medical professionals. It’s known for its historic country club and closeness to Randolph College, major hospitals and the James River. “Boonsboro sits in the 24503 zip code and is known as a nice neighborhood,” says Martin Donovan, a Realtor with Lauren Bell Real Estate, who has over thirty years of experience in the area. “It’s like 90210 in Los Angeles, but in Lynchburg.” The suburb sits conveniently next to one of Lynchburg’s main hospitals, Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital, so many doctors live here, Donovan says. Centra Lynchburg General Hospital is also central to the area, 5 miles away. “The neighborhood’s main road, Boonsboro Road, feeds into Rivermont Avenue,” Donovan says. The avenue encompasses a historic area that is home to Randolph College, just 3 miles away. Boonsboro is also home to a large retirement community, Westminster Canterbury, says Aaliya Robertson, a Lynchburg resident who grew up in the city and resides here. “A lot of people come here to settle down in big homes, or at Westminster.” While Lynchburg has an overall extreme risk of flooding—due to its proximity to the James River—Boonsboro isn’t affected much by it and has a minor risk, compared to other areas. People visit Boonsboro Country Club to play golf and socialize with one another. The club has an 18-hole course, a tennis club, a small restaurant named Malcolm Jefferson Grille—known as MJ’s —and a space for events like weddings. Other events are held at Boonsboro Ruritan Club, ranging from end-of-the-season football team parties to baby showers. There are also baseball and football fields here. Peaks View Park is Lynchburg’s second-largest park and offers a traditional experience with a playground, a disc golfing course, and tennis and basketball courts. Along with all this, there are also walking and mountain biking trails. During the warmer months, the James River is a popular destination for canoeing and kayaking. The Boonsboro Ruritan Club hosts annual events including the Festival of Light in November, which includes a belly-dancing performance, astrology readings and handmade jewelry. For a more private social scene, the Boonsboro Country Club hosts member-only events on different holidays including Easter and Memorial Day. At any time of the year, people can visit Randolph College for entertaining music and theatre performances. Ranch-style homes range between $350,000 and $500,000 while Colonial Revivals range from $500,000 to $1.5 million, depending mostly on the number of bedrooms. Homes are surrounded by tall maples and have large, manicured lawns, which Boonsboro is known for, Donovan says. Children can attend Bedford Hills Elementary School, which earns a B-plus from Niche, before possibly advancing to Linkhorne Middle School. The middle school receives a B-minus and has plenty of activities including a Jazz band, Show Choir, and math and science clubs. Kids may move on to E.C. Glass High School, which earns a B-plus from Niche and offers many sports including golf and lacrosse. Students pursuing a private education can attend James River Day School for kindergarten through eighth grade, and then advance to Virginia Episcopal School to finish their education. Both schools earn an A-plus from Niche. The University of Lynchburg is 6 miles away, while Liberty University is 11 miles away. Thomas Road Baptist Church is a popular place of worship that’s located on Liberty University’s campus. Churches in Boonsboro include Holcomb Rock Baptist Church, Peakland United Methodist Church and Trinity Episcopal Church. Boonsboro Shopping Center includes a Food Lion, a post office and a yoga studio. There’s a Kroger just a few minutes down the road, for more extensive grocery shopping. The center is home to many clothing stores including LOFT, Talbot, Francesca’s and R. Coffee Ltd. There’s also a Market on Main-Boonsboro, a breakfast spot, and Isabella's Italian Trattoria, which offers Sunday brunch along with classic Italian dishes. “Isabella’s is the best place in town. You’ll never have a bad meal,” Donovan says. People use U.S. Route 501—known as the Lynchburg Expressway—or the public bus service, to reach downtown Lynchburg. The Lynchburg Regional Airport is 12 miles away.

Boonsboro Acres is a small residential area that is a part of the Boonsboro suburb, a well-regarded neighborhood that’s home to its own country club. It offers quick access to U.S. Route 501, also known as the “501,” which leads to nearby hospitals, universities and downtown Lynchburg. The neighborhood is also close to the James River and has a community center, making it a popular recreational area. “It’s a nice area that’s very quiet,” says Aaliya Robertson, a Lynchburg resident who grew up in the city and resides here. “It’s definitely more family-oriented compared to places closer to downtown.” While Lynchburg has a high risk of flooding, the Boonsboro neighborhood specifically has a low risk. The Boonsboro Country Club offers golfers a classic experience with an 18-hole golf course. The club also has annual events, a dress code and a member fee. “It’s a true country club,” says Martin Donovan, a Realtor with Lauren Bell Real Estate, who has over thirty years of experience in Lynchburg. “I always enjoy myself on Easter and Memorial Day.” There’s also a restaurant inside—which Donovan says has “the best Sunday brunches you could think of”—named Malcolm Jefferson Grille, or MJ’s. During the warmer months, the James River is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Ivy Creek Park, which is less than 10 minutes away, is a good spot for fishing the James River. The Boonsboro Ruritan Club has football and baseball fields, and a community center that offers kids a youth baseball league. Peaks View Park is the second largest greenspace in Lynchburg and includes a playground, and walking and biking trails. Children can attend Boonsboro Elementary School before moving on to Forest Middle School, which has an optional STEM Academy. Kids may advance to Jefferson Forest High School, which is known for its theatre program and has its own performing arts theater, the Cavalier Theatre. All three schools earn a B-plus from Niche. For a private school education, kids can attend James River Day School and then Virginia Episcopal School. Both schools earn an A-plus from Niche. Students have a few nearby options for university, including Roanoke College just 5 miles away, and the University of Lynchburg and Liberty University, which are 6 and 9 miles away. Thomas Road Baptist Church is located on Liberty’s campus and has over 20,000 members, but other churches in the area include the Boonsboro United Methodist Church and Holcomb Rock Baptist Church. Homebuyers will find ranch-style homes and newly constructed homes with New Historicism architecture in Boonsboro Acres. “The homes have a charming character,” Donovan says. “It's really the variety of architecture, and the landscaping is beautiful.” Prices range from $250,000 to $500,000, depending on when the house was built, the amount of yard space and the number of bedrooms. Fleming Mountain Grill has a classic interior that’s perfect for date nights or anniversaries, with dim lights and modest paintings sitting on the walls. The grill offers a range of dishes from Sunday brunches to steak dinners. Boonsboro Shopping Center is the perfect place to get errands done with a Food Lion, post office, yoga and dance studio, and an outdoor food court. There are also many clothing store options here, including Francesca’s, LOFT and Talbot’s. Mi Patron Mexican Restaurant, a local chain with friendly prices, also sits in the center. Since there are no public bus stops in the neighborhood, people can hop on U.S. Route 501 to reach downtown, just 6 miles away. Lynchburg Regional Airport is 12 miles away.

Lynchburg’s Central Business District, known as Downtown, hosts local businesses, college students and resident artists. “We moved to Lynchburg in ’84,” says Debbie Aub, associate with RE/MAX 1st Olympic “Downtown was deserted. Restaurants would be open for a couple of months, and then they would close. Then, it started getting renovated. They redid the roads, put in gardens and planted lots of trees. People started to move back into the city.” The colleges in the surrounding area contributed to the influx of residents. Colleges including Liberty University, The Virginia University, Sweet Briar College, University of Lynchburg and Virginia Preparatory Institute are no more than 12 miles from the area. It’s also close to major employers like BWXT Nuclear Operations Group and Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. “Downtown has become very beautiful,” says Aud. Downtown draws residents due to its location, local eateries and local art. “There are really no chains, so it gives the area a really local flavor,” says Don Marr, Realtor with John Stewart Walker, Inc. Residents visit Depot Grille and Bootleggers for bar food and burgers. Locals head to The Water Dog and 7 Rooftop Bar for views of rolling hills. The Virginian Hotel houses the highly rated William & Henry Steakhouse. Father’s Café and Bakery serves donuts and fruit-stuffed pastries. “The bakery always has a long line,” says Aud. The area has convenience stores, but residents get most of their groceries from the Lynchburg Community Market and the Food Lion in Madison Heights. “There’s lots of public art and street painting,” says Marr. Art Alley, a vibrant street with multi-colored sidewalks, displays works by local artists. These artists live in the Riverviews Artspace, a building owned by the Riverviews, a nonprofit organization that supports the arts. Most lofts are old industrial buildings. Homes in the area are lofts and condos in a brick colonial style or a midcentury modern style. The price of lofts and condos depends on square footage. Spaces with less than 600 square feet range from $80,000 to $120,000, while those with 600 to 900 square feet range from $125,000 to $245,000. Units over 900 square feet range from $300,000 to $550,000. “We have very beautiful city cemeteries,” says Aud. “Old City Cemetery is beautiful. Their specialty is roses, roses everywhere.” Old City Cemetery has walking paths, gazebos and historic monuments, all surrounded by old headstones and gardens. Riverfront Park is being remodeled, and a stage will be added for entertainment. Skateboarders can practice their moves at the Rotary Centennial Riverfront Skatepark by the defunct train tracks. The Lynchburg Community Market is a hub for shoppers and is the primary source of groceries in the area. “You can buy pretty much anything there,” says Aud. The market runs Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and has an Artisan Crafters Gallery and a Saturday market. On the First Friday of each month, the Lynchburg community gathers to watch local artists perform and exhibit their art. Galleries also hold special events and exhibits for the occasion. Residents who wish to attend religious services may visit Masjid Ayesha, First Baptist Church, Court Street United Methodist Church and others in the area. Children attend Robert S. Payne Elementary School, which receives a B-minus from Niche, and Linkhorne Middle School, which also receives a B-minus. Students advance to E.C. Glass High School, which receives a B-plus and offers dual enrollment courses. Downtown is flatter than other parts of Lynchburg and most amenities are within walking distance. For those commuting to work, the area is bordered by Route 163 and Route 29. Bus stops line most streets.