Virginia countryside living in a suburban, family-friendly neighborhood
Situated 25 miles south of Richmond, Virginia Prince George is a rural, outlying suburban community that is appreciated by locals for its sense of ease and laidback country living. “Prince George is close to the city but still has a small-town feel to it,” says Troy Gibbs, Realtor with EXP Realty. “It’s a low-stress place, and the traffic isn’t bad, because we have all the local amenities and restaurants you need close to home. I’ve lived here all my life and I love it.” Close to the James River and all the verdant nature surrounding it, American Sycamores grow plentifully and reach great heights around the neighborhood and bald eagles can often be spotted flying overhead as they search for food around the river. With schools close to home, convenient highways and local parks that are fun for the whole family, most locals would say Prince George is a very peaceful place to live. Whether looking for a home with a more rural feel or wanting to live in a tight-knit, suburban community, the neighborhood has a little of everything to suit anybody's needs. Walking through Prince George, residents might notice the peaceful, gentle sounds of Virginia's countryside forming a backdrop to the neighborhood's quiet, suburban vibe. Katydids and cicadas chirp during warm summer nights, while songbirds' whistles and tunes call to residents in the morning, letting them know a new peaceful day is dawning in Prince George.
Spacious, suburban homes with room to raise a family
Coming home to Prince George, residents drive past rolling farmland and swaths of well-forested, undeveloped land before turning into either a cozy, suburban-style neighborhood or an idividual home sitting on large acreage. Along the neighborhood's tranquil residential roads, homebuyers will find a mix of popular suburban styles spread out along closely mowed lawns and generous quarter to half-acre lots. Well-kept ornamental trees are common here, and backyards are often big enough for folks to grow gardens or just get out and soak up some afternoon sunshine while kids and dogs play outside. With an average sales price of about $317,000, homes here sell for about $150,000 dollars less than the national average, meaning "You really get a great bang for your buck," according to Gibbs. Because of this, “Houses in Prince George are selling pretty quickly right now,” says Gibbs, continuing to explain that "Most of them are selling within a week to 30 days, and inventory is low. We're already down to about a third of what we would have had last year." In terms of pricing and appearances, homes in Prince George range from three-bedroom builds constructed in the late 1980s that feature popular farmhouse, national and cottage styles and sell for as low as $250,000 to more recently built traditional, split-level and four-square homes sporting side garages and up to 2,000 square feet of space that sell for up to $400,000 dollars.
Top-rated Prince George County Public Schools close to home
Thanks to Prince George County Public Schools, students in the neighborhood can attend some of the highest-rated schools in the county, like L.L. Beazley Elementary, which receives an A-minus rating from Niche and is located right across Courthouse Road from the neighborhood. N.B. Clements Junior High and Prince George High both receive B ratings from Niche and the high schools is known for its marching band and vocal chorus, which have been awarded the Virginia Music Educator Association’s Blue Ribbon Award — the highest award given to a school music program in Virginia — in recognition of their excellence.
Getting around with nearby Interstates 95 and 295
Many are drawn to the Prince George area for its proximity to the Fort Gregg-Adams military base, which is located 4 miles west of Prince George and is also the workplace of many residents. With Interstate 295 right down the road, traveling and commuting are easy and direct, whether heading up to Richmond for some fun or making a daily drive to work. Just 30 miles south of the city, residents can be in downtown RVA in just over half an hour by taking Interstate 95, or hop on Interstate 295 to get to Richmond International Airport, located just east of the state capital. For the closest hospital, residents can head over to the TriCities Hospital nearby in Hopewell.
Nearby shopping and dining on Commerce Road
For dinner, head to the family-owned Luca Italian Restaurant on Courthouse Road to enjoy pasta and pizza. Try the Margherita Pizza, topped with tomatoes, basil and fresh mozzarella, and save some room for homemade cannoli for dessert. When in the mood for Mexican cuisine, Morelia Mexican is the place to go. Enjoy their tacos de birria: corn tortillas filled with tender slow-cooked beef, cheese, cilantro and onions, served with a rich broth for dipping.
Grab groceries at Food Lion on Commerce Road and pick up the daily essentials at Dollar General on Commons Drive. Whether aiming for some retail therapy or just picking something up, residents can take a short 15-minute drive to Southpark Mall, located in Colonial Heights and home to over 80 stores including Dick’s Sporting Goods, JCPenney and Macy’s. Surrounding the mall, residents will also find many familiar big box stores like Target, Sam’s Club and Walmart.
Heading outdoors in Prince George
For fresh air and exercise, head to Scott Memorial Park, spanning 10 acres and located in the heart of downtown Prince George. This well-maintained park features lighted baseball fields as well as a pavilion with electric hookups, which is perfect for both team and family gatherings. Families from the whole neighborhood come to play at the park's playground, which is complete with slides, swings and climbing structures. On Saturday mornings, don’t miss the Prince George Farmers Market, where residents can find local vendors selling meat and dairy, fresh produce and handcrafted items.
Residents also often take advantage of their proximity to the James River, which is just 8 or so miles north of Prince George, by grabbing a raft or kayak and paddling in the Falls of the James or going for a calm ride in a canoe in the tidal sections of the river closer to home. For those looking to use and store motor boats, Jordan Point Marina is the local spot and always has boats coming in and out of it, whether coming back from a fishing trip or just enjoying a cruise on the river.
Photography Contributed By
Kristinah Archer
