Cullenwood

With its narrow streets shaded by towering trees, the Cullenwood neighborhood of Richmond almost has a rural feel. But the reality is that the neighborhood is just 5 miles south of downtown Richmond. “One thing people like about the area is the proximity to downtown. You’re close, but still far enough away that it’s quiet and affordable,” says Daphne MacDougal, a Broker with the Steele Group Sotheby’s International, who has been representing real estate transactions in the city for over 15 years. There are no sidewalks in the neighborhood, and because it is some distance to major amenities, residents need their own transportation. However, there are several Greater Richmond Transit Company bus stops located nearby on Highway 301. The Central Virginia VA Medical Center is 2 miles north of the neighborhood, serving Veterans and their families. Chippenham Hospital is 20 minutes away by car on Jahnke Road, to the northwest of the neighborhood.

There is a diversity of architectural styles in the neighborhood, ranging from small bungalows to multi-story colonial-inspired homes, and many houses have additional “bonus rooms” that have been added to existing footprints. The median price of real estate in Cullenwood is $216,000, and buyers should expect to pay around $194 per square foot. A cozy two-bedroom/one-bathroom bungalow can sell for $200,000, and prices can go up to $350,000 for a spacious four-bedroom/three-bathroom new-construction two-story home. “The affordability factor is really the primary draw in Cullenwood,” says MacDougal. “Prices are much lower than in greater Richmond, so you get more bang for your buck.”

Cullenwood is districted to the Richmond Public Schools district, which earns an overall grade of C-plus from Niche. Students in the neighborhood can attend Broad Rock Elementary, Thomas C. Boushall Middle and Open High School. Both Broad Rock and Thomas C. Boushall earn a C-minus from Niche, and Open High School earns an A-plus rating. Open High School is known for its self-directed course of study that excels at preparing students for college, as well as its partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College for after-school tutoring. Alternatively, parents can avail themselves of multiple private schools in the area, including The Steward School, rated the best private school in Richmond by Niche.

Because Cullenwood is strictly a residential neighborhood, those living in the neighborhood do need to travel for recreational opportunities. The closest park to the neighborhood is Broadrock Park, located about 3 miles west of the neighborhood on Warwick Road. The park provides visitors with a playground, courts for tennis, pickleball and basketball, and multiple sports fields. For indoor recreation, the nearby Hickory Hill Community Center provides visitors with a fitness center, dance studio, computer lab and game room; the center offers programs and classes in a variety of areas, including marital arts, computer proficiency and music. “Unfortunately, there’s no immediate river access in the neighborhood,” says MacDougal. “Even though the river is nearby, it’s not immediately accessible.”

Most residents of Cullenwood get their groceries at Big Apple Supermarket, located less than a mile east on Terminal Avenue. The Southside Plaza Mall is about 5 minutes away by car, where shoppers will find a variety of retail stores that include Shoe City, Citi Trends Clothing and Beauty Empire. For fresh crab and shrimp, locals head to Crab Hut, which is a pretty accurate description of this one-room building that looks more like a backyard shed. But don’t be fooled by the appearance, because the “Sold Out” banner hung outside when they run out of their daily catch tends to go up quickly.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

Todd Masinter

Video By

Tyler Hall