A vibrant downtown gives a cosmopolitan edge to this Shenandoah Valley town
With sloped streets and a creative culinary scene, Staunton stands out as a modestly sized city of 27,000 residents, located between larger college hotspots like Charlottesville and Harrisonburg. Industry and trade were important in the early days, facilitated by railroad transportation. Amtrak still maintains a station downtown. When drivers pass under the train trestle at the intersection of U.S. Routes 250 and 11, they’ll see a large watering can – one of the many public art installations left by sculptor Willy Ferguson. The overall atmosphere is quaint, quirky and inviting. “Staunton is a mix. Just outside of town, it feels rural. But it has a small-town vibe, and even a metropolitan edge that you don’t typically get in a small town,” says Mary Beth Harris, a resident of 25 years and a broker with James River Realty. Harris points first to the Blackfriars Playhouse, a renowned Shakespearean theater that punches above its weight for a city of Staunton’s size. She also notes a large catalog of small businesses that support the local economy. “There are lots of small boutiques run by creative entrepreneurs, from Design at Nine, which has amazing shoes for women, to Beverley Cigar Store, where everybody sits around and smokes in suit jackets,” she says.
Bestowed with parks and a highly touted school system, Staunton is anchored by this vibrant downtown, which feels like a slice of Main Street Americana.
Staunton has a bustling, vibrant downtown, dominated by the Augusta County Circuit Court building.
East Beverly St is the main hub of businesses in Staunton, and is lined with turn of the century buildings with an array of beautiful architectural styles.
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Historic houses near downtown; new developments on the outskirts
Housing tends to include traditional, understated genres like split-levels, ranch-style homes and colonials. But there’s variation: Some of those ranch-style homes may be two-bedroom midcenturies, while others are from the 2020s with three bedrooms and over 2,200 square feet. Sidewalks are abundant, but not all properties have driveways. Some of the more rural edges of Staunton have been developed into new subdivisions, but one of the main appeals of the city is that many residences are close to downtown. Sears Hill and Gospel Hill are popular historic neighborhoods. “You have the option of finding a property within a mile of downtown where you can walk to things and still have a more affordable lifestyle compared to bigger cities,” says Harris. “You’ll also see a lot of gorgeous Victorians in the downtown area.” Prices range from $250,000 to $550,000. The local median price is $305,000 while the national median is $405,000.
Brick ranch homes are common throughout Staunton. Much of Staunton is hilly, and many of the residential streets are steeply sloped.
Colonials and Cape Cods are also common in Staunton. New build homes are less common in this historic city.
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A historic private school, plus an all-girls university
Staunton City Public Schools earn an overall B-plus from Niche. Private education options include Stuart Hall School, which features a historic campus dating back to the Civil War. Staunton is also the site of Mary Baldwin University, which was founded in 1842 as an all-women's school, but has since expanded to include men. “Historically, Staunton was considered an academic town that complemented the more blue-collar paper and textile production in Waynesboro next door. They’d often be mentioned in the same breath,” says Matthias John, a Realtor with Wiley Real Estate.
Stuart Hall School is a private high school with a prestigious reputation.
Staunton High School is the public school alternative to Stuart Hall, and receives a B from Niche.
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Plenty of parks suitable for a stroll
Most of the city’s park spaces are located on the south and west sides, leaving the northern part of Staunton primarily residential. One of the smallest yet still happening spaces is Gypsy Hill Park, located off Churchville Avenue. “Gypsy Hill Park is great for walking, there’s a duck pond and a little train that goes around it,” says Harris. “Every Christmas it features a renowned light display that people drive around.” But then there are more sprawling spaces to explore. “Montgomery Hall Park has plenty of hiking trails, just acres and acres of land to hike,” Harris says. “It also has a community pool, a playground for kids and a frisbee golf course.”
Montgomery Hall Park offers hiking trails, a playground and a frisbee golf course.
Gypsy Hill Park has a small duck pond where locals can come to feed the water fowl.
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Local ingredients and seasonal flavors define the dining scene
The dining scene strongly focuses on providing a cozy ambiance and seasonal flavors, often updating perennial favorites like pizza or pasta. For example, The Shack serves up New American classics in a tiny, elongated brick building on Coalter Street, under the helm of James Beard Award nominated chef Ian Boden. Zynodoah – a playful allusion to the Shenandoah Valley – focuses more on Southern cuisine. The restaurant reimagines dishes like chicken and dumplings, and is big on gathering ingredients from local farmers. “They also have great cocktails,” says Harris. Coffee shops and baked goods are another feature of the scene, whether that comes in the form of a French pastry from Reunion Bakery or a brown sugar latte at Crucible Coffee. Numerous breweries, including Cider from Mars, serve as venues for hanging out and watching live music.
The Pampered Palate Cafe in Staunton is a little sandwich shop located on East Beverly St.
The Depot Grille is a popular spot to grab a drink after work.
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Amtrak downtown, and a pair of interstates nearby
Downtown Staunton is walkable, but also marked by the confluence of U.S. Routes 250 and 11, which meet near the city’s Amtrak station. Interstate 81 forms the city’s eastern border. Interstate 64 is nearby as well, offering an hour’s drive to Charlottesville, where residents have access to University of Virginia and extensive health care facilities.
Most crime decreasing, and new response programs
In response to an increase in mental health and substance abuse incidents, police have adopted the Human Service Alternative Response, which requires training for personnel. Albemarle County Police report that there was a decrease in most crimes, except violent ones, in 2023.
Written By
Paul Spencer
Photography Contributed By
Jack Adams
Video By
Benjamin Rose
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Emily Barone,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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