The small town of Toms Brook lies among Blue Ridge Mountains
Toms Brook offers small-town living in the shadow of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. It is close to major Shenandoah Valley parks and the Interstate 81 corridor, which allows access to cities like Winchester and Harrisonburg. Nearby outdoor destinations makes it a popular spot for buyers seeking vacation homes and rentals, though there's also a community of full-time residents.
Between George Washington Forest and Skyline Drive for scenic views
"People do lots of hiking and watersports, anything to do with the river or the mountains, since this town is within the valley," says Patty Jo Wright, a Realtor with Re/Max Real Estate Connections with over 24 years of experience serving the region. Just a couple of miles east of town is Deer Rapids Boat Landing, a bridge across the North Fork of the Shenandoah River that permits fishing, kayaking and hunting in appropriate seasons. Locals are 22 miles from Skyline Drive, a scenic road that runs along the Blue Ridge Mountains with trailheads and overlooks for taking in the natural vistas of the Virginia backcountry. The expansive George Washington National Forest borders Toms Brook to the northwest, and areas like the Kepler Overlook Trailhead are popular hiking destinations. Visitors can spot anything from songbirds to bobcats and black bears on the trail.
Rural mountain homes and land lots for sale
Homes in Toms Brook range from $270,000 to $600,000, varying by age, square footage and lot size. Buyers can find a variety of ramblers, bilevels and farmhouses along winding, pastoral roads. Multi-acre land lots are also on the market. There's a community of full-time residents, but Wright says the town's proximity to regionally popular parklands draws in a lot of vacationers. "There's also an active Airbnb market for visitors seeking the Shenandoah River, Skyline Drive and George Washington National Forest," she says.
Front Royal and Woodstock host markets and restaurants
Though Toms Brook has very little commercial development, neighboring towns like Woodstock and Front Royal are home to numerous restaurants, shops and supermarkets. Woodstock has Spring House Tavern, a neighborhood hangout offering steaks, burgers and draft beers. Front Royal is further east and has a vibrant dining scene along Main Street, with spots like Garcia & Gavino for breakfast sandwiches and pastries or On Cue Sports Bar & Grill for cocktails, pub grub and gameday watch parties. Woodstock also has a Food Lion for groceries and small farmers markets like Adam's Apples and Herbs, with locally sourced produce and baked goods.
FFA offered at Shenandoah County schools
Toms Brook students attend Shenandoah County Public Schools. Students can go to W.W. Robinson Elementary, which gets a C-plus rating from Niche and Peter Muhlenberg Middle School, which gets a C. The C-plus-rated Central High School offers extracurricular clubs like the Future Farmers of America, which teaches students agricultural skills and encourages community service projects.
I-81 access along the Shenandoah Valley
"The town is accessible to I-81, a major interstate," says Wright. "People often commute to Winchester, Woodstock, and bigger cities like Harrisonburg." Locals can take I-81 south 48 miles to reach Harrisonburg, home to James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University. A half-hour, 26-mile drive north leads to Winchester. Dulles International Airport is about 73 miles east.
Written By
Maxwell Olarinde