Lynchburg Area?

smj01

I usually post over on the Boston board.  But I have a question about Lynchburg.

Is there anyone here from the Lynchburg area?

What can you tell me about Lynchburg?

How are the schools, crime rate, shopping, etc..?

My husband and I are thinking about moving there and we have two small children.  Any information you can give is greatly appreciated.  Feel free to pm me also. 

Thanks in advance!

oddler09

Hi!

I'm not from Lynchburg, but I went to college there (at what was R-MWC) and I did my student teaching at their high school E.C. Glass.

Lynchburg is controlled in part by Liberty University. There are very few bars and not many clubs. Its not what I would call a "college town" even though there are three colleges in the city.

Since you have kids, I'm going to assume you aren't really looking for a party scene, so I'll tell you that I think Lynchburg would be a nice place to raise kids. The shopping is decent (they have a mall with the typical department stores, there are a few strip malls), and if you can't find what you need in L-town, you can always drive to Roanoke which is just a hop, skip, and a jump away. My favorite thing about Lynchburg is The Dollar Theater. They show 7 ish movies at any given time, and they are anywhere from .50 to $2 to see (depending on when you go). They show movies that have just come from the regular theater. So if you wanted to see the new HP, expect it at TDT in two months or so.

As for the schools, there are two high schools. E. C. Glass is the city school and Heritage is the outside school. Buy your house in the E. C. Glass district. It is a much better school. This is where I did my student teaching. I believe E. C. Glass has been voted one of the best high schools in the country in the past. They really do a great job. I was so impressed with the students I encountered.

E.C.G. has recently been renovated, and they have an amazing drama department. Its just a really nice school. I can't say enough about it. I really wish they were hiring because I would love to work there!

Also, if you want to send your student to private school, there is VES. One of the girls I went to college with had sisters who went to VES. Its a very nice school too.

 I've only been in Heritage a few times, and I'm sure its a nice school, but it is very run down.

If you have any other questions, feel free to pm me!

smj01

Thank you so much for your response.  I just sent you a pm.

oddler09

You've got one back!

Also, I wanted to tell you good luck with your search for houses. We're in SWVA, and we're looking to buy our first house. Its such a pain. I'm hoping we can be in a home by the end of next month. I hope you have smoother sailing!

smj01

Thanks! I responded.

At this point, I'll take any house that has a solid foundation and good roof.  I can take care of the rest LOL!  I just want one that has a big yard for my kids to run and play in (and possibly add a pool)

Good luck on your home search.

firedancer1028

I also only went to college in Lynchburg (at LC).  But DH and I throw around the idea of moving back there.  If we were to move there, we'd move right outside the city limits in Campbell Co.  The schools there are great (or they were several years ago anyway).  My favorite neighborhood is called "Wildwood"  its all wooded lots and big yards. 

Allison Bryant

Lived in Lynchburg all my life until my recent move to Richmond. You can find all the school info you would ever want on the VADE website...this includes discipline incidences and demographics.

Lynchburg has two distinct areas and there is a belief that one doesn't think the other is up to par I guess you could say. Truth be told there are great neighborhoods and bad neighborhoods in both the EC Glass and Heritage HS areas. I went to Heritage and taught in the city for 2 years...I will say there are a lot of schools that get a bad rap but have the most amazing hardworking teachers you could ever wish for.

My DH went to Campbell Co. Schools.....these are in more demand so if you get a house in the CC area your looking at good resale. The schools are smaller and in some cases more rural demographics but Brookville HS might as well be in Lynchburg. Also my uncle-in-law is the sheriff so I would say that Campbell Co is pretty safe : )
 

If you have specific neighborhoods in mind I could give you more information.

Hope I could help! 

sassypants527

Try paging nestie membrn.  She's usually on the DC board, but she lives in the L'burg area.  I live an hour south of there in the middle of nowhere and I don't know much about it, but I know a little since the ILs live there.  There are your typical big box stores and a mall, plus some boutique shops here and there.  Rivermont avenue is the historic area, and quite beautiful.  There are several colleges in the area, including Liberty U, which was founded by Jerry Falwell.  Personally, I could never work there or send a child there, but that's me.  It's a nice town.