Bedford County (Hampton, Roanoke, Lynchburg: real estate, condos, new home)

[mf12283]

I am thinking of relocating to southwestern VA in a year or two. Does anyone recommend Beford County? I hear its one of the fastest growing areas in the state, which is something I'm trying to avoid, after growing up in the DC area. Is Bedford County being swallowed up by subdivisions, development and bad traffic or am I wrong here? Thanks!

[Ryleigh]

Hi there, I meant to reply to this thread long ago. Sorry!

Bedford County is beautiful. It may be growing, but I certainly wouldn't have expected it to be one of the fastest-growing in the state. If that's true, it may have something to do with Smith Mountain Lake development. That area is like wildfire, but in and around the town of Bedford itself, I haven't noticed much. Keep in mind, though, that I have never lived in the area. My dad lives at SML, and I drive past it to visit him. My fiance and I drove around in the town of Bedford looking for a church last time we were there (first time I'd been in the town since I was a kid), and we found it very charming. Still very much a small-town feel. There are lots of places around the town -- and I'd assume, most of the county, except SML area) where you could get a ranch house with several acres for around $200,000-250,000.

Hope this helped, and sorry it took so long for me to reply!

[GradVT06]

When I lived in Roanoke it was on the very northern end off of Orange Ave which turned into Rte 11 I believe and went straight through to Bedford county. Although I didn't drive through it much, it's much more rural than Roanoke with having the things you'd need in the city (roanoke) not very far away. If my wife and I had stayed there, we may have purchased a home in that area to avoid a lot of traffic. I'd hardly call it booming or compare it to a city of any size though. A town or county is the best way to think of it, rather than a city or fast growing area.

[Georgia]

Can't go wrong in Bedford.
I is growing but controlled. Was there two months ago. Looked much like 5 years ago with an addition of a Plaza and Sheetz C Store.

You can't go wrong from Roanoke to Bedford to Lynchburg. Great areas.

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by mf12283

I am thinking of relocating to southwestern VA in a year or two. Does anyone recommend Beford County? I hear its one of the fastest growing areas in the state, which is something I'm trying to avoid, after growing up in the DC area. Is Bedford County being swallowed up by subdivisions, development and bad traffic or am I wrong here? Thanks!

See your in Gaithersburg / Frederick & Montgomery County Md.
Nah! Bedford is nothing like the 270 corridor.
Keep in mind if your a modern Montgomery County Liberal then Bedford will be your polar opposite. Very conservative.
If your a local conservative Marylander, then running to Bedford would be good for you.

I grew up in Berkeley County, WV about 50 miles from Gaithersburg. My old town has been invaded by the DC hordes and sliding down the slippery slope of crowds and costs also thanks to the MARC train.

[PaperTrail]

To put some of these "fastest-growing county" claims into perspective, my understanding is that the bulk of Bedford County's growth is occurring at the southern edge along Smith Mountain Lake. The lake has gotten a huge influx of people as of late, which is linked with the rebuilding of the Moneta "downtown." Franklin County, which occupies the land on the other side of the lake, is seeing a similar population boom.

I think that the central and northern parts of Bedford County are (essentially) just as rural as they were five years ago. The roads throughout most of the county aren't clogged, and there's still lots and lots of open space for a home or farm.

[trich]

The City of Bedford is in the center of Bedford County. Many services such as court and schools are shared. The city is about 6 square miles. The county is about 60 I think. Areas that are growing are at Smith Mountain Lake and on the eastern edge toward Lynchburg which called Forest. The people are mixed in education and political views, but I would have to say that it is by far more conservative in politics and religion than liberal. Still, there is a population of liberals here, too. The city is about 25% non-white but the county has a much smaller minority population. People go to Lynchburg or Roanoke for entertainment and culture. But we do have quite a few nicer restaurants that have been built in the last two years as well as some older restaurants that are local favorites.

Real estate values have increased considerably in the last 4 years (our home jumped 70%) but it is still a good value compared to Northern areas. If you want to be near more choices of things and services, move near the city or the edges south, east, or west of the county where you can drive good highways to towns. The northern edge is faced with the Peaks of Otter of Blue Ridge mountians. Its beautiful here and peaceful compared to larger cities.

[trich]

Originally Posted by GradVT06

When I lived in Roanoke it was on the very northern end off of Orange Ave which turned into Rte 11 I believe and went straight through to Bedford county. Although I didn't drive through it much, it's much more rural than Roanoke with having the things you'd need in the city (roanoke) not very far away. If my wife and I had stayed there, we may have purchased a home in that area to avoid a lot of traffic. I'd hardly call it booming or compare it to a city of any size though. A town or county is the best way to think of it, rather than a city or fast growing area.

Its Boutetout county that is down route 11. Buchanan is the quaint little town there on the banks of the James River. The town area is not booming--probably since it floods occassionally, but the areas closer to Roanoke are in demand and its hard to even find a house there. You cross from Buchanan to the Peaks of Otter along the Parkway and run into Bedford to the South. I love Buchanan.

[password]

Certain areas of Bedford County are beautiful, quiet and economical places in which to live. We moved from Smith Mountain Lake into a gorgeous area closer to Lynchburg about a year ago. Smith Mountain Lake is undergoing rapid growth for which it has not planned well. As a result, high rise condos are becoming the norm, roads are unsafe, the waters are crowded (the only time we spent on the lake was during the week - weekends are dangerous and crowded); and it is very expensive - i.e. food, housing, etc. It used to be a beautiful quiet bucolic area but has changed drastically so we moved and are delighted with our new home near Lynchburg. Also, we have access to good medical care which is unavailable at Smith Mountain Lake. Real estate prices - both on and off the water - are horrendous at SML and there is a huge inventory of homes as a result. Prices are rising in Bedford County is the time to act is now if you're relocating.

[Ryleigh]

Very true, Password. My dad has lived at SML for the past 20 years now, and I remember as a kid, it was awesome visiting him there. All the development is frightening b/c of the narrow roads -- the Westlake area is a nightmare, and so is the area around the bridge. No traffic back-ups like there are here in Hampton Roads, but it's downright dangerous how the cars have to merge in and off the roads to/from businesses. Two years ago, I decided I wanted to move home, and I started looking at land. A) Too expensive and B) too busy -- not what I remembered about the area. Makes me sad.