The Cost of Living Diaries: Lynchburg, VA
Learn from a local what it’s like to live in LYH.
No matter if you’re a foodie, a history lover, an outdoor enthusiast or an art aficionado, living in Lynchburg, VA, lets you lead your best life. Situated in the central portion of the state, this beautiful city is home to approximately 40 miles of urban trails, historic neighborhoods, galleries and various eateries – not to mention great jobs and higher education institutions.
To learn more about what it’s like living in Lynchburg, we went straight to the source. Meet LYH resident Kathleen Davis, who relocated to Lynchburg from Atlanta in 2020.
What brought you to Lynchburg?
My wife, Gail, and I moved here in December 2020 right at the height of everything going on. She is an Episcopal priest, and her job as a rector (priest in charge) at Trinity Episcopal is what brought us here. I work in marketing and design, and I have a business here doing historic tours called Curious History Walking Tours. I love history, and I did stand-up when we lived in Atlanta, which I’m doing here, too.
What do you love about your community?
One of the things that I’ve loved about living in Lynchburg is how easy it is to get involved in significant ways. There are a ton of community organizations that don’t gatekeep the work and the minds behind the process.
In Atlanta, I wasn’t very involved in the community because there were so many people there already. It’s been really nice here to be able to dig in and be involved in my community in new and exciting ways. I can go help with a project and try to learn things in real time with some awesome people.
How would you describe Lynchburg to a nonresident?
I would describe Lynchburg as a hotbed for art, honestly. It might not get out there that it’s a fantastic place for the performing arts and for the fine arts, but you name it, and it’s here. There’s an opera house, and I remember the first time Gail and I went to a play at the community theater. We were just blown away – it was like a Broadway-style production. The level of emphasis put on artistic expression, especially downtown, is so cool.
What are some free or low-cost recreation options in Lynchburg?
We have Blackwater Creek Trail, which goes through the whole city on an old railroad line. It reminded me of my favorite thing about living in Atlanta, which was living by the BeltLine, a pedestrian pathway that you can take from one end of the city to the other without a car. We can go walk on one part of the trail and spend a couple of hours exploring on a Saturday. There are restaurants and shops and things along the trail, too. We have a great parks and rec department here. Riverside Park has a trail that’s been cut into the side of the mountain and overlooks the James River. It also has a bunch of splash pads, so on the family days for Gail’s church, they’ll meet there, and the kids love it and have something fun to do.
When my parents came to visit, one of the things they talked about was how pretty it is and all the resources that are available. There are a ton of low-cost shows that local theaters will put on.
What is housing like in Lynchburg?
Lynchburg has a ton of affordable options. A lot of the older former mansions have been converted into duplexes. Before we moved here, we had never been homeowners. I knew I’d never be able to buy a home in Atlanta. When we moved to Lynchburg, that became possible. We rented month to month until we found a house, and we were able to find something within our price range. We had a lot of specific things we wanted. I wanted to be downtown to have access to everything. Within about three months, we found a place, and we just love our house.
What grocery stores do you have in Lynchburg, and what’s your average grocery bill?
We have Aldi here and Fresh Market. We kind of get our own stuff because we eat differently, but we cook together. I’d guess we spend approximately $400 a month on groceries.
What is your favorite restaurant, and how much would dinner for two cost?
Our absolute favorite restaurant is The Water Dog. When we were trying the city out, we stayed at an Airbnb near there and went to dinner – I was like, ‘OK, we can live here.’ It’s a very cool spot. It’s a welcoming place. The staff gets to know you, and this is cheesy, but everyone feels like a local there. They have menu items that change up; they have oysters; they have bands there on Thursdays. I usually order the Xolo Dog, a hush puppy-battered hot dog with roasted corn, chile sauce and cilantro. If it’s the two of us, and we have a meal and a couple of drinks, the bill is usually around $50 with tip.
What’s your go-to coffee shop, and what is your typical order?
My go-to coffee shop is The Loving Co., which is on the same street as The Water Dog. The Loving Co. just feels like your house. They’ve got comfy chairs and couches. It’s a big space where you can come order your coffee and get set up to work – and all of the outlets work. They have a marshmallow iced coffee there that is delicious.
This article is sponsored by the City of Lynchburg offices of Economic Development & Tourism and Communications & Public Engagement.