Lynchburg, VA: A Proper Work-Leisure Balance
Neighbors know and care for one another. Community members get involved in organizations they’re passionate about. Homes are accessible and affordable. The Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia lend a picturesque backdrop at every turn. And even on the busiest of days, you can get from one end of town to the next in fewer than 17 minutes.
“One of the things that drew me to Framatome was the culture,” says Ty Smith, a Project Control Specialist for the Lynchburg-based nuclear reactor company. “People are genuinely nice and care about you. And that’s indicative of the Lynchburg area.”

Thanks in part to colleges and universities, locally owned small businesses, and large corporations who give back to the community and offer their employees work-life balance, Lynchburg consistently ranks among the top U.S. cities for livability. Read on for a few reasons why.
Known as the “City of Seven Hills,” Lynchburg’s rolling landscape at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains would be a dream for hikers and mountain bikers even if the longest river in Virginia didn’t flow through town. But with the James’s peaceful current adding a gentle flow to daily life, paddlers and fly fishers find irresistible opportunities for outdoor recreation.
James River Adventures has ushered many a first timer on a kayak ride down the river or an adventure on their historic batteau boat.
One out of more than 40 miles of urban trails, the Riverwalk trail runs through Lynchburg’s historic downtown and over a bridge that crosses the James to Percival’s Island. Once a refueling spot for the railroad, the one and one-half mile-long natural paradise is now home to herons and waterfowl who soar over picnickers, and families out for a stroll.
Each year, around 7,800 students work toward the highest standards in Lynchburg’s public schools. With a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1, students have access to innovative instruction; extracurricular opportunities in theater and the arts; and creative teachers passionate about academic, social and emotional education.
Outside the classroom, enrichment destinations like Amazement Square, a multidisciplinary children’s museum, integrate lessons from school through hands-on, interactive experiences. Amazement Square is Virginia’s only children’s museum that is a Certified Autism Center.
When the cost of living is 9.4% lower than the national average, home prices follow suit. That’s the case in Lynchburg, where the median house value is about $196,000.
The City’s historic, tree-lined neighborhoods boast a variety of well-preserved architecture, with home styles ranging from Greek Revival to Queen Anne, and quaint bungalows. With 17 parks ranging in size from an acre to 300 acres, children have plenty of choices to find adventure and respite. Downtown, loft-style condos are steps away from shops, restaurants and community events like First Friday, where downtown galleries highlight local artists, performers and exhibits.
Downtown Lynchburg is also home to the historic 1905 Academy Center of the Arts, which stands as the soul of the community’s arts scene. There’s not a bad seat in the house for live performances, films and concerts.
“I’m pretty active with the Academy Center art programs,” says Sarah Ebert, a Framatome Engineer. “I do ceramics, and I’m taking a watercolor class later this year. It’s cool just to grab a cup of coffee and take a walk down by the river. There’s not a single place in Lynchburg where you can’t see mountains.”
Visit www.lyhlovesyou.com/ for more information.