Glen Allen

Glen Allen, Virginia in Henrico County is in the metropolitan Richmond area. As Richmond expanded, Glen Allen became a suburb of the city. In 2007, Money Magazine rated it number 66 on its list of the "top 100 places to live." In 2009, the community of Glen Allen was rated number 94 on that list.

The Glen Allen home buyer can select from new construction, post World War II split levels, luxury condominiums, and turn-of-the century historic Victorian-style homes. There are also a number of low-rise and mid-rise condominium complexes that can be attractive to those who want to minimize the time devoted to upkeep. Beautiful wooded lots are available to those that want to build their own custom homes, and there are also luxury estates with acreage available. With the dynamic growth of the area in the past two decades, much of the Glen Allen real estate on the market is of relatively recent vintage.

History

Glen Allen is located on land once occupied by the Native American Powhatan people. In the 17th and 18th Century, Glen Allen and the Richmond area was largely a shipping and agricultural center, with tobacco being the major crop. It was also a locale that saw its share of Civil War history and battles. There are many historical sites and museums within a radius of ten miles of Glen Allen. Among these are Richmond National Battlefield Park, Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, and John Marshall House. There are also several churches in the town that are reminiscent of old-world architecture.

Golf at Hunting Hawk Club

Parks and Recreation

There are numerous historical and recreational parks in the area. One that is not far to the south is the Mid-Lothian Mines State Park. It includes old mines; near one of them is an area where children can delight in finding garnets and amazonite. Area mines supplied the coal that was used to heat the White House when president Thomas Jefferson resided there.

Another popular park is Pocahontas State Park. It is located in the middle of a heavily wooded area. At 7,950-acres, it is one of the largest parks in the Commonwealth, and its Heritage Amphitheater can seat up to 4,000 spectators. Beaver Lake and Swift Creek Lake give families a chance to enjoy fishing, wildlife viewing, and many other recreational activities. There is a five-mile bicycle trail that goes around Beaver Lake, and there are also about 10 miles of equestrian trails in this very large park. Mountain bikers will enjoy the single track trails that are rated from "easy" to "expert."

The Swift Creek Reservoir south of Glen Allen was developed in 1965 to supply drinking water to the Richmond area. Today, the 1,700-acre reservoir offers multiple recreational opportunities including fishing, canoeing, swimming, and kayaking. Glen Allen Stadium is an excellent venue for baseball games of American Legion, Babe Ruth League and other regional teams. Hunting Hawk Golf Club is a par 71, 6,842-yard course is with a full-service clubhouse, grill, lounge, pro shop, and grass practice facility.

Attractions and Events

Those that invest in Glen Allen homes enjoy myriad cultural, historic, and recreational options. If you like race cares, Arena Racing USA is a fun experience for enthusiasts and families alike. Race cars go around the arena track at a very fast clip, and even the pace car attracts a lot of attention.

The popular James River Cellars Winery is one of the more popular attractions in Glen Allen. Lavender Fields Herb Farm in Glen Allen is a beautiful place for a day visit, with a quaint and relaxing feel to it. They offer a delicious lunch as well as a fine gift shop, and the staff offers classes in things as diverse as container gardening and beekeeping. The Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen attracts people from all over the Metropolitan Richmond area. It offers art exhibits, concerts by well-known artists, plays, and musicals.

Glen Allen - A Virginia Community with Character

If you are looking to buy a home in this historic and scenic area, call Philip Hoffman before you start, 804-794-2662. He knows Glen Allen and the Richmond market, and can find the best deals to put you in your dream home in Glen Allen.