Raising a Family in the Valley

Rural & Welcoming

Breathe in the mountain air, and relax into a region that’s hailed both by multi-generational residents and young couple newcomers as the ideal place to raise a family. The Shenandoah Valley offers one of childhood’s greatest gifts: room to explore and safe places to play.

Get Outdoors

Beyond excellent local school systems, the Valley is characterized by a rural culture that celebrates children’s learning. From 4H programs that introduce students to the joys and realities of local food systems to Red Wing Academy, nurturing the wings and roots of the newest generation of old time musicians, the Valley’s traditions of farming, music, and outdoor recreation are the inheritance of today’s up and coming students. Join the ShenRock Team to empower kids to pursue a lifetime of mountain biking adventure, or plan a trip to the annual Highland County Maple Festival, where quality family time is all sweetness and sticky fingers. 

Affordable housing for regional wage levels means that homeownership levels are high in the Valley. Our housing market pairs accessible and beautiful single family housing with room for the treehouse in the backyard. Across the Valley, greenways, bike lanes, and Safe Routes to School initiatives are bringing back a beloved tradition of children connecting schools and neighborhoods in a web of exploration and freedom.

*Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2018)

**Data Source: Cottonwood Commercial
Photo courtesy of JMU Creative Media