"Purcellville is the perfect mix of historic charm, modern amenities, and fun things to do!" It is one of the few areas of Virginia that did not see much fighting during the Civil War, contains numerous historical buildings, and has Loudoun County's first legal distillery, which has been in operation since before prohibition.
The town has a long and storied history dating back to 1740, although most people had never heard of it until stagecoaches started passing through over 90 years later. The town has served as a way point on both coach trails and railroads ever since. Purcellville prides itself on its agricultural heritage and the Victorian-style houses which line Main Street. Recently, the town has seen a fair amount of expansion in its population because of its proximity to Washington and, unlike most other places in this region, an improvement in its traffic conditions. Today, the community serves as a residential location for those who seek the convenience of living in a small town without all the noise, pollution and lack of space found in a big city, namely Washington D.C.
Due to increased demand in this town, homes rarely sit abandoned and properties sell relatively quickly
"Purcellville is the perfect mix of historic charm, modern amenities, and fun things to do!" It is one of the few areas of Virginia that did not see much fighting during the Civil War, contains numerous historical buildings, and has Loudoun County's first legal distillery, which has been in operation since before prohibition.
The town has a long and storied history dating back to 1740, although most people had never heard of it until stagecoaches started passing through over 90 years later. The town has served as a way point on both coach trails and railroads ever since. Purcellville prides itself on its agricultural heritage and the Victorian-style houses which line Main Street. Recently, the town has seen a fair amount of expansion in its population because of its proximity to Washington and, unlike most other places in this region, an improvement in its traffic conditions. Today, the community serves as a residential location for those who seek the convenience of living in a small town without all the noise, pollution and lack of space found in a big city, namely Washington D.C.
Moving to Purcellville
Due to increased demand in this town, homes rarely sit abandoned and properties sell relatively quickly. Homes will generally be well-maintained with manicured lawns, and as a result you should be expecting to take care of the open spaces around your house in a way that makes your neighbors happy. While it is rarely a problem, buyers coming from a more urban location will want to double check all the trees and gardens around their prospective home to ensure they are in good shape. Try to arrange to have problems fixed before closing on the home. Moving into a new house is hard enough without clearing an old tree from your front lawn or cutting down overgrown hedges.
Purcellville is riddled with neighborhood ownership associations which issue separate housing ordinances for their small geographic areas in the town. Prospective owners will want to check in with the neighborhood association before making a decision to be sure that they can agree to the conditions of living in that neighborhood. The restrictions at times go as far as regulating the exact type of front door lamp and lamp post residents can use. If you're the sort who can't handle being told how to decorate your house, you might need to consider which of these associations to join.
Many of the services you would expect from a town, such as pools, tennis courts, and basketball courts, have largely been outsourced to the local residence councils who have built and maintained their own facilities for residents. Use of one area's facilities by non-residents is strictly regulated, so homeowners looking for a place with a strong sense of a bigger community may want to investigate places in Purcellville where people from the different neighborhoods meet up.
Renters will find a reasonable selection of condos and apartments for rent in Purcellville, although the units in the town tend to be new and designed to appeal to people who don't mind spending more money to have a nice pad. Rents are on par with major American cities without actually being in one. Expect landlords to run a full credit check and secure a two month deposit from you. Utilities are generally billed in addition to the rent, although there are reports that units with gas stoves sometimes have gas included.
Neighborhoods in Purcellville
Most of the neighborhoods in Purcellville are highly distinct from those around them and tend to advertise themselves as having between 120 to 150 homes in their jurisdiction. Each association runs its own website with documents and information for residents, and many offer a residents-only communication forum. What ever happened to just going in person to tell your neighbor their dog ruined your lawn?
Administration buildings, shops, the Loudoun golf course, the library, the historic train station and the majority of dining options are all positioned on or adjacent to Main Street. The famous Bush Tabernacle, the community center, and Fireman's field are all just a short distance south of the main road off 20th street.
The Village-Case: This neighborhood is located near Blue Ridge Middle School and Maple Avenue and opened with about 130 unites in 2004. Residents can enjoy their big, dreamy, southern style front porches while chatting with strangers on the brick sidewalks. Most homes feature detached garages hidden away from the road.
Main Street Village: This area is connected to the original commercial center of Purcellville and is the oldest part of town. The houses in this part of town are generally smaller and are priced lower than those in the newer developments outside of the main town center. Residents here will need to use the town's public amenities as there are fewer private ones available.
Homes in Old Dominion Valley: Here you'll find higher prices than Main Street Village but they are more affordable than the offerings in Village-Case, Purcellville Ridge or Knightsbridge Manor. This small section of town is located north of Main Street near the Harry Byrd Highway and the Old Dominion Trail.
Goose Creek: This is a super rural area set near Route 782. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside and farmland and the famous Goose Creek Winery is nearby. Homes here are quite expensive, but you're likely to get a lot of property for the price.
Valley Industrial Park: This area is home to about 150 people and is right off the Harry Byrd Highway near the Loudoun Golf and Country Club!
Round Hill Rural Estates: This is one of the smaller and most expensive neighborhoods in town. Home to only about 20 people, it's super hard to find a place here but well worth the wait if you're able to!
Living in Purcellville
Purcellville markets itself as being the heart of Washington D.C's wine country. It shouldn't surprise anyone then that residents focus their energy on good food and good times. There are award-winning wineries located near the Old Town area, and there is a wine tasting room at the now-defunct train station. There is a farmers market and a series of historic shops along Main Street in the town. The town hall has produced a comprehensive restaurant guide which includes over 40 entries. More outdoorsy types will enjoy horseback riding, nature trails including the Appalachian trail, or tempting a visit from local animals while having an picnic. Purcellville offers a list of attractions for kids which promise tons of sugar and then numerous activities, all helping them land back in their parents' car for a good tired-but-hyper temper tantrum.
