Cherry Gardens

Legend has it that George Washington cut down one of his father’s cherry trees when he was six years old. And while the veracity of that story has been questioned – historians tend to generously describe it as a myth, in fact – the story does point to the fact that cherry trees thrive in Virginia. And in a particular Richmond neighborhood, they even serve as its name. Cherry Gardens, situated about 6 miles south of downtown Richmond, has more than a few of its namesake trees along its narrow roads, though they are mixed in with plenty of oaks, maples and other trees. But it’s typically not the foliage that brings residents to this area. Rather, it’s the short distance from downtown and the neighborhood’s lower price points that attract them. “People tend to buy in the area because it’s close to downtown, but not too close. It’s a quick trip to get to work, but still far enough away that the neighborhood is quiet. And it’s also a lot more affordable than other neighborhoods in the area,” says Daphne MacDougal, a Broker with the Steele Group Sotheby’s International, who has been representing real estate transactions in the city for over 15 years. That proximity means that residents can easily get downtown for work or play. There are no sidewalks in the neighborhood, and because it is some distance to major amenities, residents need their own transportation. However, there are several Greater Richmond Transit Company bus stops located nearby on Highway 301. The Central Virginia VA Medical Center is 2 miles north of the neighborhood, serving Veterans and their families. Chippenham Hospital is 20 minutes away by car.

Potential buyers will find a wide range of housing styles in the neighborhood, ranging from bungalows to ranch-styles to multi-story Colonial-inspired houses. The median price of real estate in Cherry Gardens is $232,500, and buyers should expect to pay an average of $159 per square foot. A three-bedroom/one-bathroom bungalow can list for $176,000, and prices can go up to $337,000 for a spacious four-bedroom/three-bathroom ranch-style home. “The affordability factor is really the primary draw in Cherry Gardens. Because the prices are lower than most of Richmond, you can get a lot of house for the money,” says MacDougal.

Cherry Gardens is districted to the Richmond Public Schools district, which earns an overall grade of C-plus from Niche. Students in the neighborhood can attend Broad Rock Elementary, Thomas C. Boushall Middle and Open High School. Both Broad Rock and Thomas C. Boushall earn a C-minus from Niche, and Open High School earns an A-plus rating. Open High School is known for its self-directed course of study that excels at preparing students for college, as well as its partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University Honors College for after-school tutoring. Alternatively, parents can avail themselves of multiple private schools in the area, including The Steward School, rated the best private school in Richmond by Niche.

Because Cherry Gardens is strictly a residential neighborhood, those living in the neighborhood do need to travel for recreational opportunities. The closest park to the neighborhood is Broadrock Park, located about 3 miles west of the neighborhood on Warwick Road. The park provides visitors with a playground, courts for tennis, pickleball and basketball, and multiple sports fields. For indoor recreation, the nearby Hickory Hill Community Center provides visitors with a fitness center, dance studio, computer lab and game room; the center offers programs and classes in a variety of areas, including marital arts, computer proficiency and music. “Unfortunately, there’s no immediate river access in the neighborhood, even though it’s so close,” says MacDougal.

Most residents of Cherry Gardens get their groceries at Big Apple Supermarket, located less than a mile east on Terminal Avenue. The Southside Plaza Mall is about 5 minutes away by car, where shoppers will find a variety of retail stores that include Shoe City, Citi Trends Clothing and Beauty Empire. For fresh crab and shrimp, locals head to Crab Hut, which is a pretty accurate description of this one-room building that looks more like a backyard shed. But don’t let the appearance fool you, because they sell out of their daily catch quickly.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

Todd Masinter

Video By

Dan Mack