Current MLS Listings for Stratford Hills
Richmond, VA (Zone 60)
Stratford Hills is an interesting neighborhood as it tells a very important, yet oft-ignored, story of Richmond.
Bounded by a combination of Forest Hill Avenue, Huguenot Road and Chippenham Parkway, Stratford Hills was developed in the 19060’s as a part of the burgeoning movement towards suburbia. With large wooded homesites along meandering residential roads, the new version of suburbia looked and felt different from the first attempts at suburbia in the Near West End and Ginter Park. With the promise of lower taxes, better schools and an escape from the urban environment beginning its long and slow decline during the coming decades, neighborhoods OUTSIDE of the city border had a strong allure.
In 1970, in what became one of the most divisive political events in Richmond’s history, the City of Richmond annexed a swath of land along its southern border (including the Stratford Hills neighborhood) and effectively brought many of those who had specifically moved into Chesterfield to exit the city, back inside the city’s borders. It was a hugely unpopular decision with many far reaching consequences that are still felt today.
Today, when one looks at housing in Stratford Hills, it is evident that the design of the neighborhood is far more like the developments in suburban areas than those within the City limits. The lot sizes the nonsensical roadway patterns are strikingly dissimilar to those in Westover Hills, Woodland Heights, Windsor Farms or Ginter Park.
Stratford Hills has many varied architecturally styles, but most of the homes were built consistent with the development styles of the era. Stately colonials, larger tri-levels or brick one story homes can be found, as can some contemporary influences. As many lots were never built upon, the occasional odd lot may be buildable or contain a home built during the last 10-15 years.
The neighborhood, over time, has become popular with those who are seeking some more space than what is available in the Fan, Museum District or Westover Hills, but still seek to be close to the city’s core. With larger yards, some really stout building materials and more and more retail being added close by, Stratford Hills is a great value for those who want a quality space for a relative value.