Silas Hart originally purchased a part of what is now Buena Vista, Virginia, lending his surname to the original moniker "Hart's Bottom." But naming your property after a part of your body ... you can figure out the problem. So, in 1889, another owner dubbed the location as "Green Valley." In 1891, the city was incorporated as "Buena Vista," which means "Good View."
The city name is right-on because anywhere you look, you're greeted by mountain vistas and groves of trees
Silas Hart originally purchased a part of what is now Buena Vista, Virginia, lending his surname to the original moniker "Hart's Bottom." But naming your property after a part of your body ... you can figure out the problem. So, in 1889, another owner dubbed the location as "Green Valley." In 1891, the city was incorporated as "Buena Vista," which means "Good View."
The city name is right-on because anywhere you look, you're greeted by mountain vistas and groves of trees. Look down in certain areas and you'll see running water. Even the structures have their own charm: about a quarter were built before 1939, and about 40 percent came up during the retro years of 1940 to 1969.
It's not always easy to find a home for rent, such as 3-bedroom houses for rent, or condos for rent in Buena Vista. You'll have to dig a little deeper to find a rental property, but it'll all be worth it. Whenever you do find a place, make sure to plan your move in the late winter/early spring or late summer/early fall to avoid the temperature extremes. No one wants to move in with the sun beating down on them, or when the cold is nipping viciously at their nose.
You won't easily find rental houses or rental apartments on the Internet, either. Instead, you'll need to get in touch with real estate agents who specialize in these types of properties. Go for it! They won't cost you anything. Because of their experience, they'll be able to get you better deals than you could ever negotiate on your own.
You can't really expect a city of 6,650 (2010 U.S. Census) to be broken up into smaller units. Otherwise, you'd have communities the size of a city block. Still, this community has different areas worth considering if you're looking for rental apartments in Buena Vista.
West Buena Vista: Near the central western area is the A1 place to live for lovers of trees and water because it boasts the Vista Links Golf Course, Glen Maury Park and the Maury River. If you're using the city as base for commuting to a larger metropolis, pick somewhere near the junction of Route 60, which runs east and west, and the 501, which heads south.
South and East Buena Vista: You can pretty much see the Blue Ridge Mountains from anywhere in town, but if you want to get up close and personal with its gradual heights, stay near the eastern or southern border. Find a place in the center of town if you go to Southern Virginia University or just want to take advantage of its educational and cultural offerings.
North Buena Vista: In this neighborhood you'll find River Crossing, where the homes for rent consist of 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath townhouses with assigned parking, high-speed Internet and security. You'll have Todd's Barbecue Restaurant and Nick's Italian Kitchen in this neighborhood.
Start your explorations at the Buena Vista Visitor Center, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The guides there specialize in outdoor recreation activities. For example, they'll clue you into all the water activities on the Maury River, such as canoeing, kayaking or tubing. A good access point for these recreational delights is Glen Maury Park, which just happens to be the largest park in the city. It features 315 acres with the golf course, a campground with 52 spots, an Olympic-size pool, tennis and picnic shelters.
The biggest historic attraction of Buena Vista is its downtown area where colorful Victorian houses and ornate turn-of-the-century storefronts grace walkable tree-lined streets. To find out more about the county's past, visit the Rockbridge Historical Society and its museum in nearby Lexington.
