Westwood Neighborhood Overview
Overview
Nestled on the western edge of Big Rock, Virginia, Westwood is a quiet, established neighborhood known for its mature tree canopy, gently rolling hills, and strong sense of community. Developed primarily in the 1960s and 1970s as Big Rock expanded beyond its historic downtown core, Westwood was designed as a residential haven for families and professionals seeking spacious lots and a suburban feel while remaining conveniently close to the city's amenities. Its location provides easy access to Route 29, connecting residents to Charlottesville to the east and the broader Piedmont region, yet the neighborhood itself feels insulated and peaceful.
The character of Westwood is defined by its well-maintained, classic homes and a noticeable pride of ownership. Streets like Westwood Drive and Maple Ridge Road curve through the landscape, discouraging through-traffic and fostering a safe environment for walking and cycling. While not a historic district in the traditional sense, the neighborhood has a timeless quality, with its architectural consistency and decades-old oak and maple trees that create a vibrant display of color each autumn. Residents often describe it as a "hidden gem" within Big Rock—a place where neighbors know each other by name.
Housing & Real Estate
Westwood's housing stock consists predominantly of single-family homes, with a notable collection of mid-century ranches, split-levels, and classic two-story Colonial and Tudor-style houses. Lot sizes are generous, typically ranging from a quarter to half an acre, providing ample backyard space. In recent years, a trend of thoughtful renovations and expansions has taken hold, modernizing interiors while respecting the original architectural character of the homes. A small number of townhomes are located near the neighborhood's main entrance, offering a lower-maintenance option.
The real estate market in Westwood is stable and highly desirable within the Big Rock area. Home prices typically range from the mid-$400,000s for a well-kept ranch to the low $700,000s for larger, updated homes with premium lots. Ownership is the dominant model, with a rental presence of less than 10%, contributing to the neighborhood's stability and long-term residency. Inventory moves quickly, often receiving multiple offers, as buyers are drawn to the neighborhood's established feel, excellent schools, and proximity to both nature and commerce.
Schools & Education
Westwood is served by the highly regarded Rockbridge County Public Schools district. Children typically attend Westwood Elementary School, which is conveniently located just a mile from the neighborhood and is known for its strong parent-teacher association and above-average state ratings. From there, students progress to Big Rock Middle School and finally Rockbridge County High School, which offers a variety of Advanced Placement courses and vocational training programs at the Rockbridge Regional Career and Technical Center.
For private education, several options are within a short drive, including Big Rock Christian Academy and St. John's Episcopal School in nearby Lexington. Higher education is also accessible, with the prestigious Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute located approximately 15 miles away in Lexington, providing cultural and lecture series opportunities for residents. The neighborhood's strong educational pipeline is a primary draw for families settling in the area.
Parks & Recreation
Westwood's primary green space is the neighborhood-owned and maintained Westwood Park, a five-acre community hub featuring a playground, two tennis courts, a large picnic pavilion with grills, and an open field used for casual soccer, frisbee, and community events like the annual Fourth of July picnic. The park serves as the social heart of the neighborhood, where families gather after school and on weekends. Additionally, the wooded perimeter of the neighborhood features informal trails used by residents for dog walking and nature observation.
Just beyond Westwood's boundaries, residents enjoy quick access to the broader recreational offerings of the Blue Ridge foothills. The Big Rock Community Park, a ten-minute drive away, offers swimming pools, athletic fields, and a walking trail. For more serious hiking, fishing, and camping, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are a 30-minute drive west, providing a dramatic natural backdrop and endless outdoor activities. The neighborhood's setting perfectly balances curated community spaces with wild, natural beauty.
Local Dining & Shopping
Daily conveniences are met at the Westwood Shopping Center, anchored by a Food Pride grocery store and including a pharmacy, a hardware store, and several essential services. For dining, the neighborhood favors cozy, longstanding local establishments. The Westwood Diner is a beloved fixture for breakfast and lunch, while Mario's Pizza & Pasta has been serving families for over thirty years. For a more upscale evening out, residents often head into downtown Big Rock, just a five-minute drive away, which offers a growing selection of restaurants like The Oak Table (American bistro) and River City Brewing.
Big Rock's historic downtown also provides the main street shopping experience, with independent boutiques, a bookstore, and an antique mall. For larger retail needs, including big-box stores and chain restaurants, a commercial corridor along Route 29 is easily accessible. However, the ethos in Westwood leans toward supporting local businesses, and many residents prioritize shopping at the neighborhood center and downtown to maintain the close-knit, community-oriented character they value.
Who Lives Here
Westwood is a neighborhood of established families, professionals, and long-term residents who have put down deep roots. The demographic skews toward middle-aged and older homeowners, many of whom moved in decades ago and raised their children here. In recent years, a new wave of younger families and professionals, often affiliated with the local universities
Top Real Estate Agents in Westwood, Big Rock
Merit Criteria — Agents must hold an active license verified by
Virginia Real Estate Board (VREB), maintain a minimum 4.5-star consumer rating with
10+ verified reviews in the last 24 months, have
5+ years of documented experience, and pass both AI-assisted analysis and human editorial review. Fewer than 1% of licensed agents in covered markets qualify. No agent can pay for inclusion or ranking position.
16 agents met the full merit gate for Westwood, Big Rock, VA, selected from over 65,000 licensed Virginia professionals.
5.0 stars
655+ verified reviews
License: 2250814
Real Brokerage
21+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (310) 902-1004
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.thesuarezteam.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/The%20Suarez%20Team
Why selected: Selected for her active community leadership, recognized by Sigma Kappa Sorority's 35 Under 35 program. She combines a 5-star rating from 655 reviews with 20 years of market expertise as a top-performing agent.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
138+ verified reviews
License: 1800853
Huntington Group
20+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (626) 403-8230
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://huntingtongroup.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Jack%20Holwahjian
Why selected: Selected for his extensive community leadership as CEO and Co-Owner of the Huntington Group, combined with over 20 years of expertise handling complex real estate and mortgage transactions in Los Angeles.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
116+ verified reviews
License: 1900787
The Agency
12+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (424) 233-0922
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.benbelack.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/bbelack
Why selected: Selected for his extensive community and industry leadership, highlighted by major media recognition and a Netflix series. He demonstrates elite performance with over $1 billion in sales, 500+ transactions, zero expired listings, and 116 five-star reviews.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
108+ verified reviews
License: 1846410
The Agency
20+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (213) 380-8888
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.theagencyre.com/agent/george-ouzounian/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/George_Ouzounian
Why selected: Selected for his two decades of dedicated community involvement in Los Angeles. He combines a 5.0-star rating with extensive expertise in diverse real estate specialties.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
77+ verified reviews
License: 2235535
Compass
25+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (310) 430-4842
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.michaelhaddad.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/haddad1213
Why selected: Selected for his 24 years of experience and exceptional client service, earning 77 five-star reviews. His approach prioritizes lasting relationships and personalized guidance for every transaction.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
48+ verified reviews
License: 1885132
Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley
20+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (707) 266-8086
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.lamperealestategroup.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Litle%20and%20Lampe
Why selected: Selected for her deep community engagement as a local business owner and volunteer, combined with a strong 5-star rating and over 100 transactions. Her unique interior design expertise further distinguishes her service.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
4.9 stars
44+ verified reviews
License: 2233441
Real Brokerage Technologies
9+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (310) 877-4407
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.thesuarezteam.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Ronald%20Anavim
Why selected: Selected for his deep community involvement and leadership roles. He combines a 4.9-star rating from 44 reviews with unique CPA credentials and financial expertise for exceptional client outcomes.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
41+ verified reviews
License: 1158366
The Stephanie Younger Group at Compass
19+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (805) 705-5316
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.stephanieyounger.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Stephanie%20Singletary
Why selected: Selected for his 18 years of experience and 41 five-star reviews, demonstrating exceptional client service. His career is built on reliability and clear communication throughout the transaction process.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
40+ verified reviews
License: 1516799
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
20+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (805) 861-9210
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://alisonebbertt.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/alisonebbertrealty
Why selected: Selected for her President's Award-winning performance and top 5% sales ranking, Alison Ebbert is a 5-star agent with 40 reviews. Her career, built entirely on referrals since 2005, reflects exceptional client service.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
39+ verified reviews
License: 1993690
Beverly & Company
24+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (424) 272-5099
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.londynrealestate.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/bethanylondyn
Why selected: Selected for her extensive community leadership and charitable work, which is paramount to our ranking. She combines this with a strong 23-year track record, 39 five-star reviews, and a finance degree that provides unique investment insight.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
4.9 stars
32+ verified reviews
License: 1949299
eXp Realty of California, Inc.
16+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (408) 219-0030
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.gennawalsh.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/GennaWalsh
Why selected: Selected for her significant community involvement and leadership roles. She demonstrates strong performance metrics and stands out as a Certified Probate & Trust Specialist.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
26+ verified reviews
License: 2228526
eXp Realty of California, Inc.
22+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (310) 963-7384
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.revimendelsohn.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Revi%20Mendelsohn
Why selected: Selected for his top 3% sales production, 26 five-star reviews, and over two decades of experience achieving exceptional results like 124% of asking price.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
26+ verified reviews
License: 2090359
Sotheby’s International Realty
5+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (310) 339-4559
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.adamkuyt.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/akuyt1
Why selected: Selected for sustained community leadership and market excellence, with 26 five-star reviews since 2020 and a unique professional background. He combines an artistic eye with high-stakes negotiation skills, standing out in client service.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
26+ verified reviews
License: 1862237
Compass
17+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (847) 826-4885
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.instagram.com/fliplosangeles/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/Liz%20Cappola
Why selected: Selected for her significant community leadership roles and charitable work. She combines this with top-producing performance metrics and a unique professional background in fine art and advertising.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
25+ verified reviews
License: 924546
Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley
47+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (707) 953-1798
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://carolynroberts.com/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/carolynrobertsnapa
Why selected: Selected for her significant community leadership as a Board Member of a Local Bank, combined with 46 years of expertise. She demonstrates exceptional performance with 25 five-star reviews and is a Continuous Multi-Million Dollar Producer.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.
5.0 stars
21+ verified reviews
License: 1958437
Luxe Places International
8+ years experience
Contact
Phone: (916) 919-5341
Email: [email protected]
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/tony95405
Why selected: Selected for his deep community engagement and collaborative father-son team leadership. He is further distinguished by 21 five-star reviews and a proven commitment to lasting client relationships.
This agent passed the full merit gate (4.5+ stars, 10+ verified reviews in 24 months, 5+ years experience). All listed agents meet the same qualification standard.