Westlake Hills - Richmond, VA

Built on land sold off the Bliley Family Farm starting in the 1940s, Westlake Hills still has much of the greenery from the original farmland. Since that time, the community has remained close-knit and eschewed many proposed commercial developments in favor of staying purely residential. You can still see some of the original farm as it was immediately after the Civil War in Powhite Park.

Every year, the active Westlake Hills Neighborhood Association hosts a number of small festivals and events, including a holiday party in December and Founder's Picnic in September.

Since Westlake Hills has few commercial establishments, including restaurants, most residents follow Blakemore Road to Jahnke Road to get a bite to eat. With a large selection of to-go restaurants in a small area, this corner remains a popular location to grab dinner to take home on the way home from work. For the best Carolina-style barbecue in Richmond, swing by Big Daddy’s Barbecue and Ribs. A true drive-through restaurant with only two rickety old picnic tables outside for seating, Big Daddy's serves up plenty of meat prepared in several styles to choose from. The true standout here, the sweet corn fritters pair well with just about anything, so feel free to treat yourself to a large. Just be sure to call before heading over, and don't try to come on Sundays, as the hours at Big Daddy's tend to change often.

For a slightly more adventurous bite to eat, Tropicana Restaurant provides authentic Caribbean food at cheap prices. Try their signature curried goat for a flavorful and perfectly cooked dish. With pots of each food that simmer slowly from early in the morning, meats just fall off the bone. If you want to try to recreate a dish yourself, you can even pick up the ingredients in the small Caribbean grocery attached.

Nightlife near Westlake Hills stays laid back and pretty quiet for the most part. When you want to have a beer with friends, you can head to one of the local pubs, like The Forest Restaurant. A bit smoky, but with a very local vibe, the Forest has a loyal client base that shows up night after night. While the Forest has plenty of bar food options, including a killer cheesesteak, most people come here to drink and enjoy the jukebox, not to eat. If you get here before 6, make sure to order from the happy hour menu to take advantage of the super-low prices.

With easy access to Powhite Parkway, most residents of Westlake Hills prefer to drive to and from work. Most homes in the neighborhood have plenty of parking, and ample public spaces line the streets. Within the neighborhood, you can walk safely; however, its removed setting makes walking to run errands often impractical. While some residents enjoy cycling here, residents find it impractical at time. This is due to a lack of bike lanes throughout the neighborhood.

If you prefer to ride public transit, prepare for a bit of a walk as well. The nearest bus stops to Westlake Hills for the 70 and the 71 lines sit at least a few blocks away. However, the low cost of a ticket (just $1.50) makes this option appealing for some regardless. If you need a ride in a pinch, call up a taxi or a rideshare through Uber.

Powhite Park, the most important park in the neighborhood, has over 100 acres of natural woods on hillsides looking out over a bottomland swamp. With plenty of wildlife and animals making the area home, you have plenty to look at as you hike through the many trails. Plenty of people bring their dogs along to jog through the park, and some trails even host cyclists.

Tucked back behind Powhite Parkway, Powhite Park isolates hikers from the bustle of the city. You would never guess how close the park actually sits to the highway once inside. Parents often bring young children here to look at the birds and enjoy nature. You may even see a deer.

Living in Westlake Hills costs slightly less than the average cost of living in Richmond. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs on average about $700 per month. Gas runs about 8 percent less than the national average.

Drinking here, however, can cost you. Bars in the area charge around $7 per pint for a beer on average — much higher than in Richmond as a whole.

Shopping centers in Stratford Hills and Jahnke serve the shopping needs of Westlake Hills residents with a mix of discount shops and high-end boutiques. When you need to get groceries, the head to the Food Lion just blocks away or go a bit further to the Victory Farms, Inc. for fresh, local produce. For a wider selection, the nearby Target and Walmart have just about anything you could want.

Stories Comics and Book Exchange, one local shop that some Westlake Hills residents visit often, has the perfect atmosphere for a leisurely afternoon spent browsing the aisles. With the cozy storeroom and comforting used-book smell, Stories offers residents a relaxing location to flip throught their wide selection of vintage magazines and comics. If you want something specific, just put it on a "watch list" of books or comics and the friendly staff pulls them for you once they end up in the store.

When you have a special date night, make sure to stop by Flowerama for a beautiful bouquet. You can pick up a dozen roses cash and carry year-round for under $15, making it one of the most affordable florists in the area. Plus, you can order custom floral arrangement for any occasion resting assured that the flowers will match perfectly.