While not booming, Lexington has been growing, roughly 5% in the last decade. The cost of living meets the national average, and the median home price is $215,000. Residential architectural styles include bungalow, Craftsman, Cape Cod, Colonial Revival and Victorian, as well as the more common ranch-style and split-level styles There are also some town homes available. Outside of town limits, the norm is horse farms and residences with acreage (and a restored barn here and there).

Lexington thrives on its military heritage and boasts numerous museums and historic sites. The completely restored "Stonewall" Jackson house is a museum, and the Hunter's Raid Civil War Trail documents a Union general's 1864 raid through the Shenandoah Valley, including the burning of VMI after its cadets had earlier distinguished themselves in the Battle of New Market. The VMI Museum traces the history of the country's oldest state-supported military college, and the nearly hidden Museum of Military Memorabilia showcases uniforms worn by militaries around the world. The "Stonewall" Jackson Memorial Cemetery, surrounding the old Lexington Presbyterian Church on South Main Street, is a fascinating trip back in time and holds the remains of Revolutionary War veterans, 144 Confederate soldiers and General Jackson. And the VMI Corps of Cadets marching in formation each Friday afternoon is a stirring site.

While military culture is at its core, Lexington also boasts a low-key, NCAA-sanctioned baseball team (the Rockbridge Rapids), an 18-hole golf course (the Lexington Golf and Country Club), a YMCA , two farmers' markets and a couple of wineries within twenty minutes of town. Each year, the Lenfest Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Washington and Lee University presents more than 125 public performances, including plays, ballet and opera. The sprawling Virginia Horse Center, just outside of town, is the center of Virginia's horse industry and presents 100 or more events a year, everything from dressage competitions to rodeos to music jams.

The Theater at Lime Kiln, called one of "the most unusual theater setting in the United States," is a wonderful spot for listening to a summer concert. Since Lexington is snuggled against the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, plenty of venues for outdoor fun are nearby, and a drive along the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway is always a great way to spend an afternoon. City festivals and community events include the annual Casino Night (to benefit the Theater at Lime Kiln), Fridays in the Park (concerts), the Rockbridge Community Festival and wine tastings. For anyone needing a sports fix, both VMI and Washington and Lee boast active athletic departments (football, basketball, etc.), and University of Virginia football is only seventy-five minutes away.

Dining options are better than would be expected in a town this size. The 5-star Cafe Michel, the delicious Southern Inn and the wonderful The Palms are favorite restaurants. The downtown is cute, with historic architecture, galleries and antique stores. Everyday shopping is limited (and pricey), although there is now a Wal-Mart on the northern end of town. Most residents shop in Roanoke, 45 minutes away.

Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital is the primary medical center and is a 25-bed critical access facility with emergency services, cardiac care, respiratory care, surgical services, home health care and more. It is accredited by the Joint Commission and meets or exceeds national averages in most areas.  While the care is good for a facility this size, many residents travel to Roanoke or Lynchburg (30 miles) for medical care. The nearest VA hospital is 53 miles away in Salem.

Crime in Lexington is practically non-existent. It is the kind of place where residents can walk down the street at night and feel safe doing so. There is no public transportation, but there is high speed Internet access. The Rockbridge Regional Library is the central library for this region and has a collection of 170,000 volumes. It also provides computers with public Internet access.

Summers are hot and humid with daytime temperatures reaching into the 90s and humidity averaging 70%. Winter temperatures can dip into the 20s and snow falls occasionally. The area receives three to four inches of precipitation each month. The sun shines 222 days of the year. Both the air quality and the water quality are above the national average.

Life in Lexington has some drawbacks. It is remote and may feel too isolated for some people. VMI cadets (1,300) and Washington and Lee students (2,000) make their presence known, but Lexington does not have a rowdy college town reputation. It can get crowded, though, during alumni and homecoming weekends and during commencements. There is no public transportation.

But for anyone looking for a small, healthy Southern town in a scenic locale, Lexington is worth a peek.