Moving to Smith Mountain Lake: Family Guide (2026)

For decades, Smith Mountain Lake was known as a destination for vacationers, outdoor enthusiasts and retirees. While it remains a haven for all three, the lake’s appeal has expanded, especially since the coronavirus pandemic accelerated the shift toward remote work.

Families who once vacationed here, owned second homes or lived within commuting distance realized they no longer had to choose between career and lifestyle. They could build their lives in a community that offers breathtaking scenery, excellent schools and abundant recreational opportunities while continuing to work remotely.

The pandemic changed more than where people worked.

According to Jada Turner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices SML Real Estate, it also changed the way people viewed Smith Mountain Lake. What was once considered primarily a retirement or vacation destination is now attracting families and professionals looking to enjoy their lives here year-round.

“I see more and more buyers coming from all over the nation,” Turner said.

Bedford County Director of Economic Development Pamela Armstrong said expanded broadband access over the past several years has given more professionals the freedom to work from home. She noted that Bedford County has led the way in broadband expansion.

Combined with the rise of remote and hybrid work and relatively affordable housing, those improvements have made it possible for more professionals to live at the lake while maintaining careers elsewhere. Communities that once filled primarily on weekends are increasingly home to year-round residents raising families.

Andy Bruns, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, has watched the transition unfold in his own neighborhood.

“Since the pandemic, four of the 20 homes in my neighborhood have gone from second homes to primary residences for families with school-aged children,” Bruns said.

Turner believes today’s buyers are looking for more than just a beautiful place to live.

“They are searching for a place to truly call home,” Turner said. “In addition, housing affordability is excellent here. Real estate taxes are low, mortgages are affordable and the dream of owning a home is attainable.”

Combined with public school systems in Bedford and Franklin counties, private schools and homeschooling opportunities, SML families have a wide range of educational choices.

“School choice is very big,” said Bruns. “Education in the region around here is a selling point and we should be proud of that.”

The growth of Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy (SMLCA) has also been a significant addition to the community. While many local families have chosen the school for its smaller class sizes and faith-based curriculum, others have relocated to the lake specifically so their children could attend.

“I had a specific family that came to the area for their children to attend Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy,” said Debbie Shelton of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices SML Real Estate.

Bruns said SMLCA’s decision to remain open during the pandemic was another factor that attracted families to the area. The school has continued to grow, establishing a second campus in Roanoke in 2025.

He also noted that SML offers strong educational opportunities beyond elementary and secondary schools. Numerous colleges, community colleges and nationally recognized universities, including the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, are all within a two-hour drive.

Year-round recreational opportunities are another reason families are choosing to call Smith Mountain Lake home. While boating, swimming, watersports and fishing remain the area’s biggest draws, residents also enjoy an expanding lineup of organized sports, community programs and outdoor activities throughout the year.

“Since 2020, we have seen a noticeable increase in participation in recreational and athletic programs throughout Bedford County, including the Smith Mountain Lake area,” said Stuart Saunders, director of Bedford County Parks and Recreation. “While summer remains a busy season, participation in fall, winter and spring programming has grown significantly as more families have chosen to make the area their permanent home.”

Franklin County has experienced a similar trend. According to Nikki Custer, athletics and aquatics manager for Franklin County Parks and Recreation, participation has rebounded from its 2020 decline and now exceeds pre-pandemic levels.

“We offer other things besides league sports that kids and families can participate in,” she said. “In the summer we have the ‘Movies on the Move’ series where we move to different localities around the county to show movies. We have family bingo nights, races, and [Lego] bricks for kids camps.”

Custer also oversees the SML Community Park Beach, a popular summertime destination for families. The 37-acre park also features picnic areas, an ADA-compliant fishing pier, hiking trails and a playground, all open year-round from dawn to dusk, while the swimming beach operates seasonally.

Beyond traditional parks, new recreation options continue to emerge, including 18-hole disc golf courses at Moneta Park and in LakeWatch Plantation, dog parks at LakeWatch and Kaleidoscope – The Gathering Place, indoor golf facilities at Westlake and Mariners Landing, and the Lovely Valley Loop hiking trail in Wirtz.

Longtime favorites such as SML State Park and Booker T. Washington National Monument continue to offer family-friendly programs and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

“We have a lot going on for outdoor recreation and Smith Mountain Lake is one of the arrows in that quiver,” Armstrong said. “Hiking, wineries such as Wind Vineyards, Peaks of Otter Winery, Fables and Feathers, and the farmers’ markets are all assets.”

“Once we started our family we found so many more families in the area,” said Chrystal Mattson, who is raising her children with her husband, Keith, at Smith Mountain Lake. “All of us love the water and the community feel that this area brings.”

As someone who has worked in the SML area for nearly 40 years, Jeanette Handy of Front Porch Realty and a member of the Smith Mountain Lake Rotary Club has watched the community evolve well beyond the tourist season.

“While Smith Mountain Lake has always had a strong sense of community, more full-time residents have created a year-round atmosphere. Local sports leagues, churches, nonprofits, volunteer organizations, community events, restaurants and small businesses remain active throughout the year. Families moving here are often surprised to discover that life at the lake is not just about summer tourism. There is a vibrant community that stays engaged in every season.”

That sense of year-round community is reflected in the area’s calendar of events. Signature gatherings such as the SML Wine Festival each September and the Chili Festival every November draw thousands of visitors, while traditions including the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot, the Lighted Boat Parade and Santa’s arrival at Bridgewater Plaza keep families connected through the holiday season.

Community libraries in Moneta and Westlake also offer year-round programming for children and families, including story times, movie matinees, Lego clubs and other educational activities.

Live entertainment extends well beyond the summer months, too. The Coves Amphitheater continues to bring nationally known artists to the lake while supporting local charities, and nearby Rocky Mount’s Harvester Performance Center attracts nationally touring acts and their fans year-round.

Taken together, it’s easy to see why more families are choosing to call SML home. Life at the lake doesn’t end when the summer crowds leave. In many ways, it simply changes with the seasons.

“The off-season is our favorite time,” said Mattson. “Spring, fall and even winter there are days that it is warm enough to take the boat out to just cruise around. We also get to hang out with our friends here, meeting at islands or grabbing food at a local restaurant.”

Not everyone moving to SML is purchasing waterfront property. In fact, most are not.

Bruns has seen growing demand for both lake-access and off-water communities, with many new homes selling as soon as they’re completed. While he expects the pace of growth to be slower than it was immediately following the pandemic, he believes demand for non-waterfront homes will remain strong as buyers seek more affordable options.

“I think you will see the off-the-water growth,” Bruns said. “That will be big.”

Shelton has also seen the market become more balanced, with increasing interest in communities that offer the lake lifestyle without the premium price of waterfront property.

“Westlake in particular will continue to develop and grow,” Shelton predicted.

Veteran real estate professional Deb Beran of Deb Beran Properties said she’s seeing increased interest in established golf and country club communities such as The Waterfront and The Water’s Edge, both of which offer lakefront and off-water homes.

“Today’s buyers are looking for more than just a home. They’re drawn to the lifestyle these communities offer, from golf, swimming, tennis and pickleball to social events and an active community. With The Waterfront under new ownership, we’ve also seen renewed interest from buyers who want those amenities without necessarily being directly on the water,” Beran said.

Dani Poe, Director of Economic Development for Franklin County, pointed to the approximately 250 housing units under construction near Westlake Towne Center as evidence of the growing demand for attainable housing, particularly for working families and longtime residents looking to downsize.

“These homes are workforce homes with price points that families can afford as well as current lake residents who are looking to downsize,” she said.

She also noted that the apartment complex behind the Westlake CVS has a waiting list, reflecting strong demand from professionals who want to live and work in Franklin County.

While Bruns acknowledged that growth will bring challenges, including increased traffic in the Westlake area, he believes the benefits far outweigh the growing pains.

“My favorite thing about Smith Mountain Lake is that everyone is so friendly and so happy,” said Bruns. “In the 60 years since the lake was built, everyone who has moved here chose to be here so they are happier.”