SperlingViews - Harrisonburg, Virginia

We moved to H'Burg in 2003 to enjoy a less expensive cost of living, closer proximity to family, low crime rate and better access to quality health care/facilities. We have been quite pleased with all of the above. It is primarily a rural community, yet has two fine universities/couple of colleges, easy access to the entire east coast and its major cities, e.g., Washington, D.C., Philly, Baltimore, Charlotte, etc. There has been considerable population growth but housing costs have lost little resale value, unemployment rate has been abit less than many communities, and virtually NO SMOG. In short, it has been a very pleasant experience.[read more...]

The weather is like central New England, slightly improved. The nights get cooler in the summer than in the greater Boston area where I used to live. High humidity is rarer. The winters are slightly milder. An inch of snow closes schools.[read more...]

Read reviews of zip 22801 on apartmentratings.com or newspaper reports and comments (dnronline)about crime. All new residential construction either attached multi-family slums or 500K homes. All things being relative I suppose you might find H'burg appealing if you are from an even more delapidated area. Reminds me of Lancaster, PA...you are either one of the old establishment or an outsider attending college or "fresh meat" to be poked, prodded and drained. This community is so insular it's like moving to an island...unless you were born and raised in H'burg you can't join the club. They will take your money though.[read more...]

Harrisonburg, is located in the beautiful Shenandoah Vally of Virginia. It is a wonder to weak up in the mornings to look upon such graceful and mature mountains. Its winding rivers and streams pass through such shapely hills and valleys. It is a great place to live.[read more...]

The economy has seen better days, I want there.[read more...]

Harrisonburg is a beautiful place. People who get to live in this area are fortunate. We visited a short time--I would have like to stayed and visited longer. Great place to go on vaction and visit.[read more...]

Harrisonburg used to be a nice place before it was discovered. You see, I am a graduate of JMU, class of 1995. Tens years ago, this was a small town with friendly people, a great downtown, and yes of course some sprawl development on Route 33. Now I'm afraid to say, it has been gobbled up in the sprawl that is overtaking the DC metro area. I never thought it would reach Rockingham County, but it has.[read more...]

It's a small city known as "Friendly City" and for the most part that is true. There are 2 universities and 1 college based in and around the city and suburban areas. Harrisonburg is just starting to emerge with known stores. Recently state award developed "Harrisonburg Crossings", a shopping area includes a Super Wal-Mart (of course), Barnes and Noble, Linens and Things, Staples, Petco, Circuit City, Michaels, Ross, and Home Depot as well as several smaller retailers/restaurants. Additionally, Target just added a huge store at the end of the mall. The health care facility is dominated by Rockingham Memorial Hospital (very good care [much better than South Florida where I used to live]} which is a teaching hospital part of James Madison University. Culturally, there is a local playhouse, and guest appearances of symphonies and ballet companies in and around the Virginia Commonwealth. TV station and several radio stations. Lots of festivals and fairs with local talent and crafts. Mostly white with a few black and asians population. Very family oriented. Many churches of all demoniations (Baptist to Unitarian and back again) Large menonite community. Businesses are mostly mom and pop (except for mall and shopping center). Large businesses are just starting to recognize the strategic location (off I-81) and between I-64 (to Richmond) and I-66 (to Washington, D. C.). Overall a nice place to live, BUT we are retired and don't have much to do AND OUR SON is an adult mentally handicapped person and there just aren't the opportunities for him here....we must find "a place for us"....sadly.[read more...]