Reviews & Comments
Blacksburg, VA
Great Place to Be -
11/11/2008Blacksburg is an awesome community in a gorgeous region of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.
With the university here, VT, and the growing metro area there are now about 150,000 in the SMSA.
And Roanoke stands just a half hour east with it's new acclaimed Museum of Art, downtown lofts,
shopping and City Market.
But, back to Blacksburg. Men's Health, Places Rated, Forbes, Outdoor magazine and more have all
ranked the area high in its rankings over the past few years. STeady high-tech job growth, strong
retirement community, the energy of the 25,000+ college students and all of the people who accompany
these segments create a tight knit community with lots to offer residents and visitors, alike.
Downtown, the restored Lyric Theatre plays first run art films, hosts concerts and performance. A new
'Black Box' Theatre in a fully modernist building is being built across the street and VA Tech will break
ground downtown on a massive Performing Arts Center and parking garage in the near future. Downtown improvements are about to be under way, a new boutique inn opens in the fall, and new downtown
residences are all bringing new life to downtown. And we're eagerly anticipating new restaurants and local
galleries and shops as these projects are completed.
There's quite a bit happening throughout the area.
The former University Mall adjacent to campus has been upgraded to host offices, new service retail and
other amenities from Panera Bread to Starbucks, a bookstore, expansive gym, and other features.
South Main Street-accessible by walking, bike, public transport and by car is in the process of opening
and brings retailers from Talbot's, Coldwater Creek, Ann Taylor Loft, Jos A Banks, Books A Million, Blue Ridge
Mountain Sports, a full-service Day Spa with Aveda, and many, many more shops and restaurants as well as
a 12-screen stadium seating theatre now join Kroger and other retailers in a rapidly emerging high-end
retail district.
Go 10 minutes further to the malls between Blacksburg and Christiansburg and you've got everything from
Old Navy, Best Buy, Target to Bookbinder's Grill - it's an expansive district with hundereds of goods and services
to choose from.
Blacksburg's schools are new and well run with a growing student population. Housing is wide ranging and
much of it is built within recent years. The town sits on a vast plateau at about 2,000 feet surrounded by mountains. The views are insane and there is great golfing within minutes. Blacksburg Country Club, Va Tech
Golf Course, the public town course and the Pete Dye River Course all provide great golfing.
Hike the Appalachian Trail, go rafting on the New River, hike to Cascades Water Fall, Pandapas Pond or just stroll
the phenomenal grounds of Va Tech campus and the Duck Pond and Smithfield Plantation.
Va Tech hosts a new medical School, College of Veterinary Medicine and the Va Tech Airport is planning for
it's coming expansion upgrades to host more corporate and private jet travel. Va Tech Corp Research Center
hosts more than 2,000 employees in 24 buildings housing over 130 new technology companies.
It's worth the visit. It's definitely worth moving here if you can swing it.