Best college town in Virginia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Blacksburg is the quintessential college town in VA.

no

Why Not? It’s got tremendous spirit and a lively bar/restaurant scene immediately off campus that is almost exclusively college kids.

DP. Agree. It's a great little college town in a beautiful mountainous setting. Love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yep, nothing beat tailgating and watching drunk frat boys walking up and down stadium stairs.

And so, you would suggest...? We'll wait.

[Anonymous]

Richmond!

No place that ends in “burg” or “ville” is worthy of this award.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As far as pure fun and college spirit go. I’m guessing it would be between Harrisonburg, Blacksburg, or Charlottesville. But if you think another town fits the bill, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts as well.

Harrisonburg? Come on now...

Why not? The bars there seem to have a cool, quirky vibe.

Sure things have changed since I attended 90 years ago, but as I recall none of the bars are near campus. Everyone had to drunk drive somewhere.

My sibling graduated from JMU 20 years ago. They say the scene is much better now. And there is a bar literally right across the street from campus. The downtown is cute; and there are plenty of places to eat and drink. Our kid loves it.

Another kid at Tech. Blacksburg is much smaller but cute. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

We have no kid in Charlottesville but I think that may have the best vibe of all of them.

But also love downtown Fredericksburg. More shops than either Blacksburg or Harrisonburg.

[Anonymous]

Do Tech upperclassmen have to drive to class? That would ruin the vibe for me.

[Anonymous]

Staunton and Lexington are both pretty great. Charlottesville used to be great, but now it’s just overgrown and has lost its heart and soul.

[Anonymous]

I loved Lexington when I was at W&L. Walkable, adorable shops, and now there are many more restaurants there than when I was a student. The people in Lexington are incredibly friendly and it felt like an idyllic place while I was there. And, fwiw, I was not a typical W&L student. In the early 2000s that meant white, conservative, or preppy. The student body is MUCH more diverse now, and its wonderful! Definitely worth checking out. I think that Lexington today feels closer to what Charlottesville may have felt like 30 years ago, but smaller.

[Anonymous]

Williamsburg. Come on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do Tech upperclassmen have to drive to class? That would ruin the vibe for me.

I walked to class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Staunton and Lexington are both pretty great. Charlottesville used to be great, but now it’s just overgrown and has lost its heart and soul.

What college is in Staunton?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As far as pure fun and college spirit go. I’m guessing it would be between Harrisonburg, Blacksburg, or Charlottesville. But if you think another town fits the bill, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts as well.

Harrisonburg? Come on now...

Why not? The bars there seem to have a cool, quirky vibe.

Sure things have changed since I attended 90 years ago, but as I recall none of the bars are near campus. Everyone had to drunk drive somewhere.

My sibling graduated from JMU 20 years ago. They say the scene is much better now. And there is a bar literally right across the street from campus. The downtown is cute; and there are plenty of places to eat and drink. Our kid loves it.

Another kid at Tech. Blacksburg is much smaller but cute. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

We have no kid in Charlottesville but I think that may have the best vibe of all of them.

But also love downtown Fredericksburg. More shops than either Blacksburg or Harrisonburg.

How is Blacksburg much smaller than Harrisonburg? There is a ton of stuff geared towards students immediately off campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Staunton and Lexington are both pretty great. Charlottesville used to be great, but now it’s just overgrown and has lost its heart and soul.

What college is in Staunton?

Mary Baldwin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As far as pure fun and college spirit go. I’m guessing it would be between Harrisonburg, Blacksburg, or Charlottesville. But if you think another town fits the bill, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts as well.

Harrisonburg? Come on now...

Why not? The bars there seem to have a cool, quirky vibe.

Sure things have changed since I attended 90 years ago, but as I recall none of the bars are near campus. Everyone had to drunk drive somewhere.

My sibling graduated from JMU 20 years ago. They say the scene is much better now. And there is a bar literally right across the street from campus. The downtown is cute; and there are plenty of places to eat and drink. Our kid loves it.

Another kid at Tech. Blacksburg is much smaller but cute. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

We have no kid in Charlottesville but I think that may have the best vibe of all of them.

But also love downtown Fredericksburg. More shops than either Blacksburg or Harrisonburg.

Fredericksburg is a fun college town. It has a nice downtown within walking distance of UMW. The big box stores in Central Park and the mall are a short drive. Fredericksburg also has train service to DC and Richmond for weekend getaways with friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As far as pure fun and college spirit go. I’m guessing it would be between Harrisonburg, Blacksburg, or Charlottesville. But if you think another town fits the bill, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts as well.

Harrisonburg? Come on now...

Why not? The bars there seem to have a cool, quirky vibe.

Sure things have changed since I attended 90 years ago, but as I recall none of the bars are near campus. Everyone had to drunk drive somewhere.

My sibling graduated from JMU 20 years ago. They say the scene is much better now. And there is a bar literally right across the street from campus. The downtown is cute; and there are plenty of places to eat and drink. Our kid loves it.

Another kid at Tech. Blacksburg is much smaller but cute. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

We have no kid in Charlottesville but I think that may have the best vibe of all of them.

But also love downtown Fredericksburg. More shops than either Blacksburg or Harrisonburg.

Fredericksburg is a fun college town. It has a nice downtown within walking distance of UMW. The big box stores in Central Park and the mall are a short drive. Fredericksburg also has train service to DC and Richmond for weekend getaways with friends.

You really can’t compare Fredericksburg and UMW with fewer than 4000 students, to places like Harrisonburg or Blacksburg or even Charlottesville, where there are lots of students and the town itself depends on the student population. Also where lots of alumni converge for big football and basketball games.

[Anonymous]

Charlottesville