Best college town in Virginia?

[Anonymous]

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.

Ok, fine, maybe, but compared to other locales in VA? No way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids hated Blacksburg. I think Lexington wins. The publics in VA aren’t in great towns. Except for richmond, they all mostly feel like strip malls and suburbs.

Richmond is a great town, but it’s not a college town. College town’s are typically smaller towns where the college takes center stage.

+1
Richmond isn’t what comes to mind for me when thinking of “college towns.” Blacksburg. Harrisonburg, etc. are quintessential college towns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids hated Blacksburg. I think Lexington wins. The publics in VA aren’t in great towns. Except for richmond, they all mostly feel like strip malls and suburbs.

How can college kids hate Blacksburg? Do they have something against fun?

I don’t know - I visited while I was a college student and wasn’t overly impressed

When was this? Decades ago? Blacksburg is indeed a fun little town.
DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Williamsburg. Come on.

Hands down.

Hard disagree. Colonial reenactments and tourists? No thanks.

[Anonymous]

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

Yes. I am a Hokie, but I do have to admit that Charlottesville is pretty charming (AT TIMES).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GMU hands down.
Northern VA is the best place in VA

DS is living on campus at GMU and having a good time. The school has really come a looong way in terms of activities and school spirit, but Fairfax isn’t like Blacksburg on game day.

Game day is usually big for the schools in the middle of nowhere and have nothing else much to do.

I know, right? As opposed to urban schools in soulless cities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GMU hands down.
Northern VA is the best place in VA

DS is living on campus at GMU and having a good time. The school has really come a looong way in terms of activities and school spirit, but Fairfax isn’t like Blacksburg on game day.

Game day is usually big for the schools in the middle of nowhere and have nothing else much to do.

I know, right? As opposed to urban schools in soulless cities.

Students at schools like Mason have so many other options for entertainment in the area - concerts, museums, shopping, bars and restaurants, etc. GMU basketball draws a lot of students but this area has professional sports while most college towns don’t. There’s simply more to do here, while places like Blacksburg and Harrisonburg have a captive audience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GMU hands down.
Northern VA is the best place in VA

DS is living on campus at GMU and having a good time. The school has really come a looong way in terms of activities and school spirit, but Fairfax isn’t like Blacksburg on game day.

Game day is usually big for the schools in the middle of nowhere and have nothing else much to do.

I know, right? As opposed to urban schools in soulless cities.

Students at schools like Mason have so many other options for entertainment in the area - concerts, museums, shopping, bars and restaurants, etc. GMU basketball draws a lot of students but this area has professional sports while most college towns don’t. There’s simply more to do here, while places like Blacksburg and Harrisonburg have a captive audience.

Hence why some are known as college towns vs urban/metro areas. Fairfax and Blacksburg have far more differences than similarities. Just because GMU has a large number of students, they don’t set the vibe of Fairfax like VT students and families do in Blacksburg.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids hated Blacksburg. I think Lexington wins. The publics in VA aren’t in great towns. Except for richmond, they all mostly feel like strip malls and suburbs.

How can college kids hate Blacksburg? Do they have something against fun?

I don’t know - I visited while I was a college student and wasn’t overly impressed

When was this? Decades ago? Blacksburg is indeed a fun little town.
DP

well, I was in college in the 90s, so, yeah....

I have been a couple times since then (our nephew graduated from a nearby high school, so we visited with him). It was ok as a town, but they still can't help that there isn't much else there.

FWIW, though, Metallica is bringing their shows there next year. The shows I saw at Soldier Field in Chicago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GMU hands down.
Northern VA is the best place in VA

DS is living on campus at GMU and having a good time. The school has really come a looong way in terms of activities and school spirit, but Fairfax isn’t like Blacksburg on game day.

Game day is usually big for the schools in the middle of nowhere and have nothing else much to do.

I know, right? As opposed to urban schools in soulless cities.

Students at schools like Mason have so many other options for entertainment in the area - concerts, museums, shopping, bars and restaurants, etc. GMU basketball draws a lot of students but this area has professional sports while most college towns don’t. There’s simply more to do here, while places like Blacksburg and Harrisonburg have a captive audience.

Places like Blacksburg and Harrisonburg also have restaurants, bars, concerts, lectures, etc. - in addition to lots of outdoor activities in beautiful valleys and mountains, rafting on rivers, hikes, and orchards. I’d take that any day over the burbs or a city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:GMU hands down.
Northern VA is the best place in VA

DS is living on campus at GMU and having a good time. The school has really come a looong way in terms of activities and school spirit, but Fairfax isn’t like Blacksburg on game day.

Game day is usually big for the schools in the middle of nowhere and have nothing else much to do.

I know, right? As opposed to urban schools in soulless cities.

Students at schools like Mason have so many other options for entertainment in the area - concerts, museums, shopping, bars and restaurants, etc. GMU basketball draws a lot of students but this area has professional sports while most college towns don’t. There’s simply more to do here, while places like Blacksburg and Harrisonburg have a captive audience.

Hence why some are known as college towns vs urban/metro areas. Fairfax and Blacksburg have far more differences than similarities. Just because GMU has a large number of students, they don’t set the vibe of Fairfax like VT students and families do in Blacksburg.

+1
And GMU is a good school - I have nothing at all against it. But it’s not a “college town.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynchburg. Liberty University, University of Lynchburg, and Randolph College are all there, and Sweet Briar is just outside of the city.

I agree with the PP. Before I had ever been to Lynchburg, I had a view of what I thought it was. Come to find out it is actually wonderful.

Several universities nearby and lots of things to do through that (sports, theater, etc.). But also, you have the river and lots of trails and parks for hiking, SUPing, running, kayaks, etc. And lots of people take advantage of that so there is a thriving outdoor community there.

The downtown area has also gone through a sort of revitalization with lots of the old mills and factory buildings redone into very cute (and expensive) lofts, condos, townhomes. There are lots of restaurants, bars, ice cream places, summer activities. There's an art scene. It's actually really great. And if you're thinking you'll get in and out cheaply, it's not that cheap to stay and play there (relative to here, sure).

Having said that, there is A TON for college kids to do there. A ton. But if you're only college goal is to puke your way through a Hokie or Cavs game, then I guess maybe the "shocked eyes" emoji is appropriate for you.

[Anonymous]

Lexington is the nicest town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lynchburg. Liberty University, University of Lynchburg, and Randolph College are all there, and Sweet Briar is just outside of the city.

I agree with the PP. Before I had ever been to Lynchburg, I had a view of what I thought it was. Come to find out it is actually wonderful.

Several universities nearby and lots of things to do through that (sports, theater, etc.). But also, you have the river and lots of trails and parks for hiking, SUPing, running, kayaks, etc. And lots of people take advantage of that so there is a thriving outdoor community there.

The downtown area has also gone through a sort of revitalization with lots of the old mills and factory buildings redone into very cute (and expensive) lofts, condos, townhomes. There are lots of restaurants, bars, ice cream places, summer activities. There's an art scene. It's actually really great. And if you're thinking you'll get in and out cheaply, it's not that cheap to stay and play there (relative to here, sure).

Having said that, there is A TON for college kids to do there. A ton. But if you're only college goal is to puke your way through a Hokie or Cavs game, then I guess maybe the "shocked eyes" emoji is appropriate for you.

You know, I was nodding along with you in agreement until your last sentence. What was the point of that? So uncalled for and totally diminishes the rest of your post.
NP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids hated Blacksburg. I think Lexington wins. The publics in VA aren’t in great towns. Except for richmond, they all mostly feel like strip malls and suburbs.

How can college kids hate Blacksburg? Do they have something against fun?

I don’t know - I visited while I was a college student and wasn’t overly impressed

When was this? Decades ago? Blacksburg is indeed a fun little town.
DP

well, I was in college in the 90s, so, yeah....

I have been a couple times since then (our nephew graduated from a nearby high school, so we visited with him). It was ok as a town, but they still can't help that there isn't much else there.

FWIW, though, Metallica is bringing their shows there next year. The shows I saw at Soldier Field in Chicago.

My son at UMD was livid!!