Anonymous
Post 05/11/2026 09:07     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
I recently took my DD to tour VT. DH and I went to graduate school there (graduated early 2000). Omg it has changed and not for the good. Downtown is dead. I see the NIMBYs who fought development in downtown Blacksburg won. All the housing is built up outside of town making VT a commuter campus.

Additionally, do not believe the admissions speaker when he says your kid won’t have TAs teaching. Your kid will absolutely have TAs teaching for professors. (We both taught in grad school!) I was shocked by that blatant lie. Pretty much any R1 school you will have TA teaching for professors because that’s how research works! Profs get research grants and buy back their teaching time.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 23:19     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:VT campus is better than most colleges and kids are quite content.

Plus, its not like they are holed up in Blacksburg for 12 months - between Thanksgiving, Christmas break, spring break, summer - it all works out.

My older went to UVa and younger at VT - they both seemed to find the campus/school life equally good.



Except this is 2026 not 1999 and kids these days don't want to go to school for 4 years in the middle of nowhere. Blacksburg just ain't it.


Blacksburg is no worse than Charlottesville or Harrisonburg.


Charlottesville is a sought-after, expensive town where people long to relocate. Certainly nobody unrelated to VT is getting near Blacksburg voluntarily.


Who unrelated to UVA is looking for Charlottesville in the year 2026?


+1
And especially, "longing" to relocate there? I laughed so hard at that.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 21:10     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
Isn't it funny how every thread about VT attracts the insecure UVA boosters? They just can't help themselves.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 21:06     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
Anonymous wrote:My Hokie has had the best 4 yrs, graduating next weekend. She spent much of the first 2 years grinding (engineering) but also spent lots of time with friends and got heavily involved in several campus groups (design team, sports team, etc). She also went to all of the home football games and a number of men's and women's basketball (and some other sporting events). Having a car or friends with a car opens up lots of options for hiking, camping, etc. as well as going to concerts in Charlotte and Raleigh. She loves the campus setting, and Blacksburg is a real college town with spirit off the charts. Literally couldn't have found a better fit I don't think.

My younger kid is just finishing his first year at VT. I thought he might choose somewhere less remote, but it's not been an issue and he's had a good year.


+100
My Hokie (non-STEM) is graduating next weekend too and has been very sad lately at the thought of having to leave VT and Blacksburg. She's noting all the "lasts" and trying to squeeze as much out of these final weeks as possible. I also can't imagine a better fit anywhere else. Definitely agree about the hiking - some gorgeous spots not far away - and all the other things you mentioned.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 21:02     Subject: Re:VT / Blacksburg Vibes
Anonymous wrote:It's the same reason why my daughter wasn't excited about JMU.


Different strokes... JMU is another lovely small town located in a valley surrounded by the Blue Ridge. It's exactly what one of my kids had in mind for college.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 21:01     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:VT campus is better than most colleges and kids are quite content.

Plus, its not like they are holed up in Blacksburg for 12 months - between Thanksgiving, Christmas break, spring break, summer - it all works out.

My older went to UVa and younger at VT - they both seemed to find the campus/school life equally good.



Except this is 2026 not 1999 and kids these days don't want to go to school for 4 years in the middle of nowhere. Blacksburg just ain't it.


NP. You really need to speak for yourself/your own kids. There are no shortage of kids clamoring to attend VT, so clearly plenty are very happy to be in a lovely, small mountain town. My DC's roommate for the past two years is from NYC and deliberately chose VT to experience the kind of bucolic atmosphere not available at an urban school. It's a great place full of lots of things to do and the town is adorable and small. Very much what thousands of kids every year are in search of.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 20:11     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
If you love nature and the outdoors, Blacksburg is an unbelievable place to live.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 19:16     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My Hokie has had the best 4 yrs, graduating next weekend. She spent much of the first 2 years grinding (engineering) but also spent lots of time with friends and got heavily involved in several campus groups (design team, sports team, etc). She also went to all of the home football games and a number of men's and women's basketball (and some other sporting events). Having a car or friends with a car opens up lots of options for hiking, camping, etc. as well as going to concerts in Charlotte and Raleigh. She loves the campus setting, and Blacksburg is a real college town with spirit off the charts. Literally couldn't have found a better fit I don't think.

My younger kid is just finishing his first year at VT. I thought he might choose somewhere less remote, but it's not been an issue and he's had a good year.


It has an east coast UC Davis CA type of college town feel with its downtown next to campus minus the bike riding and a lot more military students


Sacramento is 20 minutes away from UCD.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 19:04     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:VT campus is better than most colleges and kids are quite content.

Plus, its not like they are holed up in Blacksburg for 12 months - between Thanksgiving, Christmas break, spring break, summer - it all works out.

My older went to UVa and younger at VT - they both seemed to find the campus/school life equally good.



Except this is 2026 not 1999 and kids these days don't want to go to school for 4 years in the middle of nowhere. Blacksburg just ain't it.


Blacksburg is no worse than Charlottesville or Harrisonburg.


I’m sure there are things to do in Blacksburg, but it’s not quite the same as Charlottesville.

Blacksburg is very centered around Virginia Tech, and there’s not much nearby outside of that.

Charlottesville feels like a bigger town with more stores, and one of its biggest advantages over Blacksburg is its proximity to Richmond and DC.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 16:57     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
Anonymous wrote:My Hokie has had the best 4 yrs, graduating next weekend. She spent much of the first 2 years grinding (engineering) but also spent lots of time with friends and got heavily involved in several campus groups (design team, sports team, etc). She also went to all of the home football games and a number of men's and women's basketball (and some other sporting events). Having a car or friends with a car opens up lots of options for hiking, camping, etc. as well as going to concerts in Charlotte and Raleigh. She loves the campus setting, and Blacksburg is a real college town with spirit off the charts. Literally couldn't have found a better fit I don't think.

My younger kid is just finishing his first year at VT. I thought he might choose somewhere less remote, but it's not been an issue and he's had a good year.


It has an east coast UC Davis CA type of college town feel with its downtown next to campus minus the bike riding and a lot more military students
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 16:46     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
My Hokie has had the best 4 yrs, graduating next weekend. She spent much of the first 2 years grinding (engineering) but also spent lots of time with friends and got heavily involved in several campus groups (design team, sports team, etc). She also went to all of the home football games and a number of men's and women's basketball (and some other sporting events). Having a car or friends with a car opens up lots of options for hiking, camping, etc. as well as going to concerts in Charlotte and Raleigh. She loves the campus setting, and Blacksburg is a real college town with spirit off the charts. Literally couldn't have found a better fit I don't think.

My younger kid is just finishing his first year at VT. I thought he might choose somewhere less remote, but it's not been an issue and he's had a good year.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 15:39     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
Blacksburg’s somewhat isolated location required it to develop its own cultural life centered on VT sports, arts, and outdoor activities. Blacksburg reminds me a lot of Syracuse, in that respect.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 15:14     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:VT campus is better than most colleges and kids are quite content.

Plus, its not like they are holed up in Blacksburg for 12 months - between Thanksgiving, Christmas break, spring break, summer - it all works out.

My older went to UVa and younger at VT - they both seemed to find the campus/school life equally good.



Except this is 2026 not 1999 and kids these days don't want to go to school for 4 years in the middle of nowhere. Blacksburg just ain't it.


Blacksburg is no worse than Charlottesville or Harrisonburg.


Charlottesville is a sought-after, expensive town where people long to relocate. Certainly nobody unrelated to VT is getting near Blacksburg voluntarily.


Who unrelated to UVA is looking for Charlottesville in the year 2026?


Hasaaaaaa!!!! My city kid thought Charlottesville was the sticks. Too rural, too much country music and cowboy boots.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 15:13     Subject: Re:VT / Blacksburg Vibes
Anonymous wrote:I was shocked to learn housing is only for freshman.

I was on campus two years in the 90s wow! UVA is similar now. I think with both you can still stay on- it’s just not guaranteed.
Anonymous
Post 05/09/2026 15:12     Subject: VT / Blacksburg Vibes
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:VT campus is better than most colleges and kids are quite content.

Plus, its not like they are holed up in Blacksburg for 12 months - between Thanksgiving, Christmas break, spring break, summer - it all works out.

My older went to UVa and younger at VT - they both seemed to find the campus/school life equally good.



Except this is 2026 not 1999 and kids these days don't want to go to school for 4 years in the middle of nowhere. Blacksburg just ain't it.


Blacksburg is no worse than Charlottesville or Harrisonburg.


Charlottesville is a sought-after, expensive town where people long to relocate. Certainly nobody unrelated to VT is getting near Blacksburg voluntarily.


Who unrelated to UVA is looking for Charlottesville in the year 2026?