Buy our guides
Read our blog
Login Register

Virginia Tech
- Local Atmosphere

RT
Currently attending or alumni?
Review this school!
Are you interested
in this school?
Yes, let this school know
Maybe, bookmark for later
No, get better matches
Saving your decision
Yes
Maybe
No

Your information has been sent to this school through our partnership with .

This school has been saved to your schools list.

This school has been removed from your recommended schools list.

For your next recommendation, check out .

Jump to a section:

Grade
Quick Stats
Student Author Overview
Student Reviews
Student Polls
Facts
Listings
Take A SurveyWrite A ReviewUpload A PhotoLink Up A VideoWrite The Guide
Virginia Tech - Local Atmosphere - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.85

Local Atmosphere

B+
Where does this grade come from?View all Local Atmosphere rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Local Atmosphere Grades:

Quick Stats

Points of Interest
  • Appalachian Trail
  • Cascades
  • Chateau Morrissette
  • Huckleberry Trail
  • New River
  • Radford University
  • Roanoke

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Living in Blacksburg combines the convenience of being able to walk everywhere with the familiarity of knowing most of the shops and restaurants in town. The town’s size and location do leave some students feeling like they’re in the middle of nowhere. On the plus side, there is a downtown area that caters to college students’ tastes. Also, a variety of restaurants surround the campus, many of which are priced to fit a student budget. Students who come to Virginia Tech from big cities may miss the hustle and bustle. But again, many students enjoy living in a town that revolves around their university. Even the locals feel like Hokies—going to games, hanging VT banners in their windows, and going to school events. Blacksburg is mostly self-sufficient, with numerous grocery stores, restaurants, shops, and services. The town is also a 15-minute drive from Christiansburg, where students can find a Super Wal-Mart, Target, and a mall with a movie theater.

If you’re a nature lover, there’s plenty for you to do in and around Blacksburg. There are hiking trails, the New River, and campsites close by. Students who are less of the outdoors type can go downtown and find restaurants, movies, and bars. Though many students find the small town atmosphere and close-knit community enjoyable, there's a limit to how much a small town can offer. For some student, by their fourth year at Tech, they might be ready to get out of Blacksburg and see something new.

See how you stack up against students who were accepted to this school . . .And calculate your chances!Register to get started

Virginia Tech Student ReviewsWhat's This?

Sort by:

Loading...

Local Atmosphere at Virginia Tech

mcaitlin

'12

Education

4.6
A

Unique, Artsy, Fun

There is always an event going on, and many different options to pick from. There are art exhibits, plays, concerts (a few times a semester), cultural events, and tons of sporting events. Students are embraced in the community, making it feel like a big extended family. People are very nice and supportive of VT.

Jan 08, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Local Atmosphere at Virginia Tech

ajchoi

'15

Biological Sciences

4.2
A-

True College Town

Everything is a walk or bus ride away, but most times I hitch a ride with my friends. I love that everything is really close to each other and there is always something to do.

Jan 03, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Local Atmosphere at Virginia Tech

aljurejd

'15

Mechanical Engineering

5.0
A+

Atmosphere

Every person I have met at Virginia Tech is extremely friendly and everyone is willing to lend a hand in any way they can. The atmosphere is highly comforting.

Dec 24, 2011

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate
Page 1 of 13

Photos of Virginia Tech's Local Atmosphere

College Students:
Register now to upload photos of YOUR school and show what it is really like!
Virginia Tech - Torgerson BridgeTorgerson Bridge
Photo by sbhans
Torgerson Bridge Another view of Torgerson Bridge.
Link to this photo
Photo by sbhans
Virginia Tech - A Beacon of Ut ProsimA Beacon of Ut Prosim
Photo by sbhans
A Beacon of Ut Prosim Burruss Hall is one of the most widely recognized architectural marvels on the Tech campus. It houses the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, as well as Burruss Auditorium, where concerts, speakers, and larger classes are held.
Link to this photo
Photo by sbhans
Virginia Tech - Hokie Spirit Takes Over CampusHokie Spirit Takes Over Campus
Photo by sbhans
Hokie Spirit Takes Over Campus School spirit can even be found in the shrubberies here at Virginia Tech.
Link to this photo
Photo by sbhans

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the local atmosphere on the following topics

What is the local atmosphere like at your school?

What is the proximity to other universities? Is there much interaction?

Can you see yourself living here after graduation?

Facts

Shopping Centers New River Valley Mall
Major Sports Teams None:
City Web Sites
Distances to Nearest Major Cities
  • Richmond: VA: 3 hours
  • Washington: D.C.: 4 hours
Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Blacksburg:
• Around 40 percent of the land in Blacksburg is undeveloped. That means lots of open fields and clean air.
• The town has festivals downtown throughout the year, including Steppin’ Out, where local artisans and vendors sell their work, and the International Street Festival, where dozens of cultures share food and dance.
• Virginia Tech was listed by Outside magazine as a top 10 “dream town” for outdoors enthusiasts.
• Mountain Lake Hotel is a few miles down the road from Tech, and it is famous for being the setting of the film Dirty Dancing.
• Blacksburg has a farmers’ market twice a week. Local farmers bring fresh vegetables, fruit, and more.

Famous People from Blacksburg:
William Black – founder of Blacksburg

Local Slang:
Ya’ll – Two or more people
Poke – Bag
Tech, VT – Virginia Tech
NOVA – Northern Virginia

Movie TheatersWhat's This?

The Lyric Theatre
135 College Ave.,
Blacksburg
(540) 951-0604

Radford Plaza Cinemas
7472 Lee Hwy.,
Radford
(540) 633-2460

Radford Theatre
1043 Norwood St.,
Radford
(540) 639-0772

Regal New River Valley Stadium 14
110 New River Rd.
Christiansburg
(540) 381-0854

StarLite Drive-In Theater
305 Starlight Drive
Christiansburg
(540) 382-2202

Valley View Grande Roanoke
4730 Valley View Blvd.
Roanoke
(540) 362-8989

Buy The Guidebook

Buy a hard copy of "Virginia Tech 2012: Off The Record"

Read more about the book . . .Add to Cart

Buy the eBook:

AmazonBarnes & NobleGoogleSmashwordsDownload the FREE Printable Summary (PDF)

Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at VT

Name: Heather Priestley

Hometown: Toano, VA

Major: Wildlife Science

see all student author bios > Become a student author to help update the guide for this school

Find a college

Find a major

Scholarships

Reviews

Company

Buy College Prowler school guides in our bookstore Get the real scoop on what it's like on campus and see what school is the place for you!

How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. Please note that the information presented on this site is updated periodically, but may not be the
most recent information available for a particular school. For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.