"It was great: Friday night football, the marching band, and lots of small-town glamour. I wouldn't trade it for growing up anywhere else in the world. If you haven't seen the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains, you must go. They are divine." --Author Adriana Trigiani on growing up in Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Indeed, Big Stone Gap is located in a beautiful area. Mountain ridges tower over this quaint hamlet, and the tranquil Powell River meanders through the valley. Coal mining has long been the economic mainstay in this area of Southwest Virginia, but economic diversification has occurred in recent years: a state prison, healthcare facilities, and a nearby university employ many people who live in the area. Additionally, several notable figures have their roots in Big Stone Gap: novelist Adriana Trigiani, former NFL running backs Thomas and Julius Jones, and author John Fox Jr.
Big Stone Gap is located less than 20 minutes away from the University of Virginia's College at Wise, so students often rent apartments in town and commute to campus
"It was great: Friday night football, the marching band, and lots of small-town glamour. I wouldn't trade it for growing up anywhere else in the world. If you haven't seen the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains, you must go. They are divine." --Author Adriana Trigiani on growing up in Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Indeed, Big Stone Gap is located in a beautiful area. Mountain ridges tower over this quaint hamlet, and the tranquil Powell River meanders through the valley. Coal mining has long been the economic mainstay in this area of Southwest Virginia, but economic diversification has occurred in recent years: a state prison, healthcare facilities, and a nearby university employ many people who live in the area. Additionally, several notable figures have their roots in Big Stone Gap: novelist Adriana Trigiani, former NFL running backs Thomas and Julius Jones, and author John Fox Jr.
Big Stone Gap is located less than 20 minutes away from the University of Virginia's College at Wise, so students often rent apartments in town and commute to campus. If you're looking for an apartment to rent in Big Stone Gap, demand will be greater in late summer as opposed to early summer, so hop to it on the off season to grab that perfect spot! Make sure your credit history is solid and take references to improve your chances of snagging an apt for rent.
There are two distinct areas of Big Stone Gap: downtown, and everywhere else. If you're looking for a studio for rent, you'll probably have better luck downtown; if you want a house to rent, you'll find them scattered throughout the community. Keep in mind that winters here can be treacherous with ample snowfall and ice each season. If you choose to live away from the downtown neighborhood, make sure your vehicle can traverse harsh road conditions.
You'll find that the pace of life around here moves much slower than in metropolitan areas -- but people are friendly, helpful, and truly enjoy spending time visiting with their neighbors. Beyond the neighborly spirit, Big Stone Gap offers lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation and adventure; for culture junkies, it's the home of Virginia's state drama The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, which premieres every summer to sold-out crowds. Several museums in the area can teach you about the area's rich heritage. Each May, you'll also get to enjoy the Gathering in the Gap music festival that always hosts big names in bluegrass, country, and Americana music.
Big Stone Gap offers a quaint combination of urban and rural, historic and modern; snatch up some new digs here right away.
