"Carry me back to old Virginia, There's where the cotton and the corn and taters grow." - James Bland
Nestled among the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, Christiansburg is the fourth largest town in the Commonwealth of Virginia with 21,00 residents. Just minutes from Virginia Tech and Radford University, it earned its reputation as a college town, but it has a rich history and attractions that allure more than just college students. The mountains provide many trails for hiking and outdoor activities and the town is considered the retail hub of the New River Valley for those shopaholics out there.
How much will it cost? No need to hold on too tight to your wallets -- the little town of Christiansburg is a pretty affordable place to live
"Carry me back to old Virginia, There's where the cotton and the corn and taters grow." - James Bland
Nestled among the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, Christiansburg is the fourth largest town in the Commonwealth of Virginia with 21,00 residents. Just minutes from Virginia Tech and Radford University, it earned its reputation as a college town, but it has a rich history and attractions that allure more than just college students. The mountains provide many trails for hiking and outdoor activities and the town is considered the retail hub of the New River Valley for those shopaholics out there.
Moving to Christiansburg
How much will it cost? No need to hold on too tight to your wallets -- the little town of Christiansburg is a pretty affordable place to live. Its quaint village lifestyle offers a balance of chic, urban charm and lots of rural farmland, if that's your cup of tea. In some areas of town, you can rent a 2-bedroom apartment for less than $700/month, leaving room in the budget to enjoy the town's other amenities like shopping and enjoying a nice glass of wine.
When to Move
The spring and summer months are the most logical time to move to Christiansburg. Since this little town lies between a couple of college towns, plan a move while students are on summer break. That opens up more vacancies in apartments when the town is less busy. Avoid moving in the early fall when students are starting the fall semester unless you have an affinity for moving among chaos, in which case, feel free to go ahead.
Preparing For Your Move
If you cannot avoid moving in the fall, you don't need to start looking for an apartment earlier; you just need to be more aggressive in your search, as you will be competing with new students. When you put in your application, make sure you have your security deposit and pet deposit, if needed, ready to secure your place and put you ahead of any competition. In addition to luxury apartments, you can also find house rental in Christiansburg.
The Neighborhoods
Spanning just a short 14 miles, what the town of Christiansburg lacks in size, it makes up for in charm and character. Just a few quaint neighborhoods make up this pleasant little town, ranging from rustic, rural neighborhoods to chic, trendy areas with village shopping.
Town Center: Town Center is considered a suburb of Christiansburg, but it boasts many characteristics of urban, downtown living. If you like historic row houses or attached homes, this is a great contender.
Plum Creek/Riner: Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this rural neighborhood is one of the more affordable places to live in Christiansburg.
Radford Road/Harmon Drive: A suburb of Christiansburg, this area includes a mix of homes, one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom apartments found in high-rise buildings.
Cambria: Hip and trendy, this neighborhood offers shopping along with homes and apartments with character without a high price tag.
Living in Christiansburg
The small town of Christiansburg has much to offer, from closeness to local universities to great shopping and a beautiful, rustic landscape. Summers in Christiansburg average just a mere 80 degrees Fahrenheit, making it great for outdoor activities, but you'd better like winter if you live here because winter often brings snow and 20-degree weather, a by-product of living in the mountains. Ranked as one of the top 100 best small towns to live in by CNN Money in 2011, Christiansburg is a great place to choose as your next home.
Enjoy retail therapy by engaging in the town's eclectic mix of shopping selections. Visit familiar retail stores like Macy's or Old Navy at New River Valley Mall or New River Valley Center. Tap into the heart of the city by going to the Central Business District or the Cambria District. Each area offers a unique shopping experience through original boutiques and shops with a lovely brick and tree-lined landscape. Outdoorsman can enjoy the famous Huckleberry Trail outside the Blue Ridge Mountains. The trail is just over six miles long and connects the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg. This scenic trail is ideal for bikers, runners or even someone who just wants to take a stroll on a nice day.
Public transportation makes it easy to travel throughout the area. The Smart Way bus transports residents and guests throughout town and the metro valley. The Smart Bus is a popular transportation choice for local area Virginia Tech students. The town even offers affordable transportation options for residents traveling further into the New River Valley or into the state through its Megabus program -- a green, comfortable motor coach traveling. Drivers can use the town's carpooling program, Ride Solutions, to cut back on mileage or gas expense.
