Blacksburg is a great town to raise a family. I mean it’s absolutely superb. I think this is largely thanks to the long established working population of white collar families with one or more children – have heavily influenced the direction of the town – and its resources – for decades. These families aren’t pushing hard for more and bigger bars and a thriving singles’ social scene. They’re clamoring for upscale health spas, extra-curricular activities for their school age children, personal services, home improvement stores, and retail venues that are relevant for their particular stage in life. They’re asking for it and they’re getting it because they’re the largest segment in Blacksburg with the most money to spend. But, there are still many things missing from the town that as others have pointed out, make it less desirable for young professionals (and myself, if I’m being honest). Blacksburg still feels….. Hmmmm, I hate to say it. It feels like a small town without it’s fair share of small town charm. The home boom in Blacksburg came at the worst time, my guess is the mid sixties; the older houses are almost exclusively homely ranches and split levels. I imagine a young professional would find it hard to see themselves in that sort of home (and I don’t blame them). If you take the students away, the town of Blacksburg shrinks to about 13,000 people. Virginia Tech is a massive economic engine that gives those 13,000 permanent residents some ameneties that usually only much larger cities enjoy. However, most amenities that a typical vibrant small city enjoys would have a difficult time finding purchase in Blacksburg. There just isn’t enough population. For example, Roanoke City with its +/- 100,000 people and Roanoke County with it’s +/- 90,000 people, enjoys the Civic Center, the Coliseum, and Mill Mountain Theatre, and so on, and you’ve got a cultural event in Roanoke every weekend of the year. How many professional theatre productions get to Blacksburg? How many museums does Blacksburg have? Live concert events from major performers? How many neat little streets with towering buildings and an endless list of restaurants from which to choose? Blacksburg has a LONG way to go in these matters.

Still, Blacksburg’s population is growing. Demand for housing is very high. When we put our house on the market last year it sold within 24 hours. Contrary to what someone else stated, it’s pretty easy to find new homes being built within Blacksburg town limits. Just be prepared to drop $350,000 or more for a newly built home. Affordable housing with charm for those new graduates in town limits is very hard to come by. And as a new graduate, you might either commute from surrounding towns or be forced to rent a broke down little house in town with college age neighbors who prefer keg stands to art galleries Not a selling point.

Another observation is Roanoke. The “Smith Mountain Lake Effect” is creating ALOT of economic growth and interest around the lake. At this moment in Franklin County there are over – get this – forty homes on the market for over $1M. This lake effect is beginning to have a visible effect on the lakes closest “big” city of Roanoke, and of course Roanoke County and Franklin County. As both the New River and Roanoke Valley economies evolve, Blacksburg might have a fight on its hands when it comes to attracting young professionals who prefer a more vibrant, artistic and progressive culture. In my opinion, Roanoke has that “it” factor that Blacksburg seems to be missing. Roanoke will never be able to offer up anything like Virginia Tech, but all the other ingredients are there.

Just some thoughts. Keep in mind I still enjoyed my time in Blacksburg, it’s a great town. But I have a feeling too many young folks are hoping to turn Blacksburg into something that just might not be in it’s DNA?

Sean

Blacksburg is a great town to raise a family. I mean it's absolutely superb. I think this is largely thanks to the long established working population of white collar families with one or more children – have heavily influenced the direction of the town – and its resources – for decades. These families aren't pushing hard for more and bigger bars and a thriving singles' social scene. They're clamoring for upscale health spas, extra-curricular activities for their school age children, personal services, home improvement stores, and retail venues that are relevant for their particular stage in life. They're asking for it and they're getting it because they're the largest segment in Blacksburg with the most money to spend. But, there are still many things missing from the town that as others have pointed out, make it less desirable for young professionals (and myself, if I'm being honest). Blacksburg still feels….. Hmmmm, I hate to say it. It feels like a small town without it's fair share of small town charm. The home boom in Blacksburg came at the worst time, my guess is the mid sixties; the older houses are almost exclusively homely ranches and split levels. I imagine a young professional would find it hard to see themselves in that sort of home (and I don't blame them). If you take the students away, the town of Blacksburg shrinks to about 13,000 people. Virginia Tech is a massive economic engine that gives those 13,000 permanent residents some ameneties that usually only much larger cities enjoy. However, most amenities that a typical vibrant small city enjoys would have a difficult time finding purchase in Blacksburg. There just isn't enough population. For example, Roanoke City with its +/- 100,000 people and Roanoke County with it's +/- 90,000 people, enjoys the Civic Center, the Coliseum, and Mill Mountain Theatre, and so on, and you've got a cultural event in Roanoke every weekend of the year. How many professional theatre productions get to Blacksburg? How many museums does Blacksburg have? Live concert events from major performers? How many neat little streets with towering buildings and an endless list of restaurants from which to choose? Blacksburg has a LONG way to go in these matters.

Still, Blacksburg's population is growing. Demand for housing is very high. When we put our house on the market last year it sold within 24 hours. Contrary to what someone else stated, it's pretty easy to find new homes being built within Blacksburg town limits. Just be prepared to drop $350,000 or more for a newly built home. Affordable housing with charm for those new graduates in town limits is very hard to come by. And as a new graduate, you might either commute from surrounding towns or be forced to rent a broke down little house in town with college age neighbors who prefer keg stands to art galleries Not a selling point.

Another observation is Roanoke. The “Smith Mountain Lake Effect” is creating ALOT of economic growth and interest around the lake. At this moment in Franklin County there are over – get this – forty homes on the market for over $1M. This lake effect is beginning to have a visible effect on the lakes closest “big” city of Roanoke, and of course Roanoke County and Franklin County. As both the New River and Roanoke Valley economies evolve, Blacksburg might have a fight on its hands when it comes to attracting young professionals who prefer a more vibrant, artistic and progressive culture. In my opinion, Roanoke has that “it” factor that Blacksburg seems to be missing. Roanoke will never be able to offer up anything like Virginia Tech, but all the other ingredients are there.

Just some thoughts. Keep in mind I still enjoyed my time in Blacksburg, it's a great town. But I have a feeling too many young folks are hoping to turn Blacksburg into something that just might not be in it's DNA?

Sean

I left the NRV post grad. school for Asheville, then returned one year later seeking reprieve from the by-products of a creative economy (few jobs, high rents, traffic congestion, commuting). Six months following the move back, the NRV has plenty to offer, complemented by a little help from surrounding communities.

One method to retain young professionals is to not be overly concerned about developing a Richard Florida creative economy, rather energize potential graduates about the entire NRV, beyond Blacksburg. That message is often never delivered to those who depend on the BT for transporation. There is plenty quality of life factors here; perhaps the message could be spread more effectively by those of us who appreciate the region.