<p>Oh boy, where to start. Hi tech, first. Corning and other leading tech companies have facilities there, you can't miss the Corning factory on the way in to Tech. The Blacksburg/Christiansburg/Radford area that tech is in is now one of 14 Metro. Statistical Area's in Virginia. Just got that designation this year. You can check out the Virginia Employment Commission VELMA web site and see the job diversity in the area. Aoubt 40% of the jobs are in private service producing jobs... high paying jobs. About 15% Of the area is manufacturing employment -- not textiles, we are talking hi tech MFN. School is the state main Vet school and starting a Med school this year. School is wired everywhere. My D comes home and her PC automatically switches back home wireless lan. The web resources and liabrary are very very good. Plus the teachers are very good and advisors are always helpful. They want you to succeed. Make sure you also consider there 6 hour course drop policy. 6 hours can disappear from your transcript very far along in the semester -- smart idea to offer your kids a chance to wipe the slate clean and learn from their mistakes. My D used it once her freshman year.My D took 24 hours of AP to tech and the advisors work with her scheduling so she is out in 3 years with a biology degree.</p>
<p>Outdoors -- Tons of Virginia state parks around the area. Lots of camping hiking rock climbing opportunities. My D spends alot of weekends seeing hometown friends that go to close by schools like Radford (A reknowned party school). You can sip through the Blacksburg small town in a few blocks, she enjoyed the local stuff. You're right, other sides of campus are not like that, but still it seems to be fine with her. The security is very good, not sure it is the safest college in AM, but there is a lot on security and emergency poles all over the place. Left us feeling very good about leaving her there.</p>
<p>A car is good to have to be able to get to the outdoors and other universities. The Campus is very classic and awesome. Very well layed out. Heated sidewalks so snow clears quickly. Christianburg is a couple miles away and my D worked there at Applebees for a while (Until she realized college tippers are not the same as Richmond, Virginia tippers in a middle/upper middle class area). That's where the walmart is also. Oh, the flex meal plan is very good there and allows for tons of choices -- name a chain and they are there.</p>
<p>Overall, a nice city/college in the valley next to a small town. I have lived all over the US and it is a very good college site. I personally went to Mizzou, similar type of college layout. My Bros went to SMU and Columbia -- now that is a city environments. Good luck on your decision, let me know if you have anything else specific...</p>