One of the first projects Nest Realty tackled upon opening a New River Valley office was expanding our award-winning “Live Where You Love” video series to tell the many stories of the region we call home. What was the subject of our first video? A look at the overarching New River Valley area of course!
Nestled in beautiful southwest Virginia, The New River Valley comprises the counties of Montgomery (including the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg) Pulaski, Floyd, Giles and the City of Radford. With a population just under 200,000, the NRV has seen substantial growth over the last few decades and continues to be one of the fastest growing areas in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Town of Blacksburg serves as the New River Valley’s hub. Consistently ranked among the country’s best places to live, Blacksburg is also the home to Virginia Tech – Virginia’s largest university and one of the nation’s leading research institutions. From it’s die-hard athletic fan base to it’s growing Corporate Research Park, Virginia Tech’s influence on the region is undeniable.
Residents of the New River Valley enjoy a range of cultural, sporting, and outdoor activities. On Saturdays in the Fall, over 60,000 college football fans descend on Lane Stadium to cheer on their beloved Hokies. If you are passionate for the outdoors, you can hike the Huckleberry Trail or enjoy miles of walking and biking trails in the surrounding Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains. The New River, believed to be the second oldest river in the world, is ideal for boating, fishing, and swimming.
The New River Valley’s growing technical community has helped to spur the region’s economy. Ranked as having one of the “Best Educated Technical Workforces,” the New River Valley has seen an increase with both the research economy and entrepreneurial startups.
But even with it’s growing tech community, the region still maintains a small town feel with historic Downtowns and a rich arts and culture scene that appeals to people looking for a slower pace of life.