Southwest
Virginia at a glance:
- Major Cities: Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Lynchburg, Radford, Roanoke, Smith Mountain Lake
- Landmarks/National Monuments/Parks: Valley View Mall, Smith Mountain Lake, Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park
- Major Industry: Agriculture, Education (Virginia Tech), Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail, Tourism (Smith Mountain Lake)
- Counties: Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson, Washington, Russell
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Long & Foster Living
Southwest Virginia
Known as the “Heart of Appalachia,” Southwest Virginia owes its stunning natural
beauty to its location just west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The region, made up
of seventeen counties, is bordered by
North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and
West Virginia. Southwest Virginia real estate is prime for investors
and people looking for homes for sale.
Southwest Virginia was originally prized for its extensive coal fields, but demand
for coal began to decline with the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970. Today,
its real value lies in its majestic scenery, abundant wildlife, and Appalachian
real estate. With more than 90,000 acres of national forest, there is no shortage
of options for nature lovers. Bikers can follow the Heart of Appalachia Bike Route
for an up-close view of the area’s vast wilderness, while ecotours are available
to intrepid hikers.
Southwest Virginia real estate is popular among vacation home buyers. Watersport
enthusiasts will enjoy spending time at the 20,000-acre
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia’s most popular lake. And drivers can take
in the scenery from the more than 469 miles that make up the Blue Ridge Parkway.
More Southwest Virginia real estate info...
Because of the area’s natural boundaries, Southwest Virginia real estate has relatively
few urban areas.
Roanoke, known as the “Star City of the South” is the region’s largest city,
with a population of close to 100,000.
Salem, the area’s next largest city, has only a quarter of Roanoke’s population.
However, as host of the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, it enjoys national recognition among
football fans. Bristol, with a population of close to 20,000, is the area’s third
largest city. In fact, it is two cities, divided by the Virginia-Tennessee border.
It is also well-known to sports fans as home of the Bristol Motor Speedway (on the
Tennessee side), which holds the record for the “World’s Fastest Half Mile.”
Southwest Virginia’s rural charm poses no limitations to the amenities and attractions
that the region has to offer. A number of major festivals are held here annually,
including the Virginia Highlands Festival in Historic Abingdon—as featured in National
Geographic—and the National Storytelling Festival in nearby Jonesborough, TN. Speedway
in Lights, held during the winter holidays at Bristol Motor Speedway, is a local
family-favorite, with proceeds going to the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children’s
Charities. Numerous golf courses, stables, and twelve wineries also dot the landscape.
The region, which is served by both the Roanoke Regional Airport and the Tri-Cities
Regional Airport, is home to several institutions of higher learning. These include
Virginia Tech,
Radford, Roanoke College, Bluefield College, and the Appalachian School
of Law. Younger scholars can participate in the region’s Southwest Virginia 4-H
Educational Center, which accepts more than 2,000 youths annually into their ACA-accredited
4-H camping programs.
Southwest Virginia real estate is a natural choice for anyone looking to get away
from the hustle and bustle of big-city living and buy Appalachian real estate. If
you’re interested in finding Southwest Virginia real estate or
homes for sale in this stunning rural
setting, then contact any of Long & Foster’s real estate offices in Southwest Virginia.
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