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A liberal arts university town with a technical and manufacturing workforce engages residents in a very positive way. A rocket scientist, an auto mechanic, a literature professor, a retired foundry worker, and a botanist might live in the same neighborhood in Radford.
Some neighborhoods have a suburban or rural feel while being within just a mile of the university. Others have a classic feel, with tree lined streets, and beautiful early twentieth century architecture. Radford has lots of single level homes, many with carports or garages.
The terrain of the city has produced a delightful abundance of dead end streets, very popular with families. Those lucky enough to find a house on one will enjoy extra play space on these tranquil streets.
The layout of the residential area on a series of terraces gives many residents a clear view of the western skies. The sunsets are spectacular.
"At sunset on the New River at Radford the gold light flickers through the trees and gleams off the water. The settlers' accounts, from this region, speak of the "pale green light" in the land they called the Great Forest."
Description by Noah Adams in Far Appalachia: Following the New River North
The city is compact enough that places you´ll need to go on a daily basis are pretty convenient. Radford Transit bus routes traverse the city, the RU campus, and go to the hospital and stores.
Some neighborhoods have advantages of proximity that may be of interest when you begin to look at real estate.
The Veteran´s Park neighborhood, Mill Village, and College Park are on the eastern side of the city, convenient to Radford University. On the next level uphill, but also close to the university is Hornbarger Hill.
Further out East Main Street, is High Meadows, a fairly new development with a homeowner´s association.
Neighborhoods closest to schools for children in grades 4 through 12 include Hickory Hills, Monroe Terrace, Plan "A", Radford Village, Woodlawn, and Ridgefield. These neighborhoods also border Wildwood Park, and its network of trails.
Wilson Heights, Fairgrounds, and Simpkins Village are on some of the higher terraces in the central west side, close to McHarg Elementary.
Forest Park, Smithfield, Sunset Village, Highland Hills and New Town round out the western side of the city.
Inglewood and Cumberlea are suburban developments south of Rock Road, on the slopes of Ingles Mountain.
Email me if you are considering a move to Radford and would like a tour.
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