Harrisonburg, Virginia
Tucked in the Lush Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg Has an Artsy, Collegiate Vibe and an Inviting, Walkable Downtown
Harrisonburg sits in north central Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, about two hours southwest of Washington, D.C. It started out in the late-1700s and today is home to James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University. It often receives recognition as a great place to live.
The walkable 40-block downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is dotted with museums, art galleries, bookstores, street paintings and restaurants offering international menus. It has also been designated as Virginia’s First Culinary District. The annual Taste of Downtown celebrates this fact with gusto.
The arts community is alive and well, with the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts and other venues offering regular performances, including the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival and the Sing Me High Music Festival. Several art cooperatives and an art community center add to the artistic vibe.
Visitors come to town every year for the Shenandoah Mountain Bike Festival, the Alpine Loop Grand Fondo and Rocktown Rambler.
Neighborhoods are leafy with everything from modest ranch ramblers to beautiful custom homes on acreage.
Outside of town, the Valley offers plenty of opportunities to hike, fish, birdwatch and camp. Five wineries are also close at hand.
Population: 52,000
Median Home Price: $325,000
Climate: Summer temperatures are in the 80s and 90s. Winter temperatures in the 30s, 40s and 50s. On average, the area receives 40 inches of rain and 22 inches of snow each year.
Crime Rate: Below the national average
Age 45 or Better: 27%
Hospital:Â Sentara RMH Medical Center
Public Transit:Â Yes
Political Leanings: Liberal
Is Virginia Retirement Tax-Friendly: Somewhat
Drawbacks: None