Harrisonburg

Harrisonburg is nestled in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Although it’s a relatively small town, its population is incredibly diverse. There are small immigrant communities from all over the world, including Russia, Croatia, El Salvador, and Vietnam. There is also a small community of Kurds.

There are many affluent college students living in Harrisonburg who do not like the slower pace of life in Harrisonburg and consider it to be a "hick" town. I lived there for four years while attending the local university and I definitely enjoyed the town. While Harrisonburg doesn't have an exciting night life there is a lot to do if you are open minded and willing to explore. The town has some cute mom n’ pop places to eat at. Kline’s Ice-cream is a favorite among both local residents and the college students. Dave’s is also well known for its pizza. For those who love nature, there are many opportunities for camping, hiking and swimming. The Reddish Knob is a popular mountain peak nearby. Unfortunately, the town sometimes smells funny after raining. Most people attribute the smell to the local poultry factories.

Overall, I recommend Harrisonburg as a nice place to live because it has a lot of character and interesting quirks if you’re willing to explore. The cost of living is also relatively low. When I was a student there my rent was only $250 a month. However, if you absolutely have to live in a cosmopolitan area, it is not the place for you.