<p>To help you out here is a little map I whipped up. Circled in Red is campus (roughly), in Green is what I would consider to be primo location, and in yellow is pretty ok location. Green is easily walkable (the South Main street part really isn’t but it’s a fun place to live), yellow is easily bikable (depending on route I guess) and walkable if you feel like leaving a little early. If you look up a place on google maps the easiest thing to use to figure out where it is in the picture is to find it relative to the drillfield. If it isn’t circled that doesn’t necessary mean it’s bad, it just means transportation will probably be inconvenient if you don’t have a car. Also this is just my opinion.</p>
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<a href=“http://i.imgur.com/VLSkD.jpg[/IMG]”>http://i.imgur.com/VLSkD.jpg
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Here are a couple examples that might help you out, and also to illustrate my point that the apartment complexes kind of blow.</p>
<p>[3</a> Bed, 1.5 Bath Duplex unit on Huckleberry Trail](<a href=“http://blacksburg.craigslist.org/apa/3037271383.html]3”>http://blacksburg.craigslist.org/apa/3037271383.html) </p>
<p>This place is in a decent location (on the opposite side of campus from classes but very easily bikeable and I think on a bus route.) They prefer non-undergrads but if you don’t come across as an Old School wannabe you could probably get the place. It works out to $433 a person which includes water/sewer/trash and them cutting your lawn. Also, you’ll have a lawn.</p>
<p>Compared to this: [The</a> Village At Blacksburg](<a href=“http://blacksburg.craigslist.org/apa/3023040092.html]The”>http://blacksburg.craigslist.org/apa/3023040092.html)</p>
<p>This is The Village at Blacksburg, one of the larger complexes. I lived there two years because I was too lazy to look for somewhere better. It works out to 435/person but that doesn’t include water or anything. Their “professional on-site staff” are the definition of indifferent incompetence. The location is decent (walking downtown is kind of a pain but it’s on a good bus route and it’s only a 15 minute walk to campus.) There is no lawn and you’ll have an upstairs and/or downstairs neighbor who you will have to listen to every time they have sex. And you’ll be able to hear very well. Also some major component of your apartment will likely be broken. But hey, a pool that’s open mostly when you probably won’t be in town! The actual advantage here is that these places are furnished, so if you can stomach what probably happened on those beds and couches before you got to them you don’t have to worry about buying furniture.</p>
<p>Remember when I said location is everything? [4BR</a> apts and individual rooms available at Whipple Drive Apts](<a href=“http://blacksburg.craigslist.org/apa/3033123682.html]4BR”>http://blacksburg.craigslist.org/apa/3033123682.html)</p>
<p>This place is only $395/person (for 4 people) with two baths and that includes everything. Internet, water, cable, everything. Only problem? You’ll be in the middle of nowhere. I don’t even know if buses run out there regularly. </p>
<p>Now, if I were moving back to Blacksburg, I’d be looking at a place like this: [Large</a> Downtown House](<a href=“http://blacksburg.craigslist.org/apa/3032391747.html]Large”>http://blacksburg.craigslist.org/apa/3032391747.html)</p>
<p>It’s only 475/month (4 people) and you’ll have an extra bedroom for whatever. Location is right next to downtown. I’m not saying to get this place, but that’s the mid-low end of the price range you’d be looking at for a nice place near campus.</p>
<p>Also you’re going to be stuck with a 12 month lease wherever you go and you probably won’t be able to sub-let over the summer, so hope you plan on sticking around Blacksburg for the summer.</p>
![http://i.imgur.com/VLSkD.jpg[/IMG]](http://i.imgur.com/VLSkD.jpg%5B/IMG%5D){kind=link}
