<p>My senior has been accepted to JMU but says Harrisonburg might be too isolated/rural/remote (calls it a "hillbilly part of Virginia"). </p>
<p>Can someone who is familar with the area provide input on the area please? I think it is a good school and I would like it to be given full consideration and not quickly dismissed. How far is the campus from downtown Harrisonburg? What is Harrisonburg like? Is it really in the middle of nowhere?</p>
<p>What are your child's other options? I love the area but then again, urban sprawl isn't my cup of tea.</p>
<p>we are from the NYC area and Harrisonburg is not a bad town. There seems to be everything you could want or need near by- from shops to restaurants. You do travel through cow country on the way there, but once you arrive it does not seem all that remote.</p>
<p>I wouldn't consider Harrisonburg "Hillbilly". I grew up there. It is a small city but because of JMU, the city has grown over the years in many ways to meet the needs of the University. I agree with Hayze that there seems to be many restaurants, bookstores, coffee shops, Super Wal-Mart, Old Navy, and a mall close to the campus. But you are not going to have 25 different movie theaters. Yes, downtown is within walking distance and there is a good bus system within the campus as well as to destinations off campus. What is your senior wanting that s/he thinks Harrisonburg may be lacking? PM me if you like. I'd advise attending one of the Choice Days JMU offers to accepted students. You will get a good feel for the campus and Harrisonburg. Good luck.</p>