People love living in Southside Virginia. You've got:
- tight knit communities that know each other
- a slower, relaxed pace of life
- strong local traditions around food and culture
- overall lower housing costs
- larger yards and rural acreage
- scenic countryside and forested areas (my own farm has 80 acres of reseeded pines)
- easy access to lakes and trails
- less traffic and a lot less less crowding
- local pride and heritage
Today I got in a wonderful run in Victoria, VA, around 1.5 hours from my farm.
Victoria is well known for its quiet, rural character, affordable living, and friendly community. It's a great example of Southside living with strong local pride and a slower, relaxed lifestyle. Today I ran at the historic Tobacco Heritage Trail.
It's one of Southside's most popular outdoors attractions. Here you run through quiet countrysides, forests, small towns, and farmland.
The long-term vision is a 160-mile trail throughout the region. Victoria, by the way, is located in Lunenburg County, population 11,000.
I managed 10 miles on a knock dead beautiful spring-like day. I'm absolutely loving the thought of summer running again (shorts, tank top, sweating like a pig!).
Last year it was such a long hot summer that I couldn't wait for it to be over. Now I can't wait for the heat of summer to get here. I LOVE the summer season with its long, sun-drenched days, warmer temperatures, and comfortable, breezy clothing. Summer means freedom, relaxation, and carefree living. It's the premier time for swimming and biking and marathoning and triathloning and surfing in Hawaii and climbing the Swiss Alps. People enjoy being outside, from walking in the evening to surfing at dusk in Waikiki (as I do). Summer fashion is fabulously easy. You just wear flip-flops and a pair of swim shorts.
Whether it's the front porch conversations, the stunning sunsets, or the easy access to both nature and history, Southern Virginia provides a unique, welcoming atmosphere. Very grateful for that!