Riner is a small country town with limited development
In the rolling hills south of Christiansburg, Virginia, sits the small town of Riner, known primarily for its quiet, bucolic streets and its rural lifestyle. “When I was growing up in Riner, it was a big farm community, and it still is to some extent. There’s a lot of dairy and beef cattle,” says Realtor Darin Greear with Long and Foster. “There hasn’t been all that much development, so people come for the great views, the good school district and the laid-back privacy you get from being out in the country. And it is certainly out in the country – there isn’t even a stoplight out here.”
Farmland surrounds the residential streets of Riner
The town’s winding residential streets carve through the farmland of southwest Virginia and are decorated with a variety of home styles. “When you think of Riner, you think of homes with acreage, cattle and horses,” Greear says. “But the styles are all over the board. There are some subdivisions, some patio homes and a few two-story farmhouses on nice open land that lies well. And around the golf course, there are some retirement communities, so there’s really a mix of options.” Depending on build year, square footage, lot size and number of bedrooms, prices can range from $430,000 to $800,000.
Auburn Park offers multiple sports fields and walking paths
Outdoor recreation is among the factors drawing residents to Riner. “It’s a big area for camping, hiking and hunting – there are deer, turkey and bear everywhere, sometimes even in town,” Greear says with a laugh. “And the New River is very popular for smallmouth bass and muskie fishing.” The Auburn Hills Golf Club offers a public 18-hole course for local golfers, and a recent update has given other organized sports new life in Riner. “The county just finished building up Auburn Park, and that was a multi-million dollar investment on their part,” Greear explains. “That park has baseball diamonds, sports fields, paved walking paths and picnic shelters all throughout.”
Auburn High sports have won many state championships
All three public schools serving Riner are located in the southwest corner of the town. Auburn Elementary receives a B from Niche. Auburn Middle scores a B-minus. Auburn High School earns a B-plus and boasts a strong athletics department. “The sports teams at Auburn High have won 7 state championships since the start of 2024,” Greear says. “The girls’ volleyball team alone has won the championship every year since 2019.”
Virginia Route 8 offers access to Interstate 81 and Virginia Tech
Despite its relative isolation, Riner is connected by Virginia state Route 8 to the larger nearby highway. “We’re about 4 miles from Interstate 81, and it’s a pretty easy drive to Christiansburg and Blacksburg,” Greear says. “You can get to Virginia Tech’s campus in about 12 to 15 minutes, which is super important to resale value.” Floyd, a historic town established during Andrew Jackson’s presidency, is a 20-minute drive south.
Most businesses are located along Riner Road
Most of the town’s shops and eateries are concentrated along Riner Road, which serves as the de facto Main Street. “There are a couple of convenience stores and little shops for gas, bread, milk and such, but lots of times for groceries, you have to head up to the Kroger in Christiansburg,” Greear says. What commercial footprint there is in Riner is made up of a Dollar General, The Vintage Sunflower boutique and a single restaurant with a unique menu. “Buffalo and More serves bison tacos, steaks, burgers and brisket, and they’ve been around for over 10 years,” Greear adds. “Otherwise, we have a bank and a post office, and that’s pretty much the whole of it.”
