College-town charm meets country living in southern Virginia
In the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Wise blends natural beauty and outdoor recreation with a country lifestyle and academic community. Home to the University of Virginia College at Wise, the town embraces a diverse student body while maintaining a small-town rural feel. “Wise is very much community driven,” says local Brett Tiller, an associate with Re/Max Cavaliers. “The university makes it a college-centric town with students and faculty, but the lifestyle here is country living and a slower pace of life.” Local establishments anchor Wise’s town center along Main Street, while proximity to the Appalachian Mountains and scenic surroundings put residents just steps away from outdoor recreation. While the college draws students and faculty, Tiller notes that families are attracted to the town for the county’s strong public schools.
Ranch homes, cabins and retreats reflect Wise’s rural setting
As properties start to spread out farther away from the village center, so do houses, offering more privacy from neighbors. Ranch-style homes make up most of the housing market in Wise, scattered between farmhouses and mountain retreats that reflect the rural setting. “We also have nice cabins with mountain views and the occasional contemporary home,” Tiller adds. Newer contemporary homes also range in style, from midcentury-influenced ranch-style homes to classical neo-traditional builds. Regardless of architectural style, all houses here seem to incorporate features that tie in with the natural setting, like stone siding and wood timbering. Prices typically range between $52,000 and $340,000. The median list price hovers around $175,000, significantly lower than both the state and national medians.
A-rated schools and a UVA pathway attract families and students
Wise County Public Schools serves almost 5,900 students across the county. Students may begin at Wise Primary School, which serves prekindergarten through fourth grade and gets an A-minus from Niche. Kids may continue to L.F. Addington Middle. Also rated an A-minus, the middle school covers fifth through eighth grades. The B-plus-rated Wise County Central High gets strong marks for its clubs, activities and sports programs. Home of the Warriors, the high school offers athletic teams such as basketball, tennis and soccer.
The presence of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise infuses the town with diversity, and Tiller says that students are integrated seamlessly into the community. The college is lauded for its strong liberal arts curriculum and hands-on academic programs. The institution also offers a Year in Wise pathway by which students are guaranteed admission to the University of Virginia’s main campus in Charlottesville, Virginia, after successfully completing a year at the college.
Wise is surrounded by parks, peaks and natural wonders
The surrounding Appalachian Mountains and natural setting provide locals with abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. Bear Creek Reservoir, also called Wise Reservoir, offers scenic trails and fishing on the lake. Just north of the reservoir, Veldon Dotson Park is home to soccer fields and baseball diamonds. High Knob Recreation Area is located south of Wise and provides miles of hiking trails throughout the mountainous area. Nearby natural wonders in the southwest Virginia region include the scenic Little Stony Falls waterfall and Devil’s Bathtub, a breathtaking pool and waterfall of blue-green water that is surrounded by boulders that can be accessed by a looped trail.
Main Street restaurants and shops give Wise a local flavor
Anchored by Main Street, Wise’s town center area is lined with local businesses, services and restaurants. “There are more authentic, local-type restaurants than chains, but we also have some fast-food places,” Tiller says. Restaurants range from cozy pizza joints like Moon Dog Brick Oven to Mexican spots and diners. Down U.S. Highway 23, shopping plazas like Ridgeview Centre house big-box retailers such as Belk and Marshalls. Food City and Walmart provide groceries and other essential items. Additional attractions include Mountainrose Vineyards, a locally owned and operated winery and only one of three located in South Virginia.
From barbecue to bluegrass, local festivals draw big crowds
The combined region, with Norton and Big Stone Gap just south, together hosts a slew of community events to keep locals engaged. Norton hosts the Best Friend Festival every June as a way to celebrate the community. The weeklong event offers a range of daily family-friendly activities, such as outdoor crafts, a pet show, talent show and more. The fest caps off with the High Knob Music Festival. “It’s a very fun community event where the whole town comes out for music,” Tiller adds. Chillin’ and Grillin’ in the Glades is a summer concert series of regional acts and performances that takes place every July. The weekend-long festival also features barbecue and kids’ activities.
Convenient routes for this car dependent community
While Business Highway 23 serves as a major route through Wise, the town also has proximity to Highway 23 and Highway 58, which keep locals connected to surrounding towns. Wise has a unique location, with proximity to Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky and West Virginia. Tri-Cities Airport is the closest to Wise, about 68 miles away in Blountville, Tennessee.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
