Damascus, VA

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia, Damascus earned its nickname as "Trail Town, USA" by sitting at the crossroads of several major hiking and biking paths. The Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail run right through downtown, so you will regularly see backpackers and cyclists rolling past local cafes and outfitters. For prospective residents, that means world-class hiking, fishing, and biking are practically in your backyard, giving the community a lively, outdoorsy energy throughout the spring and summer.

ATTRMetayel / Public domain

Every May, the town hosts Trail Days, a massive festival that draws thousands of outdoor lovers for live music, gear expos, and community celebrations. While recent flooding from Hurricane Helene damaged sections of the Virginia Creeper Trail, Damascus has poured tremendous energy into rebuilding and reopening its local infrastructure. Between community gatherings at Town Park, exhibits at the Damascus Trail Center, and a tight-knit network of neighbors, it is an easy place to plug in if you love the outdoors and want a quiet mountain setting to call home.