top of page
This site was designed with the
.com
website builder. Create your website today.Start Now

SELAMAT DATANG...

Listed below are some information cited from many resources that might be useful for a newcomer from Indonesia.

Direction to and Transportation in Blacksburg
Housing in Blacksburg
Living in Blacksburg

Coming by plane:

  • Roanoke Regional Airport in Roanoke, Va., is served by major domestic airlines. This is the closest commercial airport to Blacksburg,

  • The Smart Way Bus offers regularly scheduled service between the airport and Squires Student Center in Blacksburg.

 

Coming from Washington, DC:

  • Take flight to Roanoke Regional Airport, or

  • For cheaper alternative, take the bus served by Megabus from Grand central to Christianburg (Falling branch park & ride).

  • Take the Smart Way Bus from either Roanoke Airport or Falling branch to Squires Student Center in Blacksburg. Pay $4 in cash.

 

Resources:

http://www.maps.vt.edu/directions.html

 

Transportation in Blacksburg

Blacksburg Transit (BT) is a pulic transit serving the citizens of Blacksburg and Christianburg. Prepare exact fare, a valid pass, Virginia Tech ID, VCOM ID, Town of Blacksburg, or BT ID ready when boarding the bus. The fare is $0.50 for adult and varies for others. Fares are prepaid for VT students, just show your Hokie Passport. Please visit Blacksburg Transit page for schedule info, fare, map, and bus stop locations.

 

BT Website:

  • Live Map:

        http://bt4u.org/

 

Taxi:

  • Hooptie Ride: (540) 449-3748

  • Text-a-cab: (540) 239-9724

  • Blacksburg Taxi: (540) 552-6671

On and Off - Campus Housing:

 

Things to consider when renting a room or looking for roommates:

  • Read apartment lease before signing.

  • In most cases, you are required to pay one-month rent deposit.

  • Graduate housing or undergraduate housing? if you need a quite place to live, think about getting the one where most graduate students live. You can ask off-campus housing VT for info.

  • The location of your apartment to campus and bus services around it should be considered.

  • What utitilities are included in your rent? (e.g. water, gas, sewer, electricity, internet).

  • Once you get the apartment, inspect the entire apartment/room and report any damage that you may find. You will be responsible for any damage  while your stay and your landlord may deduct your deposit.

  • Consider the roommates that are studying or working in Virginia Tech.

  • You need to discuss on how to manage bills with your roommates; this may cause the conflict between both of you.

  • If you have any concern or food restriction, discuss with your roommates.

Climate (Average Temp):

  • Fall (55-80 F);

  • Winter (40-50 F);

  • Spring (55 -70 F);

  • Summer (70-85 F)

 

Money:

  • Coins: 1 cent (penny), 5 cents (nickel), 10 cents (dime), 25 cents (quarter), and 100 cents (golden dollar). 1 cent = $0.01.

  • Bills: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

 

Groceries, Stores, and Banks:

  • Groceries and Shopping centers: Food lion, Kroger, Gables Shopping Center, and Walmart in Christianburg. Oasis World Market is the Asian store in Blacksburg where you can find halal meat and some Indonesian food products. To buy electronics, computers, cell phones, appliances you can go to Best Buy Store in Christianburg.

  • Second-hand shop: YMCA, Goodwill, and Second Time Around.

  • Banks: http://www.bursar.vt.edu/students_parents/banking.php

 

Cellular/Mobile Phones:

  • If you bring your cell phone from Indonesia, please check ahead if it can be used in the USA.

  • Different from Indonesia where you can buy prepaid phone cards (simcard), in the USA you will need to purchase a service plan monthly. This service plan may limit number of text messaging you can send, call duration (both call and receive call), and internet access unless you buy unlimited plan.

  • If you want to buy a cellphone in the USA, be aware of 2-year service agreement. This may take the cellphone price down, but you are bound with the contract. If you terminate the service early, you will get a high penalty.

  • Phone Card Services that are good enough in Blacksburg: Verizon (CDMA), AT&T, Straigh Talk, Sprint.

 

Sending Mail & Package:

United States Postal Service (USPS), or other shipping service companies like United Parcel Service (UPS), FedEx, and DHL.

 

Health Service/Hospital:

The Schiffert Health Center (for VT students) and Lewis Gale Hospital Montgomery.

 

bottom of page