A festival that goes by the interesting name of Land of the Loon takes place in Virginia either in mid or late June every year. The festival involves the celebration of local culture and custom and attracts many thousands of visitors each year. It's said that the name arises from the time that the festival was established, when the revelers would consume so many libations that they'd start to act like lunatics. At least there's truth in advertising!
The city of Virginia is located on the Mesabi Iron Range in Saint Louis County, Minnesota. Virginia rests on the left bank of Virginia Lake, a sizable expanse of water which has approximately 172 square acres. The main industries in the city include oil and gas extraction, along with quarrying and mining. Construction and retail are also popular sectors in Virginia.
Moving to Virginia
Fortunately, given that Virginia makes for a particularly attractive area to reside in terms of the bountiful supply of natural beauty, it's still a very affordable proposition. Not only is the cost of living well below that of the state and national averages, but the cost of rental apartments and renting in general makes this city ideal for renters looking for modest prices.
When to Look
No one time of the year stands out above any other with respect to searching for rented accommodation in Virginia, though winters in Minnesota aren't the best time to drive a moving truck-if you've ever visited, you'll definitely agree. If you are looking for apartment homes or 1 bedroom apartments for rent in the summer months or the winter time, you'll likely find your dream place. After all, there's plenty of availability, and the demand for accommodations is hardly excessive. That said, you should give yourself two to three weeks to find your new pad. This amount of time will almost guarantee you success.
What to Bring
If you've rented before, you'll no doubt be familiar with the scenario. Your prospective landlord will want to see some proof of income to make sure that you can reasonably afford the apartment or home of your dreams. They'll also want to see proof of your ID, such as a passport or driving license. If you are in possession of some character references, these can also be helpful. Most landlords will also expect you to pay a month's rent in advance, and the equivalent of a further month's rental cost in the form of a deposit. Lastly, some landlords may run a credit check, though that's not always a requirement. In short, it pays to be prepared for anything.
Virginia Neighborhoods
If you are on the hunt for serviced apartments or apartments with paid utilities in Virginia, there's a good chance that you'll find what you're looking for, both in terms of the locality and with respect to the monthly price tag.
South 4th Ave.: With a healthy walk score of 72 out of 100 and offering easy access to a variety of local amenities (including schools, shops, and restaurants), you'll find that South 4th Ave is a near-perfect choice in terms of renting property in Virginia.
Chestnut St.: Chestnut St. comes with an attractive walk score of 85 out of 100 and provides a number of local amenities within very close proximity, including five schools and seven restaurants. If you enjoy Asian food then you're in luck. There are three Asian restaurants either on or close to Chestnut St. - the New China Buffet and Jue's Chinese Restaurant, both on Chestnut St, and Saigon Caf̩ on North 2nd Ave.
4th St. South: With five schools located within a single mile of 4th St South (including three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school), and six restaurants to choose from that are within easy walking distance, this neighborhood has lots of selling points. It has a walk score of 86 out of 100-nothing to sneeze at-and also has an extremely low crime rate.
Living in Virginia
The main routes that serve Virginia include U.S. Highways 53 and 169, and State Highway 135. For those who wish to remain within the town, there's a cycling trail that traverses almost the entire length of Virginia Lake, offering excellent panoramic views and the prospect for a little exercise.
Mineview in the Sky affords a view into Virginia's bygone years-here, you can get a sense of what the mining industry was like in the not-so-distant past. And if nothing else, visiting this place affords some excellent views of the surrounding area. The Iron Range Trail stretches from Aurora-Hoyt Lakes to the east of the Mesabi Iron Range over to Grand Rapids in the west, offering those who have the inclination for a hike or a cycle the opportunity to take in many fantastic views of the surrounding landscape.
There are some really good eateries in Virginia; one of the best is the Village Inn on 13th St. South. Village Inn is open all day, and not surprisingly they offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food here is more American-style than anything. Pizza fans will want to make a pit stop at Poor Gary's Pizza, named because the owner invested much of his hard-earned cash in his restaurant. As it happens, it was worth the investment as it's now a very popular establishment-Gary made a wise investment, it seems. Jue's Chinese Restaurant and Lounge on Chestnut St. is small, size-wise, but makes a big impact when you consider how many customers it draws weekly. For those who like to overindulge, Jue's is the place to go-the restaurant is buffet-style, so you can eat as much as you care to (and then some)!
For beautiful views, great outdoor recreation, and diverse dining options, Virginia is your place!
