Petersburg is a charming, small county‑seat with about 2,250 people, a walkable downtown, historic buildings and quick access to outstanding outdoor recreation — rivers, trails, Seneca Rocks and nearby national forest — so it’s an easy, low‑stress place to call home between shifts and enjoy multi‑week stays that feel more like a relaxed getaway than a dead-end assignment.
For bigger-city options within a reasonable drive, college‑town energy and dining/brewery scenes in Harrisonburg, VA (~69 miles) and larger shopping/rail‑trail access in Cumberland, MD (~61 miles) are both reachable for nights or weekend escapes while you enjoy Petersburg’s quieter pace.