User blog comment:WC-83/Where ever are we at?/@comment-10390252-20130831171321

My guess is that the Red Forest seperates Vale City from the wild areas where Dust is mined and refined. That's why Adam and Blake were there (it might be a notorious hideout for outlaws). It being near Vale City might explain how Blake was able to do whatever she needed to do to get into Beacon.

Regarding Vale and Beacon being nearby to each other, I agree. I still haven't decided whether it was a goof on Linday's part and she should have said "You can see THE signal from up here!" referring to the lighthouse on top of Beacon Academy. However, if it was correct then, yes, Vale must be visible from Beacon Academy and vice-versa