A comparison - Greenville, SC and Roanoke, VA (Blacksburg, Blue Ridge: relocation, travel)

[Ceezer]

I posted this over on the SC board and wanted to cross-post here incase there wasn't anyone over there that could answer:

Hey, y'all! We're currently living in Sumter and have been looking to relocate around this time next year, but I've already begun researching several months ago. After much deliberation and head-butting with the wife I've got primary locations narrowed down to two (with a handful of maybes): Greenville, SC and Roanoke, VA.

I've spent some time in Greenville but not Roanoke so I'm here for a little insight. I will eventually make time to visit/revisit each area (or another, depending on what comes about over the next year) but am in no big rush at the moment.

My big thing is wanting to be back in or at least near the mountains. I lived on the coast for 6 years and then in the midlands for 4 and I miss the scenery provided by hills and an abundance of trees. I enjoy mountain biking and hiking and stuff so access to state parks and forests is a huge advantage. Both Greenville and Roanoke have this.

I'm from a small farming community (about 1200 people) in nowhere OH about 12 miles outside Marietta which had a population of around 13,000. The closest "big city" was Parkersburg, WV which was around 30k. So while I'd like to be around a bigger city for opportunity and culture and entertainment, I don't want to be overwhelmed by size and mass. From my experiences a city population of around 60-75k feels good, metro population isn't all that important to me. Greenville seemed like a good fit, kind of like Concord, NC.

I'd like to be in-house with one of the big Aerospace/Defense guys like Lockheed/3M/Honeywell and I know Greenville has that; I think Roanoke has a little. I might also have to go back to school to get to that point so Greenville is close to Clemson and Roanoke is close to VT - both ACC schools.

My wife is in nursing school (we're both former Marines so we got a late start) so she can work anywhere but would like to be somewhere with a NIC unit.

Our daughter is 6 but is brilliant (tests at a 4th grade level and that's probably pretty accurate) and we want to continue to flourish her intelligence. I've read that Greenville has a high school for the arts & humanities, which is interesting, but Roanoke spends nearly 50% more per student than does Greenville.

Relocation to Greenville would be easier from our current position but Roanoke would be more centrally located between my family in OH/WV and hers in NC.

Taxes appear to be much lower in Roanoke, and weather seems to be more comfortable.

So does anyone have experience with the two cities that could enlighten me? They both seeem to be really similar in comparison, which is making this decision tough, but I want to do all of my homework because I'm tired of relocating and want to settle down somewhere for good.

I really appreciate any information y'all might be willing to share with me.

Thanks, y'all!

[RISKYBUSINEZZ]

I AM CONSIDERING MOVING MY FAMILY FROM OHIO TO ROANOKE (1ST CHOICE) OR GREENSBORO (2ND CHOICE) OHIO'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS RIDICULOUS AND I WANT TO DOWN SOUTH. ROANOKE WAS IN THE SPERLING'S "BEST PLACES TO RAISE A FAMILY" BOOK AND IT RANKED #61 IN THE "CITIES: RANKED AND RATED" BOOK. GREENSBORO, NC WAS CLOSELY BEHIND IT. I NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT ROANOKE- ESPECIALLY THE BEST SCHOOLS, CRIME, BEST AREAS, ETC.

[Ceezer]

Ok, maybe Roanoke and Greenville are too far apart for many/any of you to have made comparisons. In my experiences I've found Greenville and Concord, NC (Charlotte) to be pretty similar, so does anyone have first hand experience between the two cities (Roanoke/Blacksburg and Charlotte/Concord) that could offer some insight or a comparison of the two?

[vasinger]

Originally Posted by Ceezer

Ok, maybe Roanoke and Greenville are too far apart for many/any of you to have made comparisons. In my experiences I've found Greenville and Concord, NC (Charlotte) to be pretty similar, so does anyone have first hand experience between the two cities (Roanoke/Blacksburg and Charlotte/Concord) that could offer some insight or a comparison of the two?

I've never been to Greenville. But I think Roanoke is about the same size or slightly bigger. Its called Star city of the South because it has a big Star over the mountains. It has a touch of racial tension, but otherwise no big problems. They have a huge farmer's market downtown. Crime is relatively low. I do know that the people in the Shenandoah Valley are some of the friendliest in the nation.

[ASquare]

Don't know if you're still looking for info but I came across your question by accident, and thought I'd help. I've lived in both cities. I lived in Roanoke twice for a total of seven years and in Greenville for over 20. I much prefer Greenville. It has a great downtown, great parks and a fantastic arts community. It also has really great schools that perform higher than the national average in many areas despite the rest of the state's reputation. There are a lot of great local restaurants, and the climate is nice. Roanoke is located in nice area of the country but the city itself is kind of run down and the people are not very friendly at all. There are plenty of great outdoor activities in both places if you like hiking, camping fishing, mountain biking, paddling, etc. Greenville is 3 hours from Charleston and 1/2 hour from Western, NC. Greenville is much nicer than Charlotte but much smaller.

(I've also lived in Greensboro. It's a great city too. I'd take it over Roanoke as well. It's very clean and also has great parks.)

[seanpecor]

My experience in Roanoke has been completely different than asquare's. I find the people as a whole to be very friendly in Roanoke. The city itself is far from run down. Does this look run down?



The Roanoke metro area is much smaller than Greenville's (300K vs 600K) so which downtown offers more appeal would depend on one's own subjective leanings. Greenville's unemployment rate (5%) is _way_ higher than Roanoke's (2.9%). Greenville, SC's is even worse at 5.3%! Strange how metro area violent crime rates mirror those statistics. Out of over 310 metros, Greenville ranks 46th in highest violent crime rates; Greensboro ranks in the top 3rd and Roanoke basically sits in the middle at 157th.

I don't know enough about Greensboro, NC or Greenville, SC to comment on actual living conditions. I do know that Greensboro's road transportation system sucks rocks. Just getting through the city is a major pain. Getting through Greensboro pulling a horse trailer is like living through an episode of the Twilight Zone. The road signs and bypasses are so bass ackwards it can be quite frustrating.

Cheers,

Sean

[roanoker 4]

Its interesting you bring up the comparison. I have been impressed with the downtown revitalization in Greenville. Roanoke is currently undergoing revitalization of its downtown with new housing, major art center. The two areas are big on college football, recreational acitivities(Roanoke is closer to major ski resorts in WV). Greenville is close to Atlanta, Roanoke to DC. Both have similar roots in manufacturing/blue collar. While Greenville is close to Asheville attractions and the Smokies, Roanoke is actually in the mountains. There is not as much touristy attractions here than in the Smokies and the people are somewhat less friendly in my opinion. I think as you travel north the "southern" ways tend to disappear. Also, Virginia is less republican than South Carolina although it is southern in Roanoke but not in the northern part of the state. The Roanoke region does not have a growth problem as of yet but I think we are on the threshold of many northerners moving here. Hopefully growth won't be a concern as much as in nearby NC. Also, Greensboro is only 2 hours away. They have a very nice airport. Anyway, I think both areas are evenly matched in my opinion.

[Aerobars]

If you are considering school for the long haul, the Roanoke Valley Governor's School offers a high school education that won't be found in many other places (at least not at many non-elite boarding school places). It's public, but by application only, students only spend half the day there (science, math and an elective or two). The rest of the day is spent back at their original high school. The school is ridiculously well funded (read: 10th grade students doing experiments using PCR, western blots, very small class sizes). Not bad for a public high school.

[Griffis]

I've lived all over the USA and I find the people in Roanoke to be among the friendliest of anyplace I've been. I really like this city and it's been very good to me and my family. I feel fortunate to have been able to relocate here.

Yes, there are some run down areas of town and there is a seedy underbelly to it, but in some ways I think that gives it character. Most of the town is full of beautiful old houses, rolling hills with higher mountains surrounding, trees everywhere, some nice parks, a really cool downtown for a place this size and a lot of activities for the citizens. There are some very classy neighborhoods here with a lot of history and charm, and some neat districts like the Grandin Road/Raleigh Court area.

Downtown parking in the city can be a drag at times, but it also has the International Food Court, natural foods market, lots of cool little shops and restaurants.

Roanoke is 4-5 hours from the coast and beaches, 3-4 hours from Washington DC and very close to some gorgeous rural scenery. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs right through town. I don't know anything about Greenville, but I feel Roanoke is a very nice place overall.

If you find you don't like the city, there are zillions of little towns around here in the county and neighboring counties that are close enough to commute or come into town for shopping, etc.

[540_804]

In response to some of the above posts:

Firstly, I would commend the original poster on being so well-educated with the areas. You really did your research.

Secondly, Aerobars, you could not be more correct. Roanoke Governors school is beyond excellent. Couple that with a public highschool in Roanoke City or County and you will have opportunities to participate in IB/AP coursework. You're talking about a world-class education!

Thirdly, Griffis, you are absolutely right, on everything you said.