Roanoke ? (Hampton, Lynchburg, Winchester: rent, condos, hotel)

[Yac]

Back on topic folks, please.
Yac.

[Kreutz]

I went to college in upstate NY. Most people outside of the state don't know this, but NY is mostly rural poor. Its a huge state and the Manhattan metro area makes up a very small percentage of it land mass wise, and even population wise really.

The "rednecks" of the south would feel VERY at home an hour drive south of the Canadian border.

Originally Posted by RVAtoCNC

but I guess if you never leave your cozy SW County subdivision and Electric road, you might think you were in Jersey.

I shall try this!

[headnsouth]

Originally Posted by Kreutz

I went to college in upstate NY. Most people outside of the state don't know this, but NY is mostly rural poor. Its a huge state and the Manhattan metro area makes up a very small percentage of it land mass wise, and even population wise really.

The "rednecks" of the south would feel VERY at home an hour drive south of the Canadian border.

I lived in upstate NY for 5 years before returning to civilization here in the 540. I miss the snow up north but that's about it, talk about closed-minded people living in the past. The south has nothing on the little villages in rural NY state. Roanoke may not be perfect but it's perfect for me!

[j1n]

Originally Posted by RVAtoCNC

Lived in Roanoke 12 years, from WV, and I would like to know where you lived that you never heard a southern/hillbilly accent? Wasn't the same Roanoke Valley I lived in. I knew a number of folks from large NE cities that moved to Roanoke and love it, but I also knew a large number of folks that if some cocky big feelin Yankee starting forcing their ways on the locals, they wouldn't last long.............There are probably more confed. flags/sons of confed vets license plates in the craig, botetourt, roanoke COUNTY, bedford area than anywhere else in the state of VA, but I guess if you never leave your cozy SW County subdivision and Electric road, you might think you were in Jersey.

You should have read my post a little more carefully. What I said was:
"I hardly know anyone with a southern accent"

I never said I've NEVER heard one.

but I guess if you never leave your cozy SW County subdivision and Electric road, you might think you were in Jersey

very nice. I actually live in the city...about 2 minutes from downtown, in an old house on a pretty decent street.

[iabhornc]

In response to some of the previous posts, yes... Virginia is still very much Southern (while Northern VA considers themselves ''North.'') Therefore, you will have some of those attitudes (some of which I actually like.)

Anyway, that was totally unrelated. The reason I was making a post is b/c Roanoke is one of the places in Virginia I am considering a move to. I really like its setting. I was wondering if anybody here on the board could tell me a little something about the city. In other words, tell me why should or shouldn't I move here?

[j1n]

I don't think anyone here can tell you why you should or shouldn't choose Roanoke. A lot of that would depend on why you are looking at the area, what line of work you are in, your interests, etc.

[iabhornc]

Originally Posted by j1n

I don't think anyone here can tell you why you should or shouldn't choose Roanoke. A lot of that would depend on why you are looking at the area, what line of work you are in, your interests, etc.

I'm sorry that I did not make myself sound clear there. What I meant by that was if anybody could tell me a little something about the city (i.e. lifestyle, nightlife, jobs, schools, cost of living, crime, whether someone likes it or not and why, etc.)

[j1n]

Originally Posted by iabhornc

...tell me a little something about the city (i.e. lifestyle, nightlife, jobs, schools, cost of living, crime, whether someone likes it or not and why, etc.)

Lifestyle is NOT NYC, but it's not Mayberry either.
Nightlife... same as above
Jobs are there to be had.
A few good colleges around. Public schools are, well...public schools.
Cost of living is well below the national average.
Crime is high if you read the statistics, but feels low if you actually live here.
I like it for now. Less expensive than many other east coast regions,
mountains, good climate, cozy and semi-hip downtown, lots of woods to run around in, etc...
A dig through the Roanoke forum will yield tons of answers to your questions,
as many others have asked similar ones and gotten good and varied responses & opinions.
Bottom line though, Roanoke's a good place to live.

[headnsouth]

Originally Posted by iabhornc

I'm sorry that I did not make myself sound clear there. What I meant by that was if anybody could tell me a little something about the city (i.e. lifestyle, nightlife, jobs, schools, cost of living, crime, whether someone likes it or not and why, etc.)

Oh there are tons of those discussions in the archives. I moved here 3 years ago and had the same questions and love it here now. My posting history will lead you to lots of good threads.

My kids are in the public schools, which as j1n says are ... well ... public schools. There's good and bad. For us it was important to have the kids grow up in the real world with some of the freedoms and varied experiences that come with city life, so we are in Roanoke city on a street that's quiet and leafy and suburban-feeling but within walking distance of school/church/shops/movies/etc. and biking distance of downtown, and we're very very happy. Others like the security and quiet of the suburbs, with schools that have better test scores and fewer socioeconomic issues to contend with.

Roanoke has both, plus Thai food, live music, and the Appalachian Trail, all in one sweet little city tucked away in the mountains. You're welcome to move here, just don't tell everyone you know about it. It's nice being off most people's radar!

Happy reading!

[iabhornc]

Originally Posted by headnsouth

Oh there are tons of those discussions in the archives. I moved here 3 years ago and had the same questions and love it here now. My posting history will lead you to lots of good threads.

My kids are in the public schools, which as j1n says are ... well ... public schools. There's good and bad. For us it was important to have the kids grow up in the real world with some of the freedoms and varied experiences that come with city life, so we are in Roanoke city on a street that's quiet and leafy and suburban-feeling but within walking distance of school/church/shops/movies/etc. and biking distance of downtown, and we're very very happy. Others like the security and quiet of the suburbs, with schools that have better test scores and fewer socioeconomic issues to contend with.

Roanoke has both, plus Thai food, live music, and the Appalachian Trail, all in one sweet little city tucked away in the mountains. You're welcome to move here, just don't tell everyone you know about it. It's nice being off most people's radar!

Happy reading!

I know what you mean by that. I am single (with no children.) However, it's still good to know for future reference. I don't really boast about moving somewhere. I don't understand the ''bragging rights'' of some people. Currently, I live in NC and hate this place with a flaming passion (and my name expresses my opinion about NC.) The mountain setting is what I liked. Overall, when I was last there, I couldn't complain. As long as it's not any of those revolting, North Carolina, towns (all of them) I am fine