If u had your choice, where would u rather live, Roanoke or Richmond? and WHY? (Blue Ridge: crime)

[hellotoday]

Only 3 hours apart, but still so different. If u had your choice, where would u live, Roanoke or Richmond? and WHY?

[Watchful]

Originally Posted by hellotoday

Only 3 hours apart, but still so different. If u had your choice, where would u live, Roanoke or Richmond? and WHY?

Since I am looking at places to retire - I would pick Roanoke but for purely personal reasons - primarily the natural beauty of the setting in the mountains/valley - and for me it is the right size of metro area - affording a number of advantages of a small city - but very few of the negatives associated with urban life.

If I wanted a significantly larger metro area, Richmond would be more appealing. Likewise if I wanted to be closer to the coast, Richmond would gain points there. Honestly don't know enough about Richmond otherwise.

[roanoker 4]

It would depend on the persons' objectives. In the past many younger people from Roanoke moved to Richmond for better job opportunities. I don't know if that opportunity exists any longer. Richmond clearly has advantages in terms
of location to Washington DC, the coast, better air service.
Roanokes' attractiveness would appeal to retirees from more affluent areas seeking a lower cost level of living without sacrificing urban amenities and quality of life. It is also a family oriented community, huge university culture in the area and growing medical center.
Again, it would depend on one's objectives in life.

[headnsouth]

You couldn't pay me to live in Richmond. Sprawl, blight, blecch. I love Roanoke but if I couldn't live here, I'd choose any number of places before I'd be dragged kicking and screaming to Richmond.

(Personal opinion only, obviously; lots of people like it. If my son ends up at VCU I'll visit all the time.)

[calamityroad]

i've lived here in roanoke for 6 months now. i've been to richmond probably about 20 times total. roanoke is smaller, but to me - more beautiful, personable, & well thought-out. i never go to richmond but for a concert, to visit a friend, or to fly out of it. i dread the street set-up & all the riff raff along the way. i come from a smaller city/larger town, so roanoke is just the right size for me. yes, it's harder to get out of & isn't as easy to get to dc or the beach, as someone else mentioned, but the pros outweigh the cons in my eyes. i think virginia gets more & more charming the further out this way you go.

[theluckygal]

Richmond. Bigger city & close to DC. Good malls. Can go to concerts & festivals in DC area & come back home the same day.

[johnnybgood1999]

Roanoke is in the mountains and I'm a mountain guy. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through town and Richmond can't compete with that as far as my personal preferences go.

[titaniummd]

I lived in the big city (DC Metro) and the nation's biggest city by land mass (Jax, FL). I prefer the quiet and unhurried atmosphere of Roanoke. People are nice and helpful. The city is beautiful. Crime is relatively low. Cost of living is low. You can get to where you want in 15 or less. The view is awesome. There is a sense of community here.

Richmond is large and congested. Crime is high and though they are closer to a beach, Roanoke still has Smith Mountain Lake. Though there's only a small regional airport, it's 15" away, and you can take a connector to where you want to go.

Hustle and bustle of the BIG City is overrated. Believe me. It is not worth the aggravation.