Moving to Roanoke, VA (Richmond, Vinton: ski resort, sales, real estate)

[tarp]

Roanoke is a dump, period. I have run into some of the meanest people in the western part of VA, and that is saying something.

[Steven2149]

I think that is a pretty harsh generalization and sounds as though it is based on an unfortunate set of limited experiences. In some aspects and from some perspectives the place is quite unexciting and doesn't have the vibrancy of some many big cities. But on the other hand, from the viewpoint of someone who wants some / most of the big city stuff (shopping, dining, and perhaps a little culture) without some of the problematic big city stuff (traffic, crime) it is an outstanding area. Believe me, if the job market were not so bleak, I would have definitely not left Roanoke for Atlanta.

[PaperTrail]

Originally Posted by Cattknap

Wow - I tried to post a link here but it isn't showing up...it is about the 12 police officers indicted for racketeering in Roanoke.

Perhaps the link didn't work because your computer knew that the alleged crimes didn't occur in Roanoke

The scandal happened in Henry County, of which Martinsville is the main city. That's a little more than an hour away from Roanoke. It's probably unfair to make any sort of connection between the crimes in another county and the happenings in Roanoke.

[DivaLicious]

Thanks for that clarification Papertrail!
I think it depends on exactly what one wants out of life as to how much or how little they like an area. I've read the good and the bad about Ronaoke and I STILL can't wait to get there and get the heck out of East TN! We are actually wanting to be about 30 minutes outside of Roanoke as big cities hold absolutely NO appeal to me.

Papertrail, Have you been to Salem? It's about 7 miles outside of Roanoke. If so, are they still in the mountains there or is it more valley? We are also looking at Troutville. We are trying to stay within 15 miles of Roanoke. A place still in the mountains yet affordable.

[Ryleigh]

Hey Diva!

Salem is cute cute cute town! I love Bedford even more, but it's at least 30 miles from Roanoke. Salem has lots of mountainous areas. The downtown is pretty hilly, with cute shops and Roanoke College on a hill.

PaperTrail and I will be going to visit the Troutville area sometime soon. We're also interested in Daleville and Cloverdale. Salem seems to be a bit pricey, but the other (smaller) towns/areas are still affordable. We might head up to Catawba, which is a little farther north and a bit out of the way, it seems, but probably worth a look. We'll be sure to give you an update! In the meantime, does anybody know more about those areas?

[PaperTrail]

Yeah, exactly what she said!!

[DivaLicious]

LOL! Hey Ryleigh & Papertrail! Y'all are too cute! Lemme know how Troutville is, we are thinking that may be where we end up. Especially if Salem is pricey. We aren't pricey peeps at this stage of our lives, hehe! Just as long as there's mountains, it affordable, good schools, nice peeps and no more than 40 minutes from Roanoke! hehe We don't ask for much do we? LOL!

Edit:
I have a friend in NC who is going to be an X-Ray tech and her man is a computer nerd. Are there techie jobs to be had in Roanoke? Anybody know? It would be so cool if we could all relocate there, or near there....

[Tampa Red]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

Well, lets keep this going....once you run out of places to visit as recommended by PaperTrail, there's the Blue Ridge Parkway that runs for another couple hundred miles....at which time you head west in the Great Smoky Mountains, full of wilderness....

The New River Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of the east, truly amazing beauty.

A little further afield is Asheville, NC, where there is stunning whitewater rafting and such.

The list just goes on and on and on......

Note to the reader, Asheville nc is 241 miles from Roanoke.

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by DivaLicious

Thanks for that clarification Papertrail!
I think it depends on exactly what one wants out of life as to how much or how little they like an area. I've read the good and the bad about Ronaoke and I STILL can't wait to get there and get the heck out of East TN! We are actually wanting to be about 30 minutes outside of Roanoke as big cities hold absolutely NO appeal to me.

Papertrail, Have you been to Salem? It's about 7 miles outside of Roanoke. If so, are they still in the mountains there or is it more valley? We are also looking at Troutville. We are trying to stay within 15 miles of Roanoke. A place still in the mountains yet affordable.

I'm just curious as to why you want out of Eastern TN. I live in TX and have been internet searching for a mountain area that isn't crowed and of course, outside of Roanoke is very appealing to me, hence I found your post.

I'm also looking at TN, NC, WV, and now even KY, mountains ONLY. One thing I've noticed on the internet about Eastern TN is that is seems fairly populated which is what I don't want. Might this by one reason why you're moving? It definited looks beautiful and serene.

I'm planning a trip in June 2007 to all the areas but would like to have itinerary ready to eliminate some spots of which wouldn't meet my criteria and at my age, I'm being picky about everything. If I move, it has got to be the next best thing to Heaven.

I'm going to search the towns you mentioned in your post. One place that looks nice and unpopulated to me is Craig County. What do you guys think about that area?

Thanks!!

[password]

There's a huge discrepency in salaries between North and South which starts, I believe, when you hit Virginia. Salaries are about half what you make "up north." That, they say, is due to a cheaper cost of living. I am a marketing professional with 12 years corporate experience and couldn't find anything that paid more than $35,000/year. Up north I was making $92,000. This is pathetic and a reason young people are leaving the Roanoke/Lynchburg area.
Having lived in Southwest Virginia for over a decade I can honestly say it is one of the most beautiful areas in the county. That said, salaries and professionalism leave a lot to be desired.
Lynchburg is Jerry Falwell country so you'll love it if you like Falwell. The local paper has anointed him king and his reign is never ending. Area has loads of Liberty University grads - no comment.
Roanoke is a lot more upscale. They've handled their downtown area well however crime is rising drastically. Salaries aren't good, however people seem better educated and somewhat more professional than in Lynchburg. You can purchase a typical 3 bedroom home in a decent suburb for about $269,000.
The area between Lynchburg and Roanoke was developing rapidly however much came to a halt with the change in the housing market. Prices in Bedford County, Virginia have skyrocketed as development soars around Forest and Smith Mountain Lake. You will pay outlandish home prices to live in these areas with taxes to match.