Why do so many people on here choose Roanoke? (Richmond: fit in, insurance)

[roanoker 4]

Why is everyone comparing Lynchburg to Roanoke? In my opinion, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Smith Mountain Lake and the New River Valley are one region!
Until we start combining our strenghts and weaknesses we will never compete with the Charlottes', Raleighs, NoVas out there. I live in Roanoke but I shop and frequent restaurants in Lynchburg and the NRV and vice-versa. The regional governments are not doing a very good job in working together on recruiting new businesses(Ha Ha) or transportation needs(Ha Ha).
Of course we could all use some fresh new people at the state capitol!

[j1n]

Originally Posted by Erin1264

I'd like to know how old the original poster is. Perhaps too young to appreciate Roanoke and the reasons why those of us who love it, stay.

good point. Not to bag on anyone or tell them that they are "wrong" because of their age or anything, but...
i have noticed that there are quite a few late teens(?) and 20-somethings who have either lived here their whole lives, or were relo'd here as a young kid, that want out.
Understandable. I think everyone goes through that at some point, no matter where they are from. (The whole "grass is greener" scenario.) I lived most of my life within 45 mins of NYC (arguably the greatest city on earth), and, well...I got to the point where I wanted out too! And so here I am! And Roanoke is pretty cool.

[Teebyrd86]

Well.. I am 21 and just relocated here back in June. I love it here and I am young so thats not always true. I think it just that they want different surroundings and dont appreciate the lack of hustle and bustle and the wealth of friendlinest this town gives you. I am from Richmond and this town is A LOT better for me.. but someone who wants different surroundings Richmond may be for them.. I dunno.. I love Roanoke and I will be here A LONG LONG time!!

Originally Posted by j1n

good point. Not to bag on anyone or tell them that they are "wrong" because of their age or anything, but...
i have noticed that there are quite a few late teens(?) and 20-somethings who have either lived here their whole lives, or were relo'd here as a young kid, that want out.
Understandable. I think everyone goes through that at some point, no matter where they are from. (The whole "grass is greener" scenario.) I lived most of my life within 45 mins of NYC (arguably the greatest city on earth), and, well...I got to the point where I wanted out too! And so here I am! And Roanoke is pretty cool.

[Jerry_Williams]

Originally Posted by j1n

good point. Not to bag on anyone or tell them that they are "wrong" because of their age or anything, but...
i have noticed that there are quite a few late teens(?) and 20-somethings who have either lived here their whole lives, or were relo'd here as a young kid, that want out.
Understandable. I think everyone goes through that at some point, no matter where they are from. (The whole "grass is greener" scenario.) I lived most of my life within 45 mins of NYC (arguably the greatest city on earth), and, well...I got to the point where I wanted out too! And so here I am! And Roanoke is pretty cool.

I am in my mid 30's.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by Teebyrd86

Well.. I am 21 and just relocated here back in June. I love it here and I am young so thats not always true. I think it just that they want different surroundings and dont appreciate the lack of hustle and bustle and the wealth of friendlinest this town gives you. I am from Richmond and this town is A LOT better for me.. but someone who wants different surroundings Richmond may be for them.. I dunno.. I love Roanoke and I will be here A LONG LONG time!!

yeah...i'm definitely not saying it's an across-the-board thing. I just think it's pretty natural to want to leave where you grew up and find a new place/adventure/whatever. I did. And ended up eventually landing in the Roanoke valley. It's a pretty good place to be.
By the way...I'm in my thirties.

[Airchauffeur]

Roanoke is just fine. My family lives in the Tanglewood area with beautiful views. I do wish however that Roanoke would build expanded runways to accommodate the Boeing family of planes. I live in the North Ga. Mtns. and enjoy the drive through 'Fancy Gap' while heading to Roa. Salem leaves a lot to be desired though, but the Chinese buffet restauraunt @ tanglewood mall is great . Roanoke has always been a major hub for the railroads with many former RR workers. Just stay off of Williamson Rd., (for health reasons).

[badger74]

Coming and goings L and R metro areas.
For L 10,101 people mirgated in with the most coming from Roanoke 1190, Danville 341, Wash Dc 261, CVille 141, Virginia Beach 88, Blacksburg 59, Raleigh 48, Orlando 26, Bethesda MD 24.

6947 moved out of L to Roanoke 1131, Danville 273, Richmond 194, Cville 95, Wash DC 94, V Beach 75, Raleigh 61, Blacksburg 58, Greensboro 35, Charlotte 24.

Net in migration of 3154.

R was nearly the same cities with a slightly different order. R had a net in migration of 1823. So L is attracting nearly twice as much in migration as R as of 2007.

[Jerry_Williams]

Originally Posted by badger74

So L is attracting nearly twice as much in migration as R as of 2007.

I would like to know why?

[j1n]

Originally Posted by roanoker 4

Why is everyone comparing Lynchburg to Roanoke? In my opinion, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Smith Mountain Lake and the New River Valley are one region!

hey roanoker4...I agree and respectfully disagree.
I don't know that there should be a comparison there. I don't have a lot of background with Lynchburg, but I don't see it as the same caliber of city as Roanoke. Is there a "downtown" like Roanoke's?
I always think of those areas as quite seperate areas...Roanoke, Lynchburg, SML, and NRV. (Maybe I need to drive around the area more!) I think even just the geographic differences between Lynchburg and Roanoke set them apart. It's kinda like when you drive down I81 from PA...you know when you hit Maryland every time because the highway median landscaping is so distinctive. Roanoke is a pretty mountainous town for an east coast city. It just rolls and flattens out into Bedford and Lynchburg. Looks a lot different as you head east.

[WolfX]

Roanoke and Lynchburg are both HELLA GOOD. Lynchburg is less congested but you will end up traveling to Roanoke for entertainment. I spent 14 years in Roanoke and dream of moving back. I would probably live in Lynchburg though. Either way the area is great. People are cool, and it's a BEA utiful landscape.