Roanoke Times Extra Cast (Richmond, Blacksburg: relocating, real estate, incomes)

[Upstate Dave]

As I continue to do my homework in preparation of relocating to SW VA, I read the online version of the Roanoke Times (& other regional publications) and watch the online videos of upcoming events.

Is it my imagination, or is it normal for the youngish professional people of the region to be..... cynical, (for lack of a better word)? Seems I observe a bit of a 'tude on those "ecasts". Maybe this is national and not just regional?

[j1n]

Originally Posted by Upstate Dave

As I continue to do my homework in preparation of relocating to SW VA, I read the online version of the Roanoke Times (& other regional publications) and watch the online videos of upcoming events.

Is it my imagination, or is it normal for the youngish professional people of the region to be..... cynical, (for lack of a better word)? Seems I observe a bit of a 'tude on those "ecasts". Maybe this is national and not just regional?

hey Upstate Dave...
I think what you are picking up on is something that has come up here in these forums before...the opinion that the Roanoke area generally holds more jobs for blue-collar workers, and not so much for white collar folks.
To some extent that is true, but the jobs are out there. And there are folks making it their business to connect folks to those opportunities. I've seen this situation play out with friends of mine here. Big frustration over a job search...then they reach out...some networking starts happening...a door or two get knocked on (kicked in? ) and things start happening.
For any of these young professionals to think that Roanoke is their "be all, end all" of super high pay and super low cost of living is just expecting way too much.
By the way...good to hear you are still looking at a relo to the area!

[roanoker 4]

hey upstate dave, I have been noticing The Roanoke Times seems to have this obsession with making "Young Professionals" like this place. The paper thinks if more "Young Professionals" moved here then Roanoke would become an even nicer place to live. For as long as I remember Roanoke has always had a high rate of migration of its young to nearby DC, Richmond, Charlotte & Raleigh. Those areas simply are magnets for many "Young Professionals" with
advanced degrees(Va Tech no less) and many of the other colleges in the area. Frankly, Roanoke is an ideal place to live for many reasons other than the abundance of "Young Professionals". I think the area must provide more higher paying professional jobs to attract these folks. This has not been an easy task since the state of VA prefers to steer higher paying jobs to Northern VA & Richmond and not the Roanoke/Blacksburg area. I was really surprised when the state & Va Tech invested dollars in the "Smart Road" in Blacksburg. It was hoped at that time numerous new companies would locate here in hopes of studying new high-tech driving options. Yes a few did but I don't think it has been too successful. Recently a major auto manufacturer
decided to locate to VA and guess where the new high paying jobs are going?
You guessed it: outside Richmond. At the time the New River Valley area is in an economic downturn.

[Upstate Dave]

Ya know.... I've been thinking some more on this subject. I wonder if what I'm observing is the "Seinfeld" effect? A kind of slightly cynical self-centered world view endemic to young adults... I dunno. I may be projecting!!! But at 47 I don't fit that demo! LOL

I'm not surprised that young professionals move to larger metros. That happens most places I suspect. Here in Rochester NY, leaving the economic situation out of the discussion, young adults still tend to move away for more excitement and opportunities. Keep in mind the Rochester area is double that of Roanoke, (probably not a fair comparison because NY is experiencing a large brain drain & migration out flow).

My wife & I, in our continuing (and painfully ongoing) plan to relocate to Virginia have concluded we may need to find work where ever we can just to get out of NY to VA. That might mean Richmond, but we really hope not. I'm still sold on Roanoke!

[seanpecor]

The NRV area is in an economic downturn? Says who? The NRV real estate trend is still a seller's market, unlike most of the rest of the country. There are now more I.T. and biotech companies in the VT Corp Research Park in Blacksburg than ever before. About 120 and they employ close to 2,000 people! In a town with a population of 12,000 permanent residents. Blacksburg is 62% white collar! Economic downturn? NOT.

The Roanoke Times *casts are edgy on purpose. It's my opinion that they are trying to target a young audience and some overpaid marketing company told them that the 'tude will make the *casts more engaging and relevant. Maybe they're right. But in my experience the young professionals here aren't terribly cynical. Lately they've actually been organizing and their various civic organizations have been putting forth development plans etc. I can't fault Roanoke itself for trying very hard to attract and retain young professionals. The reality is that there are in fact great white collar jobs available to them in the Roanoke area but many local young professionals get offers for 20% more in big metro markets like Atlanta, NYC, NoVA, etc. Never mind that the cost of living is 25% more in those big metro markets. It's details like that that don't typically sink in until a young pup gets married, turns 30 and starts having kids

Sean

[roanoker 4]

Well, I guess its all in the way one looks at the New River Valley. Blacksburg is the bright spot but unfortunately Blacksburg is not the only place on the map in that area. Have you ever heard of those shimmering "upscale" towns of Dublin, Pulaski, Draper, Fairlawn & Radford? I suppose Sean you will provide statistics on how no layoffs or massive job losses have occurred in "those" areas but instead prefer to concentrate on B'burg. These people do exist whether one would like to acknowledge the fact. Yes, I guess any area can be looked at through rose colored glasses. And Upstate Dave, I am glad you are planning to move to the area but I think if I were moving I would definately have a job lined up. It looks like rough times may be ahead for employment everywhere, not just here!!

[Upstate Dave]

......sigh.....

[seanpecor]

Blacksburg/Radford/Christiansburg Metro Annual Unemployment Rate:

2002 4.9%
2003 4.6%
2004 4.4%
2005 4.0%
2006 3.3%
2007 TBD

2007 may have something like a 3.5% unemployment rate but it's not posted yet. I'd say that the B/R/C metro area economy is doing quite well, overall. Particularly in light of the fact that the workforce has increased by more than 4,000 from 2002 to 2007. So, clearly, at least 4,000 jobs have been created from '02 to '07 and I'm sure those aren't all in Blacksburg alone.

One thing that could possibly be a factor in differing views of the B/C/R metro appears to be the decline in employment in blue collar industries (gas station industry laid off 10% of it's workforce, machine shops 8%) and the increase in white collar jobs and a corresponding increase in industries serving the white collar industries (elementary and college jobs increased 137%, personal care jobs increased 19.2%, dentist office jobs increased 4.1%, etc). So there is certainly a flux.

Clearly Dublin, Pulaski and other very small towns are not benefitting directly from the economic boom in Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford. While small town incomes have increased only modestly since 2000, Christiansburg's median household income has increased 25%, Blacksburg's 15%. However, unemployment statistics do not support an economic downturn in NRV that is outside of the current curve that the state as a whole is experiencing. That is unless you can point out any data that establishes otherwise.

I'm not looking at anything through rose colored glasses. I'm very pragmatic. It's served me well so far. Still, this is all subjective, isn't it. If you were working at a gas station or a machine shop in B/C/R then I guess the economy in the NRV _is_ looking quite unappealing at the moment. But if you've got a degree (or three) then it's a no brainer.

Sean

[seanpecor]

Dave, what industries are you going to try to find work in?

Sean

[Upstate Dave]

I guess I prefer Lindsey Nair of all the regular hosts of the Extra Cast. The others seem just a little to "edgy" for me. I guess what I like about this feature is how it highlights not only big name entertainment, but the local & regional talent as well.

Regarding employment concerns and plans- I tend to not fall prey to major media hype of an upcoming economic downturn (which can only become a self-fulfilling prophesy). We have not even seen ONE quarter of negative growth, and two are required for the big "R". Indicators show slow "growth" for a while and thats normal. Economic & employment change is inevitable. Even more so in todays world. I don't shrink from that, nor do I fear it. Change is a challenge, and forces one to adapt. Hence... I am getting my BBA to go with my AAS in engineering & 25 years experience in manufacturing & design.

When I get serious about looking for the new job, that will ultimately determine when we relocate. I have some business ideas, and might have something started by then (which of course would not be dependent on location so much). At least something to do part time. My wife is an IT director and should be able to find work fairly easily.

So, to conclude- Lindsey Nair is my favorite! Jennie & Tad are my least favorites. And I really like the local band "The Juniors" !!