What's it like living in Roanoke? (Lynchburg: water, waterfront, America)

[seanpecor]

How about that, Big Stone Gap! Is the Adriana Trigiani novel by the same name a well known book in town? My wife read it recently and enjoyed it.

[breeze823]

Originally Posted by seanpecor

How about that, Big Stone Gap! Is the Adriana Trigiani novel by the same name a well known book in town? My wife read it recently and enjoyed it.

Has she read the whole series Sean? It's one of my favorites!

[hasdrupal]

I'm seriously thinking about moving to Roanoke from Lynchburg. Is the cost of living higher in Roanoke? How is the Bus system? Is it diffilcult to get a job in Roanoke? I want to make the move to Roanoke before the end of the 1st quarter of next year. Is is hard to find an apartment? Anyone heard of the West Creek Manor apartments?

[matthews1965]

Hi there - I am 58 years old, I was born here and have lived here (except for a couple of years in Atlanta and school attendance) my entire life. I vowed never to move back here from Atl but did so for the sake of my children. After the Kings Inn closed it was not always easy to find good music - not so anymore. MANY new restaurants feature a wide variety every night of the week and incredible dining experiences. The market area is truly a gem, but we also have a variety of food and entertainment in Grandin Village and all over the valley. Our cost of living is still very reasonable and our housing market has held it's own through the current horror show. This city still makes some decisions which puzzle the residents - but what city doesn't. Smith Mountain Lake still has water! and is growing and remains always amazing. It is still a short (especially compared to ATL) simple ride to "anywhere" without traffic headaches. This city has become what I had hoped for and I love being here. I ran out of coffee this morning and went to the local 7 eleven - it was like a friendly corner coffee shop. Come see us - my son just moved home after living in south beach for many years - he is (after initial readjustment) happy. I can't comment on your possibility for employment but will pass along any info I come across. BEST OF LUCK!!! Let me know if I can help further!

[smease]

it's a small city / big town feel.... you can have the best of both worlds like a $70 million arts museum yet people will be nice and tlak to you on the street...

[sregorat3]

Originally Posted by hasdrupal

I'm seriously thinking about moving to Roanoke from Lynchburg. Is the cost of living higher in Roanoke? How is the Bus system? Is it diffilcult to get a job in Roanoke? I want to make the move to Roanoke before the end of the 1st quarter of next year. Is is hard to find an apartment? Anyone heard of the West Creek Manor apartments?

Curious as to why the possible move.

[hasdrupal]

Originally Posted by sregorat3

Curious as to why the possible move.

Well, my job is ending Dec 31st. I could get on with another company,but it would involve a pay cut. Lynchburg doesnt have many job opportunities unless youre an engineer or programmer and Roanoke seems to have a lot more blue collar jobs and just a lot more going on than Lynchburg, like the Taubmann art center and city wide arts scene. I'm looking to move basically as soon as I can get enough money together for rent+deposit and uhaul fees. Can you give me any more information on Roanoke like good or bad neighborhoods.

[sregorat3]

True about Lynchburg's jobs. There are good paying jobs, but limited fields. I think that the blue collar segment is slowly declining, leaving more openings in service industries, but less in manufacturing (where blue collar employees make good money). Lynchburg has always been a good place for manufacturing, but times are tight and most likely Roanoke manufacturers are feeling the same pinch.
Roanoke has a lot going for it; the arts scene is vibrant, there are plenty of shows, and the downtown is one of the best I've seen when compared to other cities its size. I really like the Lynchburg area, but if I weren't here, I'd choose Roanoke. Good or bad neighborhoods are not my specialty, but I do know that, like Lynchburg, good neighborhoods are plenteous in the Roanoke area and you don't have to be loaded to find a place in one. I've seen Sean touting the Boones Mill area, and it is quite pretty there. One of my favorite areas is the Daleville to Fincastle area and the area bounded by US 11, US 220, and US 460, along Mountain Pass Rd. The Cave Spring area is really nice, though maybe a bit pricey and there are some great neighborhoods along Colonial Ave. and in the Crystal Springs area. Crystal Springs would be a bit reminiscent of the area around Randolph College- with a hospital nearby as opposed to a college.

[hasdrupal]

Thanks,I will research apartments in the Crystal springs area since I do live near Randolph College in Lynchburg.

[ConceivedinKY51]

Originally Posted by whynot?

Looks like Montgomery and Floyd counties voted for Obama on this map: 2008 Presidential Democratic Primary Election Results - Virginia

PLEASE tell me Lynchburg DIDN'T vote for Obama!!! I'm a pro-life conservative.