Here's just a thought for those interested in moving to Roanoke:
If you don't *need* to be in Roanoke city or the surrounding counties, depending on your job prospects, you might consider Blacksburg, a little less than an hour away.
My husband and I have lived in the area for about two years now. While it's not heaven, it definitely has a culture that is *significantly* different than the commonly stereotyped "southern" one several posts here have mentioned.
Blacksburg, home of Virginia Tech, is a college town (some people call it a small town, but having grown up in a REALLY small town, I tend to disagree; I think it's a medium-sized town). It is, by and large, progressive. Plenty of people here are interested in conservation, recycling, and yes, liberalism, if that's your thing.
Like Roanoke, Blacksburg is surrounded by gorgeous blue-peaked mountain ranges and plenty of outdoorsy things to do (as a bonus, you might meet plenty of other folks in town, from students to professors to housewives and househusbands, who will climb the mountains or go biking with you).
The cost of living is quite a bit higher than in Roanoke, but you get the benefit of a great school system where the kids come from all over the world and where parents are very supportive and involved (many of those parents are VT faculty, so I guess the value placed on education makes sense). I don't have children, but I volunteer at one of the local elementary schools and am, by and large, amazed.
But there's plenty to not like about Blacksburg, too. There aren't many jobs here, outside of the university. There are lots and lots and lots of students who love to party hard and generally have a good time - it has a way of making you feel prematurely old (I'm just 26, and already I feel ridiculously "mature" in Blacksburg!). And despite the area's strong conservationist leanings, efforts to prevent a Wal-mart from building in town failed. The big boxes are, sadly, going up beside all the cute mom-and-pops downtown.
But still, it's by and large a good place. Beautiful scenery, educated people, great school system, generally open-minded community, decent public transportation and a laid-back environment where nobody cares if you drive a beat-up fifteen-year-old car or go out to eat wearing holey sneakers.
If you have the luxury of working here but are afraid of that "close-minded" "redneck" culture others are talking about (I don't like to use these labels and stereotypes, but I do understand the fears and concerns folks are referring to), you might consider Blacksburg. Just my two cents.
P.S. There are some folks who live in Blacksburg and commute to Roanoke, although I'd advocate using a carpool and maybe a hybrid! But it can be done, if you're used to doing it. I-81 is a FAR cry better than any of the road systems I dealt with in Hampton Roads or Northern Virginia. So glad to have left those places!!
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ever been to Blacksburg?
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