moving to virginia (Roanoke, Blacksburg, Salem: real estate, tornadoes, insurance)

[kitkat70]

I am new to the forum and was wondering if anyone could tell me about roanoke, virginia. My family and I are considering moving there within the next year and would like information. We love he mountains and scenery of virginia because we currently live in Iowa and hate it cause its so flat and constantly windy. Were hoping Roanoke/Salem area weather isnt constant wind. I understand the job market isnt great for high tech positions however my spouse is in blue collar work and my degree is in business administration. I will be looking for employment in real estate or human resource. Are their any companies that I could specifically look into? Any information about Roanoke would be greatly appreciated.

kitkat70

[j1n]

Originally Posted by kitkat70

I am new to the forum and was wondering if anyone could tell me about roanoke, virginia. My family and I are considering moving there within the next year and would like information. We love he mountains and scenery of virginia because we currently live in Iowa and hate it cause its so flat and constantly windy. Were hoping Roanoke/Salem area weather isnt constant wind. I understand the job market isnt great for high tech positions however my spouse is in blue collar work and my degree is in business administration. I will be looking for employment in real estate or human resource. Are their any companies that I could specifically look into? Any information about Roanoke would be greatly appreciated.

kitkat70

Nope, not constantly windy here. I've heard folks say it gets windy in the winter, but I don't see it. If you are looking for work in real estate, just do a search for real estate around the Roanoke area...you'll see pretty quickly who the "big names" are. As far as info about the area...look back here through the threads, and you'll find answers to just about everything you can think of. And I'm sure that someone will be happy to answer anything you don't find answers to!

[kitkat70]

thanks for the advice I was really concerned about the weather being so windy. I will go through all the threads and try and get the answers to my questions which I still have about 100 more.

kitkat70

[j1n]

Originally Posted by kitkat70

thanks for the advice I was really concerned about the weather being so windy. I will go through all the threads and try and get the answers to my questions which I still have about 100 more.

kitkat70

No worries. You'll find that many folks have already asked a lot of what you probably want to.
And yeah, I never understood the wind thing. Before I relo'd here, I read about the wicked Roanoke Valley winter winds. I've never experienced it to be necessarily any windier here than anywhere else I've ever been. We've had some awesome breezes blowing the last week or so, but they are light and refreshing and the sun's shining, and it feels great!

[seanpecor]

Blacksburg and the surrounding area have a well deserved reputation for harsh winter wind. Something to do with being up on a plateau betwixt the eastern continental divide? I can't remember exactly. Anyway Blacksburg is also about +/- 6 degrees cooler than Roanoke in general so the windy winter weather compounds that. I lived in Blacksburg for close to a year and experienced the wind firsthand. Wind I don't mind but when it's a driving wind and it's 27F out, well, even this ex-Vermonter avoided the outdoors.

Since Blacksburg is almost next door to Roanoke some of that reputation could have rubbed off on Roanoke undeservedly.

Sean

[PaperTrail]

Over in Bedford County, I have noticed the wind to be pretty wicked, moreso than anywhere else I've ever lived. But is it enough to actually bother me? Nope.

The area storms -- in any season -- can sweep through and bring some nasty stuff, but they usually don't last long. And I certainly wouldn't say the area is "constantly" windy. That would be a big exaggeration.

[kitkat70]

seanpecor

I have been looking at alot of the forums and have noticed that you take part in alot of these and give really good information. After reading through these forums I pretty much got answers to most of my questions regarding the area. I have a few more questions that I hope you and the other members of the forums can answer. here we goooooo!

1. Is roanoke a good area for riding motorcycles? will we have to worry about not being able to ride our motorcycles living in roanoke?
(My spouse has to sell his motorcycle when we first moved here to Iowa because it's so windy that it blew him into a ditch.)

2. Is there a high population of African Americans/ alot of diversity in Roanoke? (we would prefer to be in an area with high percentage of caucasians and african americans, not alot of hispanics).

3. Is roanoke a high flooding area?
( When you get serious rain do most people get alot of flooding in there basements, etc?)

4. Is the area polluted with gang activity?
(experienced enough gang activity in CA)

5. Does roanke get alot of tornadoes being it is a mountain town?

6. LAST AND THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION !
* Does roanoke get alot of those asian lady beetles that smell HORRIBLE!/ ( they are a pest in Iowa)

any information regarding my questions would be greatly appreciated.

kitkat70

[j1n]

I'm not Sean, but I'll take a crack at this.

Originally Posted by kitkat70

1. Is roanoke a good area for riding motorcycles? will we have to worry about not being able to ride our motorcycles living in roanoke?
(My spouse has to sell his motorcycle when we first moved here to Iowa because it's so windy that it blew him into a ditch.)

No worries. Tons of folks ride bikes around here, in-town and on the highways. The Blue Ridge Parkway is here too...it winds from nw VA down to Cherokee, NC...it's a low-speed road with tons of overlooks.

2. Is there a high population of African Americans/ alot of diversity in Roanoke? (we would prefer to be in an area with high percentage of caucasians and african americans, not alot of hispanics).

In Roanoke, 68.46% of people are white, 27.37% are black, 1.28% are asian, 0.16% are native american, and 2.99% claim 'Other'.
2.01% of the people in Roanoke, VA, claim hispanic ethnicity (meaning 97.99% are non-hispanic).

3. Is roanoke a high flooding area?
( When you get serious rain do most people get alot of flooding in there basements, etc?)

Most people? No. But there are areas of Roanoke that are prone to flooding. Also Salem. Someone else may be able to give you the specific areas. When you see realtors listings that say "may require flood insurance..."

4. Is the area polluted with gang activity?
(experienced enough gang activity in CA)

No, not at all. The "bad" areas of Roanoke are more "old/run-down/poor" than "dangerous".

5. Does roanke get alot of tornadoes being it is a mountain town?

Not that I've experienced.

6. LAST AND THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION !
* Does roanoke get alot of those asian lady beetles that smell HORRIBLE!/ ( they are a pest in Iowa)

if you mean stink bugs?? YES! and stink trees!!

[seanpecor]

Originally Posted by j1n

I'm not Sean, but I'll take a crack at this.

ROFL

Originally Posted by j1n

if you mean stink bugs?? YES! and stink trees!!

Oh, man, did I ever tell you about the time I flipping ATE a stink bug? One landed in my popcorn bowl one Sunday evening and of course I didn't notice. I picked him up in one of my handfuls of popcorn and started chewing away. It was close to the most traumatic experience I've had in years They taste SO much worse than they smell. I had to rinse my mouth several times and brush my teeth twice to get rid of the taste.

Sean

[kitkat70]

LOL I know what you mean about those stinking bugs. I came close to eating one myself and I can imagine how you feel. I was hoping that Virginia wouldn't have these bugs, but I suppose with the agricultural areas/ farms it wouldnt be any different in va. I supose I can't have everything at lease I will have the beautiful mountain views. Thanks again and try not to eat anymore stinky bugs.


kitkat70