Rocky Mount/Martinsville area (Roanoke, Salem: transplants, crime, hotel)

[clem16]

We are looking to retire soon and are considering the Rocky Mount/ Martinsville area. Property taxes seem to be low and housing costs quite reasonable. Any reason NOT to retire to this area? We'd like to maybe have part-time jobs, something to get out of the house and have a little spending money. Any responses would be appreciated. We do like the sound of Rocky Mount. Sounds like Warrenton used to be years ago and we lived there in the past.

[roanoker 4]

Rocky Mount has grown in the past 10 years. The town has some new retail options, restaurants and it is the "big" city in Franklin County. I would say it is a mixture of "good 'ol boys" and wealthy northern retirees who settle at Smith Mountain Lake. Oddly, they seem to get along down there. Overall, the county is overwhelmingly caucasian with very little diversity of race. Its about 30 minutes to Roanoke where I guess most people come to shop unless they can find everything at WalMart or Loews.
Martinsville/Henry Co is improving its weak economic picture. The area is in the Piedmont so the mountain views aren't as good. It is only an hour from the Triad area of NC. It seems to be laid back and the people there are among the friendliest I have ever encountered.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by clem16

We are looking to retire soon and are considering the Rocky Mount/ Martinsville area. Property taxes seem to be low and housing costs quite reasonable. Any reason NOT to retire to this area? We'd like to maybe have part-time jobs, something to get out of the house and have a little spending money. Any responses would be appreciated. We do like the sound of Rocky Mount. Sounds like Warrenton used to be years ago and we lived there in the past.

If I were you, I would definitely look closer to Roanoke...maybe in the county somewhere. You would be more likely to land a part time job in Roanoke, and also have some places to spend your spending money.
Rocky Mount is much more good 'ole boy than Northern transplant. The transplants at the lake have their own shopping out there (or in Roanoke if they are closer to that part of the lake). If they do come down to Walmart or Lowes, they would probably rarely have a reason to cross 220 into the "real" Rocky Mount...where if your last name isn't one of the big 5 or 6, you will probably only be accepted "so much". We've also experienced apathetic police, a lot of ridiculous backward attitudes/behavior, etc.

Martinsville.
We drove down there once. I will do my best to never drive through that town again. Obviously (visually) depressed, depressing, and ugly. No character to that town at all. And Roanoker 4 is correct...no real mountains down there. And actually, only a few places in Rocky Mount offer good mountain views. You have to get out of town...heading north...to get the views. Roanoke and Salem have outstanding mountain views. So do areas west of Roanoke and Salem...like Elliston and Shawsville.

[seanpecor]

By Roanoke metro area standards, Franklin County is much more diverse than many would assume particularly since its a mostly rural county. It's 89.9% white. Yes, that's mostly white, but compare that to other counties and cities in the metro. Roanoke County is whiter (91.9%). Botetourt County is WAY whiter (94%). Craig County might as well be Finland (98.1%!). Lastly, Salem City is 92.6% white! So, in actuality, aside from Roanoke City (69.4% white) Franklin County is the most diverse place in the Roanoke Metro As a Yankee transplant raised in what was at the time the whitest state in the union (Vermont) I find a certain aspect of Franklin Counties' diversity refreshing. There seems to be more of a socio-economic balance in general among whites and blacks in the county. This (to me) helps to significantly soften certain stereotypes. I'm not sure if my subjective anecdotal observation is backed up by statistics but I suspect it is.

We're in the Boones Mill area about 15 minutes from the town of Rocky Mount. It's the fastest growing area in the Roanoke metro statistical area but its growth is much much slower than a hot place like the Warrenton area. I think close to 10% over the past 5 years. We're into our 4th year in the area and we really enjoy it. The natural beauty is wonderful and with four balanced seasons it's hard for us to get tired of the weather. Rocky Mount is a small town but its the county seat for 52,000 people so the small historic Main St is loaded with some neat little shops. The library is accessible from Main St, and behind it is a new technology center which is a great resource for both young and old interested in a 2nd/3rd career in computing. You've got a few strip mall type outlets in Rocky Mount and on the east side there are big boxes, most notable a Super Wal-Mart and a Lowes. There are at least two large grocery stores in Rocky Mount. As far as the availability of part time jobs, there would be plenty to go around. The retail economy in the county is growing with the population so it would be easy to get that sort of job and easy to replace it as needed.

Martinsville has very few advantages over Rocky Mount. Martinsville and Henry County is essentially experiencing a substantial population loss due to the ongoing contraction of the manufacturing industry. It's a troubled area. I think the Henry County area's next renaissance era is at least 20 years down the road. With that said, due to the economic conditions and resulting population decline, you're going to get much more for your money in the Henry County area. But in my opinion you'd enjoy living in Franklin County a good deal more because of all of the current and expanding economy, the community services, the civic groups, and the more convenient proximity to Roanoke for fun cultural and community events.

Sean

[j1n]

Originally Posted by seanpecor

By Roanoke metro area standards, Franklin County is much more diverse than many would assume particularly since its a mostly rural county. It's 89.9% white. Yes, that's mostly white, but compare that to other counties and cities in the metro. Roanoke County is whiter (91.9%). Botetourt County is WAY whiter (94%). Craig County might as well be Finland (98.1%!). Lastly, Salem City is 92.6% white! So, in actuality, aside from Roanoke City (69.4% white) Franklin County is the most diverse place in the Roanoke Metro

And the actual town of Rocky Mount is approx 22% African-American. If one were to spend a little time here, it's actually quite a bit more diverse than one might initially assume.

[clem16]

Thanks so much for your responses! You've confirmed our hunch that the Rocky Mount area may be it for us. We'll be heading up that way in late summer to spend some time and look around (live in Myrtle Beach now.....bleh). Having lived in southern towns for many years we are used to the "good ol boy" stuff but I am wondering...... just how apathetic are the police in Franklin County? I don't imagine the crime stats are so bad, right?
We do want to live in an area that is slow-growth, laid back, green and relatively safe.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by clem16

Thanks so much for your responses! You've confirmed our hunch that the Rocky Mount area may be it for us. We'll be heading up that way in late summer to spend some time and look around (live in Myrtle Beach now.....bleh). Having lived in southern towns for many years we are used to the "good ol boy" stuff but I am wondering...... just how apathetic are the police in Franklin County? I don't imagine the crime stats are so bad, right?
We do want to live in an area that is slow-growth, laid back, green and relatively safe.

You may find the "good ole boy" stuff here to be on a different level than you are prepared for. And no...the crime isn't bad here. But I had an issue that I needed to talk to an officer about, and stopped at the police station. I finally gave up and left because there was just no one available to help me. Not one officer. And this is in a town that has a strong police presence...state police, town police, sheriffs, etc. I've also had other dealings with the pd here...they are very slow to respond, and generally seem uninclined to help.

[Debi18]

My family is from Rocky Mount. I have many fond memories staying with my grandparents on Diamond ave right next to the train station. The house is probably gone now, sadly. Trips to Smith Mt Lake, Ferry Stone, riding horses at Ferum College, hiking around on top of Bald Knob and of course going to Mill Mt Zoo. It's a beautiful area and I'd love to retire there someday.

[clem16]

Sorry to drag this old post up to the top, but we are planning to visit the area next month and was wondering about a few things.

Does anyone know if there is a pet-friendly inn or hotel/motel that will accept one tiny old dog..........with us, of course! We really don't want to stay in Roanoke, but will if our only option is there.

Also, are there any vegetarian/vegan restaurants in the Rocky Mount, etc, areas? Probably a long shot but thought I'd ask anyway.

And my third question should probably be addressed on a gardening forum, but you folks seem so knowledgeable in so many areas I'll ask anyway: Can crepe myrtles survive in SW Virginia? Seems some were planted in downtown Warrenton, but can't remember for sure, and we sure do love those trees and have a few gorgeous ones in our yard here in Myrtle Beach.

Thanks in advance!

[seanpecor]

You may want to investigate the Claiborne House B&B in Rocky Mount. I'm not sure about pets but I know they serve vegetarian cuisine.

Crepe Myrtles thrive in the Roanoke area, where they are a staple landscape tree in the Roanoke area and just over on the east side of the blue ridge in Rocky Mount. They will most certainly bloom 2-3 weeks later than in Myrtle Beach but they thrive nonetheless!

Hope this helps!

Sean