Just back from Roanoke

[Bbluefish]

Weighing in on the topic, I can't hold a candle to SeanPecor! But, will add my seconds to everything he wrote. We've lived in much larger cities before deciding to move to the Valley a few years ago. At first, we were a tad confused because some of the brands to which we were accustomed were not here... but, as soon as we built our house in north Roanoke county (a great, emerging area near Hollins U.) and got to witness our first foilage season with views of Tinker and Read Mountains, all thoughts of P.F. Changs, Banana Republic, Nordstrom, Saks and Brooks Brothers were replaced by a deep feeling of, well, home. This is such a cool place to be! It's small enough and large enough. I am also always amazed at the traffic in the airport! (It's new and very attractive). I fly a good bit and the flights are always decently full (a good sign!!). Yes, there is development... and it's nice. Rather than that disgusting urban sprawl you see everywhere else (ESPECIALLY IN NOVA). I'm sure we'll see some of that as we grow and as word spreads about Roanoke. One thing Sean hasn't mentioned (but you can in the future) is when Roanoke's FRESH MARKET opened. While it ain't Whole Foods, I'll take the southern-based and influenced market any day! We were just relocating when the store began construction. Already loyal to the brand, we made a few phone calls to tell them how excited we were they were coming (we aren't fans of the Kroger, Food Lion, etc.) They said they had Roanokers driving two hours to Greensboro to shop there, and were confident in the store's future. Once opened, little Roanoke gave the chain one of its most successful store openings in company history. LOVE THE FM! Richmond-based UKROPS is going to give it a run for its money in a few months when the gourmet monstrosity opens a half mile away on Franklin. CAN'T WAIT! And, a funny and maybe a sad reflection... I travel through Salem regularly. KRYSTAL opened there a week or so ago. While "gutbusters" coming to your neighborhood may not make a lot of us jump up and down... it certainly made HUNDREDS of locals SIT IN THE DRIVE THRU for H-O-U-R-S for the burgers. I'm not kidding. Literally an HOUR in a drive through for a .69 burger. Oh well, what can you expect from a place that named FUDDRUCKERS (yuk) it's best new restaurant of the year a year or two ago! Said with all due compassion and self-depricating humor! I love that Roanoke can laugh at itself like this! Anyway, I'm rambling... JUST MOVE HERE and you'll see. There are some lovely developments in "North County" which give you better views, better affordability and easy access to downtown!

[seanpecor]

Originally Posted by bemn

new money act as if they're all that and then some....pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssssssssseee eeeeeeeee..........you put your pants on the same way as everyone else!!!

Hey, watch out, I'm New Money! I put on my FIRST pair of pants exactly the same as everybody else. But the second pair - my overalls - well I have my own patented way of putting those on. Sorta like leap frog without anybody actually in front of you

Sean

[seanpecor]

Bbluefish, hey, you might get your wish someday! Stuart and his team developed and published:

www.myretailroanoke.com

Check it out; register and vote for what retailers/restaurants you want to see showing up in Roanoke. It's a cool idea. So far over 1,000 people have registered in just a few days and here is the current top 10 list: Cheesecake Factory, Kohls, IKEA, Crate and Barrel, Chili's Bar & Grill, Pottery Barn, Trader Joes, Nordstrom, Costco, and Banana Republic.

You get to vote 10 times. I voted for Cheesecake Factory, Discovery Channel Store, FAO Schwartz, IKEA, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sony Style, Tractor Supply and Williams Sonoma. Haha, Tractor Supply and Williams Sonoma. Do I bridge demographics or what.

Sean

[bemn]

Sean, Good for you that you still own those overalls!!! Me.....living in NOVA is tough, glamourous dressers!!! I'd rather wear jeans, turtleneck, fleece everyday....if I need to be dressy, hmmmmmmmmm.....maybe take an extra shower and not wear the ball cap I usually run around in after hitting the gym.

[Griffis]

I really appreciate all the talk of this area. It very strongly looks as if my family will be relocating to (drumroll, please...) Roanoke.

The job in C'ville would be great, but it pays less than the Roanoke position and I would have to fly out to C'ville on my own dime to interview. Kind of a bad sign, I think.

I got a call from Roankoe today. They seem to be highly interested in getting me, but are waiting for some paperwork, background checks, etc.

I have several resumes out to various areas. Some of these jobs pay even better than Roanoke, but I won't find out if I'm in the running for these other positions for another 2 or 3 weeks. I hope I can hold off giving Roanoke a definite yes until I found out if I might land a job with some more pay, but I can tell you that I'd be very happy to end up in Roanoke. Just seems a real cool place and good for my kids.

[sandybeach]

We just moved to the Roanoke area (originally from Richmond) and have been completely and thoroughly pleased. It is such a great place to raise a family! People are very friendly and there are an abundance of opportunities for cultural, sporting, and outdoor events. Cost of living is good as well. They are building a new medical school and new "big box" stores are opening up monthly. We love it for what it is worth.