Just back from Roanoke (Richmond, Charlottesville: real estate, hotel, attorney)

[Griffis]

...and I was very, very impressed. What a lovely place with so much to do and without exception, every single person I encountered was warm and friendly.

I flew out to Roanoke for a job interview and just returned late last evening.

Unfortunately, I only got to see the Hotel Roanoke (a palace!) and the downtown boutique district/Center on the Square. But it was a lovely, lovely place.

Beautiful setting, affordable cost of living and, again, the people were top-notch all the way. I do wish I could have seen more of the city. It seemed very bustling.

To be honest, it may be a wee bit too large for me to want to live IN the town itself, but there are many counties and smaller towns in the area that would give great access to Roanoke. For a town its size, it has quite an array of cultural and artistic amenities.

I have a very good feeling about the job prospect.

My only problem is, NOW--I mean just now--I got a call from another organization in Charlottesville to which I applied. So, I may have to travel out to Virginia again to interview for that position!

It would be hard to decide. C'ville looks terribly appeaking as well.

Seems like Virginia is calling my name. I sure love everything I've seen and researched about it. I probably wouldn't want to live any closer to DC than C'ville, but it's nice to have it and all its culture so easily accessible.

Wish me luck, Virginians! I would be proud to become a citizen of your beautiful state.

I hope I am fortunate enough to relocate my family out there before it becomes another North Carolina and we get priced out.

[bemn]

I grew up in Martinsville, Va. about and hour from Roanoke and attended UVA in Charlottesville. I currently reside in Northern Virginia. As far as long term prospects, Charlottesville would be my choice hands down. Yes, it may be more congested, but so much more opportunity, and particularly economic promise. Unfortunately, southern Va. is becoming more and more depressed.

Charlottesville has a lot to offer, and yes, things nearby....Wintergreen Ski/summer resort.....Culpepper has some quaint areas,.....Richmond is an hour away.....DC, probably two hours.

Good luck!!!

[Griffis]

You think C'ville is more congested?

Isn't it about half the size of Roanoke (speaking of the population)?

Is it perhaps because it's more central in the state and thus more of a "hub"?

Of course, I wasn't in Roanoke long at all, but there seemed to be a lot going on, lots of shops, etc. I thought it seemed quite prosperous. (Again, I am admittedly ignorant of the state in comparison with you.)

Thanks for the info, though!

[bemn]

C'ville's congestion probably comes from the location of UVA in town. Route 29 which runs through the town is pretty busy, particularly until it splits off for those going south towards Richmond.

As far as prosperity, I'd be willing to bet on the fact that C'ville's long term outlook would be much better than Roanoke. Not saying I don't like Roanoke, grew up very nearby, my sister still lives in the general area as do my parents...but just more, and more jobs are being lost, ....layoffs, etc. due to the economy in general down there. Yes, it is beautiful...Smith Mountain Lake is drop dead gorgous.....but, many areas in C'ville same.....you should really get out and tour around C'ville.

Maybe others can weigh in on if they think I'm off base on Roanoke's economic stability, or lack thereof??!!! Afterall, two brains are better than one!!!

[sharonwfix]

I can completley understand why would be drawn to Virginia.

I am originally from Michigan and moved to Charlottesville where I lived for ten years, before recently moving to Ohio. I will be returning to Virginia (Roaonke actually) in a few weeks. We only lasted in Ohio for 6 months.

We missed the mountains, the pace, and the people. What a great State!!!!

The only advice I can offer is visit both places for longer than a hotel stay and interview if possible. I think it would help to get a hands on feel of each city.

Charlottesville caters to the wealthy. there really is no middle class. You are either doing really well and can thus afford to buy a house. Or, you are struggling pay check to pay check. C-Ville is old money and people take that very seriously. When I first moved there I hated it. I was single, could have cared less about weird artsy stuff, and had no money!!! It was really hard to feel like I wasn't the "help" wherever I went.

After a time, I met great friends at church and I began to explore the community. There are really great people there, you just have to get past the initial shock of a place that is so different from what you may be used to.

If you choose C-Ville you are close to everything. D.C(2 hrs) Richmond(45min) The Beach(3hrs) Roanoke(2hrs) It is great in that regards, but if you won't be traveling alot it shouldn't way in.

If you chosse Charlottesville, do not live anywhere up 29 North. It is 8 lanes of nothing but traffic and lights!!!!! It is the main road and will have to be traveled on to get to stores and things, but I would NOT recommend living up that way!!!! Also, County schools are of course better than the city schools.

I won't be much help with Roanoke, b/c I haven't lived there yet. It seems the same in every way, other than Charlottesville seems less like a city and more like a community.

We will be moving to Roanoke in few weeks. Although, my husband was offered his job back in C-Ville, so we have a decsion to make as well.

Not sure if this helped at all? Good luck.

[Ryleigh]

bemn, since you asked others to weigh in I do think you're off base regarding Roanoke's prosperity. No, it's not a "rich" place, but the jobs being lost are in the Martinsville and Henry County area, an hour south. It's a whole different world down there. I grew up in Collinsville (which, for others reading this, is next to Martinsville) and I will NEVER move back there. It's a generally depressed and depressing place. Roanoke is a far cry from that.

I don't know a whole lot about Charlottesville, so I won't offer a comparison between the two. I have heard, though, that sharonwfix is right about the old money and lack of middle class. That's just secondhand information so take it with a grain of salt! I also know it's horse country (which I love but can be expensive!).

[seanpecor]

Originally Posted by bemn

Maybe others can weigh in on if they think I'm off base on Roanoke's economic stability, or lack thereof??!!! Afterall, two brains are better than one!!!

My brain is full of sinus infection but I'd be happy to prove you wrong

I'm a big fan of subjective impressions but I also think it is very very important to back them up with cold hard data. You know, like the cold hard Census data that finds that Charlottesville City LOST 6,000 people in only three years. That's a -15% growth rate. One really important thing to keep in mind is that the population data for Charlottesville City is incomplete, covering only 2000 to 2003, whereas the other counties in the Charlottesville MSA are current to 2005. I believe the population loss is even more significant. These people aren't necessarily moving out; for the most part they're simply moving out into Albemarle County. If Charlottesville City lost 2,000 people each year as the data from 2000-2003 indicates, then you need to adjust the total 2005 MSA population of 187,549 down to 183,549. If you do that, the 7% growth of the Charlottesville MSA shrinks to 5%. Which is good growth but nothing spectacular.

The Roanoke MSA growth for the same period is about 3%, but it's speeding up significantly. For example, my County (Franklin) grew 8.5% since 2000 and that rate is climbing. For specific data on Roanoke's growth you can hover over my profile name and read my previous posts. Here, I'll just say that the Roanoke economy is far from depressed and the economy has recovered from the job losses suffered 10 or more years ago. Furthermore, Virginia Tech and Carilion are founding a medical college in the Roanoke Valley, which should make real estate speculators in Charlottesville pretty nervous, given that this college will be competing directly with UVA. Virginia Tech+Carilion vs UVA doesn't sound very sporting now does it

Lastly, you have to consider the totality of Roanoke MSA, which includes not only the city but several surrounding counties and dwarfs the population of Charlottesville.

Sean

[roanoker 4]

Obviously I live in the Roanoke area and I can tell you guys this region is definately changing! I am originally from Roanoke and been away almost 27 years. About four years ago, MONEY magazine cited this area as one of the top places to live, along with Charlottesville. I have always known my hometown had enormous possibilities but I think the locals have always wanted to keep it a secret place. While economic possibilities could be brighter for the younger set, I think its real drawing power is the sheer beauty of the area. At the moment, the construction crane is noticed almost everywhere in the Valley. I think once more people find out about this area, we will experience a boom similar to North Carolina. Do we really want to see that here? There is a great debate. None knows what to expect in this crazy economy or mixed-up U.S.A.

[seanpecor]

I had to run earlier and finished my last message perhaps a bit too abruptly. I didn't want to leave anyone with the impression that Charlottesville was bad and that Roanoke was good. I think in general they're both great places to live.

However, the cost of living issue brought up by sharonwfix is an important point. The real estate values in the past 5 years have increased by 88% in Albemarle County and by 44% in Charlottesville. Even the high end is out of control. As an extreme example, I'm looking at the MLS right now via the Web and I found a 3,000 sq ft house in Albemarle County with 3 bedrooms, a small stable and a few paddocks w/ 116 acres for 3.2 flipping million dollars. I'm 25 minutes south of Roanoke, and I've got 128 acres and 150% more house and 300% more equestrian facilities, and much better views, and for 3.2 million you could have bought my place AND a mansion on Smith Mountain Lake.

Another example, take $400,000 to Albemarle County and it buys you this:



A 2,000 sq ft 3 bedroom 2 bath tacky Victorian house obviously in need of some updating and repair.

Take the same amount of money to Roanoke County and it buys you this:



A 4,000 sq ft 5 bedroom 3 bath house w/ a large office, a massive unfinished walk out basement in move-in condition.

So, if you're a professional capable of obtaining job offers in both cities, then I personally think it's a no brainer.

And if I can add another subjective opinion. It's warmer in the Roanoke Valley than in Charlottesville The mean temperature is 1F warmer. For example, in Charlottesville during November '06 there were nearly twice as many days when it dropped below 32F as a low. Cold snaps tend to hang around there longer. For example, on Thursday I left Boones Mill at 8am and it was 26F. When NPR did the weather at about 9am, they said Roanoke was 25F and Charlottesville was 8F!! Yowzer.

Sean

[bemn]

Guys, GOOD TO HEAR!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, I have don't any "hard" research on the Roanoke area, but just go from what I've been hearing word of mouth....you'd think as an attorney I'd know better (actually mom now for 12 years, not working so maybe my brains a little tired!!! ) I DO agree and wouldn't have to research to know that the cost of buying homes/property would be much cheaper in the Roanoke area vs. Charlottesville......and Northern Va. would probably give most of you a heart attack!!!!!!!!! I'm really glad Roanoke's economy is doing well. I've always liked the area, beautiful......WITH the exception of Va. Tech....but I have to take that stance as a good old UVA girl!!! Sooooooooooooooo.....I guess it's just one of those things you have to look at where you think you'd be happier long term......we're dealing with the same type of thing possibly relocating to NYC area.....I really like Conn., and upper Westchester County, schools beautiful, but then I have to worry about poor hubbie's commute!!!


Collinsville is sad isn't it. I remember growing up in Martinsville and the hang out areas were in Collinsville at either the Dutch Inn, a happening bar next door, or another cool place in M'ville.....no wonder the kids are into so much crime, drugs, etc....they're bored to death!!!! My sister actually still lives there but she works, her kids are grown and she's dating a guy from work, so no real need for the "hang out scene".....but goodness, when we go to visit and want to go out to eat it's REALLY hard to find anywhere decent....particuarly since we're spoiled living in No. Va./DC area.

I am suprised by the comment of Charlottesville and upper class.......maybe since I went to school there I was a bit isolated (and at times inebriated) so I didn't run into it that much. Typically though.....I've found "old money" people to be much friendlier than "new money".....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!!!