Roanoke or Lynchburg (Bedford, Amherst: house, high school, college)

[sregorat3]

Sean-
Maybe you need to come visit the Burg so that you can gain a bit more perspective! While what you say has some truth to it, you could be a bit more accurate. As one who has worked regularly in Roanoke for the past 22 years, I might know more about the Valley than many who live there, and I can probably compare the two cities better than most. Lynchburg is not so distant from the mountains and if you want flat- you won't find it here. In fact, Lynchburg is much hillier overall than most of the land within the Roanoke city limits. In regards to the mountains, I can have a mile long climb up a mountain no more than 10 minutes from my house; I can be downtown in 5 minutes. To get your kind of scenery, you've got to drive outside of the Roanoke Valley. I'd much prefer the sunset from Candlers Mtn. than any vantage point in the Valley- and that after running on any of the 60+ miles of wooded, mountainous trails along either side of Candlers and it's neighboring peaks. Now where can you do that in the Valley? Carvin's- but it pales in comparison.
Both areas seem to have healthy economies. To suggest otherwise hearkens back to the days when Tanglewood Mall was the only place to shop in the region. Lynchburg is a bit more conservative, but not nearly by the degree that many think. Most who say that don't live in Lynchburg and know little more about it than Falwell and his ministries. Even though Liberty is a Christian school, by nature it fosters more free thinkers than the typical Roanoke or Lynchburg lifers (as in born and raised, and I'm not).
The funniest thing I have read recently was the guy that wanted to commute from Richmond to a job in Lynchburg because he read that it was too conservative! I guess badger and I are the only one's that know Lynchburg well enough to give an accurate idea of what we have here. If people want to get answers about what an area is like, why would anyone want to respond with biased and uneducated (in respect to the question) answers? It is unfair to those who want good unbiased answers. As I suggested to the worried Richmonder- don't waste a lot of time getting good answers and don't make decision based on what you have read on City-Data about Lynchburg. Go visit and meet the people who are working here. I bet he'll find a whole different perspective.

[ConceivedinKY51]

Sorry, I keep writing separate questions here but I don't think of them in one lump!

1) How is Lynchburg for people with allergies? I read that Roanoke is bad. What about Lynchburg?
2) What industries (besides education) is there to work in? (Sorry for the bad grammar...)

[badger74]

Probably the same. Both are very green and humid in the summer.
Industries--finance with Genworth, nuclear power, healthcare and supplies, manufacturing of several types requiring skilled trades, retail, that's the big ones after education.

[ConceivedinKY51]

Originally Posted by badger74

Probably the same. Both are very green and humid in the summer.
Industries--finance with Genworth, nuclear power, healthcare and supplies, manufacturing of several types requiring skilled trades, retail, that's the big ones after education.

Thanks, Badger; info is very much appreciated. Another question......is it possible/doable to live in Lynchburg or Roanoke (leaning towards Lynchburg) without a car?

[hasdrupal]

you can get to most areas within the city limits of lynchburg by bus. Mostly to the mall and major retailers on wards road. The cost of living seems to be pretty much even between Roanoke and Lynchburg. Has anyone worked for or heard about a company called CCS Medical in Roanoke?

[SV2012]

drop em both! Roanoke is too busy and Lynchburg is eh. Try up a little farther north. I love Staunton and Harrisonburg! They may not be Roanoke but they are good.. Staunton is def. not huge but its good. DOWNTOWN IS GREATT!! and you have the city of Waynesboro in the county too. You don't have to live in Staunton. Live in the county, Augusta that is. Robert E. Lee High School in staunton is eckkk. but in the county All the high schools are great excluding Stuarts Draft. Riverheads High is the smallest but the best middle and elementary fall under how good the high school is so check out Augusta County if ya willl!

[sregorat3]

Originally Posted by SV2012

drop em both! Roanoke is too busy and Lynchburg is eh. Try up a little farther north. I love Staunton and Harrisonburg! They may not be Roanoke but they are good.. Staunton is def. not huge but its good. DOWNTOWN IS GREATT!! and you have the city of Waynesboro in the county too. You don't have to live in Staunton. Live in the county, Augusta that is. Robert E. Lee High School in staunton is eckkk. but in the county All the high schools are great excluding Stuarts Draft. Riverheads High is the smallest but the best middle and elementary fall under how good the high school is so check out Augusta County if ya willl!

Sounds like a good bit of bias, SV! The valley is nice and Staunton's downtown is great, but I think there are very few stats that would place Staunton/Waynesboro/Augusta over Roanoke or Lynchburg- unless you were looking for a slightly slower pace of life. In regards to schools, the city schools in Roanoke and Lynchburg have far more resources to offer a student that wants to excel, and the job market in the Augusta area doesn't have the diversity or size that the larger cities afford.

[wannabe lynchburger]

Is there anything interesting to do or see in Bedford?

[Cyclesucker]

I was born & raised in Roanoke, but came to Lynchburg to work at AREVA (framatome) after college. As Sean pointed out, this is the Roanoke forum b/c there is no Lynchburg forum, these 2 cities are joined at the hip as most people that live in one often are in the other. I decided to stay in Amherst (near Lburg) b/c outdoor activities are abundant and that is my major concern (shot 200 skeet, went to SML, & rode 300 mountain miles on motorcycle this weekend). On average, I would say Roanoke is a little better for most people.

For downtown areas - Roanoke ++
Shopping - Roanoke ++
Home prices - Lynchburg +
Nightlife - Roanoke +++
Schools - Roanoke (not city) +
Outdoor activities - Lynchburg +++
Friendliness of people - DRAW
Safety - Lynchburg +
Employment - depends on type of work (Lburg is saturated w/ Engineers - I am would know)
Location - Lynchburg +
Higher Ed. - Lynchburg + (LU, LC, RandyMac, Sweetbriar)

[S Chappelle]

Originally Posted by wannabe lynchburger

Is there anything interesting to do or see in Bedford?

Bedford's population(6K) is going anywhere but up , though economics and business have been moving forward at a decent pace.

-There is the D - Day Memorial
-Visitor's Center
-Smith Mt lake (which is in Moneta but still close 2 Bedford and beautiful)
-A few recreation sports/walking public parks
-Some good quality fine dining including my preferences as a local: Applebees™ , Taco Bell/Long John's combo restaurant and China Tastes
-large mostly outdoor YMCA
-Did I mention a Wal-Mart?