Need a CLEAR, HONEST view of what Lynchburg is like? (Richmond: best city, apartment)

[ConceivedinKY51]

I keep getting conflicting information about Lynchburg. I was planning on moving there but now I'm not sure. Would somebody please let me know what the city itself is like? Are there areas that are "walkable" with shops, etc.? Are there pretty areas with trees, parks, etc.? Are people friendly?

I know that my "demographics" - middle-aged, Caucasian, Christian, conservative fits Lynchburg but can someone give me a "feel" for the place?

Pics were sent that make the place look like a desolate slum. Are there "nice" areas that don't look like this?

I am not wealthy nor a snob but I do have, I believe, a normal level of standards for what a living environment should look like. Please!! People who KNOW, not just people spouting opinions who haven't been there in awhile or never.

Thanks to all.

[VirginiaEwok]

Howdy.
I was one of the guys that posted a few times in your previous enquiry about Lynchburg.
Maybe you could try the City of Lynchburg : Home
They have some images. Looks a bit too travel brochures then what I have ever seen. Hope it helps.

I myself in a conservative white guy. Most people around here are white and conservative (including myself). I would estimate about 20 - 25% African-American.

My relatives live in Lynchburg and I won’t say much since I have no interest in arguing except maybe the buss system is not Lynchburg strength.

I think you, really, really need to visit before doing anything else.

[Teebyrd86]

The only thing I can really suggest to you is that you need to visit the place for yourself spend sometime there.. a week or more exploring all areas and seeing what it has to offer. I am not familiar with Lynchburg so I cant give any personal opinions of the place. I do know that every city has slums and that's something you will have to deal with everywhere you go in the U.S. Good Luck!

[ConceivedinKY51]

Originally Posted by VirginiaEwok

Howdy.
I was one of the guys that posted a few times in your previous enquiry about Lynchburg.
Maybe you could try the City of Lynchburg : Home
They have some images. Looks a bit too travel brochures then what I have ever seen. Hope it helps.

I myself in a conservative white guy. Most people around here are white and conservative (including myself). I would estimate about 20 - 25% African-American.

My relatives live in Lynchburg and I won’t say much since I have no interest in arguing except maybe the buss system is not Lynchburg strength.

But I never wished to argue. Just asking for information; that's all.
I think you, really, really need to visit before doing anything else.

I never wished to argue either. No interest in that whatsoever.

I know I need to visit first. But my sister and I have only enough money for one visit to one place . We've narrowed it down to Lynchburg and Chattanooga. I've gotten a good deal more information about Chattanooga from people there.

And I'm not asking anyone to make a decision for us; just wanted some more specific information. I've gotten all the info I can get from the City of Lynchburg but I just wished that someone who lived there would take some pics of their own for us to see. I notice in other states that people take plenty of pics for those wishing to see what it's like.

We can't afford to continue living where we are now, nor do we want to. We know that the rents in both of those cities are HALF of what we're paying now. Plus, we want to get back to the southern part of the U.S.A. If we had lots of money we'd tour a lot of places!

But, once again, I was just asking for a little more specific info; that's all.

[whynot?]

I think one problem is that while -- on a map -- Lynchburg is "near" Roanoke, it's not really in the same part of the state. Roanoke is definitely in SWVa, and Lynchburg is not. It's part of the Charlottesville/Piedmont region. Some of that is terrain (the mountains really do create natural boundaries), and some of it is almost cultural. There's no forum for Central Virginia -- a lot of Charlottesville questions get posted on the Richmond forum, even though Charlottesville is in the piedmont and has little in common with Richmond.

Most of us have been to Lynchburg, but apparently no one here has a strong feeling about living there. Have you tried looking for Lynchburg community bulletin boards?

[ConceivedinKY51]

Originally Posted by whynot?

I think one problem is that while -- on a map -- Lynchburg is "near" Roanoke, it's not really in the same part of the state. Roanoke is definitely in SWVa, and Lynchburg is not. It's part of the Charlottesville/Piedmont region. Some of that is terrain (the mountains really do create natural boundaries), and some of it is almost cultural. There's no forum for Central Virginia -- a lot of Charlottesville questions get posted on the Richmond forum, even though Charlottesville is in the piedmont and has little in common with Richmond.

Most of us have been to Lynchburg, but apparently no one here has a strong feeling about living there. Have you tried looking for Lynchburg community bulletin boards?

No, but I will. Thanks for the tip.

[ConceivedinKY51]

Originally Posted by abandonship

This place is lethargic. Nothing happens here. No symphony, zoo, decent bars. Academy of the Arts is great, that's about it. Get your reservations early because it will sell out. Unless you consider "The Living Christmas Tree" arts and entertainment you will be stressed with boredom. You must go to Roanoke if you want to be around people that won't ask you what church you belong too. College kids rampage all up and down the main drag from Liberty University. Oh, they destroyed the mountain range here to put their initials on it. What a joke! "LU" Big woop! Abandonship!

Well, according to the Lynchburg visitors guide there IS a symphony. And as far as zoos go I'm not that fond of them anyway because I love animals and most zoos are downright cruel. I love a good zoo but I can probably count those on one hand in major cities in the U.S.

I don't know anything about college kids "rampaging" and don't like the idea of it. Anyway, what do you mean by "rampaging?"

[Flamingo13]

I hope someone can help - that is a problem that there really isn't a place to put the question out where it will be seen. My personal opinion: been there for a brief visit - won 't go back.

[ConceivedinKY51]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

I hope someone can help - that is a problem that there really isn't a place to put the question out where it will be seen. My personal opinion: been there for a brief visit - won 't go back.

And please give me your opinion why you "won't go back."

[sregorat3]

There are quite a few places that would keep me from visiting Alexandria again, as well. I'm not sure where you got your pictures, but If they look really slummy, my guess you are looking at pictures from a small part of the city. There is a reason that while most cities are declining in population, Lynchburg is growing, while most cities have declining retail sales, Lynchburg's is increasing, while most areas are seeing warning signs in their job growth index, Lynchburg's is increasing. Lynchburg consistently (and quietly) is rated as a great place for job growth, for starting businesses, and for quality of life. The city has one of the lowest crime rates in the state as compared to other cities and the cost of living is very reasonable. I'm very well traveled and spend a good bit of time in just about every decent sized city in VA (excluding Tidewater); Lynchburg is my favorite, with Roanoke being a close second.
Most of the people who post opinions on Lynchburg have been here infrequently, have just passed through, or have only what they read somewhere to base opinions on. There are quite a few folks here who will try to steer you towards Roanoke and mention all the bad about Lynchburg and why their city is better. If you do thorough research (getting opinions on this site is just a start, and really can't provide you with much info on Lynchburg) it should be easy to get solid info on the city, it's walkability, and the quality of life it might afford. By the way, the walkability link that Diamond Dave posted is really neat, but you'll find that, for the most part, the most walkable areas tend to be some of the most rundown or commercial areas. Where my home is in Lynchburg, we would have a walkability score of 58, but within 3 blocks of my house, I have a college, a grocery store, a convenience/gas, a Barnes & Noble, deli-cafe, bank, Post Office, 3 churches, a large park, 2 pizzerias, an upscale restaurant, a bar/neighborhood grill, a florist... and more, with no more than 2 lanes to cross. I'd say that is walkable- and I've got bus service from 5 AM to 11 PM. There are very few places in Roanoke or Charlottesville that are so convenient yet so livable. There are also plenty of apartment options in the same area. Fort Hill is ano0ther area that is very easy to get around without having to have a car (particulary in the 5000-6000 blocks). Just for kicks, if you think that the slum photos are realy representative of Lynchburg, do some googling for poverty rates in Virginia. You'll find that Lynchburg is not nearly as poor as the sender of the photos would like you to believe. If you want to check out some reports about Lynchburg, this city website has them linked. My favorite rating was in National Geographic and it rated Lynchburg as the best city in the state for outdoor adventure.

I'm sure Chattanooga is nice, also, as I've heard that it is like Roanoke- but bigger. I've been there a couple of times and have seen some seedy looking areas, but some nice areas as well. It should have a bus service that rivals places like Richmond, as it is in a whole different category than any city west of I-95.

As for abandonship's perspective, you've already seen that you can't believe every post you read. There are some that don't like Lynchburg, but if it was really bad, would they be staying... and would Lynchburg be growing?

If you have specific questions, feel free to PM me. I'd be happy to help out.