Roanoke vs Winston Salem (Boones Mill: job market, neighborhoods, schools)

[trauma2005]

I am 32 years old, married with a 3 year old daughter and another on the way. I have two possible job opportunities one of which is in Roanoke the other in Winston Salem NC. Anybody have any insight as to which would be a better place to raise a family? Thanks in advance

[niv4lac]

I have heard that the economy is better in WInston-Salem, and that they have doen anice job rebounding from a failing cigarette market. I have also seen some pictures and read some news stories about the city beautification processes in Winston-Salem.

I have never been to either city, but i did plenty of research on WInston-Salem when i wrote a paper about the history of RJ Reynolds tobacco company, which is where they are centered

[seanpecor]

The economy is better in Winston Salem than in Roanoke? Not by a long shot. Winston Salem has an unemployment rate of 6.4% and it's growing. Roanoke is only 4.1%.

If you have a job opportunity in Roanoke then take it. Particularly if you are in the medical field. Roanoke is going to offer a better quality of life than Winston Salem in many respects. The whole Winston-Salem and Greensboro areas have significant traffic congestion compared to Roanoke. But they're certainly distinct from one another insofar as aesthetic and cost of living are concerned, and they're close enough to drive between during a tour. My gut tells me that the Roanoke Valley is going to be more appealing to you.

Sean

[VALover]

When I was living in Wythe County I kind of split my shopping trips between Roanoke and Winston Salem. I love both cities and it would be a hard choice for me if I had to choose between the two. Really, I don't know much about the neighborhoods in Winston but I absolutely love the shopping there.

Since I can only compare the shopping I will have to say that I while I like some of the choices in Winston I do like the way that Roanoke is a little easier to maneuver. It seems like I always get turned around in Winston.

In my opinion Roanoke is a good place to live. The people are nice, the weather isn't too harsh, and I can usually find stuff to do.

Good luck to you. In my mind you won't make a wrong decision when the choices are Winston or Roanoke!

[sregorat3]

Winston is a great city, and is in a metro area that is much larger than Roanoke. The job market in VA is better than that of NC- only the top 2 or 3 areas in NC that have employment figures that even make it in the middle of the pack in VA. Winston has a very rich history and one who loves to shop would have more selection from top to bottom than what would be offered in Roanoke. That being said, I'd rather live in Roanoke! Winston has some really pretty areas, but you can't beat our part of VA!

[Teebyrd86]

Hey,
This post is very interesting to me. I moved to the Roanoke area a little over a year and half ago. The mountains are what drew me here of course the fact that I had a job here helped too. I always hear people giving one advice: dont move here unless you already have a job lined up. I love the people here they are for the most part friendly but they are set in their ways and dont adapt much to change. So this is why I am told many retailers wont come here.. no Kohls! I have been offered a job in Raleigh and am having a hard time deciding wether to take it or not.. Thankfully I have a month to decide. I just can't see leaving this part of va. Its simply beautiful. But the job market sucks and I am hopeing to hold out until I hear more about my current job situation here in the valley (praying I dont loose it!). I think N.C. and Va are both very different and the same can be said between the two cities you are asking about. Winston is a very nice city with a larger downtown area and more residents, I'd say it is more diverse. Roanoke is smaller and has more of a homey feel to me. But for rasiing a family you cant go wrong with Roanoke and with our low cost of living, great people, and decent schools I dont think you could find a better place. If you would like any unbiased advice/questions just let me know. There are lots of people on this board very biased-and opinionated (sean).
-Good Luck!

[seanpecor]

Everyone is biased and opinionated. I think it is the nature of humanity. Some, however, are more expressive of their bias and opinions than others are

Sean

[Diamond Dave]

Originally Posted by Teebyrd86

There are lots of people on this board very biased-and opinionated (sean).

D'oh! A little passive-aggressive, eh?

Sean is okay in my book. He just really likes Boones Mill.

[Teebyrd86]

Originally Posted by Diamond Dave

D'oh! A little passive-aggressive, eh?

Sean is okay in my book. He just really likes Boones Mill.

I didnt say he wasnt okay. He has helped me in the past but... he can be very biased and opinionated. Which is okay for the most part but he is I think sometimes too much. I try to stear away from his advice these days. Not saying everyone should though.

[seanpecor]

I didnt say he wasnt okay. He has helped me in the past but... he can be very biased and opinionated. Which is okay for the most part but he is I think sometimes too much. I try to stear away from his advice these days. Not saying everyone should though.

Dude, Teebyrd86, if you're going to insult me, then please have the courtesy to do so privately. This is a public forum. When I do disagree with someone in a public forum, I work very hard to express my opinion respectfully and in a way that does not undermine the integrity or character of the individual I am disagreeing with. I try to treat the group here exactly as I would were I talking with them in person. This includes being as honest and genuine polite as I can be. It also includes, you know, not talking trash about someone else in the group, particularly if they can hear me

And although I do love Boones Mill very much, I believe I've specifically recommended Roanoke City more often than the Mill Most people who come here are city people who are looking for city things, and that's the last demographic I want to talk into going country.

The bottom line is this forum depends on opinionated and socially gregarious folks like Diamond Dave and myself. We're here to answer a question when we have something that resembles an answer. And opinions are priceless here. After all, people here aren't asking Algebra questions that only have one answer. They're asking things like Anybody have any insight as to which would be a better place to raise a family? So each of us entering a conversation tries to be helpful and provide their own insight, their own opinions. This forum is useful because of the varied opinions, not in spite of them.

Sean