Back To The Past (Thoughts On Roanoke) (Alexandria, Blacksburg: fit in, house)

[Future_Trance]

Ahh...City-Data...where were you when I came to Roanoke...This post should help those whom it may concern about Roanoke (consider it a public service announcement )

Been in Roanoke for about 4 years after being relocated by my company, I wish had more information per this website at the time when I decided (but the money my company was offering was an offer I could not refuse so it might have not helped anyway), as Roanoke is like a time warp, about 20 years behind the times culture-wise.

I usually just tell people I'm from the future while living here in Roanoke - cuts to the chase.

Although, not all is lost, the place is very reasonable for housing, has great scenery, lots of things to do outdoors, nice athletic facilities, and if you have a career that makes serious bank, and travel frequently, you can survive in style...but if you are a young energetic single person, want culture, good-looking women, good metro system, smart and intelligent people to converse with, progressive city style place to enjoy...Roanoke falls extremely short of that.

And you can always make the best of Roanoke, get a truck, a dog, a gun rack and go hunting and 'rooting with the locals ...or to their new museum (joke alert).

[540_804]

LOL...what kinda metro system did you expect for a city < 100k.

I think if you compare apples-to-apples (other similar-sized cities), Roanoke's transit offerings are similar, if not better.

And you're being quite hyperbolic in saying Roanoke is 20 years "behind the times."

If I may ask, what part of Roanoke City (or the region) do you live in and where did you relocate from?

I would say if you are looking for "culture, good-looking women, good metro system, smart and intelligent people to converse with" and you can't find these things then you are not looking hard enough or not getting around much (no offense).

Now, progressive Roanoke is not. LOL. There is no denying that. I really wish Roanoke was a bit more forward-thinking. I thought the new museum would help at least open people up to the idea of more contemporary ideas but its almost like a crutch. Whenever someone says Roanoke isn't progressive people will say "Well just look at our new museum, we certainly are progressive" and return to doing things as usual.

But again, every city is not for every person. Some people just aren't cut out for certain cities and some cities just aren't cut out for certain people. Thats the beauty of living in such a diverse state and country. If you don't like one place, there is the option of exploring elsewhere in an attempt to "get in where you fit in" so to speak.

[Aspe4]

I agree about the lack of women, lack of intelligent conversation, and lack of progressiveness. I'm from that part of the state but lived in the DC area for several years and I terribly miss those things about it! I'll theorize about your time warp argument: many young people do not want to live in cities like Roanoke so it is a very old burg in terms of the age of the population. That could contribute to the time travel feeling. I feel for ya, man. I live in a place even smaller than Roanoke and can't wait to move to a more cosmopolitan place. But you're in a good position in that you can travel and you are making a good living. But the problem with traveling, like I often do to better cities, is that you have the depressed feeling at the end of your trip that you have to go back home to all its shortcomings.

[roanoker 4]

Roanoke recently had a push for attracting "energetic young professionals" to the valley. I have always thought it was a lost cause to try to transform Roanoke/Blacksburg into a high tech corridor of transient computer geeks.
We have an ample supply of them in other parts of the state. I have always
argued that the Roanoke area should try to attract more higher income retired people from the Northeast and West. These people are more apt to support and appreciate art, opera, theatre and the natural beauty that exists here. It is a perfect place to retire after a hectic life of living in the "Big City".
Housing & Living costs are low which adds to Roanokes' attractiveness. For some reason the area "leaders" are intent on attracting more "young professionals" as they don't want it to become a retirement haven.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by Future_Trance

Ahh...City-Data...where were you when I came to Roanoke...This post should help those whom it may concern about Roanoke (consider it a public service announcement )

Been in Roanoke for about 4 years after being relocated by my company, I wish had more information per this website at the time when I decided (but the money my company was offering was an offer I could not refuse so it might have not helped anyway), as Roanoke is like a time warp, about 20 years behind the times culture-wise.

examples?

I usually just tell people I'm from the future while living here in Roanoke - cuts to the chase.

wow. I think that if we didn't insult people or go out of our way to put ourselves up on a pedestal, the world (and Roanoke) would be a way better place.

if you are a young energetic single person, want culture, good-looking women, good metro system, smart and intelligent people to converse with, progressive city style place to enjoy...Roanoke falls extremely short of that.

I have to agree with 540_804... you're hanging out in the wrong places

And you can always make the best of Roanoke, get a truck, a dog, a gun rack and go hunting and 'rooting with the locals ...or to their new museum (joke alert).

the folks I surround myself with here just don't seem to do these things

[mccamp]

Honestly, Roanoke took us by surprise. We easily found culture and progressive minds. We never lack for something to do.

Sounds like Roanoke isn't the place for you. If that's the case, then you should move. Life is short. Don't live someplace that makes you unhappy.

And I don't think you've noticed all the changes. Roanoke and Blacksburg are attracting young talent. Entrepreneurs are setting up shop in Blacksburg (thanks to VT). Franklin and Bedford counties are some of the fastest growing in the state.

I always laugh at folks when they say "see! Nothing changes when the museum opened!" Oh please, people. The fact that the museum was built means that change is happening. It's not like someone is going to snap their fingers and we'll turn into a Portland, OR or something.

If Roanoke lacks anything, it's advertising and marketing. Folks don't realize all the good things happening in the region.

[roanoker 4]

I agree there is an extreme lack of advertising about Roanoke. I worked in the travel industry for many years and even as one travels up the I-81 corridor there are very few folders from the Roanoke Valley Visitors Bureau or the Va State Tourism(who rarely has anything on this area). Even the AAA Tour books have scant info on Roanoke. The AAA World magazine has nothing highlighting the area. The Roanoker magazine has turned into a gossip rag and doesn't showcase the region like it did. The Roanoke airport has an area with folders from areas around Roanoke, but nothing local. The US Air magazine did a story about Roanoke recently which was positive but I'm afraid its never enough. The people that work at the visitors center seem like they are asleep or either too dumb to welcome newcomers or give them
any information. If we truly want a tourist industry here we must wake up!

[Teebyrd86]

I have enjoyed my two years of living in Roanoke, it is comming to an end next week. I am ready to be in a busier area with more choices as far as shopping, dining, and yes dating. I have to admit Roanoke isnt the best place for singles... but I adapted to it but I am not a huge partier anyway. The cost of living here is great, the people are for most part friendly, and the mountain scenery is great. I always enjoyed seeing the mountains in the back drop through out the city. One thing I personally dont like about Roanoke is the mindset of Roanokers; they are truly stuck in the past when it comes to change and willingness to adapt to new things. But afterall they have a right to be if that is how they want it. Also its a small town and it dosnt take long for gossip to spread, it seems Roanokers are so bored that they love blowing things up and making them into a huge debate. I would recommend Roanoke to anyone who wants a decent sized town with a low cost of living and a very low frills enviornment. It has been a decent place for me but I am looking forward to my new life up in the D.C. area who knows I may be back one day! Good luck!

[Scott Martin]

Roanoke works great for me (mid-thirties dude) for the same reasons that Boise, Boulder, and Portland worked well for me in the past.

I prefer to live my life doing stuff outdoors with friends, and not spending my time around the following:

Shopping malls.
Smoky clubs with horrific cover bands.
In huge mobs of people waiting for something (anything) to happen.
In front of a home television for hours at a time pretending my life is like the ones I see on tv shows or the evening news.
Stuck in daily, dreadfully long traffic jams when I attempt to run to the store, go to the office, or otherwise exist.
Living the life of an office drone moving from indoor space to indoor space in a completely climate controlled environment.

Remember, bigger isn't better, better is better. And the final rule of course, life is entirely what you make it, even in our present consumer driven society.

[roanoker 4]

Teedybird, I am sorry things didn't work out for you here. Roanoke will be here when you decide you are through with DC. I think you are fortunate to live in one of the worlds' most beautiful and impressive cities! DC is the perfect place to find a job, make money and retire to Roanoke. I always wanted to live in a row house in Georgetown or in Alexandria overlooking the Potomac. Good Luck again!