Lynchburg, VA (Richmond, Forest: 2009, hotels, home)

[nubosa]

Originally Posted by Mr_Jonas

Based on previous talks on this board I assume you are a bit older then me. (I'm 36). The areas you listed are all very urban areas.

Is it safe to assume you were drawn to these areas when you were younger?

When you were my age, how would you have seen Lynchburg when you were in my age? Would you have embraced the place or would you have drifted towards areas like Chicago, Seattle, Atlanta, LA, Denver and the suburbs of NYC?

I have found that, yes, Lynchburg does have theatres...but it is high school or college productions. It is not the RSC! The Randolph College art gallery is quite nice (they have a Whistler, a VERY small one, but still a Whistler) but the gallery is also VERY small. (There is an interesting gallery inside an architecture firm in the old down town too...no Whistlers though ). I think shopping lacks basic stores like GAP, Express Men, Banana Republic.....

Anyhow, I am getting off the point.

I really respect your opinions, so I am basically wondering - when people like me or "thejoe" (or others who have moved on) who are a bit sceptical about Lynchburg (to say the least) can you see were we are comming from, or do you think we are completely off the mark?

From my experience I think a lot of the Pro-Lynchburg folk that seem 'unusually positive' and 'unusually pro-lynchburg' may take that stance out of a regional complex issue. And that stems from Lynchburg's association with the whole Jerry Falwell thing. It's like they know what's coming at them when the topic of living in Lynchburg, Va is brought up. Their position is always the same in discussive points: Lynchburg is a great place to raise a family; Quiet and peaceful; Good little town; Family, family, family, etc. You see it on here, and I witness it when talking to natives of the area. I mean I've lived in other locales that I much prefer over L-Burg but I don't get all defensive when someone else expresses an alternative opinion or even cuts up the area verbally. And I don't call myself Houstonlover, or Pro-Buffalo; Tampalover, nothing like that.

LynchburgLover - no offense, but you get my point.

Not to bring up politics and religion but I would probably have the same reaction if I was from here and Falwell made the area a laughing stock each and every time he opened his mouth and made those really stupid, archaic remarks that caused national controversy. (9/11 and the Smurfs?). It's kind of a shame really.

[LynchburgLover]

I do love Lynchburg but there is one thing I think a lot of people don't know about the city.

There are two distinct groups: the Liberty/TRBC crowd and the Peakland/Boonsboro crowd. Rarely do they overlap. Peakland/Boonsbor are more the "old money" crowd: doctors/lawyers/business/country club crowd that do the Episcopal/Presbyterian/Methodist churches. They're a little more liberal and they do get a bit defensive about Lynchburg being typecast and ridiculed. Would you want your town to be unfairly portrayed on a SNL skit?

I am not saying either group is better than the other. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

But I stand by my belief that Lynchburg would make a wonderful choice for the Original Poster and the qualifiers he put: Young family with children already attracted to Liberty.

It is certainly not the perfect city for everyone. But what city is?

[cymach]

There are two distinct groups: the Liberty/TRBC crowd and the Peakland/Boonsboro crowd. Rarely do they overlap. Peakland/Boonsbor are more the "old money" crowd: doctors/lawyers/business/country club crowd that do the Episcopal/Presbyterian/Methodist churches. They're a little more liberal and they do get a bit defensive about Lynchburg being typecast and ridiculed. Would you want your town to be unfairly portrayed on a SNL skit?



It certainly is! I lived in the 'lburg' for 5 years and that is exactly the type that make it up: A bunch of little cliques either based on church affiliation, family clans, side of town you live on, etc. If you are not born and bred here and do not try to affiliate with one of the above in a pretty involved way you will never adjust to the 'Burg' in any way, shape, or form. Trust me.

Now I reside in Charlotte and the grass is greener!! For me!

[Mr_Jonas]

Originally Posted by LynchburgLover

There are two distinct groups: the Liberty/TRBC crowd and the Peakland/Boonsboro crowd. Rarely do they overlap. Peakland/Boonsbor are more the "old money" crowd: doctors/lawyers/business/country club crowd that do the Episcopal/Presbyterian/Methodist churches. They're a little more liberal and they do get a bit defensive about Lynchburg being typecast and ridiculed. Would you want your town to be unfairly portrayed on a SNL skit?

If I would add a third group - would I be completely out of line?
This crowd that sometimes overlaps with the Liberty/TRBC crowd but it is quite large in this area, families with a hard working blue collar background who are very proud of their Southern heritage, their southern accent, “Heritage, Not Hate” t-shirts are second nature and enjoys hunting, target shooting, fishing, entertainment such as The Grand Ole Opry, Grandpa Jones, Jerry Clower, Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, Bill Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy and also loves motor sport and wrestling.

They seem to be ignored by the Peakland/Boonsbor people to the extent that many Peakland/Boonsbor folks almost seem to proclaim that they do not exist, yet to me, they seem to be the backbone of Lynchburg and represents a very significant procentage of this town.

Any thoughts? Am I out of line?

[cymach]

Originally Posted by Mr_Jonas

If I would add a third group - would I be completely out of line?
This crowd that sometimes overlaps with the Liberty/TRBC crowd but it is quite large in this area, families with a hard working blue collar background who are very proud of their Southern heritage, their southern accent, “Heritage, Not Hate” t-shirts are second nature and enjoys hunting, target shooting, fishing, entertainment such as The Grand Ole Opry, Grandpa Jones, Jerry Clower, Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, Bill Engvall, Larry the Cable Guy and also loves motor sport and wrestling.

They seem to be ignored by the Peakland/Boonsbor people to the extent that many Peakland/Boonsbor folks almost seem to proclaim that they do not exist, yet to me, they seem to be the backbone of Lynchburg and represents a very significant procentage of this town.

Any thoughts? Am I out of line?

No man, you are not out of line, that niche is definitely the backbone and exist at every corner. Goes with the territory!



lol......Grand Ol Opry and Grandpa Jones! Haven't heard those names in awhile

[Mr_Jonas]

Originally Posted by cymach

lol......Grand Ol Opry and Grandpa Jones! Haven't heard those names in awhile

Big favorites with my in-laws!

[LynchburgLover]

I forgot the third group! You're right.

And these basic cliques exist in just about any Southern city!

[cymach]

Originally Posted by Mr_Jonas

Big favorites with my in-laws!

Sorry, I've been laughing my ass off all afternoon on this!

[LynchburgLover]

I love Jeff Foxworthy, the rest of the Blue Collar Comedy tour, my Southern Heritage, accent and country music!

[cymach]

I have absolutely nothing against the south...I'm still here. I love the southern people and lot of great places in the south.

I just never got into Lynchburg. Too small, little or nothing to do unless you are raising a family or are heavily involved in one of the cliques. And even if I took a chance on one of those groups for the sake of meeting people, as an outsider, would probably be accepted only up to a point. That's a tale I heard from almost every non-Lynchburgian I knew while there. One guy I knew, very friendly and outgoing dude, was there 14 years and no friends.

Phew!