Lynchburg, VA (Richmond, Arlington, Hampton: appointed, schools, university)

[dtcanc]

Hello everyone,My wife and I are considering a move to Lynchburg, VA. We both are quite interested in Liberty University. We would be working on a master’s degree and would need to attend in person. We do have three young children.Is Lynchburg a diverse location? My wife is Puerto Rican and I am white. Basically we just want to ensure we will not be hassled.
Does it snow much in Lynchburg? Do you ever get a white Christmas? We have two months to consider where we will go. It is officially between grad schools in Minneapolis, MN and Liberty in Lynchburg.
We've lived in Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City and now Lincoln, Nebraska. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!

[badger74]

Lynchburg is WAY warmer than Minn. I doubt you get hassled there. I'm PR descent and my wife is white and never had a problem. There are quite a few mixed couples--mostly black/white and I think people are over that now.

It snows several times a winter but not too much and most of it is gone in a day or two. You MIGHT get a White Christmas but probably not.

[Mr_Jonas]

Lynchburg is basically a white (66.0%) and black city (30 %), so that leaves about 4% of "other" (Asians, Hispanics/Latino, Native-American, Euro trash etc).

However, I really doubt you would be hassled. If your wife has dark skin (most folks from PR are a mix of south European, West African and Native American after all), some might think she is African-American, and some folks are funny about mix-race couples, but I really doubt you will run into trouble.

We get some snow, but usually it melts away. Most snow arrives AFTER Christmas for some reason.........

Since you are interested in Liberty, I assume you are a religious and conservative family.....and since Lynchburg is a very conservative place were going to church is very important, I guess you will love it here.

There are quite few so-called "real hardworking Americans", who enjoy NASCAR and are proud of their southern heritage. I feel I SHOULD point that out as some people arrive in Lynchburg thinking all of Virginia is like Hampton Roads or Arlington.

[thejoe]

Originally Posted by dtcanc

Hello everyone,My wife and I are considering a move to Lynchburg, VA. We both are quite interested in Liberty University. We would be working on a master’s degree and would need to attend in person. We do have three young children.Is Lynchburg a diverse location? My wife is Puerto Rican and I am white. Basically we just want to ensure we will not be hassled.
Does it snow much in Lynchburg? Do you ever get a white Christmas? We have two months to consider where we will go. It is officially between grad schools in Minneapolis, MN and Liberty in Lynchburg.
We've lived in Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City and now Lincoln, Nebraska. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!

If you will be busy with school and family, living in Lynchburg might be okay for ya. But expect a much slower pace of life than those other places you mentioned living, it can be real culture shock

[LynchburgLover]

Lynchburg is a wonderful, family-friendly community! (I know I'm biased). I don't think you'd be hassled here. One thing about winter, though. Lynchburg doesn't get a lot of snow but it does get a good bit of cold, rain and an occasional ice-storm.

Good luck!

[Tshie]

Originally Posted by LynchburgLover

Lynchburg is a wonderful, family-friendly community! (I know I'm biased). I don't think you'd be hassled here. One thing about winter, though. Lynchburg doesn't get a lot of snow but it does get a good bit of cold, rain and an occasional ice-storm.

Good luck!

The cold is the least of your worries in Lynchburg. It's boredom! The boredom here will kill ya

[LynchburgLover]

All towns are boring, if you let them be.

There are churches, clubs, sports leagues just like any other community. He said they have three young children so I'm sure they'll get busy with sunday school, scouts, soccer, music lessons etc.

I doubt they'll be bored.

[Tshie]

Originally Posted by LynchburgLover

All towns are boring, if you let them be.

There are churches, clubs, sports leagues just like any other community. He said they have three young children so I'm sure they'll get busy with sunday school, scouts, soccer, music lessons etc.

I doubt they'll be bored.

Right.

But if people are used to big city amenities, you will be gravely disappointed.

[Nebat]

Originally Posted by Mr_Jonas

Lynchburg is basically a white (66.0%) and black city (30 %), so that leaves about 4% of "other" (Asians, Hispanics/Latino, Native-American, Euro trash etc).

However, I really doubt you would be hassled. If your wife has dark skin (most folks from PR are a mix of south European, West African and Native American after all), some might think she is African-American, and some folks are funny about mix-race couples, but I really doubt you will run into trouble.

We get some snow, but usually it melts away. Most snow arrives AFTER Christmas for some reason.........

Since you are interested in Liberty, I assume you are a religious and conservative family.....and since Lynchburg is a very conservative place were going to church is very important, I guess you will love it here.

There are quite few so-called "real hardworking Americans", who enjoy NASCAR and are proud of their southern heritage. I feel I SHOULD point that out as some people arrive in Lynchburg thinking all of Virginia is like Hampton Roads or Arlington.

What's with the Euro trash comment?? Don't forget that most whites in this country are descendants of our neighbors on the other side of the "pond". I happen to be very proud of my European heritage, but don't have a superior attitude when dealing with some ignorant people. Comments like that could scare people away, instead of making them feel welcome. Also Hampton Roads has that Pat Robertson thing down there, and plenty of blue collar hardworking individuals. Totally not a bad thing as I am of the blue collar cloth myself. Bottom line there is diversity everywhere, maybe not as much in Lynchburg compared to other places, but I would be very surprised if you encounter any problems. Interior parts of VA have the reputation of being a bible thumping place but an article in the Richmond Times Dispatch this past year made an interesting point that about 60% of all Virginians do not claim a religion and/or belief in god. The percentage is most likely driven up by the large population centers in the eastern and northern parts of the state. But with Liberty in Lynchburg I'm sure it has a good share of church goers.

[LynchburgLover]

I disagree.

Other than up-scale shopping and "fine" restaurants, Lynchburg has most of the same things as a larger city. I would also add Merriwethers is an excellent restaurant.

Every major civic organization (Rotary Clubs, Lions, Garden Clubs, Jr. League), three colleges (Lynchburg, Sweet Briar, Liberty) that all offer cultural opportunities, sports venues (again the colleges and Hillcats), Country Clubs, Tennis Clubs, endless volunteer opportunities. The local colleges all offer adult education classes.

There are scout troops, little league, soccer, ballet, karate, etc for children.

Lynchburg is centrally located to the mountains, the beach, Smith Mountain Lake, for wonderful day trips. For shopping, Charlottesville and Roanoke are also an easy day trip.

Lynchburg also doesn't have a lot of the disadvantages of many larger cities: crime, gangs, traffic (except Ward's Road on weekends), high cost of living.

People that complain of boredom are simply boring people.