SW VA looks good (Richmond, Roanoke: ski resort, home, job market)

[suzun]

I've checked out the areas suggested on this forum and Floyd looks great also looked at other small areas such as Galax. I read the posts on Roanoke and New Yorkers in the South and am now ready to ask level two questions.

I compared the number of days of sunshine where I live in San Francisco with the Floyd area and I am wondering what people familiar with the area think about the weather. My san francisco is way above the national average in sunny days and it doesn't snow here. I grew up in Philadelphia area so I know snow and hot humid summers but it is a distant memory. How do you locals feel about the weather?

I'm a big city girl but my husband grew up in small towns. I don't need a lot of friends but I like social contact. I want to live in an area where there is
acceptance and a live and let live attitude. I don't want to live in an area where I am expected to be like everyone else. What can I expect in an area such as Floyd?

[Ryleigh]

I grew up about an hour or so from Floyd, but oddly enough, I've never been there! PaperTrail and I plan to visit the town sometime in the near future on one of our trips to Roanoke -- we live at the Va. coast right now and we're planning to move to Roanoke in about a year or two. I'll talk to some people from "back home" and hopefully get back to this thread with their perspectives in a couple of days. Go to www.floydvirginia.com and www.visitfloyd.org and take a look at what they offer... keep in mind that any city web site is PR, so they're always putting their best foot forward. Hopefully it's really as cool as it seems like it is.

Regarding weather... I can tell you that the surrounding area does get snow. But it won't be nearly as much as Philly gets, and typically that area's average wintertime temp is a low of 20 and a high of 40. Average summertime temp is a low of 58 and a high of 81. Not bad! I got that info from here: http://www.weather.com/weather/clima.../monthly/24091

[suzun]

Thanks Ryleigh I'll look forward to your report on Floyd. Where did you grow up? Is it an area you would recommend?

[Ryleigh]

I grew up in Collinsville, and NO, I wouldn't recommend it! It's a small town next to Martinsville, where the NASCAR Speedway is. Also next to Fieldale. That whole area has an energy-draining atmosphere to it. The economy is crap, there truly aren't any jobs, unemployment is in the double digits. There's talk of improving the area, but that's even a joke to the residents. Every time I go "home" to visit my mom, I feel like all life is being sucked out of my body. Pretty much anytime I talk about loving the area where I grew up, I mean Smith Mountain Lake, where my dad has lived most of my life -- and which you might like b/c of a nice artists' element -- and the Roanoke area.

Harsh assessment of Collinsville/Martinsville, I know, but I did spend my first 18 years there, and I visit my mom there about twice a year, so I know it really hasn't changed.

[Steven2149]

I grew up in Galax and lived in Roanoke for a few years prior to moving to Atlanta. The good things about the area are plenty. The quality of living is outstanding. Most of the schools are smaller and do not result in kids being mere numbers. The scenic beauty and small town character is very real. The biggest thing holding back southwest virginia is the poor economy. Roanoke is slow to no growth and that is still the strongest economy west of Richmond in the state. The area has had a large dependency on textile and manufacturing related jobs. Bureacracy and the anti growth sentiment has caused many major things not to happen in the area. Take two things within the last 20 years or so which have been shot down. Years ago, APCO wanted to dam the new river and create a large lake in Grayson County. My understanding is that they were vehemently opposed by the local lumber company and subsequently built it somewhere else. ( I want to say it is now Lake Norman, north of Charlotte). Roanoke had a similar opportunity with an airport hub/ expansion deal that later created Eastern Airlines in Greensboro instead and went on to be U.S. Airways, which has essentially been the single biggest development in Charlotte's history. Also, there have been plans for over a decade or so to route a major north south interstate through the area, along an existing highway. A group of opposition has found 1 or 2 plant species that noone ever knew (or cared) about before that *could* be endangered by the interstate. There is no doubt that the interstate would be a vital link between Ohio, WVA, Va, NC, SC, and would be an economic boost. Recently, Roanoke was also in line to land a major automotive plant. Again, there were people who opposed it or didn't want it bad enough to push forward. Don't get me wrong, I love the place and people, but it is not a very opportunistic area for many career minded people.

[MaryBB]

Originally Posted by suzun

I compared the number of days of sunshine where I live in San Francisco with the Floyd area and I am wondering what people familiar with the area think about the weather. My san francisco is way above the national average in sunny days and it doesn't snow here. I grew up in Philadelphia area so I know snow and hot humid summers but it is a distant memory. How do you locals feel about the weather?

I'm a big city girl but my husband grew up in small towns. I don't need a lot of friends but I like social contact. I want to live in an area where there is
acceptance and a live and let live attitude. I don't want to live in an area where I am expected to be like everyone else. What can I expect in an area such as Floyd?

About 5 yrs ago. I loved it, artsy community, health food stores, rural, friendly. My friend from Richmond relocated there, she collects outsider art and has the most amazing collection. It's been 5 yrs for me so you know things have probably changed but she's still happy there.

It's definitely not anything close to big city living. I think biggest city is Roanoke so you may feel like you have to slow down quite a bit!

I think it will probably be a lot cooler than Richmond in summer and they do get the snow. It's beautiful ... but not as amazing as San Francisco. Oh gosh I just watched the "Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill", one of the best films I've ever seen... Do you see the parrots?

Mary

[roanoker 4]

to suzun....I just recently visited Floyd. I drove the Blue Ridge Pkwy from Roanoke past some of the most scenic views, small towns, farms, unspoiled land, etc anywhere. Floyd has "hippie" type of feel. Lots of artists, musicians there. There is a new tavern in town where the locals hang out to listen to the latest bluegrass, alternative music. It is close to Blacksburg and Roanoke.
It is not a stereotypical "redneck" view of southwest Va that others have of our region. Many visitors are surprised by the diversity of people in this region of the state. There is a town in West VA very similar to Floyd, it is called
Marlington, the home of Snowshoe Ski Resort. Of course, Marlington is much more remote than Floyd but it too is quite scenic and unusual.

[Skipstone]

Steven said: "Also, there have been plans for over a decade or so to route a major north south interstate through the area, along an existing highway."

Is that Interstate 74??

Or are you talking about an interstate being planned north-south through Roanoke?

[Steven2149]

Yes, it is 74.. I realize that the even number designates an east west interstate, however, the proposed route before and after the Roanoke region does run more north and south (in that area). It would follow 220/ I-581 corridor through Roanoke, which is definitely n/s.

[GypsyLdy]

I live in Floyd, and more than half the town nowadays has moved here from someplace else. I think we have average weather...only a minimum of Ice here, last winter I think we were iced in 4-5days, and that's just because I'm overcautious. Summers here are nice, although they tend to be cooler than in Roanoke...the elevation does make a difference. It's going to be a BIG adjustment from SF, but if you want to have a slower paced life, Floyd should suit you quite well. I should also mention, the job market is slow, and we live about 30-45 minutes from most jobs. If employment is a concern, I'd set that up before moving.
I hope some of this helps.
Also you could check out http://www.fragmentsfromfloyd.com/ for a local view of life here.