Can anyone tell me about Henry County? (Roanoke, Martinsville: real estate, unemployment)

[LM1]

... and/or the town of Henry in particular?

As far as quality of life, lifestyle, scenery, outdoor activities, etc?

The only comprehensive information I was able to find had to do with the Sheriffs Department being massively crooked and large numbers of them being charged and indicted by the Feds for dealing in drugs, guns, etc. There's a difference between a small, friendly "Mayberry" sort of place and a crooked little hick nastyville- from what I gathered, there was a time when the area was definitely the latter.

Is Henry County an OK place today, or are there better places to look in that same general area of VA for a vacation property? The reason I'm even considering it is because there's a property I like that's in the area and the price is right.

[kittenxxx]

Henry County has its ups and downs. There are the beautiful places that many people tend to overlook and say that this county is terrible, but its really not. Just like any other place it has its cities and its towns. There are certain parts of town you don't want to go to, then there are many places to visit like the park ways - we do have many parkways...and backroads that lead to beautiful scenery and rivers. I love photography, and I enjoy visiting the backwoods places that many people don't see from the city. (meaning I recreationally take pictures of some places...) I've lived, and grown up here for almost 19 years now. Yes, it is also true about the Sheriff's department. But try to see the things most people from here tend to overlook. It's actually a pretty nice place. Henry County once was a booming prosporous town, there were theaters and all sorts of things down here, but when most of the large factoys left, economy went down hill. I would suggest going to google and searching the landscapes and what is around the area you plan to move. If it fits your budget and you like the property, look more into it. There's a lot more here than beats the eye!

[roanoker 4]

Henry County has many advantages. It is almost adjacent to Smith Mountain Lake(a growing upscale vacation area). It is an hour from the new FedEx hub at Greensboro NC(which I think will attract a major employer). Its an hour from Roanoke and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The real estate there is low due to the high unemployment so I think it would be wise to make a move now.
Henry County, VA and Rockingham County NC have some attractive properties. I like the little town of Eden, NC. I don't know why but it looks like Mayberry. Don't let people steer you away from the Henry County, I believe it is a "diamond in the rough".

[Aspe4]

Henry County, which I call the Martinsville area, may be what you're looking for. However, if you are a young, single person I would not recommend living there. Everyone I know from high school who went to college never came back to live.

If you're looking for a social life then you will be traveling to Greensboro or Roanoke. While they are only an hour away, why not just live in those cities? If you're retired and don't care much about the bar or nightclub scene then I think you will enjoy the area. I think there is an excellent quality of life, there's no congested urban traffic so travel times are very predictable. The it has much natural beauty; you can see the Blue Ridge Mountains off in the distance.

I haven't been but I here there is good property in neighboring Patrick County off of Interstate 77. You may want to check out Floyd County as well.