info on altavista/lynchburg area (Roanoke, Charlottesville: construction, school, contractors)

[tired&retired]

Any info on living in the Altavista/Lynchburg area???? Any and all will be appreciated!! Thinking of relocating to this area from the craziness of Atlanta Ga. area...Atl is getting WAY TOO CRAZY w/ the traffic and over population, out of control building..not to mention the..local politicians comments of..oops we forgot to consider that.... water shortage/ water management issue..seems like evrything here is always an after-thought..I would guess that it has something to do with...hmm lets see... I would guess NON-DISCRIMINATORY PROFIT MAKING!!! Can anyone relate to that??? Anyway....glad I got that out.... my Wife & I are looking to relocate to the above mentioned Va. area...any feedback is more than welcomed & appreciated....just looking for a slower, more peaceful style of living!!

[roanoker 4]

I grew up in Roanoke, lived in DC and SoCal and I know how hectic a place can get. This part of Va has the best quality of life right now anywhere. Lynchburg & Roanoke are quite compact and easy to get around. No traffic problems like Atlanta. Lynchburg is a bit more conservative with the tons of Liberty University students, so there are few bars, nightclubs or as many cultural venues as Roanoke. Liberty hopes to have 25000 students soon.
I have driven through Altavista and its a charming town. I know the people in that area are very friendly. Anyway, if you get bored you're within a short drive to DC, Va Beach, Williamsburg, Charlottesville, Blue Ridge Parkway, etc.

[badger74]

http://www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=LNA/MGArticle/LNA_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173353895531&pat h= (broken link)

[Jerry_Williams]

Well, we all have lived here in Lynchburg for 5 years. It is better now then when I move here but still has a long way to go. There is a long thread about Lynchburg on this board. You will hear different opinions:
Or what about Lynchburg Virginia?

[macnabitz]

I've lived, at one point or another, in most of the areas around Virginia. Central Virginia is an absolutely beautiful part of the state, and the cost of living is much cheaper than more urban areas. Jobs are not in large supply, but retirement may be a good time for the area. Lynchburg itself is growing at an exponential rate, which may be a deterrent if you are looking to leave the traffic behind, especially in the once-rural areas surrounding the "center" (The huge amount of construction going on in Forest, for instance. The prevalence of contractors clear-cutting to make way for "McMansions" is becoming stronger and stronger.) While some have undertaken the restoration and rebirth of downtown, as well as making the cutural elements stronger, others in the area's social structure seem more interested in building outward. I would be careful where you choose to settle, as what is peaceful farmland today may well be seated next to a Wal-Mart or conndo development within a few years.

[citycountryboy]

I suggest you move to one of the mid size towns in nc like greensboro or raleigh where you can live the quiet life, but a place that has many things to do and events going on. Moving from Atlanta to central virginia will be a different world. Trust me DONT do it, if you enjoy an active social life which im sure you do because you live in Atlanta. If you move to Lynchburg that will be non-existent, at first youll have fun because it will be new, but then everytime you go out you will see the EXACT same people EVERYWHERE. I hate it, im going to be honest, if you have any life in you or any type of personality Lynchburg will kill it. The only people I know who stay in Lynhburg are locals I went to college there and everybody i know leaves after graduation.

[badger74]

And a few years later when they want to raise a family they want them to grow-up in a town like Lynchburg--not Atlanta or DC and they come back.

[sregorat3]

Originally Posted by citycountryboy

I hate it, im going to be honest, if you have any life in you or any type of personality Lynchburg will kill it. The only people I know who stay in Lynhburg are locals I went to college there and everybody i know leaves after graduation.

You might need a counselor
I am a somewhat of a local; went to college in Lynchburg back in '85. I have a large number of friends that I went to school with that either stayed or moved back. Two years ago, I knew that a neighbor had moved in a block up from me on Rivermont was having some issues with the city. As a gesture of neighborliness, I got his attention one day to let him know that others are supporting him. When I saw him, we both recognized each other- we had attended school together in the 85-86 school year. More than 20 years later, he had come back for the exact reason that the OP was seeking to leave ATL.
By the way- I have quite a wonderful personality.