job in danville, where to live? (Martinsville, South Boston: unemployment, best schools, living in)

[calistro]

i am reading here that danville is not a good area to live... any suggestions of nearby cities to live with good schools???

[vanyali]

Wow, what kind of job did you get in Danville? I didn't know there were jobs there. They have a really nice rest stop, but other than that, Danville has never seemed all that great to me. Maybe you can get yourself some acreage outside of town -- that area is pretty rural.

[JJM]

How far are you willing to drive? Some of the northern most areas of Guilford County NC (Greensboro) are within 35-40 minutes of Danville. Stokesdale and Brown Summit for example. Also, if you want to live in the Danville area I strongly recommend living in Pittsylvania county NOT in the city of Danville. The schools are better and resale isn't great but it's somewhat easier than selling in the city. On a bright note, two major job announcements were made recently in Danville. Should be bringing 1500+/_ jobs to the area. Maybe things are starting to improve economically there.

[tcw2z]

If you are concerned about good schools, there IS a magnet school in Danville called Galileo Magnet School. You'd have to apply, and I'm not sure how competitive they are. However, it is a public school and doesn't cost you anything. You can live out in the county (which is like, 10 minutes away from the city, so we aren't talking about a big commute) and your children will go to Pittsylvania County Schools. I haven't heard much about them, so I don't think they are *amazing* schools, but I haven't heard anything bad either. Frankly, most of the schools in that area are typical, rural schools, and I'm not sure there is a vast difference between one county to another. But, I do know that Martinsville City schools have an IB program, and the magnet school I mentioned is in Danville, and then there is a private school in Martinsville called the Carlisle School, which is pretty pricey. There is also a number of very small Christian schools if you were interested in that.

If you don't mind a drive, you could live in NC and drive to Danville. Danville is right on the state line anyway, so you could live in NC and have less than an hour's drive away.

Danville, Pittsylvania County, and Southside (south-central VA) in general is not usually seen as a happening place. So many companies have closed down, creating considerable unemployment. Like all cities, there are some places in Danville where you just don't want to live. However, you could probably get a decent-sized housewith some acreage in the county inexpensively.

[Sunset_Va]

Danville is becoming known as a welfare city. Not the same city I used to know.

[penguin2]

Just a few quick takes on Danville - though charming, home-style feel, very back in time as far as progress goes. Boring town, closed social society but if you want to live out in the county, Tunstall Middle is considered pretty good as far as schools go. Have you tried the schools ranking site - just google school rankings and you should be able to find what you are looking for. Unless you want to go private, Sacred Heart School in the city is good and the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany is forming a school now - just lower grades as of now, though.

Some new shopping is coming to town which should energize the activity a little bit here, but forget about any culture!

[calistro]

hi,
where are the best schools near danville VA? would it be better to live in NC and commute to danville, if so, what area has the best schools?
thanks.

[JJM]

Calistro,

How far are you willing to commute to your job in Danville????

[Sunset_Va]

Calistro

Seems like Danville is getting a bad name here , its not as bad as it is sounding. Danville is having an identity crisis, and seems most residents are in a stage of depression.
I talk with friends from Halifax/South Boston,Va, and most tell me they visit Danville to shop, I live in Pittylvania County and shop in Halifax / South Boston.

Wish I could advise you on schools, but not having any children attending ,I have not had any face to face with any county or city schools recently.

Perhaps some other forum members can give you better advice than I have, about your housing needs.

[vanyali]

The school info site is GreatSchools.net. Boy, I recommend that site so much, they should pay me.