Considering Lynchburg (Charlottesville, Lakeside, Forest: how much, lawyer, houses)

[Sunset_Va]

Check out Floyd,Virginia, you can walk anywhere downtown at night there.

[badger74]

Floyd is a tiny town. It's very nice as far as it goes but it also is very isolated and has about three restaurants.. L's crime rate is pretty low for a small city--much lower than Roanoke to which it often is compared. There are sites where you can compare that city to city.

News & Advance Lynchburg Best Places Report

[Mr_Jonas]

Large areas are VERY worn and torn. Old houses standing around slowly falling to pieces. This is one thing that makes me feel down. Politically I am a bit to the left and with Lynchburg being the home of now deceased Jerry Falwell being Christian conservative is pretty much mainstream around here….and that is not the case most folks are confederate flag waiving monster truck fans. That has at least been my experience. I work for a human services agency and have done so for 5 years now. I am sure that the poverty and violence is not any wear near that of ghettos in Detroit or Philadelphia. Roughly half of Lynchburg consists of streets with pot holes in, old houses that needed a paint job 10 year ago at least. I am VERY happy they are renovating the old Cradock factory building…or at least I THINK they are starting to do so. A huge factory with broken windows in the middle of Lynchburg just falling to pieces looks horrible.
This does not make me feel good.
When you say modest income, most people in Lynchburg make around $32,234 so, yes moderate income families dominate. This is the kind of salary a college degree will land you around here.
I doubt I will ever call this area home. I have no or little in common with people here. I do find art interesting (makes you liberal and phony apparently), I do think that food from other cultures other then my own is interesting, I have no problem watching a black & white movie with subtitles…and yes, I can go and see Iron Man, as well.. (most people I meet around here thinks going to the movies is a waste of money…but then they spend $30 at McDonalds), I do think traveling to different countries is interesting (not that I can afford it) etc, etc. Do I paint a better picture of what Lynchburg makes me feel down?
Of course, like Badger74 here you might Love it? What do I know?
Lynchburg is not the dump it was 15 years ago, but I really do not like the attitude of people, the slummy feel of the town, the lack of jobs (unless you are an engineer), the negative feelings forwards foreigners (and “Yankees”).
My guess is that if you live in one of the upper class and wealthy parts of town, apparently you really do not really spend time in most parts of Lynchburg and people are not so much of “walking southern stereotypes” and then life seems to be quite enjoyable. I wish I lived that life.

[Mr_Jonas]

Badger,
You seem like a smart fella. Seriously, how can Lynchburg rank 15 in the whole nation??? Seriously, I am NOT complaining because I enjoy being grumpy. I know you did not put that list together but you seem to enjoy Lynchburg so much PLEASE explain things. Are the other cities in this country THAT bad that Lynchburg is so good????

[badger74]

Low crime, decent climate, low cost of living, low unemployment, good healthcare, OK on entertainment for small city. My most recent Economy.com analysis of L (March 2008) shows an average manufacturing wage of $67,575 which is far above the state numbers of $58,515. So there are good industrial jobs but you need a skill--often high tech related. Most other jobs do pay below average. However the COL is also low at 87% of the US average. The average home price has increased by about the US average without the downturn seen in some cities and there have been far fewer bad loans. Net population has grown. So something is going well.

As far as good vs bad areas, all of the 24503 is good to great. That covers all the west side. Most of Timberlake, and the area from Lynchburg College south (Sandusky) are ok to very good. The area just south of downtown and east of Fort/ ranges from bad to OK but also includes the huge homes of the Historic districts many of which have been rehabbed. There are many nice homes just west of Fort and south of Oakley. Yes many of the homes are older but most outside the slum areas were all brick and well built. Then you have all the suburbs around Forest and Bedford that range from nice to very very nice. Tha's a very large area but really part of the L metro area and that's where many people that work in L now live. I wanted an older home with charm so I looked in Boonesboro but I did see a few out in the new developments and they are very nice for $200-$600K.

I never spent much time east of Fort except when you get down to Wards Road of course. I did drive through on Campbell from the east and that view is not so nice as you indicated. But I have no reason to go there most of the time. All the good shopping, restaurants, etc are in the better areas and downtown. People are now buying up the old factory buildings downtown and around Kemper etc and you will see new things happening in them--for example:

The Pit: Checking out Lynchburg’s new music venue | Lynchburg News Advance

[Mr_Jonas]

$67,575 is a lot of money...roughly twice what a looser like me with a college degree (and honors) earns. I can understand that people who have made their money some place else (like Nova) can get a house more or less “free” (well, it might seem like that I guess)
The whole “low unemployment” seems a bit fishy to me. It took me 2,5 years to get a full time job with benefits….and I know others with similar stories. (Some times they had lived here for quite a while as well)…A mystery that I obviously need to solve oneday.

You use the term “COL”. I am unfamiliar with this term, can you please explain?

[Michi_B]

Sorry to butt into a conversation, but I can answer that for you. "COL" is short for cost of living.

As someone who is moving to Lynchburg in July, I find it very interested reading the 'debate' that is going on between one who loves the city and one who apparently loathes it. It gives me a lot of things to think about and be aware of as I make my move.

An opinion is sought as to whether I will 'fit in' there:

I am divorced with a teenage daughter. We are Christian but not ultra-conservative, and we also believe in energy healing, eastern medicine, and the like. I have NO desire to push my views/opinions on others for any reason. We are democrats and I am a gun owner. Looking for a condo/townhouse or a single-family home that we can buy inexpensively and do work on to make it into what we want (something in the under $200,000 range).

I am a self-employed author and editor, so finding a job there is a non-issue. I am moving from Florida and I am tired of the excessive heat and humidity for such a long period of time throughout the year...I'd love to see some snow! Basically, I'm looking for a quiet, nice place where I can live at a slow, peaceful pace of life and not be bothered by anyone, as I'm far from a social butterfly. I'd also like to live in a place that people might have actually heard of...a big enough town to have everything that I would need, and I MUST have reliable Internet access for my work.

Will I like it there?

[Mr_Jonas]

Originally Posted by Michi_B

Sorry to butt into a conversation, but I can answer that for you. "COL" is short for cost of living.

Thanks!
Do not worry about butting in. Me and Badger are ol’ sparring partners This is a public forum after all and I appreciate others input as too (Something tells me Badger74 does not mind either)

Originally Posted by Michi_B

As someone who is moving to Lynchburg in July, I find it very interested reading the 'debate' that is going on between one who loves the city and one who apparently loathes it. It gives me a lot of things to think about and be aware of as I make my move.

I would not say that I loathe Lynchburg. My problem is when this place is portrayed as something other then a super conservative southern town, because I have experienced very little that says anything otherwise. This place has also more or less ruined my career, I have found I have NOTHING in common with the people here (= no friends) and I have found very little to do except going to the movies and stuff like that.

Originally Posted by Michi_B

An opinion is sought as to whether I will 'fit in' there:

I am divorced with a teenage daughter. We are Christian but not ultra-conservative, and we also believe in energy healing, eastern medicine, and the like. I have NO desire to push my views/opinions on others for any reason. We are democrats and I am a gun owner. Looking for a condo/townhouse or a single-family home that we can buy inexpensively and do work on to make it into what we want (something in the under $200,000 range).

Guns and god goes a long way in Lynchburg…
After living in this area for 5 years I know about 15 Democrats (I stopped at the “Kerry/ Edwards” campaign office just to see WHO was there in 2004….and I saw about 7 Democrats). Most Lynchburg folks I have met thinks energy healing and eastern medicine is Liberal stuff and un-American. The kind of “issues” that are created to distract Americans from the lord, so they loose faith and become weak spiritually and physically. This in turn results in slack morals that lead to immortality such as unmarried people living together, homosexuality and a breakdown of everything the American family stands for. I personally do not really give much for that kind of “logic”….
But then it also has to do with how much you talk about these issues.
Living in Lynchburg has taught me to be quiet and just nod and agree with people.

Originally Posted by Michi_B

I am a self-employed author and editor, so finding a job there is a non-issue. I am moving from Florida and I am tired of the excessive heat and humidity for such a long period of time throughout the year...I'd love to see some snow! Basically, I'm looking for a quiet, nice place where I can live at a slow, peaceful pace of life and not be bothered by anyone, as I'm far from a social butterfly. I'd also like to live in a place that people might have actually heard of...a big enough town to have everything that I would need, and I MUST have reliable Internet access for my work.

Will I like it there?

I would not say that I loathe Lynchburg. My problem is when this place is portrayed as something other then a super conservative southern town, because I have experienced very little that says anything otherwise. This place has also more or less ruined my career, I have found I have NOTHING in common with the people here (= no friends) and I have found very little to do except going to the movies and stuff like that.

When I moved to this area it was IMPOSSIBLE to get a fast internet connection. I finally got it last year. I should mention that I live out side the city limits. I have found that people are very nosy and too curious for my taste. Have you been here by the way? I would recommend a visit.
Being born above the arctic-circle I can see how the excessive heat and humidity in Florida could get to you after a while. We do get some snow every once in a while but mostly it melts the same day.
I am married and have too kids but Lynchburg is too quiet for me. I am far from a “party dude” and pick up the kids from school most of the time, help them with their home work 9 out of 10 times etc, etc....but Lynchburg is just too dull.
…but, who am I to tell you what you might think of Lynchburg. You might love it??

[Mr_Jonas]

Originally Posted by badger74

Low crime, decent climate, low cost of living, low unemployment, good healthcare, OK on entertainment for small city. My most recent Economy.com analysis of L (March 2008) shows an average manufacturing wage of $67,575 which is far above the state numbers of $58,515. So there are good industrial jobs but you need a skill--often high tech related. Most other jobs do pay below average. However the COL is also low at 87% of the US average. The average home price has increased by about the US average without the downturn seen in some cities and there have been far fewer bad loans. Net population has grown. So something is going well.

I asked my father in law about the $67,575. He has lived in central Virginia all his live and loves it...he was quite surprised at that number.
Anyhow....still interesting....

Originally Posted by badger74

As far as good vs bad areas, all of the 24503 is good to great. That covers all the west side. Most of Timberlake, and the area from Lynchburg College south (Sandusky) are ok to very good. The area just south of downtown and east of Fort/ ranges from bad to OK but also includes the huge homes of the Historic districts many of which have been rehabbed. There are many nice homes just west of Fort and south of Oakley. Yes many of the homes are older but most outside the slum areas were all brick and well built. Then you have all the suburbs around Forest and Bedford that range from nice to very very nice. Tha's a very large area but really part of the L metro area and that's where many people that work in L now live. I wanted an older home with charm so I looked in Boonesboro but I did see a few out in the new developments and they are very nice for $200-$600K.

Boonesboro is very nice. I am hardly there and it seems removed from the rest of Lynchburg. Untill last fall I had really only seen the Starbucks etc but now I have seen more. Very nice and very un-Lyncburg. You could not see a single rebel flag.

Originally Posted by badger74

I never spent much time east of Fort except when you get down to Wards Road of course. I did drive through on Campbell from the east and that view is not so nice as you indicated. But I have no reason to go there most of the time. All the good shopping, restaurants, etc are in the better areas and downtown. People are now buying up the old factory buildings downtown and around Kemper etc and you will see new things happening in them--for example:

The Pit: Checking out Lynchburg’s new music venue | Lynchburg News Advance

This is what I consider Lynchburg proper...."south of downtown and east of Fort" + Campbell as well as other parts of town I can not really explain (I admit I am bad at explaining directions)....and Amherst & Madison Heights.
I am REALLY gladthey are doing something to these old factories. It looks terrible.
As I said before I really hope Lynchburg will become more then just an ultra-conservative southern town were if you do not attend church 3 times a week you sit around and waive battle flags and throw racial slurs around as if it was a hobby.
This also gives Lynchburg the feel that it is separated from the rest of teh world. I sit here and look at the fun & exiting world outside while I rot away....

[MorganaCamelot]

My husband got a job here and we moved. We have been in Lynchburg for almost a year and a half now. I do not want to get too personal but I really cannot stand the extreme right-wing opinions of people around here. The strange mixture of Christianity and super patriotism is just too much. Do not get me wrong I believe in God and proud to be an American. I will not raise my children in this kind of environment.
I would like to second some of the previous comments. Big parts of Lynchburg look very depressing. Did some big natural catastrophe hit Lynchburg sometime in the past? This would explain this as it looks as if people just left. Large parts of Lynchburg look very unappealing. It is not the Queensbridge project in Queens, NY but this still makes it look like a ghetto.
The job market is a joke. I have spent 10 years prior to moving here working as a paralegal. In Lynchburg I have not been able to find work in any related area. One layer told me that I was unreliable as I was from outside the area and no one knew my family. UNBELEVIABLE!!! I have done some volunteer work and but since so many of the other volunteers only can talk about god, pray for our troops and how the liberal media is making the President looks bad, I just can’t take any more.
Genworth better get my husband another job, lower in salary is just fine. I cannot live here. Being at home with the kids is OK, but I need to have friends and a career.
I am to blame though. We looked at some very upscale neighborhoods. I thought it wasn’t me so to say. We settled for a little brick ranch style home. What a mistake. Everyone in the neighborhood either attends Thomas Road or walks around with Bud Lite hats and racing T-shirts (the sleeves are cut off of course). I thought it was a normal middle class area. It was not. It was a normal Lynchburg area. I am of mixed background. My grandfather is African-American and my other grandparents are Irish/German/Scottish mixture in different ways. I really do not like the “N” word. The woman next door once said it one time too many so I informed her of this. Her answer was “well, what do you complain about. It is not like you have gold teeth or sell crack, right?”
Well, I have already written too much. I said I wasn’t going to get into personal details. So much for that, huh.