extreme swva (Roanoke, Blacksburg, Bristol: real estate, crime, homes)

[swva]

I was reading some other forums on here and everytime someone asked where to live in southwest virginia yall said Blacksburg or Roanoke or somewhere like that. Why does nobody recommend Lee, Scott, or Wise county? Or even Dickenson, Russell, and Washington?

[VALover]

I would say that most recommend the Blacksburg and Roanoke area because there are more jobs in those areas. I have friends who live in Wise and they love it but I would never recommend it because I don't personally know that area.

[SCBeaches]

I bought my land in Scott County several years ago and plan to build on it after I retire. I don't know of many job opportunities in that area, but it's beautiful and peaceful for retirement. I have family in Wise, Dickenson, and Washington Counties....Wise and Dickenson have a lot of poverty and not many job opportunities other than mining....but Washington County is where Bristol and Abingdon are, both of which do have more job opportunities. I don't know about the high schools, but the elementary schools are nice and most have good test scores. Land and homes are very reasonably priced in all three counties I mentioned. I don't know anything about Lee or Russell County.

[Trevor92]

I'm quite familiar with the extreme sw of virginia. But most people just consider blacksburg/roanoke to be about the end of the state ... even though it's true that there's more than another 100 miles of interstate before you reach Tennessee.

The main reason I believe, is just the small populations when you get further sw of roanoke/blacksburg. There's just not a lot of people that live there in relation to the population of a larger city, and therefore less people, if anybody posting about the area.

I would say all the places you mentioned are great places. Poverty rates aren't really as bad as they sound because the cost of living is so much lower there. Real estate, rent, taxes, etc. are all lower. I'm not saying it's great, but it's like many other rural areas of America that are about an hour or more away from the nearest interstate or large city.

[NYnitestars]

Originally Posted by swva

I was reading some other forums on here and everytime someone asked where to live in southwest virginia yall said Blacksburg or Roanoke or somewhere like that. Why does nobody recommend Lee, Scott, or Wise county? Or even Dickenson, Russell, and Washington?

Hi, I would love to hear about that too, since I've been looking for land to buy and saw some promising lots in Russell County. I live in FL and amn looking to invest in a future retirement retreat and build later. Do you live there now? Would you recommend it? How bad is the crime rate, do all people arm their homes? The pics I've seen are lovely, nice views, rolling pasture lands, seems really ideal. If you have suggestions or advice, please let me know!
Thanks!
NYNitestars

[meOmy]

We reloacted here and have built us a mountain retreat/getaway. We bought 2 parcels of raw land and built a little mountain home on one, fantastic panoramic views, fresh air, lots of wildlife and we are very very happy............here in Russell County VA

[fyrresq1]

we just arrived in russell county 2 weeks ago from south fla love it so far.