Moving from Hampton to Big Stone Gap? (Bristol, Forest: foreclosure, low crime)

[TheVAHams]

My family and I currently live in Hampton, and we are considering relocating to Big Stone Gap (where my wife is originally from). I need some help finding a job in the area. Can someone give me some ideas as to where to look? I have over 15 years experience in the military and government service...mainly personnel and project management. My wife is a teacher, so she should not have much difficulty finding a job.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[cubmom]

my husband just retrired from the Navy himself less than a year ago. We considered BSG because he had a job recruitment. I did a lot of research and there is truthfully not much to offer out there. Coal mining and prison work is really all there is. Homes are reasonably priced but there is NOTHING in the way of entertainment ..no shopping centers, no movies, no decent libraries..NOTHING.

You will notice a big difference in the citizens as well ( we moved from Va Bch )..they have accents and a slower way of life. Their idea of a big Friday night is a to hear a visiting preacher come thru town. The government can be corrupt..if you have a military background it is more pronounced, the corruption and the very laid back attitudes.

Gas is higher, food higher. It is like living in Hawaii. .you have to truck a lot of the items in.

we are leaving soon..too much for us..

[kitkatjmu]

haha. I can't believe you just compared living in BSG to living in Hawaii!!! haha. I get your point, but that's hilarious! I am from Northern Virginia and my boyfriend grew up in BSG. I used to think I was a southerner but everybody in BSG calls me a YANKEE, and we're from the same state!!!

[SRose59]

Ya-all come back now...ya hear......
I was searching for some information on Civil War incidents/history in MY area of Big Stone Gap and came across your post. Oh my, my, my...its a good thing I listened to those Friday Night preachers......yes...we are a bit "slower" in this area. We are much more laid back and do not have incidences of road rage, running each other over on Rt. 23 because we are in a big hurry or losing our homes to foreclosure because we tried to be like "city folks" and buy beyond our means. No, there is not a lot to do in this area IF you are looking for a high time (as in big spending and high living) but we have come a long, long way. We actually have a Super Walmart in the area now (compared to the old regular one) and it is not right around the corner but 15 miles across a nice stretch of roadway with a beautiful view of a valley that once opened up this area to being settled. THAT is part of your U.S. and Virginia history. We have a lot of famous people that are or were from this area who contributed a lot to the world and we are not all ignorant hillbillies as some of us do have an education and have elected to stay in this area where it IS nice and laid back. You can visit this area in Virginia in 20 minuets you can be in either Tennessee or Kentucky and NC is not way off either! Hey...thats four Staes in one!! Take your pick fo a great weekend excursion.
I cannot believe you told the person asking about this area that things have to be "trucked in". Exactly WHAT were you looking for? Caviar? Even if this immediate area does not have the highlife you need so bad Kingsport, Tennesse or Bristol ,Virgina is only a few miles drive away and has anything a person could possibly want.

To the person asking about this area...if you are looking for a low crime area and nature and a quite and peaceful life, come on down. We will wave at you as you pass by, let you out in traffic, say hello even if we don't know you. We will go out of our way to make you feel welcome and would be glad to have you as a neighbor. We have good schools, a theater, parks, LOTS of National Forest areas to hike and bike and some of the most beautiful scenery in the USA...waterfalls to play in, lakes to boat or camp on and some rich history to learn of. Ya'll come on down and see us...maybe Cubscout Mom will have moved to Hawaii by now.

[Richmonder27]

Originally Posted by kitkatjmu

haha. I can't believe you just compared living in BSG to living in Hawaii!!! haha. I get your point, but that's hilarious! I am from Northern Virginia and my boyfriend grew up in BSG. I used to think I was a southerner but everybody in BSG calls me a YANKEE, and we're from the same state!!!

I guess they never heard of Robert E. Lee and his army of Northern Virginia.

[Ali - Bamberg]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you !!!! I couldn't say it any better.