If you live in Roanoke Virginia can you tell me some things about it? (student loans, house)

[MynameisnotPeter]

I am 18 and my dad has just told me doesn't even want to pay for community college cause I didn't work hard in school and he thinks its a complete waste of money to pay for the basics you have to take first. He only supports me going into the military despite my medical problems that mostly likely won't even let me in. He says they'll straighten me up (as opposed to therapy). Instead of getting help he thinks I need to just man up. He says its better to go to the ministry or a trade school. I don't even know what I want to do and I wouldn't want to go to a trade school anyway. Your have to TRANSFER if you wanted to change your major which would be very expensive.

I feel there's no hope getting financial help from parents (my mom says she can help, although my dad will divorce her over that). I've decided I don't really have any options cause college and military are pretty much the only options. So I thought I guess I'll just move and risk the chance of becoming homeless. But I want to work in my town first to save more money up so this won't happen.

I've wanted to move forever, cause where I live sucks and its not the best area for me. In a way its expensive cause you have to own a car almost everywhere in Texas cause transit is rare. I want to move kind of far from home anyway, it'll also make it hard for me to come back home, that'd be pathetic to run back gone, I'm 18 and that's legally an adult, I need to be out of my parents house. I gotta be calm and stay positive and think, this is life and if I need help I'm sure to find it.

I don't want to get on welfare cause then I'd feel like the government has some kind of ownership of me, like someone signing a contract without reading the fine print. Like they could claim they have rights over me cause cause they give me money. Also it'd make me look like bum and a mooch and a lazy person. Welfare is for people who honestly have an injury that prevents them from working. They should stop receiving welfare when they're capable of working again.

Now, tell me some things about living in Roanoke, Virginia.

Is it true that its a bad place for young and single men?
Is it true that there's tons of people playing banjos?
How long does it take to qualify for instate tuition after moving to Virginia?
And can you live car free? I'd love to be able to walk to get around, I'd bike, I'd also ride a bus or other transportation.

[roanoker 4]

It is possible to get around by bus. We have greenways and bicycle lanes which offer acess also. Roanoke is not a sprawling
City and quite compact. From your post I feel you may need to get some job counseling at your school, etc. To help you find
Your direction in life. You should ask yourself "What do I want to do the rest of my life"? You don't need a 4 year college education to get a good job now. There are lots of technical training, vocational centers which may help you decide on what
Direction you take. Go into something which has JOBS available after you graduate. You may be too young to move away from home now but hang in there, time goes fast enough. Do you have relatives, friends who can offer work so you can get some experience? Good luck. Do something YOU want to do, NOT what others tell you. Its YOUR life man!!!!

[MynameisnotPeter]

Originally Posted by roanoker 4

It is possible to get around by bus. We have greenways and bicycle lanes which offer acess also. Roanoke is not a sprawling
City and quite compact. From your post I feel you may need to get some job counseling at your school, etc. To help you find
Your direction in life. You should ask yourself "What do I want to do the rest of my life"? You don't need a 4 year college education to get a good job now. There are lots of technical training, vocational centers which may help you decide on what
Direction you take. Go into something which has JOBS available after you graduate. You may be too young to move away from home now but hang in there, time goes fast enough. Do you have relatives, friends who can offer work so you can get some experience? Good luck. Do something YOU want to do, NOT what others tell you. Its YOUR life man!!!!

I want to move away so I can have a new start. And I need to move out, and Roanoke sounds like a good place to move to. I read people actually talk to strangers! Just waving to a stranger is already amazing to me, cause its not like that all where I am. AND you don't have to be imprisoned to a car, with the bills and the gas and the actual driving itself, its all a nuisance IMO. Walking is free AND its excercise. But I'd ride transit too for convince.

I definately need to move out of the house soon, I don't have anyone to go to.

Rural areas SUCK!

[Scott94]

Originally Posted by MynameisnotPeter

Is it true that its a bad place for young and single men?

As someone that's around your age, I would not say that. Certainly not any worse than most places.

Is it true that there's tons of people playing banjos?

Wouldn't say tons, but sure, there are some.

How long does it take to qualify for instate tuition after moving to Virginia?

You can learn about instate tuition qualifications here. Minimum time requirement looks to be 12 months.

And can you live car free? I'd love to be able to walk to get around, I'd bike, I'd also ride a bus or other transportation.

As Roanoker4 said above, it shouldn't be that hard to get around without a car. If you think you will be using public transportation heavily, I would look into moving closer to the downtown area. The farther you venture away, the less public transit you'll see. Lots of greenways and walking paths in the city as well.

^

Just curious, but how did you hear about Roanoke? Any relatives or friends in the area? Regardless, this sounds like a pretty drastic move that you should give ample thought to. I'm going to message you in a little bit with a couple thoughts.

[MynameisnotPeter]

Originally Posted by scott1094

^

Just curious, but how did you hear about Roanoke? Any relatives or friends in the area? Regardless, this sounds like a pretty drastic move that you should give ample thought to. I'm going to message you in a little bit with a couple thoughts.

Actually somebody on this site told me about it cause they live there.

[Kreutz]

No offense, but it sounds like moving across the country will not solve your problems.

[MynameisnotPeter]

Originally Posted by Kreutz

No offense, but it sounds like moving across the country will not solve your problems.

You think staying at home will?

[Kreutz]

Originally Posted by MynameisnotPeter

You think staying at home will?

Sometimes it's best sticking with the devil you know versus a new one.

I was in a similar boat as you and went into the Army (at 17), it sucked bad, but it gave me a chance to save up some $, build some skills and travel.

I don't know, just being honest but it sounds like if you show up here at 18 with no money, car, plan, or destination you'll be homeless real fast.

And they're closing one of the few shelters at the end of April.

[Treebw1]

My recommendation would be to go to a teen job center and have them help you find a local job, save up some cash, move to a larger town in TX. Moving to a new town where you do not know anyone is stressful and hard enough, throw onto that you only being 18 and not having a job, unless you plan to move into a shelter when you first get here finding a place to live will be hard.
You can get in-state tuition where you are and your dad will not have to help you pay for it- you just apply for financial aid (your mom will need to fill in their financial info) and get school paid for (or get student loans to help you). Do well for a year or two and then transfer to university if you want. Many junior colleges have housing these days, you should find out about that because you will be able to leave home but stay close enough to still see your mom and dad if you want.

If you are still in high school right now I would talk with a guidance counselor and see what sort of recommendations they can provide.

[MynameisnotPeter]

Originally Posted by Treebw1

My recommendation would be to go to a teen job center and have them help you find a local job, save up some cash, move to a larger town in TX. Moving to a new town where you do not know anyone is stressful and hard enough, throw onto that you only being 18 and not having a job, unless you plan to move into a shelter when you first get here finding a place to live will be hard.
You can get in-state tuition where you are and your dad will not have to help you pay for it- you just apply for financial aid (your mom will need to fill in their financial info) and get school paid for (or get student loans to help you). Do well for a year or two and then transfer to university if you want. Many junior colleges have housing these days, you should find out about that because you will be able to leave home but stay close enough to still see your mom and dad if you want.

If you are still in high school right now I would talk with a guidance counselor and see what sort of recommendations they can provide.

I don't want to be homeless of course. But I do want to move somewhere where nobody knows me. Then its easier to form new connections. Yes it depends on where.......