RN and HR Healthcare hospital help (Roanoke, Salem: renting, home, find a job)

[kingshound]

My wife and I are looking to relocate to Roanoke within 6-12 months.. Trying to find the best hospital being that both of us work for Pittsburgh Healthcare systems. She’s an RN and I’m in Corporate HR. Can anyone help?

We also have 2 young boys (6 and 3) and both love soccer and looking for area youth soccer organizations to plug them into.

Thank you

[seanpecor]

Your best choice may be Carilion Healthcare. Here in SWVA they own about 8 hospitals. Here is a shortcut to their employment page:

Carilion

The other major hospital in the Roanoke metro is Lewis Gale in Salem. Try both but your wife might have more fluidity within Carilion between hospitals while you're sorting out where exactly you'd like to live. No sense working at Lewis Gale if you find your home in Daleville or Rocky Mount or Boones Mill. I suspect an HR position in Carilion would put you near their HQ in Roanoke City. If thats the case then to minimize commute you might stick with Old SW City neighborhoods for the city life, or with the Boones Mill / Hardy / Blue Ridge area for country life (15-25 minute commute one-way).

Hopefully someone can better answer your soccer inquiry. I know that our girls' private school (North Cross) has a great soccer program. Here are some Roanoke youth soccer links:

Valley AFC of Roanoke Virginia
Roanoke Star > HOME ( Blue Sombrero Premium 4.2 )

Sean

[kingshound]

Thanks much and very appreciated.

My wife and I have only driven through Roanoke. We are just looking for a major change in our lives and like that area (according to the map). Of course, we are extremely unaware of different areas/boros/townships, etc.

What is traffic like going into downtown Roanoke?

AND, what are the winters like there? Again, I’m in Pittsburgh and don’t like too much snow…(in fact, I’d rather be in my home of Bakersfield, CA, but I’m married and there’s a level of compromise we are dealing with)

Thanks so much.

[ethcd]

My son plays for the Roanoke Star Soccer Club. They are the best club around. They have the best teams in the area at the older ages. They play in two different leagues. So they can accomodate different skill levels. They offer an academy for the younger ages that is excellent. All the coaches are paid, professionally trained coaches. No parent coaches.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by kingshound

What is traffic like going into downtown Roanoke? AND, what are the winters like there?

Depends on where in downtown you are heading to, and from which direction you are coming into downtown. Generally, though, traffic is a non-issue. Winters are mild. We got a couple/few snows last winter. It didn't pile up too bad, and was basically gone in a few days. Do some reading back through the threads here, and you will find tons of info.

[Erin1264]

I agree with Carilion - it's one of the largest employers in the area. Check out Carilion Also look into the VA hospital in Salem (that would be a federal government job). I think they post on the US Jobs website. USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site

I would advise to go ahead and start applying for jobs now, especially if your timeline ends up being on the shorter (6 month) end. Carilion takes a long time to get back to people, set up interviews, follow-up, etc.

Traffic is a non-issue, likely coming from Pittsburgh.

[kingshound]

Thanks to all.

My wife has already had a job offer from Carilion. She’s a nurse and can find a job in a hole in the wall. I, being in corporate HR, don’t have that type of luxury…

We are not sure whether we will immediately buy a home or look at renting for a year to determine what is best for us.

Again, thanks to everyone for their contributions to this post…it is much appreciated.

[SV2012]

I disagree with the people who suggest Carilion. I would go with HCA Virginia hospitals. They have one in Salem, Lewis-Gale Medical Center which is GREAT saved both of my grandparents some more than once! they also have more hospitals in SW Virginia, Alleghany Regional and others in the New River Valley!