14 Pros and Cons of Living in Roanoke, VA

Are you considering making Roanoke, Virginia your recent home? Well, there’s much to like about this city, but like all place, it comes with a mixed bag of pluses and minuses. So, let’s look into the professionals and cons of living in Roanoke.

Pros of Living in Roanoke

Inexpensive Cost of Living

Did you recognize that you simply don’t need a ton of cash to live in Roanoke? Guess what, this place is seriously inexpensive in comparison with many other American cities. Median home costs are sometimes well below the national median, and also you won’t imagine how low these rent prices can go! 

Let’s not ignore other expenses. Groceries, utilities, transportation – all of it matters. Well, you’ll be able to smile with relief, because these costs are lower in Roanoke too! 

Loads of Outdoor Activities

Situated between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke presents a world of out of doors possibilities. 

Trail lovers, you’re in for an actual treat. The town boasts over 30 miles of urban trails and can also be the start line for the famed Appalachian Trail. Fancy a little bit of a paddle? The Blue Ridge Parkway and Smith Mountain Lake can cater to all of your canoeing and kayaking needs! 

The town can also be filled with park options to stretch your legs, take your puppy for a walk, or simply have a pleasant chilled-out picnic. 

Friendly and Welcoming Community

People in Roanoke have a fame for being a friendly bunch. Sure, it’s a cliche about small cities, but here, it really rings true. Expect a hello and a smile from passing people if you go for a walk across the neighborhood. Whether you’re recent to town, otherwise you’ve been here some time, the local folks are at all times in for a chat. 

People look out for one another and help when it’s needed. It’s a spot where neighbors actually know one another by their first names! Local events, festivals, farmers markets, you name it, they’re all venues that bring people together and foster this positive community spirit. 

Low Crime Rate

Ever frightened about your safety day-in, day-out? Well, you’ll be able to kick those worries to the curb in Roanoke. Data shows it has a low crime rate, which, truthfully, gives you one less thing to fret about on this crazy world. The town’s police department works around the clock to make sure resident’s safety and security. 

Great Education Opportunities

That is one in every of the numerous the reason why families adore this city! The realm is home to top-notch private and non-private schools, all dedicated to delivering quality and balanced education to their students. 

And it doesn’t stop there. It houses wonderful higher education establishments like Hollins University and the Jefferson College of Health Sciences. Plus, the renowned Virginia Tech and Radford University are only an hour’s drive away. 

Breathtaking Natural Beauty

You could not comprehend it, but this city resides right in the center of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Which means it’s got some serious perks relating to landscapes. In every single place you switch, you’re met with mountainous views which could be breathtaking. 

There are many spots where you’ll be able to enjoy the great thing about nature, whether it’s a relaxed stroll along the Roanoke River Greenway or a difficult hike as much as the Mill Mountain Star. Get able to replenish your social media pages, because every way you switch, you’ll capture worthy snapshots. 

Thriving Job Market

Your seek for a spot with a solid job market may end in Roanoke. The town is only a distance away from prime employment centers, with industries comparable to healthcare, retail, and education playing a giant role. Who can forget the most important employer in the realm, Carilion Clinic? Definitely not your resume! 

Roanoke has seen a major boost in its job growth over the past few years, which provides you a fairly good likelihood of landing a job here. And let’s not ignore data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics which shows that Roanoke’s unemployment rate is often lower than the national average. 

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Cons of Living in Roanoke

Limited Public Transportation Options

In the event you’re the form of individual that places value on widely available public transportation, Roanoke might leave you scratching your head. The general public transportation on this city is a bit slim. While it does have a bus system often known as Valley Metro, the routes and schedules will not be probably the most convenient. The coverage isn’t citywide, which implies that in certain areas, you could have to depend on a private vehicle or other alternatives comparable to Uber or Lyft. 

And that’s not all, you need to know that the bus service doesn’t function 24/7. Yes, it clocks out at night. This implies in the event you’re planning a late-night outing or work extremely early or late shifts, it would turn right into a little bit of a pickle. 

Extreme Weather Conditions

Winters here can get downright frigid with temperatures often dropping below freezing. It’s not unusual for the realm to experience heavy snowfall, which implies investing in some good-quality winter gear and a sturdy snow shovel. 

Summer isn’t all sunshine either. You’ll find the warmth cranking up and humidity reaching oppressive levels. And let’s not forget the sporadic thunderstorms that may arise, especially in the course of the summer months. In the event you’re not one for extremes, you’ll want to speculate in a great air con system and keep an umbrella handy in any respect times.

Limited Diversity

The town leans heavily towards a predominately white demographic. In search of a mix of multicultural experiences? You could find things a bit flat in the flavour department here. 

The shortage of cultural variety might leave you craving some more variety in food, festivals, and human experiences. No have to panic, though – you won’t starve or die of boredom – there are still enough restaurants and events halls to maintain things interesting. 

Limited Nightlife Options

Are you somebody who enjoys chasing the moon or tapping their feet to jazzy tunes until the wee hours? In that case, settling in Roanoke is likely to be a little bit of a culture shock. 

Roanoke will not be exactly hopping with late-night club crawls or neon-lit hangouts. In actual fact, after sunset, town quiets down noticeably. It’s not a ghost town or anything, but there’s a limited variety of bars, clubs, and late-night dining spots to satisfy your midnight munchies or dancing cravings. 

That being said, it’s not all radio silences and snores though. There are a couple of prized spots that stay open.

Limited Healthcare Facilities

The healthcare options in Roanoke usually are not ‘tremendous’ as compared to larger cities. We’re fewer hospitals and specialty clinics, meaning you may must take a little bit of a road trip for specialised medical care. 

Limited Shopping Options

You would possibly want to contemplate the limited shopping options when planning your move to Roanoke. While Roanoke may need an honest number of grocery stores and basic needs shops, it lacks a wide range of malls and high-end shopping centers. So, in the event you’re a serial shopper, someone who likes to stride down the lane of designer boutiques, this could possibly be a turn-off. 

This isn’t to say that there aren’t any shopping options in Roanoke. It’s just that they occur to be more gathered towards the fundamentals slightly than indulgent spending. Sure, you may find a couple of local shops that cater to specific needs, however the range is more towards the modest side in comparison with larger cities. In the event you’re all right with that, then you definately might just find the shopping scene in Roanoke quite acceptable. But in case your heart aches for those high-end fashion brands, you may find yourself counting on online shopping or making those weekend trips to larger cities. 

Limited Entertainment Venues

Don’t get me mistaken, you won’t be watching the partitions all day. But, in comparison to larger cities, Roanoke lacks in quantity of entertainment venues. 

Wish to catch the most recent blockbuster on the opening night? You would possibly must drive a bit. The identical goes for live concert events or theater shows – they aren’t not possible to seek out, but you won’t be spoilt for selection. Also, in case your idea of a great time is exploring a brand new art gallery every weekend, then the choices here might sound limited. 

Is Roanoke a Good Place to Live?

Whether or not Roanoke is a great place for you depends upon your personal loves and gripes. The friendly community and the low crime rate could make you are feeling such as you’ve hit the lottery. Education opportunities are pretty incredible too. And who of their right mind can ignore the gorgeous natural scenery? 

On the flip side, Roanoke does have a couple of letdowns. In the event you’re a public transportation junkie, the limited options is likely to be a deal breaker. Variable weather conditions can throw you for a loop too. 

But every place has its pros and cons, right? So, weigh your options before moving to Roanoke!