Looking to relocate. Thoughts on SW Virginia. Anyone from the area or experience

[billygoatjohnson]

Hi all. I'm currently from Minnesota. Our winters are just the worst. There's many many days I can't leave the house because the roads are so bad. I have sold most of my business and am now in search of a new place.

The ONLY area on the east coast that caught my eye is Southwestern Virginia. Perhaps Independence and the surrounding area. It doesn't get too hot, or humid, or cold, or much snow (compared to Minnesota) and the snow doesn't stick around. They get nice rainfall, decent sun, good soil? As I plan on homesteading. There is also the Appalachian mtns and climbing within an hour. Here is a comparison of weather to say Minneapolis. Yuck https://weatherspark.com/compare/y/17972~10405/Comparison-of-the-Average-Weather-in-Independence-and-Minneapolis

What's the worst thing about this area. Bugs? Mosquitoes? Deadly snakes? Is there any areas here that you love that I should more closely at?

[jeninco]

Definitely go visit (for as long as you can, preferably in several seasons) first -- I suspect you'll find the attitudes to be extremely different. The hiking is pretty, though.

Source: Took my kid from Colorado to visit Virginia Tech, and he wound up counting pickup trucks with racist bumper stickers, skinheads, AND guns in gun racks.

[billygoatjohnson]

Definitely go visit (for as long as you can, preferably in several seasons) first -- I suspect you'll find the attitudes to be extremely different. The hiking is pretty, though.

Source: Took my kid from Colorado to visit Virginia Tech, and he wound up counting pickup trucks with racist bumper stickers, skinheads, AND guns in gun racks.

That stuff doesn't bother me, at all. I'll take racists over crime like in the the twin cities, curfews, and shot/masks mandates. But I'll look into and take notice, maybe crime there too. Crime is a big no no for me. I'd end up taking the law into my own hands if you catch my drift. So I stay away from high crime areas.

[billygoatjohnson]

Definitely go visit (for as long as you can, preferably in several seasons) first -- I suspect you'll find the attitudes to be extremely different. The hiking is pretty, though.

Source: Took my kid from Colorado to visit Virginia Tech, and he wound up counting pickup trucks with racist bumper stickers, skinheads, AND guns in gun racks.

We use guns in gun racks here when hunting coyotes in Minnesota. I think if you lived in the woods area perhaps you'd leave it up all the time if into hunting raccoons and coyotes. These are not protected and require no license to hunt because they are not good. Like carp in a lake.

[Abe]

Lot of mosquitos in the summer. The soil is not great for farming, but is manageable. They may not take kindly to someone from out of town, but who knows you may get lucky!

[bluecollarmusician]

I grew up in Virginia- I am from the Shenandoah Valley north of where you are looking at, and have some family in Roanoke and Galax.

I would highly recommend spending some time traveling around down there if you are interested- as well as possibly into West VA, TN, and even North Carolina.  Lots of similarities and little differences as well.

I love the area, and the people.  There is plenty of natural beauty.

[billygoatjohnson]

Meth labs and heavy opioid usage and related crime? Trafficking of meth, fenytanal and heroin from the south (Mexico)? Some serious gang activity around trafficking (mostly white supremacist biker gangs in rural areas). All that's common thru out tmall states but the Southern and Midwest states seem to be popular because of it's rural nature. Theres also chemical use and illegal dumping from illegal drug manufacturing that gets into the not-so-pristine waterways (and legal as well as illegal dumping from forestry, commercial farming,  and strip mining activities).  While probably not a huge crime issue compared to cities it's something to look into if looking at rural property.  Along with regular crime statistics if crime is a concern for you.

Otherwise I find Virginia to be beautiful place and like all the smaller cities and towns.

Are you from Virginia or know this for fact? I live in the countryside in a "midwest state", small town. None of that here. I've traveled/explored most of 4 midwest states in the countryside and don't even lock my car.

[ender]

That stuff doesn't bother me, at all. I'll take racists over crime like in the the twin cities, curfews, and shot/masks mandates. But I'll look into and take notice, maybe crime there too. Crime is a big no no for me. I'd end up taking the law into my own hands if you catch my drift. So I stay away from high crime areas.

Virginia has a homicide rate of almost 2x that of Minnesotas - https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/homicide_mortality/homicide.htm

I guess it depends on what "crime" means to you.

Do you mean actual crime? Or perceptions of crime.

[davisgang90]

My family and I live in Roanoke Virginia. We moved here after I retired from the Navy. We live in Roanoke County which tends to be a bit nicer than the city, although there are very nice areas of the city as well.

The city is fairly blue with the county tending more toward red politics-wise.

Mountains, hiking, lakes nearby, a river through the city with a greenway along most of the way.

Breweries, great restaurants, very nice people.

4 seasons, but not much in the way of super hot or cold. We tend to have mild summers and winters with maybe one or two snows each year, a few inches gone in a day or two.

Reach out if you have questions. If you decide to visit, I'll buy you a beer!

[uniwelder]

I have lived in the SW Virginia area for the last 23 years.  From how OP describes himself, it sounds like a good culture fit.  How did you come up with Independence, VA?  It looks like a one stoplight town.  I've never been there, but Hillsville (which I have visited) is very close by and boasts one of the biggest gun shows in the US.  There are plenty of other places you can live that you'll have the same amount of privacy but better access to things--- a grocery store, hospital, choice of more than just a single bad restaurant, etc. 

Independence aside, things to note about rural SW Virginia area---
1) Limited medical care.  If you need a specialist, you'll need to travel a good distance to find a knowledgable doctor.  Even the local hospital might be an hour away if something urgent comes up.
2) The population (that I notice) consists mainly of old retirees and drug addicts.  Not much hope for young people.
3) Beautiful outdoorsy area and good weather.
4) I don't lock the doors to my house and haven't had any issues. 
5) Farming and homesteading are popular around here.  Just don't buy land on the north side of a mountain.

[bluecollarmusician]

My family and I live in Roanoke Virginia. We moved here after I retired from the Navy. We live in Roanoke County which tends to be a bit nicer than the city, although there are very nice areas of the city as well.

The city is fairly blue with the county tending more toward red politics-wise.

Mountains, hiking, lakes nearby, a river through the city with a greenway along most of the way.

Breweries, great restaurants, very nice people.

4 seasons, but not much in the way of super hot or cold. We tend to have mild summers and winters with maybe one or two snows each year, a few inches gone in a day or two.

Reach out if you have questions. If you decide to visit, I'll buy you a beer!

This is my experience with both people I meet in this region and also with my family.

@ender that is a straw man; Virginia and Minnesota are big states and crime everywhere is very regional.  In VA 50% of the homicides happen in Richmond and the Hampton Roads area.  Also worth noting while murder rates are worth considering, it is only one type of crime.  VA ranks 8 on this list (Minnesota nowhere to be seen) of "safest" states (when considering violent crime and property theft). https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/slideshows/10-safest-states-in-america?onepage

I'll save any condescending remarks about whether you care about actual crime or perceptions of crime.


@billygoatjohnson I think many people are sharing perceptions of the area which may have value, however consider confirmation bias- many people see what they are looking for (possibly myself and the others on this thread.)

As someone who has lived and has family throughout rural VA, it is a great place and well worth your consideration. 

[ender]

@ender that is a straw man; Virginia and Minnesota are big states and crime everywhere is very regional.  In VA 50% of the homicides happen in Richmond and the Hampton Roads area.  Also worth noting while murder rates are worth considering, it is only one type of crime.  VA ranks 8 on this list (Minnesota nowhere to be seen) of "safest" states (when considering violent crime and property theft). https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/slideshows/10-safest-states-in-america?onepage

I'll save any condescending remarks about whether you care about actual crime or perceptions of crime.

The OP is making comments about crime (that I quoted), but also lives in a small town themselves so not even in the Twin Cities.

Comparing at a state level makes sense in that situation since it's what they are doing.

I guess it's possible they live in a rural area in MN that is for whatever reason above average crime rates (but not where meth is an issue). But then I don't know why they'd reference the Twin Cities at all since it's not relevant to them.

[Morning Glory]

@ender that is a straw man; Virginia and Minnesota are big states and crime everywhere is very regional.  In VA 50% of the homicides happen in Richmond and the Hampton Roads area.  Also worth noting while murder rates are worth considering, it is only one type of crime.  VA ranks 8 on this list (Minnesota nowhere to be seen) of "safest" states (when considering violent crime and property theft). https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/slideshows/10-safest-states-in-america?onepage

I'll save any condescending remarks about whether you care about actual crime or perceptions of crime.

The OP is making comments about crime (that I quoted), but also lives in a small town themselves so not even in the Twin Cities.

Comparing at a state level makes sense in that situation since it's what they are doing.

I guess it's possible they live in a rural area in MN that is for whatever reason above average crime rates (but not where meth is an issue). But then I don't know why they'd reference the Twin Cities at all since it's not relevant to them.

From OP's comments on another thread and the fact that he says he's OK with racists I think it was fair for you to question his beliefs about cities because he comes across as pretty biased.

Minnesota actually has a huge issue with heroin and fentanyl overdoses, both in the cities and rural areas. Meth is also a problem in some of the smaller communities but it doesn't make the news as much. There is a lot of human trafficking and prostitution but it generally only affects the unfortunate people who are caught up in it. There is also a lot of racism but it's not as obvious and it's usually tied in with anti-immigrant stereotypes. Phrases like "high crime" , "sketchy neighborhood" "better schools " usually mean " i dont want to live near those people who are different from me".   

In the south people seem to wear their hearts on their sleeves so there are more bumper stickers and the extremists are louder but there are also some really nice people and it's easier to make friends because you can tell if someone likes you or not.  I think in any small town it can be hard to fit in if you are not from there.

Part of the really low murder rate in MN is that the hospitals and EMS systems are top notch, so more people survive injuries that would have killed them in other states. I did have my bike stolen twice while while living in a smaller metro there but i generally felt safe getting around. I did not walk alone at night or leave my doors unlocked but I wouldn't do that anywhere. There is bad stuff in the water there too from agricultural runoff and the 3m plant. The state is generally run really well with great schools and I would have stayed if I didn't have seasonal depression and reynauds so bad. I did get outside every day in winter when I lived there and even xc skiied to work when we had a bad snowstorm so the not being able to leave the house is a bit of an exaggeration, but I do understand wanting to move somewhere warmer.

[bluecollarmusician]

Hi, @ender-

I am making no statement regarding OP or his comments. Being ok with racists sounds questionable to me too.

Comparing at a state level makes sense in that situation since it's what they are doing.

I understand your point that "he did it first" by talking about twin city crime vs rural area.

You may be correct that it is about OP's perception of safety and crime vs reality. Whatever bias might be at play- if you are interested in reality vs. perception as I noted above VA is "safer" from violent crime than Minnesota according to the data (Though both are relatively safe: MN 39, and VA 46 on a list of the 52 including PR and DC for violent crime rates https://wisevoter.com/state-rankings/crime-rate-by-state/ )

As I think we will agree- states are big and broad statements like that tell you very little about the relative safety of living in any specific place.

[uniwelder]

Hi, @ender-

I am making no statement regarding OP or his comments. Being ok with racists sounds questionable to me too.

Comparing at a state level makes sense in that situation since it's what they are doing.

I understand your point that "he did it first" by talking about twin city crime vs rural area.

You may be correct that it is about OP's perception of safety and crime vs reality. Whatever bias might be at play- if you are interested in reality vs. perception as I noted above VA is "safer" from violent crime than Minnesota according to the data (Though both are relatively safe: MN 39, and VA 46 on a list of the 52 including PR and DC for violent crime rates https://wisevoter.com/state-rankings/crime-rate-by-state/ )

As I think we will agree- states are big and broad statements like that tell you very little about the relative safety of living in any specific place.

I'm siding with @bluecollarmusician about OP's crime statement.  OP never said anything about crime on a state level, which is quite irrelevant when discussing whether there is noticeable crime in rural SW Virginia.  This area of the state is so sparsely populated, you'll never notice whether the crime rate is actually higher than some other area because everyone is spread out so far.  For example, when my prior neighbor (a quarter mile away) shot his girlfriend, we didn't take notice (because random gunshots in the woods are so common) until an hour later when the road got closed off by police.  House break-ins seem pretty rare as well, since everyone's houses are so spread apart.

Regarding racism, this area of the state is filled with Trump supporters, confederate flags, and whatnot, with localities around 85% of the vote toward him.  Bigoted rednecks are the norm.  If OP's opinions align with the general population, they'll fit right in.

[St Elmo]

I live about 1.5 hours away from Independence VA. I live in a college town which has dramatically different political leanings than the surrounding areas, but I will say that I've never experienced any crime, drugs, or overt racism in the nearly five years I've lived here, including driving through and stopping in towns closer to Independence.

I've spent significant time in CA, PA, MI, TX, and UT, and this is my favorite place I've ever lived. The weather is generally pretty mild, but with lots of variety (it rains pretty often, but it seems rare to have a day that isn't sunny for at least a couple hours). I love the beautiful outdoor options. People are very friendly. The weather isn't as good as it was in CA, but the traffic and cost of living are much better!   

[sonofsven]

I've never lived anywhere but the rainforests of the PNW, so I can't comment on Virginia (except I know it's for lovers), but one of my favorite youtubers (Vice Grip Garage) moved from Minnesota to rural Tennessee, mainly for the cheaper cost of living and land. It looks nice there.

[uniwelder]

I live about 1.5 hours away from Independence VA. I live in a college town which has dramatically different political leanings than the surrounding areas, but I will say that I've never experienced any crime, drugs, or overt racism in the nearly five years I've lived here, including driving through and stopping in towns closer to Independence.

Interesting... I wonder if we live in the same college town as I'm also 1.5 hours from Independence.  I'll send you a message.  Living in a rural college town is much different than living more than 20 minutes outside that little blue island in a sea of red.  I have lived 30 minutes away from my college town for 18 years before finally moving to it 2 years ago.  They are worlds apart.  I don't think you can experience it by driving through, though you must notice a visual difference between the areas.

[sailinlight]

OP, this is probably the wrong forum to ask this question. I'm really curious what "pickup trucks with racist bumper stickers, skinheads" means to the people here that seem bothered by that. I've lived in and traveled through many small towns throughout the south and have never encountered these things.

[uniwelder]

OP, this is probably the wrong forum to ask this question. I'm really curious what "pickup trucks with racist bumper stickers, skinheads" means to the people here that seem bothered by that. I've lived in and traveled through many small towns throughout the south and have never encountered these things.

I wonder how someone can live in the rural south and claim to have never encountered racism (maybe better classed as simply bigotry).  Maybe it depends on the type of people you deal with on a regular basis--- whether you have a white or blue collar job, wealthy or not, etc.  But still, to claim you've never encountered it means you're either blind or complicit.

[sailinlight]

OP, this is probably the wrong forum to ask this question. I'm really curious what "pickup trucks with racist bumper stickers, skinheads" means to the people here that seem bothered by that. I've lived in and traveled through many small towns throughout the south and have never encountered these things.

I wonder how someone can live in the rural south and claim to have never encountered racism (maybe better classed as simply bigotry).  Maybe it depends on the type of people you deal with on a regular basis--- whether you have a white or blue collar job, wealthy or not, etc.  But still, to claim you've never encountered it means you're either blind or complicit.

Maybe your definition of bigotry varies from mine. I find as a whole, the people in the South to be much more willing to interact with and love, and also to care less about interracial issues than people in California.

[Morning Glory]

OP, this is probably the wrong forum to ask this question. I'm really curious what "pickup trucks with racist bumper stickers, skinheads" means to the people here that seem bothered by that. I've lived in and traveled through many small towns throughout the south and have never encountered these things.

What sort of person wouldn't be bothered by that, once they saw it?

 Racism is easy to ignore but it's everywhere. Notice your Black colleague who got denied that promotion because they are "over qualified " or your Asian colleague who gets asked if he was "born here" multiple times per day (a few times I  butted in and said "I wasn't" which shut the questioner up because I am white and have a Midwest accent so they werent expecting it but it's true). Think about why your Black friend calls you to confirm the color of your house in case the GPS is wrong because they don't want to pull into the wrong driveway,  or always makes sure to have a full tank of gas before leaving town. It is the the patient who mispronounces your colleague's name again, and again, and again, even though it isn't that difficult to pronounce. It is the Fox news BS you overhear ar the nursing station and cringe because your (target of the month) coworker can hear it too and you know they will have to interact with the patient in the room it's coming from. I was chatting with a dad at the park the other day who said his neighbor told him he "doesn't look like he belongs here".

 Spare me the "racism doesn't exist" fairy tales because  I notice it all the fucking time, although I'll give you that it's not necessarily more prevalent in the south it just looks different.  In the north it seems to be more about ethnicity and national origin and in the south it is more about income and social class, although I know I am missing a lot of nuance there. Oh yes I've also got family/old family friends who live in a variety of regions and whom I have unfollowed on Facebook because they were posting really hateful things about immigrants a couple years ago and I couldn't take it any more. They are probably posting shit about poor people not wanting to work now so my north/south hypothesis is probably all wrong.

I did notice that political campaign ads are more racist and sexist in North Carolina but that might be a function of time as well as geography.

 Apologies to previous posters, this took me a long time to write.

[uniwelder]

To get back to the original question, here's some additional observations-----
1) Mosquitos levels are 'normal'.  Compared to other east coast areas that are more humid, I'd say they're less of a problem.  I have no idea how this compares to Minnesota.
2) I'm outdoors a decent amount and have never come across a copperhead snake, which is generally what most people complain about when they're afraid of snakes around here.  Young black rat snakes look like copperheads, but their color pattern changes when they get older, so that may cause a bit of confusion.
3) As far as bugs, if you don't already know what an earwig is, you'll find out pretty quickly.  I never came across one until I moved to this area and they're everywhere!

[dcheesi]

OP, this is probably the wrong forum to ask this question. I'm really curious what "pickup trucks with racist bumper stickers, skinheads" means to the people here that seem bothered by that. I've lived in and traveled through many small towns throughout the south and have never encountered these things.

A couple of thoughts, here:

1) How recently did you do this traveling? Things have changed since #45, and perhaps even more since the pandemic. Many rednecks who previously kept their racism confined to private jokes and verbal dog-whistles, now have no qualms about displaying it openly on a bumper sticker or flag.

2) Of course, it also depends on whether you count certain political slogans as proxies for racism. Things like "thin blue line" flags, "punisher" decals, etc., are ostensibly pro-law-enforcement; however, as direct reactions to the BLM movement, etc., they function as at least dog-whistles for anti-minority sentiment. Some would argue the same for #45 (or anti-#46) flags etc., though that might be stretching things (slightly).


BTW, if you want a little more ideological diversity in your community, there's always Floyd! You've got your usual conservative farmers & gun-totin' right-wingers, but you've also got a healthy constituent of hippie commune-dwellers and yoga fans. And both groups tend to enjoy bluegrass music, so they occasionally do get to rub elbows there.

[Dancin'Dog]

We lived near Boone for about 20 years.  I think it's quite a bit more mountainous than Independence, but only about an hour away.  I really like the general area in the mountains & foothills of NC, VA, & TN.  Each town has a slightly different vibe of course.  Hiking, biking, kayaking, and motorcycling are very popular there.  Independence is on Hwy 58 which heads towards Damascus & Mt. Rogers.  It's a beautiful road and reminds me of the Blue Ridge Pkwy. 


Independence may, or may not, be the right fit for you.  I'd just visit the area and go joy riding all around and see which area appeals to you the most.

[Weathering]

OP, this is probably the wrong forum to ask this question. I'm really curious what "pickup trucks with racist bumper stickers, skinheads" means to the people here that seem bothered by that. I've lived in and traveled through many small towns throughout the south and have never encountered these things.

I wonder how someone can live in the rural south and claim to have never encountered racism (maybe better classed as simply bigotry).  Maybe it depends on the type of people you deal with on a regular basis--- whether you have a white or blue collar job, wealthy or not, etc.  But still, to claim you've never encountered it means you're either blind or complicit.

Maybe your definition of bigotry varies from mine. I find as a whole, the people in the South to be much more willing to interact with and love, and also to care less about interracial issues than people in California.

This is so true. In San Diego, CA, it is now $20k more expensive for one race to purchase a house compared to others. [true] There are also college scholarships to multiple UC campuses that exclude specific races from applying. [true] Don’t get me started on all the clubs and ‘safe spaces’ that exclude specific races. [true]
At my CA job, if a job candidate chooses to not select a race it is my responsibility in HR to assign one to them. [true]
CA makes nearly everything about race these days.

As for SW VA or other rural areas (e.g. the the mountains just outside Los Angeles), I think the people are just more wary that city folk because law enforcement is rarely present and far away when called. Growing up in an area like that the truest statement I always heard was, “Don’t trust anyone until they have proven to be trustworthy, and expect the same.”

[uniwelder]

OP, this is probably the wrong forum to ask this question. I'm really curious what "pickup trucks with racist bumper stickers, skinheads" means to the people here that seem bothered by that. I've lived in and traveled through many small towns throughout the south and have never encountered these things.

I wonder how someone can live in the rural south and claim to have never encountered racism (maybe better classed as simply bigotry).  Maybe it depends on the type of people you deal with on a regular basis--- whether you have a white or blue collar job, wealthy or not, etc.  But still, to claim you've never encountered it means you're either blind or complicit.

Maybe your definition of bigotry varies from mine. I find as a whole, the people in the South to be much more willing to interact with and love, and also to care less about interracial issues than people in California.

This is so true. In San Diego, CA, it is now $20k more expensive for one race to purchase a house compared to others. [true] There are also college scholarships to multiple UC campuses that exclude specific races from applying. [true] Don’t get me started on all the clubs and ‘safe spaces’ that exclude specific races. [true]
At my CA job, if a job candidate chooses to not select a race it is my responsibility in HR to assign one to them. [true]
CA makes nearly everything about race these days.

As for SW VA or other rural areas (e.g. the the mountains just outside Los Angeles), I think the people are just more wary that city folk because law enforcement is rarely present and far away when called. Growing up in an area like that the truest statement I always heard was, “Don’t trust anyone until they have proven to be trustworthy, and expect the same.”

Let me know if this sounds like the case of a bigoted racist asshole or just someone being wary.  This story is 100% true, as ridiculous as it sounds. 

When I bought my first house in rural SW Virginia, 20 years ago, it was summertime and my neighbor (an elderly baptist minister) noticed me working around the yard and talked with another neighbor about who I might be.  He called the police, concerned I (a caucasian guy but with dark hair/beard and a good tan) could be an Islamist terrorist, plotting to bomb the football stadium.  The police came to my house (I wasn't home at the time) and talked with another neighbor who explained to them 1) the various metal contraptions I had laying about weren't intended to bomb anyone, and 2) he didn't think I was middle eastern or Muslim.  When I got home and was told what happened, I was like WTF?

In some ways the timing of that incident was fortunate, so I could be prepared and no longer be shocked by other blatantly racist incidents I'd commonly witness or statements people would make in the future.  The shit that comes out of people's mouths when they think you're 'one of them' is absolutely astounding.

[Davnasty]

This is in Boones Mill, about 15 miles south of Roanoke, VA. Based on my drives through the area I'd say they sell a lot of those signs, bumper stickers, and flags. Most of them are pro Trump/anti Biden but there are some that disparage foreigners and I've overhead some racist talk when I stop for fast food. It stands to reason that the biggest assholes are also the loudest about it so maybe it's just a matter of visibility but personally I wouldn't be happy to live somewhere I have to see that stuff everyday. Even if it wasn't Trump, the constant reminder of politics and the passionate love/hate some people have for politicians would be depressing.

Is it just a coincidence that the building used to be a church?

[uniwelder]

If OP checks back in on this thread and has more detailed questions, there are people here with relevant information, racism discussion aside. There hasn’t been any indication they’ve been logged in since posting.

[uniwelder]

Aren't there very liberal areas of SW Virginia too? One of my SIL went to college in Radford (which I think is near Roanoke) and it sounded like a very liberal town. It's certainly beautiful there. I think like anywhere - even here in my very blue state of Calif- you can find places and people who are strongly one way or the other as well as moderates.

Radford isn’t particularly liberal. It leans toward democrats because of the student votes, but otherwise not. Blacksburg, which is 20-30 minutes away, is extremely liberal. Radford also doesn’t have many bars or restaurants, so the Radford students are generally coming to Blacksburg for socializing.

Edited to add- In general, it’s the college towns that are liberal, but they’re pretty small concentrated areas. OP is targeting space out in the country for a small farm and liberals are very uncommon.