Comments on: Why I Stay In Roanoke http://chrisberryonthe.net/2008/09/23/why-i-stay-in-roanoke/ A Curious Compendium Of Politics, Food and Life Sun, 13 May 2012 20:37:31 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Chris Berry http://chrisberryonthe.net/2008/09/23/why-i-stay-in-roanoke/#comment-960 Chris Berry Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:41:56 +0000 http://chrisberryonthe.net/?p=151#comment-960 James, I've been wondering about that ever since I got here. James,
I’ve been wondering about that ever since I got here.

]]> By: James Sawyer http://chrisberryonthe.net/2008/09/23/why-i-stay-in-roanoke/#comment-953 James Sawyer Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:44:32 +0000 http://chrisberryonthe.net/?p=151#comment-953 Since I graduated from W&L, I've lived in Atlanta, Memphis, Columbia, Rocky Mount, Winston-Salem, Mobile, and now Roanoke. So, I look at Roanoke through the lens of those other places. Roanoke has a lot of aspects similar to each of the cities I've called home. It has the discontent of Rocky Mount (never met anyone who was really happy to be living there) and the perpetual potential of Mobile (progress is always right around the corner). It has the aspirations of Winston-Salem (the city of the arts?) and the patchwork of Memphis (without the same form of government). But, the one things it doesn't have is an economy that's going to produce many six-figure jobs any time soon for anyone not in the medical or legal profession. Beginning to wonder if it ever will. Since I graduated from W&L, I’ve lived in Atlanta, Memphis, Columbia, Rocky Mount, Winston-Salem, Mobile, and now Roanoke. So, I look at Roanoke through the lens of those other places. Roanoke has a lot of aspects similar to each of the cities I’ve called home. It has the discontent of Rocky Mount (never met anyone who was really happy to be living there) and the perpetual potential of Mobile (progress is always right around the corner). It has the aspirations of Winston-Salem (the city of the arts?) and the patchwork of Memphis (without the same form of government). But, the one things it doesn’t have is an economy that’s going to produce many six-figure jobs any time soon for anyone not in the medical or legal profession. Beginning to wonder if it ever will.

]]> By: Chris Berry http://chrisberryonthe.net/2008/09/23/why-i-stay-in-roanoke/#comment-783 Chris Berry Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:32:34 +0000 http://chrisberryonthe.net/?p=151#comment-783 Jeff St, You're absolutely right about the food. I don't miss much about the DC area, but I do find myself occasionally craving some authentic Vietnamese or Salvadoran cuisine. Wings are another story altogether. No one around here has a clue, so I had to figure it out on my own. Let me know when you want to sample the best wings this side of the Anchor Bar. Jeff St,

You’re absolutely right about the food. I don’t miss much about the DC area, but I do find myself occasionally craving some authentic Vietnamese or Salvadoran cuisine. Wings are another story altogether. No one around here has a clue, so I had to figure it out on my own. Let me know when you want to sample the best wings this side of the Anchor Bar.

]]> By: Jeff St Real http://chrisberryonthe.net/2008/09/23/why-i-stay-in-roanoke/#comment-780 Jeff St Real Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:55:34 +0000 http://chrisberryonthe.net/?p=151#comment-780 I agree with you Chris. I haven't moved a lot (Poughkeepsie NY until I was 18, Rochester NY 18-22, Washington DC 22-28, and Roanoke 28-41), and while I think Roanoke is far from perfect, it's a relatively easy place to be. Plus my wife grew up here so she has some roots. If I lost my job tomorrow and my choices were a much lower paying job here vs. something similar elsewhere, I would stay here. Most of what I miss from the other places is food related: the dozens (if not hundreds) of real pizzerias in Poughkeepsie - and the fact that there is a pub on just about every corner. Country Sweet and an occasional Nick Tahou's garbage plate from Rochester. The endless dining variety in DC. Oh, and the museums. And the culture. And the Eastern market. And the ethnic mix. And my town house on Capitol Hill. I guess it's time for a long weekend in Washington. I agree with you Chris. I haven’t moved a lot (Poughkeepsie NY until I was 18, Rochester NY 18-22, Washington DC 22-28, and Roanoke 28-41), and while I think Roanoke is far from perfect, it’s a relatively easy place to be. Plus my wife grew up here so she has some roots. If I lost my job tomorrow and my choices were a much lower paying job here vs. something similar elsewhere, I would stay here.

Most of what I miss from the other places is food related: the dozens (if not hundreds) of real pizzerias in Poughkeepsie – and the fact that there is a pub on just about every corner. Country Sweet and an occasional Nick Tahou’s garbage plate from Rochester. The endless dining variety in DC. Oh, and the museums. And the culture. And the Eastern market. And the ethnic mix. And my town house on Capitol Hill. I guess it’s time for a long weekend in Washington.

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