Ed
has written 4 SperlingViews. Currently, Ed is living in Roanoke, VA and has a little something to say:
Growing up in Roanoke during the '70's I left and moved to Washington DC where I operated a successful travel agency.
Washington is a very proud City of which I was fortunate to experience. I came back to Roanoke to retire and I have been continually impressed by its progress and its promise. I hope more people can experience Roanoke in the coming years.
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| Ed's "data" |
| Life Stage: | Retired |
| Location: | Roanoke, VA |
| Occupation: | Hospitality/Tourism |
| Enjoys: | |
| Email: | Contact Ed via email |
| Website(s): | |
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| Ed's SperlingView(s) |
Remembering Knoxville Posted On: 7/27/2008 5:12:46 PM
This city in the foothills is a friendly but isolated place. I think there is way too much traffic for a city of this size. I don't think the natives like their downtown area as I can see lots of promise there. The Knoxville Zoo is one of the best zoos in the U.S. and it rivals the National Zoo in Wash DC, in my opinion. The Smoky Mountains are awesome and there are tons of activities to enjoy. I also think it is a great place for a yankee to retire!
Whats the Big Deal About Gatlinburg? Posted On: 7/27/2008 5:04:00 PM
When I visited Gatlinburg for the first time recently I was confused on why so many young white honeymoon couples, families and elderly tourists were walking up and down the main street of this tourist town. I decided to get out of the car and walk around and I still failed to see the big deal. There were tons of hotels but very little of anything meaningful like restaurants, bars or stores that would draw tourists.
re: Richmond - The good bad and ugly - 3/10/2008 Posted On: 7/26/2008 8:36:37 PM
Richmond and Charlottesville still retain many of the "First Families" blueblood aristocracy that founded this nation. I don't they would ever accept someone from Ohio. I'm sorry.
Roanoke is great for retirees! Posted On: 7/11/2008 8:52:58 PM
Roanoke is probably the most overlooked area in the U.S. by the national media for quality of life. MONEY magazine named it the top place to retire a few years ago but since then this region is overhadowed by nearby cities of Charlottesville and Asheville. The area would like more young professionals to settle here but with the large elderly population it is better geared for people who would traditionally move to Florida after a successful career.
Downtown is quite vibrant with many diverse restaurants, entertainment and cultural offerings. There is an opera, symphony, perfoming arts center, civic center, transportation rail museum, zoo, $66m new art museum, two major shopping malls within 10 miles of each other, major lake with sandy beach and cabin, riverboat dining, whitewater rafting, tubing, Va Tech football games, mountain hiking and camping on the Blue Ridge Pkwy, romantic dining at the Peaks of Otter Lodge, hot water baths at Hot Springs' The Homestead which offers winter snow skiing/ice skating, etc etc. There is much to explore within a 50 mile radius of Roanoke. I believe the locals know what a "diamond in the rough" it is so therefore its still the best kept secret in the U.S.
