The Roanoke Valley of Virginia, as seen from atop Mill Mountain.

We simply love living here in the Roanoke Valley.  The people, the climate, the natural beauty, the business opportunities, the cultural events, and so much more.  There are very few places where we feel as at home as we do here in Southwestern Virginia.  Of course, we're natives; so, we're somewhat biased!  

But just in case you think Roanoke sounds too good to be true, check out what others say about the "Star City of the South".

"rated 11th best city in the U.S. in 2004" 
          -- "Cities Ranked & Rated" Publication

"one of the 10 best places to raise a family" 
          -- Parenting Magazine
"2nd best metro area in the Country in which to retire" 
          -- Retirement Places Rated Almanac

"the most affordable housing market in Virginia" 
          -- National Association of Homebuilders
"one of the top 100 hot spots for business development" 
          --Inc. Magazine
"area schools ranked among the top 17% of public schools in the nation" 
          -- Expansion Magazine
"recognized as the safest Metro area in Virginia" 
          -- FBI's Uniform Crime Rates

"a five-time All-America City"  
          -- National Civic League

"ranked 39th in the nation for most balanced economy and growth" 
          -- Inc. Magazine
"among the nation's top 20 cities in quality of life" 
          -- University of Kentucky Study
"11th in the nation in Real Per Capita personal income, 1st in Virginia" 
          -- Old Dominion Univerity Study
"one of the top 10 healthiest places in the nation" 
          -- Kiplinger's Personal Finance
"a Tree City USA nine years in a row" 
          -- National Arbor Day Foundation

"Center in the Square recognized as the top downtown economic development project in the world" 
          -- International Downtown Association
"one of the 20 hottest domestic markets in which to conduct business" 
          -- Sales & Marketing Management Mag.
"one of the least stressful areas in the nation" 
          -- Zero Population Growth, Inc.
"historic farmers' market -- one of America's 63 Great Public Places"
          -- Urban Initiatives
"59th among 361 metro areas in quality of health care" 
          -- Places Rated Almanac
"ranked 14th nationally in the number of telecom jobs created by emerging firms" 
          -- Va. Economic Development Partnership
"Valley schools ranked among the best in the nation" 
          -- U.S. Department of Education
"one of America's most livable communities" 
          -- Partners for Livable Communities
"the 3rd best small southern city in which to live" 
          -- Money Magazine
"one of the best downtowns in the southern U.S." 
          -- Southern Business & Development Mag.

"one of the top 8 places in America in which to retire" 
          -- Money Magazine
"Roanoke's Dickens of a Christmas festival selected as a top social event" 
          -- Southest Tourism Society

"Outstanding Livability Award for 2003" 
          -- U.S. Conference of Mayors
"ranked among the Top 50 Hottest Cities for business expansion and relocation, 2001 through 2004" 
          -- Expansion Magazine
"one of the 10 best downtown revitalizations in America" 
          -- National Trust for Historic Preservation
"ranked 10th in the nation among small to mid-sized markets for economic development and job creation" 
          --Southern Business & Development Mag.
"rated a Five-Star Community both for Quality of Life and for Businees expansion & relocation" 
          -- Expansion Magazine
"ranked 4th in the nation for favorable health care costs and resources" 
          -- Annual Health Quotient of Expansion Mag.