I work with a lot of families who are relocating to the Roanoke Valley from other parts of the country, and they always have lots of questions about the area, of course. I tell them all that I can. After all, showing off my hometown is one of my favorite parts of the job.

So for those families I haven't met yet, I thought I'd put together this list of six reasons you should consider making the Roanoke Valley your home.

1. Low cost of living: Time after time, Roanoke is shown to offer the best value of any metro area in Virginia and many popular metro markets in the region. As of February of this year, our cost of living index was 88.3, which less than the national average of 100. The cost of living index takes into account all kinds of factors, from groceries to real estate and more.
2. Our location: Businesses and families alike enjoy our proximity to other metropolitan areas. We're equidistant between New York and Atlanta, and you can be in Washington, D.C., Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte or Greensboro in 2 to 4 hours. One of my associates is fond of saying, "We're three hours from everywhere," and that's just about right. The recent rebirth of passenger rail through Roanoke has made these destinations more accessible than ever, whether you're traveling for business or for family fun.
3. Our people: There probably is some index out there that measures kindness, but take it from someone who's lived here his whole life: The spirit of welcoming and hospitality is alive and well in this valley. The population is growing more diverse as more people find out about us and decide to settle here, but what folks have in common is that they love the Roanoke Valley. It's true. That pride of place is what makes me so happy to welcome others.
4. Education: Our three public school systems are made up of professionals who advocate for the children of this region. The systems have different personalities, but you'll find excellent schools in each one. And if private school is what you're looking for, you'll find a good fit there, too. But the educational opportunities go far beyond our preschool through 12th grade facilities. We have a couple dozen high-quality institutions of higher education, as well, serving more than 100,000 undergraduate and graduate students. This is the place you come to change careers, finish your degree or do graduate studies.
5. Natural beauty: Read the real estate listings in the Roanoke Valley, and you'll find property after property with "mountain views," and the agents aren't making them up! It's hard to move into a home in our area where it's not beautiful outside. From the Blue Ridge Parkway to the greenway or blueway, you're just surrounded by gorgeous places. And because there are so many outdoor activities to take part in, the smart folks around here have figured out all kinds of ways to make the outdoors an economic driver as well, usually while being very careful to maintain the signature beauty.
6. Things to do: If you're bored in the Roanoke area, you're not trying very hard. From festivals to food, music to museums, or breweries to ballgames — there's absolutely something for everyone. Our local tourism folks do a really good job on their website of gathering up all the places to go and things to do. Even if you're a long-timer, you'll find something you didn't know about. For example, I recently discovered Kids Square at Center in the Square with my granddaughter. There's always something new.

I really do love sharing my hometown with newcomers. If you're planning to relocate — or even just thinking about it — I'd love to hear from you. Contact me anytime at 540.793.0442 or rpayne@mkbrealtors.com.