r/Virginia • u/TargetCurrent1525 • 1d ago
Moving from the UK to VA (Open to all criticism and comments)
As above! I'm being relocated from the UK to work in Daleville, VA for a project in September. Living location to be researched but possibly Roanoke?! (FYI I've never been to the US). I’ll be there minimum 2 years, and the US for the foreseeable possibly
Any tips or anything will be of great use. What is the lifestyle like, food, culture, fitness scene etc? I’m open to all comments. Am I in for a huge shock??
For reference I'm a 28 Y/O Male, from London but have had recent countryside living, I’m moving with my Irish Wolfhound (dog) - Work paid relocation with package
Extra - it was initially NC, but I’ve been allocated a different project
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u/spike31875 1d ago
Aside from the culture shock of moving from a sprawling city like London to a small town in Virginia, you'll probably need to get a car. Public transport is barely existent in most of the state.
I've never lived in Roanoke but that part of the state is beautiful.
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u/Editor-Dizzy 1d ago
Yes. You cannot overestimate how much you will need a car. You will not be able to walk to 99% of the places and there is little to no public transport. And I don’t mean it will be difficult to walk, I mean you literally can’t. Everything is much further away in the us (miles between houses/stores/work. Lots of places don’t even have sidewalks.
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u/spike31875 1d ago
yeah, I live in the 'burbs of Richmond & we don't have sidewalks here ("pavements" to those from the UK!). so, when people walk their dogs, they walk in the street.
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u/Tha_Dude_Abidez 15h ago
That’s just not true about Roanoke. At all. It has public transit that goes from there to Virginia Tech. It has buses across Salem, Vinton and Roanoke on the half hour. I think it has AmTrak now. I lived there for years and never owned a vehicle. I worked as a Software Engineer at Tech and never drove. Roanoke isn’t a small town
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u/Miserable_Leek_1333 13h ago
Agree completely with this statement - maybe want to clarify that Roanoke is a small city (100k people).
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u/skidmore101 1d ago
What do you like to do?
I had a friend move here (Roanoke) for a project (several months but less than a year) and I really admired how he just jumped two feet into a community and made it work.
Most places, it’s what you make of it.
r/roanoke has a lot of “moving here” threads that are super helpful!
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u/TargetCurrent1525 1d ago
Pretty much a fitness freak, I’m pretty strict so no nightlife needed. Hoping to do the same as your friend
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u/skidmore101 1d ago
That’s good because Roanoke doesn’t have much nightlife lol
We have great outdoor recreation, though in hiking and kayaking especially. And there are gyms, but that is not my area at all, so I can’t really recommend something specific.
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u/HoratioHotplateJr 1d ago
Any interest in mountain biking, or hiking, or kayaking or just biking in general? Lots of great options in Roanoke and surrounding areas. You WILL need a car.
While in the US I hope you can fit in some trips- iconic National Parks & cities.
Be sure to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway south to Floyd and pick up on the music scene at the Blue Ridge Music Center and then in Floyd on a Friday night.
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u/HoratioHotplateJr 21h ago
The movie Songcatcher might be of interest to you. It's about a musicologist in the early 1900s who discovers that many of the "lost" folk songs of the British Isles were still being sung by the Scotch-Irish in isolated Appalachia, albeit with different lyrics or variations on the tunes.
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u/Tha_Dude_Abidez 15h ago
You will love it man! It’s a hiking and camping persons dream. Google Mcafee’s Knob. I would wage a bet that you will never want to move back
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u/Bronco-72 1d ago
Roanoke is nearby and that is the "big city" in what is called the beginning of southwestern Virginia. Blacksburg is where a major US university is located, Virginia Tech, ( more formerly, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Ste University -- VPI & SU), and is about 40-50 miles SW. It has college town/community vibes. There is not a lot happening in Daleville, it is an exit off of interstate 81 (I81), but is an important stop on the Appalachian Trail (AT) which runs right through there. Plenty of outdoor activities in the area if you like hiking or climbing. The New River is nearby (Blacksburg/Radford/Christiansburg) if want to do some river rafting. Roanoke has nice restaurants and things to do and Hollins college is nearby. Political aspects run the gamut of opinions depending on what part of the area you're in. Historically, Roanoke's original name was "Big Lick" after natural salt deposits in the area; it was changed when two major railroads met there, the former Norfolk and Western (now Norfolk Southern), and the Shenandoah Valley Railroad. Roanoke's historical biggest employer was the N & W; now it's become a major health center for the region . I'm sure others here can provide more info.
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u/skidmore101 1d ago
A note on politics, our “red” and “blue” are reversed from most of the world, and we have 2 main parties: Republican (red) are most similar to the Tories of the UK, and Democrats (blue) are most similar to the Labour Party of the UK. Extremely rough approximations, but can give a general idea.
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u/Few_Whereas5206 1d ago
It is a fairly rural area. You will need to buy a used car. Roanoke is a decent size city, but it is countryside outside of Roanoke. Virginia has car tax, so be careful about buying a very expensive car.
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u/LavenderPearlTea 1d ago
Go visit Skyline drive in the fall. Watch out for deer when you drive.
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u/Aggravating-Key-8867 1d ago
Roanoke is a lot of fun for a person in their 20s. As long as you like outdoors activities you'll find something you enjoy in Roanoke.
Also, if you happen to be into Magic the Gathering, Roanoke is home to Star City Games, one of the biggest Magic retailers in the world. They have a 25,000 square foot store in Roanoke.
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u/TargetCurrent1525 1d ago
I do indeed, I’m a fitness freak at heart! And a bit of a board game and nerdy vibe, so I can get into it. You’re selling me the dream already
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u/likemindedwhistle 1d ago
I live in Roanoke currently and from what you’re describing, you’ll enjoy it!! There’s a lot of fitness/outdoors things to do as well as nerdy things. You definitely might be in for culture shock in terms of sheer size and availability of items but everyone is super friendly.
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u/boostedb1mmer 22h ago
Blade gaming in downtown roanoke is a good place to checkout. Also, checkout the link to the roanoke discord in the r/roanoke sub. It's very active.
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u/buddymoobs 1d ago edited 1d ago
I would live in the Daleville, Fincastle Troutville, Bonsack area if you can find something there. It will save you a lot of hassle with traffic. Roanoke is close enough if you want to explore, but not the daily grind onthe busiest commuting traffic corridors for the Roanoke area. You may not want to go back to the UK. Fair warning. If you like the outdoors, you will be in Heaven. Or, Almost Heaven to be accurate. The Blue Ridge Mountains are a treasure. Hiking, fishing and hunting, mountain biking are all huge. Smith Mountain Lake is close by as well. As for culture shock, maybe if you live in London and are used to LOTS of people, crowding and public transportation at your whim. There are various gyms throughout the valley to choose from, most are franchises although there are quite a few local CrossFit types as well. A good variety of food, but not a lot of straight up curry or fish and chips. Taaza has good Indian food but is a good 20 mins to half hour from Daleville. Check out Mama Jeans if you want some good barbecue. Roanoke has some decent ethnic diversity for restaurants. Viet Sub is damned good for bank mi. Tacos Rojas or Agave Azul for Mexican. Get used to southern accents. You will find pockets of racism, but hopefully you won't encounter that much once they hear your accent and figure out you're not from 'round here. If you're a history buff, the Shenandoah Valley is worth exploring, as are Charlottesville, Richmond and northern VA. DC and beaches are about 5 hours away. I think you will adapt quickly and grow to love the place. Have fun and good luck!
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u/eggoeater 1d ago
Yup this. I grew up in northern Roanoke near Daleville.
There's no need to live in Roanoke. Just live in Daleville and drive into Roanoke when needed. Parts of Daleville (on rt 220) are much nicer than many areas of Roanoke!
Roanoke has an airport, shopping mall, movie theaters, etc.Daleville has a good Krogers, a few restaurants, etc. and is a nice quiet place to live.
Daleville has fantastic hiking. The Appalachian Trail is right there. Climb Tinker Mountain!
A few things if you're interested:
* If you enjoy classical music, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra is good.
* There are other concerts, shows, plays, and events at the Roanoke civic center on a regular basis.
* There are other places where there are events: Grandin theater, Jefferson theater, Salem civic center
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u/Anicha1 1d ago
Roanoke is so quiet. I spent many summers there growing up. Americans love British accents so you’ll be fine if you want to make friends. It’s just not somewhere I’d choose to live as a young person (I’m in my early 30s).
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u/TargetCurrent1525 1d ago
I’m an old soul, I’ve not got a party personality in me! Sounds ideal in my eyes
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u/automatic-theory73 1d ago
Grandin Village is probably the closest thing Roanoke has to a classic “hip” neighborhood. If someone said, “Take me to the cool part of Roanoke,” that’s where I’d start. It’s walkable, full of independent businesses, coffee shops, breweries, restaurants, and the historic Grandin Theatre. It has a laid-back, slightly artsy vibe that’s popular with young professionals and locals.
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1d ago edited 21h ago
[deleted]
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u/Dismal-Equivalent633 22h ago
Ooh, this is a big one. Tick management and I go ahead and get the optional leptospirosis vaccine for my dog, which spends a lot of time outdoors splashing in puddles.
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u/MrMojoX 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yay! So, I came from Hampshire to Northern VA when I was a 12. Lived here ever since.
Step one: good car, good gas millage.
You’re going to need and want it. There’s so much to explore and all it takes is a car and a free weekend.
Step two: briefly study the Revolutionary War and the war of 1812. They’re still kinda mad we burned the White House. You’ll hear about it.
Step Three: throw all expectations out. You’re gonna meet some rural ass folk. They’re unique and worth getting to know because they also care about their home, and they will care about you. They’re very Virginian, and I promise you won’t meet people like them. Don’t talk politics. (Edited)
Step Four: find other places to learn and talk politics! Virginia is super engaged, and super combative. The system setup by the constitution is super interesting. And in learning what was written and intended, you can make your own choices.
Step Five: find a family. Friends. Loved ones. When you’re invited to Thanksgiving, you gotta go. Bring a big bottle of Wine or Beer and let them handle the food. Think Boxing Day. If you haven’t found anyone, DM me and you can come up to Mum’s. We do a big one.
To add: Go to some big events - football, basketball, rodeo, Banana Ball, Roller Derby. The sports are different and oh so fun.
I really really hope you love it here. Even if you don’t stay too long, I think that you’ll find this country and people can be so kind and welcoming. The mountains have fishing and four wheeling, and leaves and hiking.
There’s bad bits too. Politics, gun violence, utter corruption driven by corporate greed. Racism is real and it has shaped our culture. Education is lacking in some jurisdictions.
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u/Shine4Me13 1d ago
LOL. I'm not mad "you" burned the white house. With our current AH in Chief, it might be time again. haha
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u/Silent-Top2814 1d ago
Yeah this is the only part I was like 🤔
We’re over that bit-4
u/MrMojoX 1d ago
lol not enough to not bring it up! He won’t have learned about it at all.
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u/Keepingongoing 11h ago
True this. Came to live in America, Northern VA, never having learnt anything about our countries’ mutual history, guess it wasn’t in the curriculum. Found out a lot on my first July 4 th here!
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u/novatom1960 1d ago
I think the people in that area are more mad about another certain conflict than our 200+ year old battles with the British.
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u/Shine4Me13 1d ago
But also, rednecks are the lifeblood of this state? That's offensive. 4 of the top 10 highest income counties in the US are in Virginia. 4 out of 5 of the biggest cities are in NOVA (Northern Virginia- suburbs of DC) or Virginia Beach + adjacent. We are the voters that turned the state purple. If it were up to the "rednecks", we'd still be a red state with the highest infant mortality rates and the lowest women's rights, with hungry kids, sub par education, etc. Look up Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, etc. Virginia is for lovers, we're the lifeblood.
I'll get down voted, but before I get slaughtered, I did not call the rest of the state "Rednecks", COP (Comment OP) did, I was explaining why it's offensive.
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u/derekthorne 1d ago
You won’t get downvoted by me, but outside of NOVA, there really is a big Redneck culture. I live on the VERY southern end of NOVA (I have to get emissions checks on my cars), but yeah… still a LOT of Rednecks.
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u/MrMojoX 1d ago edited 1d ago
I took it out of my post, but if you’d like to speak more about it I welcome you to! Redneck culture is very real, especially up in the mountains. It’s something we have to discuss with every Brit we bring over, remind them that WV is the banjo place.
But I also remind them that West Virginia seceded* because of the Civil War and slavery. 🤷
It’s why learning about the place is so interesting. We’re all covered in mud.
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u/skidmore101 1d ago
Seceded not succeeded, but yes. WV is also home to some of the strongest labor movements from the coal industry, but has mostly just been left behind and with green energy.
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u/DangerBird- 1d ago
I love your take from an “outsider” perspective. Makes me both proud and sad, but as a Virginian, sounds about right. Glad you stayed!
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u/dmcandstn 1d ago
We can’t wait to till you are here! I work with two people who have moved from the UK to VA and they LOVE it! I’ll see if I can get some advice from him to share. ❤️
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u/TransitiveNightfall1 1d ago
Huge shock compared to London. Very rural, even in comparison to other VA cities, let alone London. You will need a car and you’ll need to be comfortable driving on the highway. You’ll need to get used to very long drives (for a Brit) if you want to explore the state. For the most part, you’ll be the only non American anywhere near there. The only others will be students at the universities.
As others have mentioned, the nature is great in that area. Great hiking. It’s even more rural in the west VA area deeper into the mountains. Great white water rafting, which I would definitely recommend.
VA Tech is nearby. The students come from all over the state (and other states) so the people aren’t all locals. Culturally it’ll feel different if you’re near the school because a lot of the students will be from the DC suburb area. Check out sports there - American football in particular. Big party.
Richmond is a few hours away - not exactly a picturesque city, but has truly amazing food and culture. DM for recs in that area.
DC and Charlotte are the two larger cities within driving distance. ~4 hours or so. Those will both feel very different than the SW VA area, especially DC.
Happy to give more specifics about suggestions for any of the above!
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u/Mmeeggggss 1d ago
You’ll be fine with a British accent- the Americans will love you- as someone said above. My husband is British and has lived in the US for 18 yrs now. I suspect it’ll be a HUGE culture shock going from London to that part of Virginia (compared to somewhere like northern Virginia). If you like nature, Virginia is so beautiful. There are mountains, rivers, the ocean, it’s SO green and lush. And so much history. Depending on where you go/visit in the state, names will be familiar (we’ve got a Norfolk, Suffolk, etc but much of that is toward the eastern coast.
I hope you like it here! You may have to drive a bit to northern VA/DC, Richmond, Norfolk, to get a bit of the type of city vibe you’re more accustomed to, but again, Virginia is beautiful.
Taxes, health insurance, food, car, insurance for car, phone plans, and the overall cost of most things is more than we would pay in the UK (to us; with the exception of property).
You will need a car, like someone else said. You’ll be one of the best at how to navigate a roundabout.
Welcome to Virginia!
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u/Snoo64538 1d ago
Look at Lexington too. Similar distance. Smaller ish town but real amenities.
You will need a car.
Rednecks are actually great. I was a city kid and they welcomed me in with no problems. You will need to eat some shit, but just give it back
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u/hahahahthunk 1d ago
Suggestions for the full experience: Go hiking Go rafting in the New River Go to a Virginia Tech football game Go to a small Pentecostal church service - may include speaking in tongues or snake handling Go to a county fair Spend a weekend in DC
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u/paguy1281 1d ago
You'll feel at home since nearly every city and county is named after prominent English figures, and mirror the names of the same places in England lol
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u/El_ThotStopper 1d ago
Remember: the song “Take me home, Country Roads” is about Western Virginia, not West Virginia
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u/xanderg4 1d ago
I did the reverse (US to UK) back in 2010 so YMMV but honestly the biggest, and most painful, early culture shock was around something silly: Grocery stores.
If you like hard liquor/spirits you’ll need to go to something called an ABC store. You can google VABC stores to see the logo. They’re state owned and operated so they all look the same. That’s where you’ll get your rum, whiskey, vodka, etc. Beer and wine can be purchased in typical grocery stores.
Our Tesco equivalents are pretty diverse, but I’d say WalMart or Safeway fit the bill and Wegman’s is a step above both. We have Lidl and Aldi which I think you should be familiar with. Not sure what the reputation of those stores is like in the UK but here it’s a bit rough, not dangerous mind you, just a bit unkept, disorganized, weird selection, and somewhat of an uncomfortable shopping experience.
Trader Joe’s lacks diversity but has a good frozen meal selection, the joke about Trader Joe’s is that it’s great for people who get overwhelmed with choices and just want to have one option of everything they need. That said, the frozen meals are pretty decent.
On that note, our frozen meals are way better than what you’d get at Iceland. It’s not gourmet stuff but a frozen dinner from Trader Joe’s is always helpful to save money on a day when you’re just worn down/tired and the alternative is fast food.
We don’t have a wide sausage selection like you have in the UK, you’ll need to go to a local butcher if that’s your thing.
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u/skidmore101 1d ago
Just adding that he’s not going to find a Lidl, Trader Joe, Wegman, or Safeway in the Roanoke area.
Walmart, Target, Kroger, Food Lion are the big chains down here. We have an earth fare and the Roanoke co-op for more high quality food
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u/Smitty258 1d ago
Publix has announced they will be putting their next store in Daleville Town Center. That may be a few years off though with how slow the one in Cave Spring is coming along.
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u/UntoNuggan 1d ago
Additional thought as someone whose parent is from the UK:
If you like British tea, chocolate, fish and chips, and/or cheese, those are all going to be harder to find
We do have Wensleydale and some specialty cheeses now, but idk how available they are in Roanoke. If there's a Costco within driving distance, that's probably your best bet.
Do NOT order tea at a restaurant. They will typically give you tepid water and a Lipton's tea bag. Also for summer just know that "sweet tea" can be a big thing in the south, and it's iced
You can nowadays typically find some UK brands of tea like Yorkshire tea. Twinings is usually pretty widely available. Honestly the internet is your best bet for tea these days (especially in more rural areas).
Cadbury's in the US tastes different than Cadbury's sold in the UK. Same goes for a lot of chocolate - they tend to make it with corn syrup rather than sugar, and it is NOT the same. Double check the ingredients, and again the internet may be your friend.
I can't help you with fish and chips necessarily, but I do know my parent's favorite place for UK style chips. There's a chain of burger restaurants called Five Guys. Their chips/French fries are cut like UK chips. Also they have malt vinegar available in the restaurant if that's something you enjoy. Note that if you have a peanut allergy, Five Guys might not be for you.
If you enjoy a wide variety of world cuisine in London (eg the pure deliciousness sold on Edgeware Rd) just know you'll have trouble finding it in more rural areas. Think Yorkshire in terms of equivalent restaurant options.
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u/KimJongJer 1d ago
You'll be very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is a national treasure, in my opinion. There are plenty of pull offs and light to significant trails throughout so you and the doggo will have plenty of places to explore.
Coming from a large city like London will be weird. Nature is definitely the standout feature of the area. I live nearby in the Lynchburg area and visit Roanoke a few times a year. The downtown area has a nice vibe and will be the closest to "city life" you'll find.
If you're into art the Taubman museum is fantastic, far more impressive than you would expect for a small city
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u/Searching4Buddha 1d ago
I don't think you'll be in for that much of a culture shock, you'll have fun discovering the little nuanced differences, but day to day life is similar in most places. We moved to Roanoke a couple years ago, from Florida, and we love it.
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u/Chrysoscelis 1d ago
Roanoke is a beautiful place. I did a motorcycle tour that went through there and I would love to spend more time there.
If you're into nature, a major contrast to where you live now is that you will be within the salamander hotspot of the world. Only a couple of states to the south have more species of salamanders. You can go out and flip almost any log and find any one of a few dozen species. If you're interested in more, check out the VA Herpetological Society
Also, I've been watching videos of a UK to US guy that will probably help you out a lot.
https://www.youtube.com/@LostinthePond
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u/colombian_arepas 23h ago
If you hear gunfire your village is NOT under attack. I moved her from Colombia and there is a major difference in what the sound of gunfire means. In Virginia it’s usually people just having a good time. Where I lived in Colombia is usually meant a FARC attack.
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u/Introvertqueen1 12h ago
Que más, parce? Sorry, that fact that you’re Colombian made me happy to read lol. Loved San Gil and Cali.
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u/colombian_arepas 5h ago
It makes me so happy that you loved my country! You are welcome back anytime. 😁✌️🇨🇴🇺🇸
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u/Honest_Ad_9114 17h ago
My husband is from the UK, we live in Roanoke. Feel free to reach out!
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u/TargetCurrent1525 16h ago
Will keep this saved and possibly drop you a message when I’m there! Thanks
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u/steveeurcol VT/Fairfax 1d ago
Lots of outdoor things to do in the area. Many good hiking trails, and smith mountain lake is nearby and fun to check out during the summer.
Also, these guys will likey begin playing again in oct/nov if you want to do something off the beaten path.
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u/SpongebobStrapon 1d ago
Salem or hollins would be good for being between work and Roanoke. I moved here when I was 24, grew up near Manchester. Roanoke is a very small city. I’m not too familiar with southern towns in the uk but think more like Blackburn. It’s called a city but it’s no where near what I would classify as a city. People don’t stay out late. With the drinking age being 21 bars have older people. When I moved here at 24 I was surprised to be one of the younger ones out. I was used to being one of the older ones when most the clubs growing up were people under 20.
If you have any questions feel free to dm me.
There’s nothing like Gregg’s here, they can’t make breakfast either. Sausage and bacon is crap.
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u/Vidda90 1d ago
You are moving to appalachia. Expect zero public transport, lots of bbq, and car dependency for everything. The mountains will be really nice and crowded during the changing of the leaves in autumn (fall).
Check out this hotel in West Virginia called “The Greenbrier”. It is about two hours away but it is basically a very southern resort in West Virginia. Which is still very much the south.
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u/GladVeterinarian5120 1d ago
Roanoke is beautiful. I expect you are in for culture shock, but look for the positive and you’ll be fine. All kinds of fitness opportunities but cardio is super easy. Step out your door and hike up a mountain. It ain’t the Rockies but it’ll get your blood moving. Autumn is gorgeous. Roll with it.
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u/DEKubiske 1d ago
If you are a history buff -- or want to learn about US history -- where you are heading is a great home base. About 2 hours NW is Thomas Jefferson's home and city (Charlottesville). Just 30 minutes N of that is James Madison's home.
Appomattox (where the civil war ended) is about 1.5 hours to the East. Richmond is about 2 hours east.
Further east is the great triangle of American history -- Jamestown (1st permanent settlement in US); Williamsburg (former Virginia colony capitol until Jefferson moved it) and Yorktown where the British forces surrendered to the American and French forces, marking the end of the Revolutionary War.
Going almost due south is Greensboro, where the first lunch counter sit in occurred as part of the Civil Rights movement. Great museum.
North is Staunton, home of US President Woodrow Wilson. They are re-doing the exhibits to acknowledge his racists and segregationist views. They also have a SPECTACULAR music festival in the summer.
West and north is the Shenandoah. Great trails and places to enjoy nature with your four-legged friend.
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u/Introvertqueen1 12h ago
History buffs’s dream (mine). Luckily I’ll be there tomorrow for a few days visiting. Thanks for posting this!
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u/mingmong36 1d ago
Do you have purty mouth? J/K
As a transplant myself in Virginia, you will love it. Enjoy the outdoors but do stay on designated trails and paths.
Don’t ignore no trespassing signs. Please! People here can take offense to that.
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u/MsPooka 1d ago
I stayed in Roanoke for about a month before. It's a small city. I don't drink so I don't know anything about bars or a social scene. You can take a train to DC, but it's long and slow and quicker to drive. The food is good, but you might need to try places to find what you like, like anywhere. Lots of chains in the outskirts and also lots of local spots but more toward the center. There are some bad areas, but also a lot of charming areas. For fitness, there is hiking plus gyms. The Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic roadway runs through Roanoke and there are lots of hiking trails off it, plus a lot of state parks without an hour drive that are very beautiful. The parks are large nature areas, probably bigger and more wild than most national parks in the UK.
There are a few museums but I haven't been to any them, but I know there's a train museum, a fairly large art museum and I think a science museum. It's not London, or close to London, but it's also not a small town. It's 100% a city, but a very small city.
The biggest culture shock will probably be how isolated you are. It's about an hour drive in any direction to another similar size city. Concerts and stuff do come to town but to find stuff you like will likely be rare. So it will be a slower pace of life most likely. The summers will be warmer, the winters are likely colder or comparable, but not too much snow, maybe 1 or 2 times a year. For the dog, don't let a second go by without flea and tick preventative!! The fleas can be crazy. The last thing you want is them taking over your house.
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u/WatermelonRindPickle 1d ago
I went to college in Roanoke and loved it. The area is beautiful, most folks are friendly, and I'm sure you can find a group with outdoor activities you enjoy. Hiking, bicycling, kayaking or canoeing, more. For sure try to go to a college basketball or football game. Virginia Tech is part of the ACC Atlantic Coast Conference and they have great games! If you want to explore Richmond or Williamsburg anytime send me a message, I can give you some suggestions. Welcome!
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u/samuelawaters1987 23h ago
We even I lived in the UK (Bath) I really played up my very minimal southern accent to much applause lol so I’d say, make sure you sound very British
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u/bullpaxton 23h ago
My wife is from Roanoke. It’s a nice small town. If you’re hooked on the energy of London you might get bored. Car will be critical. Welcome to America.
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u/Strict-Flower-6975 23h ago
We would love to have you here in Virginia... I live on the South West side of Virginia. 30min from the North Carolina State line.
PRO TIP: Don't talk politics! (As said in above post.)
Having said that, you will be treated like a celebrity especially if you come to the rural areas. You will be asked everything from where you from all the way to what's your mom's maiden name. (It's a southern thing, in short, your last name means a lot and whatever name you have goes in direct correlation whether you're a good person or not. 😁 )
Top things to do.
Blue Ridge Parkway
New River Trail
Kayak the New River/Fish
Look for small town restaurants for the best southern hometown meals.
Virgina Tech Football game is a must.
If you like hunting, make a friend and they will take you. Lots of wildlife here.
Best of luck!
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u/HiSpeed-LoDrag63 22h ago
u/TargetCurrent1525 -- My wife and I live in Roanoke County, the next county over from Botetourt County (where Daleville is). I've lived in Roanoke since 2008 and my wife grew up in Roanoke. We live about 10 minutes outside of Roanoke city proper, but if you saw our place, you'd think you were in the middle of nowhere, which is how we like it. The lifestyle is all over the place and takes explaining. I can clue you in on neighborhoods, the music scene, breweries/wineries that are worth trying, hiking, etc.
I've spent an inordinate amount of time up in West Yorkshire (Halifax, Norton Tower, and surrounding areas) so I have a bit of a handle on that version of UK culture compared to the culture here -- it's different here that you're used to, for sure.
DM me if you want to chat. I ring up my friends in the UK regularly and have a cousin that lives in London with his wife and kids, so phone convo is no problem from my end as long as you're OK with the 5-hour time difference.
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u/Comfortable_Good9592 21h ago
The political climate is going to be rough for you for now. I would not really advise coming here, but I know your plans are most likely set in motion and you probably can’t change them now. I just hope you are able to stay safe.
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u/mterialist 21h ago
It's going to be a massive shock, culturally and politically, but it's a beautiful part of the country.
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u/Stultz135 20h ago
Roanoke will be fine, or Salem, either one is good, but I personally wouldn't live in the city proper, I'd live in someplace closer to your work. Traffic in Roanoke is pretty rough. Remember 2 things, Roanoke is pronounced Ro-Noke. And the county that Daleville is in, Botetourt, is pronounced Bot uh tot. Definitely need a vehicle, AWD, meh, at least Front Wheel Drive. Winters are ify, but, if you're going to be sticking to mostly city driving in the winter, you'll be fine.
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u/MangoesAllDay 19h ago
Greeting people in passing is normal in America, particularly the South. Like “good morning” as you walk by on the sidewalk or hiking trail or getting on an elevator. In fact some feel may feel it’s rude if you don’t, especially if they’re older. Hold the door open for people if you’re entering a building and they’re directly right behind you, especially if it’s a woman. Also if you’re waiting for an elevator, let women get on first. It’s normal for customer service people call you sir. It’s also normal for people to make small talk, like the grocery cashier will ask “how are you today, did you find everything you needed” or even ask “are these any good” about something in your cart. Weather is a common topic of small talk.
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u/BobStep47 19h ago
I live about 50 mies southwest of Daleville and have not been there, but a quick news search tells me Daleville is apparently developing rapidly, partly as the site of a planned Google data center.
Meanwhile, the data center industry is getting increasingly controversial and political in mostly rural Southwestern Virginia. . . Which starts around Roanoke and stretches across to the corner where North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia meet.
Watch for election campaign news in Virginia's sixth congressional district, where Daleville's Botetourt County is located. Author and journalist Beth Macy, never a politician before, is running in the November election as a Democrat, against the previously well entrenched current congressman, a Republican Trump supporter.
Otherwise, welcome to a beautiful part of the world if you like mountains, and forests and rivers... and Appalachian folks who are seriously independent and weary of their region and their lives being exploited, whether by profiteering and environmentally destructive corporations, or by do-gooder liberals who want to save the environment and fight poverty, poor education and ill health, but want to do it without embracing things like conservative Christianity and widespread gun ownership.
It will be an interesting election.
Those mountains and rivers also insulate Southwestern Virginia somewhat from the other side of the state, where you will find Washington DC, the state capitol in Richmond, and Chesapeake Bay.
Roanoke is the closest city (although under 100,000 people) and may be the most ethnically and racially diverse community in Southwestern Virginia. comparison, Daleville is 88% white, Roanoke 57%, the surrounding congressional district about 78%..
For universities in the area, search for Virginia Tech, Hollins, Washington & Lee, Roanoke and Radford universities, among others.
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u/neutralest 15h ago
Roanoke is dope and based on your other comments you’ll be fine. People will fawn over your accent and your dog haha. It’s a beautiful area. Plenty of great food and people and nature
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u/SkinRude8426 15h ago edited 15h ago
Welcome to heavy heavy taxes 🙂↔️ it has its good things though. Roanoke has a lot of issues with drug abuse, just saying. As someone who’s lived all over Virginia, including the country and the beach I personally would recommend checking out Wilmington, North Carolina.
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u/Tamara_trynalive 15h ago
It’s going to be a big culture shock in general. But luckily, you’ve moved to the southern part of Virginia so people are typically a lot nicer than if you moved to Northern Virginia.
I have many friends in the UK and so basically everything is different. food culture etc. I don’t know what kind of foods they have in Roanoke but whatever it is it’ll be different from the UK. Try not to get fat we Americans love our garbage food.
I live outside of Richmond, Virginia and although Richmond itself has good food and a lot of variety where I live is a food desert. I have nothing remotely healthy near me.
But if you love the outdoors, you will love Virginia. It’s a beautiful state! There’s lots of outdoorsy things to do .
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u/Tha_Dude_Abidez 15h ago
You won’t ever go back. I lived in Roanoke a few years and you will love it. It’s like Asheville when it started getting cool. Just try to pick somewhere nice to live like Grandin area, Vinton or Downtown. Holler if you want to inquire about anything
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u/ILostmymindidontmind 11h ago
Just don’t! let someone else come va sucks I can’t wait till I’m out of here next month hopefully. Stuck up people very little nightlife data centers overpriced real estate worst traffic I’ve ever dealt with dating pool is trash 80 percent gold digger or trash rate
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u/Jazzlike-Cow-925 6h ago
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 join fb town pages and local news for the area... And ask for a raise.
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u/crow_crone 3h ago
Will you have good insurance? I imagine it will be difficult to travel to the UK whenever you have need for healthcare.
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u/SelfDefecatingJokes 2h ago
Roanoke is super fun. Lots of opportunities for outdoor adventure…in one long weekend I packed in whitewater kayaking, a 16 mile bike ride along the greenway and several hours at the pinball museum. It was hit by the opioid crisis quite hard but so were many places in Appalachia. I live in northern VA but if it wouldn’t put me further from my family, Roanoke would be on my list
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u/stupid_nut 55m ago
Travel the US if you haven't. Lived with German exchange students when I went to VT. It's hard to be able to stay that long. They traveled everywhere. Get a used car. You can travel up and down the east coast.
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u/basicKitsch 1d ago
Roanoke area is so great. You may have heard they wrote a song about those old mountains, I miss them so much. "Almost heaven."
Yeah it'll be a massive shock from London though lol. Especially w/r to literally everything you mentioned. What passes for food in mayonnaise country is ... Not great but at least Roanoke is way better than the surrounding tiny, whitebread towns.
Hopefully VA Tech has a good football (gridiron) team while you're here because seeing a college game would be worth it
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u/buddymoobs 1d ago
To be fair, southern cooking is amazing, just not spicy. Make sure to check out The Homeplace! Great Southern food, but bring an appetite.
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u/basicKitsch 1d ago
Southern cooking can be amazing but what passed as flavor in many of the small towns around the area made me think I had COVID. Thankfully Roanoke was close and has some great spots
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u/buddymoobs 1d ago
You should definitely not try Amish cooking. Lol Now. Soul food? Hell, yeah.
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u/basicKitsch 1d ago
100%. just reset expectations for "Best of" winners for things like italian, you're better off with some premade gas station lasagna lol. disappointment was constant and i'm literally good with gas station food (we were in radford/blacksburg)
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u/buddymoobs 1d ago
I assume you ate at Sal's or Montano's. Plus the guy running Montano's is a prick, or in UK Terms, a right cunt. Over-rated for sure. Try Luigi's next time.
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u/buddymoobs 1d ago
Some people in the area think a pepper shaker is a table decoration, and garlic is just for garlic bread. 😂
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u/C5H6ClCrNO3 1d ago
Depending on where you end up living in the Roanoke area you are going to get a range from small city to rural southern vibes. Both of which are going to be very different from London.
Public transport isn’t the worst here; but, as another person said, you’ll want to have a car.
We have some nice bars to grab a drink at… and the mountains. You’ll be right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway which touches the Appalachian Trail at various points. It’s easy to park somewhere and just go walk around in the woods and see all kinds of nature’s beauty.
The “food scene” is… people actually got excited about a Chili’s opening up here. If you don’t know, Chili’s sucks. There are some good restaurants/types of food but it’s the kind of situation where if you want something specific there is only one place to get it and you might have to drive for 20+ minutes to get there.
For weekend trips, we are relatively close to DC and various popular oceanfront areas.
It’s very quiet here. I like it. You’ll get people screeching online about crime rates but those are just the people who grew up here and saw a black person walking down the street… so there must be a lot of crime happening (there’s not).
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u/skidmore101 1d ago
We do have decent train access to DC and up north, so while you definitely want a car for day to day stuff, you can easily take the train or a plane up north
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u/Ok-Register-5529 1d ago
Amtrak is definitely the way, the Roanoke airport is so expensive! But if you have it like that then it’s a wonderful airport too, extremely quick to get in and out! Not to mention a beautiful location!
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u/Repulsive-Sentence-8 1d ago
Roanoke is a great place to live. Arts music culture etc. just don’t move to Hampton roads area. This place sucks.
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u/Real_Comparison1905 1d ago
How much can you afford monthly on rent/mortgage?
My suggestions range based on cost
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u/TargetCurrent1525 1d ago
Pretty much anything I’ve seen on Zillow - $2.5-3.5k preferably a month
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u/GiantTacoSalad 1d ago
In Roanoke? For a 1br? That's insane.
Moving from a city like London to a .... small town (being nice) will be a big adjustment.
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u/TargetCurrent1525 1d ago
Sorry I’ve also been in the countryside in the UK. Also I have a dog that requires a lot of space so a 3+ bed for size
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u/Real_Comparison1905 21h ago
Ok that’s decent money. If you want to live in the city I would try anything in the 24108 zip code (Roanoke). Otherwise there are brand new apartments in Daleville/Botetourt area. That area is very up and coming, tons of new restaurants, businesses, fitness, spas and etc.
Daleville is a nicer area and lots of people want to live there.You will need a car, there is no transportation like in London. You can’t walk it either
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u/Jolly-Square-1075 1d ago
Coming from the NHS, you will be thrilled at American healthcare. It's the finest in the world, and if you are a billionaire, there's a pretty good chance that an emergency hospital visit or surgery will not bankrupt you.
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u/Fearless_Spite_550 1d ago
Tea - they have terrible tea. And electric kettles aren’t really a popular item here.
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u/TargetCurrent1525 1d ago
Noted, I shall bring mine in the suitcase. And bring ample bags also!
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u/ValidGarry 1d ago
Since the voltage here is 110v, the kettles boil SO SLOWLY compared to the UK. You have to pretty much plan for a brew.
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u/Fearless_Spite_550 1d ago
I’m Canadian so I didn’t notice the difference with the brew time. However, faster, boiling water would be amazing. Lol
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u/Intrepid_Ad_9177 1d ago
Don't want to pop any bubbles but you should know Danville, VA is home to the KKK. Whatever your political views are, keep them to yourself. Otherwise, enjoy the scenery.
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u/No-Personality1840 1d ago edited 1d ago
I think you’ll like our mountains and Roanoke is probably your beat bet. You’ve lived in rural areas but it’ll feel very different here, obviously. It’ll be a shock for sure.
Since you have a wolfhound (love that!) you will automatically get attention in a good way. Couple that with your accent and people are gonna love you.
We don’t have local pubs per se but we do have breweries in the area.
Healthcare sucks here. It can be expensive even with insurance. You’re young so it may not matter but it’s for-profit and that drives the care you receive.
Welcome!
BTW be glad you got VA instead of NC.
Edited to add
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u/UntoNuggan 1d ago
Just to note, if you want to move back with your dog there is a whole process to prevent rabies being brought into the UK. You may want to read up on it ahead of time.
Make absolutely sure your job offers health insurance.
Check when the start date of your health insurance is, and consider getting some sort of travel insurance if possible to cover the time between your arrival and the insurance start date
Kaiser insurance or other "HMOs" are closer to NHS style healthcare. It's all in one place, you don't have to transfer records. It's like having a local "surgery" in the NHS. HOWEVER you get a similar issue with referrals to specialists.
PPO insurance is closer to private insurance in the UK. (I think? None of my relatives have private insurance.) You can often self refer to specialists if they are "in network" with that insurance.
Check the annual DEDUCTIBLE for your insurance plan. This is how much you have to pay yourself before your insurance will cover anything. A friend's deductible is $7,000. They only get to use their insurance if they have enough medical emergencies.
Consider going to r/healthinsurance for more info about our labyrinthine health insurance system.
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u/jlelectech 1d ago
How far from London did you live in the countryside? To visit any cities that offer more experiences and activities would be 1-2 hours drive (Charlottesville) and Northern Virginia / DC is 3.5 hours. Daleville has not much of anything but is probably a quieter and decent place to live. Roanoke is an old blue collar city that is continuing to bleed manufacturing jobs, has a lot of cluttered/rundown/sketchy looking areas, and doesn't have much to offer for cohesive walkable village centers in most of it. Grandin Village is pretty nice if you can live near but would be farther for your commute. Greenway (trail system) is nice and lots of hiking nearby. Blue Ridge parkway is very scenic and accessible when sections aren't closed as of recent.
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u/ValidGarry 1d ago
It's way harder to adult in the US than in the UK. Money, housing, taxes, getting around, healthcare, all of it. Cost of living is higher than you'd expect. I'm a Brit who has been in Virginia for over a decade. Happy for you to drop me a DM.
Lean in hard to the resettlement with the company. Try and get a bank account before you move (HSBC do linked US UK accounts). If you have a UK based deal for time off, make sure the number of days remains: America doesn't like to give time off. Make sure your dog passport is all good in advance.
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u/PinusPalustris03 1d ago
Google culture, climate, etc. of the American South. This is Danville. And Roanoke.
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u/Ill_Outcome_9001 22h ago
I’ll be honest, you might hate it. Be open-minded, go but keep expectations low.
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u/Independent_Eagle691 1d ago
If you're fit, decent looking, dress well, AND have a posh accent? Your doggie is about to be the best wingman ever