Posts with tag 'lifestyle'

Roanoke, Virginia offers a wonderful quality of life for all, including for families with children. In 2015, we moved to Roanoke to start a new chapter and to raise our family. Coming from D.C., we were craving a slower pace, but didn't want to sacrifice on things like activities, restaurants, culture, etc. Roanoke is an ideal place to live, and our family has many favorite spots and activities we've grown to love.

THE GREENWAY

If you like to walk, run, bike, or even roller blade, the Greenway system in Roanoke provides over 40 miles of trails perfect for strolling with strollers or riding bikes. Kids can enjoy the fresh air and views of nature while parents or guardians can relax. There are also several playgrounds and parks scattered throughout the Greenway system.

One of our favorite weekend activ...

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Thomas enjoying dinner at Taco Riendo!

Our little valley is home to best-loved spots famous up and down the East Coast – from the iconic overlook at McAfee Knob, to our signature Mill Mountain Star. But the region is chock-full of hidden gems, too. Here are a few of my personal favorites:

A Classic Greasy Spoon (& I mean that with love!)

If you've got a soft spot for old-school diners that haven't changed in a half-century (Me! Yes...

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Southwest Virginia is bursting with opportunities to get outside and explore, and more people are looking to move here to the Roanoke Valley specifically to satisfy their adventurous
spirit.

Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, some of the region's most popular adventures are found along the abundant hiking trails that feature a wide variety of trails for different levels of adventurers! You can start out easy and then work your way on up to the longer, and sometimes more strenuous hikes.

For a low to moderate, scenic hike:

Cascade Falls trail

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We've always been told 'our roots run deep', but really- how deep do they run? Ask yourself, first hand- are you able to list out suggestions on a favorite coffee shop, hair stylist, gym, etc? If so, then your roots are growing.

My experience is one of a woman who was born in a small town in South Carolina. Tina and Kevin, my lovely parents, are originally from the midwest and their parents from immigrant families. Life with an interesting twist! I have a southern accent, but my parents don't sound like me, and there is no fried chicken or sweet tea in the home. Growing up, my friends and I called dirt roads our hangout spot, drove four wheelers like bandits, and built tree houses. Things were simple. For instance, I didn't drive on anything bigger than a three lane highway/interstate until college- it was a memorable experience… To this day, I still feel the same way- less lanes are more comfortable and I. Hate. Driv...

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We've all seen the decorative signs in homes …

• Lake life is the Best Life
• The Lake is My Happy Place
• If you're lucky enough to have a house at the lake, you're lucky enough.

Sure, my husband, daughter, and I vacationed for many years at Smith Mountain Lake and we thoroughly loved the long boat rides, the glassy early morning water that reflected the sky and trees, the creaking sound of the dock slowly rising and falling as a boat went speeding by,
the sunrises over the mountain and the sunsets at the end of a fun-filled day. However, what I could not totally appreciate until we moved here full time was the sense of belonging that my husband and I would experience almo...

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