LIVE IN ROCKBRIDGE
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Growing up in Lexington was
somewhat of a fairy tale — homes
WHY ROCKBRIDGE?
and cars stayed unlocked, every road or path with your bike was an unlimited adventure, everyone knew each other and dinnertime was when the cowbell rang — each family’s bell had it’s own distinct sound. College and career took
W
me to different parts of Virginia
hy do people choose to move to the Rockbridge County area? There are a variety of reasons, some that have existed for years, and some that are a fairly new phenomenon.
Some were taken with the natural beauty while driving through on the Interstates. Others were passing through the area for other reasons. Some got interested while visiting friends or family.
For years, people who grew up here and left after high school or college for a job or to pursue a career would return to the area when they retired. It’s almost axiomatic that teenagers think that their hometowns are boring, and can’t wait to get to the big city and an exciting life. But it usually doesn’t take too long before they realize how good it was in that small town, where you knew your neighbors and could walk downtown for an ice cream cone. The pull of home, though, often had to wait until retirement. Homes designed for retirees, condos and retirement communities like Kendal at Lexington now offer returning natives real alternatives for retirement living.
Then, there are the researchers. With the wealth of information available on the internet, there are those who have particular desires for a place to relocate — a place with definite seasons but not too hot or too cold, a place with natural beauty, a place that will be intellectually stimulating, a place with a healthy downtown shopping area. These folks search the web for candidates. Sometimes those ‘top ten’ lists that pop up on Facebook, or that get published in magazines influence a selection of the Lexington area.
Graduates of our colleges and universities also opt to return to the area. Fond memories of time spent here and the appeal of college towns with the cultural and social offerings of the schools brings back old grads every year. And, there are even cases of the parents of students being so taken with this place that they moved here.
For whatever reason, the influx of new arrivals has always been a very positive thing for our area. They often come with a desire to be involved in the community; to volunteer for our non-profits and civic organizations, to take leadership roles in local government, and to bring new ideas. Such local institutions as the Rockbridge Community Festival and the Rockbridge Area Health Center had their genesis with people who had moved here and saw a need.
There are also a surprising number of people who move here that just happened to stumble onto the Rockbridge area.
One thing almost everyone who moves to the Rockbridge area has in common — they love it here!
and the country. My husband, an Indiana native, and I met in Roanoke where he had lived for twelve years. We migrated north to Philadelphia where we lived for 30+ years. Fast forward to retirement when it was time to make plans for the future. We knew we wanted to downsize and simplify life. We both loved the comforting Blue Ridge Mountains where we spent many a vacation. Being closer to family and reconnecting with long-time friends was also a top priority. And with both colleges, we anticipated enjoying the sporting and cultural events. It didn’t take long to come to the conclusion that Lexington would be the perfect place. Sometimes life comes full- circle.” – Bill and Mary Jim Morgan Fulton
14 2021 Community Guide & Business Directory | Share your experience with #rocknva or #lovelexva