The Roanoke Valley is a metropolitan area of more than 300,000, nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Roanoke has amenities that you'd expect from a dynamic urban center, without losing the charming feeling of a smaller place. Expansion Management named Roanoke Valley one of its Five-Start Communities for quality of life. The ranking is based on a reasonable cost of living, affordable housing, low crime, excellent transportation access, good public schools, proximity to community colleges and universities, and educated workforce and low taxes.

• Mild weather and four seasons
• Bike the Blue Ridge Parkway and hike the legendary Appalachian Trail
• Boating, camping, swimming at Smith Mountain Lake, 500 miles of shoreline
• Theater, symphony, ballet, opera, fine arts, and museums
• Two hours to ski resorts, with chalets or five-star lodging
• US Department of Education has recognized Roanoke Valley Schools for being among the nation's best.
• Roanoke County, Roanoke City and Salem City school systems have Advanced Placement classes and the international Baccaulareate program.
• Nationally ranked & internationally acclaimed colleges and universities
• The National Civic League named Roanoke an All-American City six times

One of the largest hospitals in the state, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital (CRMH) is a 703-bed hospital with an additional 60-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The facility recently completed a large expansion project, adding a new Emergency Department, Labor and Delivery unit and the Carilion Clinic Children's Hospital complete with a Pediatric Emergency Room. Now in it's second century of providing premiere healthcare services, CRMH also features a Level I trauma center. In addition to offering high-tech services, the hospital is home to 26 Graduate Medical Education Programs affiliated with Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, University of Virginia and Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Patients have access to nearby specialty clinics, family medical centers, and a host of personalized treatment options, making this the region's most comprehensive group of healthcare providers.