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From my boyfriend to our back-door neighbor, everybody seems to have an opinion about where we live – and none of them are good. Some of the latest complaints I've heard include the following:

- There aren't any jobs here.
- The Commonwealth has the worst laws.
- There's nothing to do here.
- There aren't any interesting people here.
- Nothing good has ever came out of Virginia.
- The scenery is boring.

After attempting a rebut these comments with their proclaimers, I realize there's just no getting through to them. Although I've stressed that they are entitled to their opinion, they seemingly don't understand that I am entitled to mine, as well. Since they aren't willing to listen objectively, maybe someone else will.

When I was younger, I used to hate it here. I grew up in Riner and I thought ... 'wow, all we have are cows, hayfields and the

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Until, of course, I trekked to New York City once. Talk about a culture shock. It didn't help that we had boarded a tour bus early one morning after I got off work from my third-shift job and I didn't sleep the entire way there. But, I digress ... for now.

Throughout high school, I always thought there had to be something more out there. We made our yearly trip to Myrtle Beach and I would wish and pray we'd move there. With sandy beaches, warm sun and an ocean to play in ... I was sure it would be much better than where I came from.

I never admitted it then, but even after week-long beach stays, I was happy to return home to Riner.

Riner has grown exponentially since I was little, but it has still managed to keep its countryside feel. I can still drive down the road and see cows and hayfields, but I also see housing developments and a golf course. (C'mon ... a golf course in Riner? I still can't get over that one.)

Another thing that has changed is how I feel about where I grew up. I no longer look at those cows and hayfields with resentment, but with an appreciation. Where I used to wish for beaches and a barrage of people, I'm now glad to see rolling hills and feel a whisper of the wind.

I've learned to respect what I've got. I've learned to look at our surroundings and say ... 'wow, God made that and I'm getting to see it.' When you wish for something you don't have, you miss out on what you do.

As for a lack of jobs in the area, I could not disagree more. Whatever happened to entrepreneurship? Take matters into your own hands – build your own business and be your own boss. If that wasn't something this country was made for, I don't know what is.

From my previous digression, I will continue. From my travels to New York and other major cities, I have been able to see a part of life I do not get to experience here. While I do agree that there are more things to do in an urban environment than there are here, what makes those things any better than what we have to offer? I may be able to stay out all night at a night club in D.C., but is that really any better than having a family picnic at Mid-County park?

I guess it really comes down to personal value. I have met the most amazing people here in Virginia and experienced the greatest life thus far. There are still so many other things to explore, but I know in my heart that Virginia will always be home.

As an assignment for this website, I covered a small concert at Bisset Park in Radford a few evenings ago. After taking the pictures and video that I needed, I just stood and watched the people watching the show, gazed out toward the river, saw the large bridge anchor into the grass and ground below in a symbolic country-meets-city way. The blue sky touched the hills and I wondered what was there, at that moment, not to love.

Photos by Leigh Anne Correll

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Virginia...Love It
written by citizenK, July 17, 2008

I too, love Virginia, and concur that the beauty of our particular area is spectacular. However, we have a large migration of younger residents to areas that have better career opportunities. "Living" wages are a rarity, let alone those with health/other benefits. Entrepreneurship can be great, but the cost of health insurance prevents virtually all but those with retirement benefits or great wealth to "go there." Other than what's left of Volvo (with many of those jobs taken by folks from WVA and NC), VA Tech (SOME living wages, other than the "profs"), and the "Powder Plant" (that exudes dire concerns for many), there are few "real" jobs (with security, insurance, etc.) It can change, and it should. I know of too many people that struggle, juggling 2 jobs and families. I see the desperation of many. No wonder one of the newest supermarkets with the lowest prices often has lines of folks waiting at the door for their opening on Sunday mornings. We will love the New River Valley more when we retain our goal-seekers.

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