I have a pretty good job offer in RR and was wondering if anyone knew anything about the area?

9/21/2010 12:24:58 AM

It smells funny, Super Wal-Mart is the biggest thing to happen to that town in 20 years, and even middle class people feel compelled to try crack there. Anything specific you need to know?

I actually like that area a lot, but if I took a job there I'd probably grab a house around Lake Gaston and do the country living/lake lifestyle thing until I got tired of it. RR itself doesn't have a lot to offer IMO.

Nighthawk, CarZin, and Sweden can probably offer some good insight.

[Edited on September 21, 2010 at 12:33 AM. Reason : s]

9/21/2010 12:27:29 AM

yeah, it smells weird and all the people are crazy.

9/21/2010 7:07:41 AM

Living: get a place outside of the city limits of Roanoke Rapids, otherwise you'll be paying city taxes and footing the bill for the huge fail that is the Roanoke Rapids Theater. if you can get a place around the lake, go for it.

Smell: that would be the paper mill, and it isn't the smell of money like some folks around there will tell you. it's a matter of time before it closes, but it's held on longer than i thought it would. i lived there long enough that i don't recognize it anymore even when i go home, that's probably not a good thing.

Nightlife: LOL. don't bother, unless you just want to go out to a restaurant and have a drink. if you're the homebody type, you'll be fine. if you like to go out and live it up, you'll be traveling out of town. there are bars in town, and if you want a more in depth view of the crowd you can expect at each, i'll give you a breakdown.

if your profile age is correct, there's not a lot of young successful people in town. most of the 20-30 crowd are high school graduates or worse working dead end jobs. but like anywhere there are a few.

it's pretty hard to present an unbiased view of the area when you lived there for nearly 20 years and the general consensus is that RR is a shithole. if you've got a solid job offer i definitely wouldn't write it off. the cheap cost of living alone means you should be able to bank a solid chunk of it.

9/21/2010 8:26:47 AM

I've talked to a few ppl who grew up around there and they said the same thing ya'll are saying. The job is at the paper mill too. I'm actually thinking about goin back to school anyway but this is a really good offer and am trying to weigh my options. I've been unemployed since layoff in march and this is more than I was making at old job. I am 27 and all of my family/friends are down around Wilmington/Myrtle Beach.

9/21/2010 8:38:45 AM

I worked out at the paper mill during the summer of 2001 on the callboard, where they hire a bunch of college kids home for the summer to come in and work so that the workers can take days off for a summer vacation. I was over in the stockroom so I didn't see much of the daily grind in the mill itself, but my understanding of it from people who were over there and from people I worked with in the stockroom is that the place was doomed in the near future. Nearly everything they were making was getting stored instead of shipped out to buyers and the machines were broken down more often than they were operating. The place has changed ownership twice since I was out there, so maybe it has turned around?

The general consensus around town that I know of though is that the market for brown kraft paper isn't exactly expanding and a mill just closed in Franklin, VA (or it's in the process of closing). I'm always waiting to hear that the place has actually closed, because then the town would go to shit even worse than it already has.

For the time being, I guess it's going to be up and running at least for awhile longer so if you've been out of work for awhile and they're offering bank, it might not be a horrible idea to take it.

9/21/2010 8:51:37 AM

I've got some experience with RR and I echo the above comments and posts. (all of them).

Given a choice between a job in RR and going to grad school I would choose going to grad school- everyday, all day, and twice on Sunday.

9/21/2010 8:55:14 AM

I worked for the papermill when I was in high school and a bit of college (worked in the IT department). My dad worked there for over 25 years (manager)

RR isnt a horrible place to live, it just isnt great. The biggest advantage is the proximity to Lake Gaston (blows the water out of Jordan and Falls). IF you can afford a place on Lake Gaston (an 1800 sq foot lake front will set you back 400k+ in most placed), great. Otherwise it is a 25 minute drive.

The paper mill is very resilient. It produces only brown paper products, which are less prone to swings compared to white paper. The fact that the plant has never gotten into white paper is why it is still there today. To my knowledge the mill has never lost money during a year of operation. Of course, this is in complete contrast to what Sweden says. I would also ignore the 9 year old doomsday advice. At that point, the mill I believe had just been purchased by International. They like to close plants down. It is no longer owned by International.

I think if the offer is a good one, you should take it. I know a lot of people, including my dad, that made lifetime careers at that paper mill.

[Edited on September 21, 2010 at 9:21 AM. Reason : .]

9/21/2010 9:18:24 AM

This one time at Ralph's Barbeque the waitress was AWOL so I took the initiative and refilled a friend's tea myself, using a nearby pitcher.

That's the day I learned that Ralph's also uses pitchers to refill the barbeque sauce containers.

9/21/2010 9:28:38 AM

No, the mill is in good shape financially. They are owned by Kapstone, they have 2 plants, and they make money. I'm single as well so I don't know how much good times can be had in RR haha.

9/21/2010 9:29:36 AM

^^^ sounds like he knows more about the paper mill, go with that.

^^ i lol'd.

^ the choices are very slim. the good news is that you don't have kids, because school systems in the area would be a whole different animal.

9/21/2010 9:31:31 AM

My sister lives out there, and I'll go visit it from time to time. Like others have said, the best thing about Roanoake Rapids is its proximity to Lake Gaston. We'll go eat at the WatersView restaurant when we're up there ... it's awesome (especially the buffalo shrimp).

Last time I was there though (early August), there were these damn flying bugs all over the place at night -- not mosquitos, not knats, somewhere in between. If you left the door open at night for more than 5 seconds, these guys would take over the entire house.

Still, it's a great place.

9/21/2010 10:00:04 AM

Quote :

"RR isnt a horrible place to live, it just isnt great. The biggest advantage is the proximity to Lake Gaston (blows the water out of Jordan and Falls). IF you can afford a place on Lake Gaston (an 1800 sq foot lake front will set you back 400k+ in most placed), great. Otherwise it is a 25 minute drive."

One of the best things about Lake Gaston is that off water homes in some of the older lake neighborhoods can still be had for decent prices. $175k will still get you a decent stick built home with a neighborhood boat ramp, neighborhood docks, neighborhood beach, clubhouse, pool, etc. It would feel pretty desolate to be single and living out there in the winter, but the summers would be great.

9/21/2010 10:52:40 AM

Take the job, rent a room somewhere for as cheaply as possibly. Save money, then come back to Raleigh and go to grad school. And then...profit.

9/21/2010 11:08:34 AM

^ Very good Idear......however they told me they would rather not have anyone than someone who quits after a year

[Edited on September 21, 2010 at 2:37 PM. Reason : ']

9/21/2010 2:36:55 PM

What department would you be in?

9/21/2010 2:44:32 PM

if rental housing in RR is anything like RM, DO NOT DO IT. in RM, the only rental housing is ghetto and the people who live there follow that stereotype. they're dangerous & dirty places.

9/21/2010 3:05:39 PM

I also spent the first 21 years of my life in RoRap. It is a shithole. It smells. My mom had no idea why I refused to get married there last year, until I told her I didn't want everyone to be reminded of the smell of the papermill, which you get the second you get off of 95.

The city school system used to be pretty good, but in the past 4 years or so, it's started going downhill. Tax rates are going up constantly, and the power company wants to increase rates by 14%. Rental homes are pretty much owned by slumlords; rarely will you find a decent place with decent rent. Charter has the monopoly on the cable companies there, and the reception is horrible. it's pretty common for at least one channel to be out during the course of a day. AT&T has horrible cellphone reception there, Sprint is decent. The only carriers with stores in town are Verizon and US Cellular.

There are no wachovia/suntrust/boa banks or atms, so I hope you're with State Employees, BB&T or First Citizens (I think those are the only banks there). The only places to buy groceries are Food Lion (all 3 of them in town suck), Lowes Foods (sucks worse) or Walmart. A Farm Fresh was supposed to come to town, but they backed out, so there is yet another empty building there. The mall has a total of 4 tenants-HR Block, JCPenney, some Country Treasures place or something along those lines, and a Martial Arts place.

The crime rate has gone up drastically in the past year or two. Don't go to Walmart after 10pm. It's pretty common that a fight will break out there after dark. I think the police station has actually started posting someone there after dark, but I'm not sure about that. There are certain parts of town you don't go to after dark, and you can actually see for yourself what they are (it's pretty obvious).

However, the lake is nice, and you are never more than 20 minutes from it if you live in town. If you can afford even a small place at the lake, go for it. There is a long trail (the Canal Trail) that runs pretty close to the river from one side of town to the other (I think it's close to 9 miles long, but I haven't been on it in years). If you hunt, there's a ton of rural areas with decent hunting within 30 minutes from town.

9/21/2010 5:00:45 PM

weldon is good for fishing

9/21/2010 5:25:25 PM

Quote :

"There is a long trail (the Canal Trail) that runs pretty close to the river from one side of town to the other (I think it's close to 9 miles long, but I haven't been on it in years)."

Yeah, I hiked that trail one time. It was kinda sketchy near the paper mill, I-95, and Weldon. It also spent too much time going through people's backyards. Very little decent scenery; no real terrain. I did spot some graffiti under I-95 that one of my friends did, so I got to call him out on it.

Here's a nice pic from Weldon...I think this is the Highway 301 bridge, lol:



Most people I know recommend against going into Weldon at night.

[Edited on September 21, 2010 at 5:46 PM. Reason : l]

9/21/2010 5:45:37 PM

it appears that the pressure is on

9/21/2010 5:46:45 PM

but is the heat on as well?

9/21/2010 5:56:22 PM

i said weldon is good for fishing. i didn't say anything about it being a good place to hang out at night.

9/21/2010 6:21:27 PM

There are nicer areas of the canal trail, particularly near the dam. The part near/in weldon does not qualify for "nice". And I never said anything about terrain. It's in the coastal plain; there's just no real hills anywhere near Roanoke Rapids.

And no, you don't want to go into Weldon or Gaston at night.

9/21/2010 6:46:43 PM

Quote :

"Charter has the monopoly on the cable companies there, and the reception is horrible. it's pretty common for at least one channel to be out during the course of a day."

They also do not carry local channels in HD. Because of this, the majority of the residents have Direct TV or Dish Network.

My first job out of grad school was in Halifax and I opted to live in Roanoke Rapids. If you are used to small town living, it probably won't be an issue. If you want to live in a bigger place and would not mind commuting, I would consider Rocky Mount. While Rocky Mount has its own issues, it definitely has more to offer a young professional than Roanoke Rapids.

9/21/2010 8:01:12 PM

haaayyyyyy from rm

our bookkeeper commutes from rr to rm and it takes her um 20 minutes or something like that.

rm definitely has it's own issues. stay on the nash side, further west is better. rm has major chain stores & restaurants that rr doesn't, like best buy, target, petsmart, petco, olive garden, home depot, sam's, etc. if you're going to buy, buy outside of city limits. red oak is great; it's like our little cary. rm utilities are communistic & very high. if you're going to rent...the only place i would consider renting is westridge village apartments near harris teeter (NOT villager apartments), maybe tau valley. if you're really lucky you might find a house in englewood to rent. check with a realtor around here like boone hill allen ricks.

i live in englewood, own my house. houses around here go for anywhere in the 100s. if you cross sunset ave heading west, prices go up to the 200s-400s.

[Edited on September 21, 2010 at 8:28 PM. Reason : ]

9/21/2010 8:27:00 PM

Quote :

"most of the 20-30 crowd are high school graduates or worse working dead end jobs. but like anywhere there are a few."

So which one am I in?

It does have a few pluses, but its certainly not the greatest place. If your single, you at least aren't going to worry about living in the school district or pay for private schooling. But it doesn't have much to offer in the way of nightlife. Sweden covered it pretty well with going out to drink at a restaurant and maybe partake in some karaoke. That's it. Shopping choice is very limited, and the main restaurants are steakhouses, although Lonestar just closed last week. The papermill looked to be in dire straits when it was owned by IP, but since then things have gotten better. Kapstone has been reporting positive earnings ever since they took over and they have been rehiring at the plant. Again, I would default to CarZin on his knowledge of it, but Sweden is right that if Kapstone is gone, the city will be too. The textile mills leaving left a huge hole in the town economically that has never been filled. The city tried with the theater, but they just made the situation worse. Property taxes in town only went up once since that fiasco, but they will have to go up again I'm afraid. Until they can get somebody out there running the place who can bring some credibility, decent shows, and put paying asses in seats, its going to continue to drag on the cities image and coffers.

Honestly I would consider it, but I wouldn't buy in town. Ever. Or rent. Rentals are all done by slumlords and will cost you out the ass. The only folks that rent are getting in shitty housing or apartments to live in the city school district. Housing is very pricey in town for what you get, and Charter sucks. I would look to live in the area. I personally live in Scotland Neck. If possible its an even bigger shithole than Roanoke Rapids, but houses are cheap. I didn't pay $60k for my place, and its in the only nice neighborhood in town and a halfway decent little house. Rocky Mount will put you at about a 45 minute commute from home to the plant.

My situation has changed and I'm looking to get out now. I work at the city schools and love my job. But with small kids, the school situation is driving me out. The school doesn't let employees bring kids to school if they live outside of the district, even if you would pay tuition. We did one of the academies for a year or two, but my wife changing jobs meant she could no longer get him to and from school. The county schools are AWFUL, so now we are now having to homeschool, and while educationally he is doing good, I don't like the lack of socialization with other kids. I have a prospect in the Triangle that I am really hopeful about (thanks to some in this thread) and hope that my family can start 2011 in a place that has more opportunities for them. RR can be bad, but if I was unemployed for half a year and I was single, I'd probably jump on it.

[Edited on September 21, 2010 at 9:59 PM. Reason : ]

9/21/2010 9:57:55 PM

they don't call it Redneck Crappage for nothing. It smells like a paper plant, crack use is rampant, and the Klan is still active. My high school was 90% black, and every football game we had got cancelled about halfway through because of race-provoked fighting. The state eventually split us into separate conferences.

If you can buy a house around Lake Gaston, then go for it.

9/21/2010 10:05:46 PM

Yea...I'm still undecided. I don't want to buy a house though and would be renting something for a while. I still am planning on school next fall if I get in.

9/21/2010 11:12:53 PM

More Weldon:






Roanoke Rapids:





lol

9/22/2010 1:02:04 AM

After two days of searching both Rocky Mount and Roanoke Rapids I have come to the conclusion that RR has nothing to rent unless its a big house (over $1100 a month rent) or a run down crappy apartment. The only good rental apartments are low income housing....and that it. The stuff that I could rent barely have ac window units.

Rocky Mount was a little better but still doesn't have hardly anything. I'm thinking about living at a place called bridgewood. Anybody know anything about it?

10/1/2010 11:59:47 PM

Yeah. My husband used to rent at the Woods at Benvenue across the street and the guy who cuts my hair has a shop in Bridgewood & has lived there before. I've not really heard anything bad about bridgewood, except Butch (hair guy) didn't like the bathroom wallpaper options and threw a fit...but he's gay soooo take what you want from that. The Woods at benvenue is quieter, mostly old people, and is pretty nice too. They have 1 & 2 bdrm apts, all first floor. The kitchen is open to the living room, not really space for a table in the 1 bdrm, large laundry room, bedroom, & attic storage.

Fumbler might have more input.

10/2/2010 8:01:00 AM

For the RR people...Would you recommend Becker Farms Apartments for him? I know BF is one of the nicer neighborhoods in that town. These are right on the outskirts of the neighborhood, but they might not be too ghetto. I've actually been there, but it was years ago.

Tau Valley apartments in Rocky Mount isn't too bad. I don't think it would be worth the drive from Rocky Mount to Roanoke Rapids though.

[Edited on October 2, 2010 at 2:48 PM. Reason : l]

10/2/2010 2:46:57 PM

Just throwing it out incase he hadn't thought of or done it already; if you are still looking for somewhere to rent then grab the local newspaper(s) or brochure flyers around there. You might be able to find someone renting out a smaller house a little further out.

10/4/2010 1:03:34 AM

several years ago when fumbler was looking at apartments, tau valley was a little overpriced for what it was. bridgewood & woods at benvenue were priced appropriately. this could have changed by now though.

10/4/2010 8:34:29 AM

The apartments in RM, as bad as they are, are still much better than the ones in RR. I lived in Lake Park and that was much much nicer than anything in RR, including rental houses. I liked bridgewood better than any place I went to. The were wanting $650 but I think I talk em down a bit. Why did I accept this job?

10/4/2010 10:51:46 AM

do not go to walmart after 7pm unless you are armed, observant, & very brave.

10/4/2010 11:10:10 AM

Ok, I don't know what the clientele is of all the apartment properties in RR, but the two nicest apartment complexes I know of from the looks of the building are Riverview Court apartments which is right near the Becker Farms Apartments and has some units that are less than 2 years old in the back, and Woodbury Apartments off Georgia Ave. behind AAA.

To get up with the folks that run Riverview Apartments, the number is 252-537-9222. For Woodbury Apartments, try 252-537-8877. If you want to see them online, just google map Woodbury Apartments or Riverview Apartments. Again, I don't know their clientele, but I know where the really ghetto/subsidized housing apartments are, and I don't think these are it.

10/4/2010 11:26:54 AM

You can just buy a house there for $10,000, lol:
http://tinyurl.com/2vg7eay

10/4/2010 11:34:26 AM

Yea all of those are the low-income apartments. I went in all of them and was told you had to make under $14K a year to live there. That was the sad part...the nicest places are all low income and the crappiest places were for everyone else.

10/4/2010 11:40:28 AM

haha. handyman special!

http://www.boonehillallenricks.com/default.asp?content=expanded&search_content=results&this_format=1&mls_number=89394&page=2&query_id=101666264&sortby=1

[Edited on October 4, 2010 at 11:41 AM. Reason : ]

10/4/2010 11:40:42 AM

^ Lol...They stopped little league baseball games at Meadowbrook Park (a mile or two from that house) after some people on opposite sides of the field started shooting at each other during a game.

10/4/2010 12:14:51 PM

haha i know butch the gay hairdresser

10/4/2010 1:03:35 PM

My brother rented a 1BR apartment in Becker Farms Apartments back when he still lived in town and was single. Don't remember what he paid, but it was an okay place.

So true though that all those nice apartments are reserved for thugs only and the crap apartments are rented out to anybody. In general the housing market in RR is fux0red. Love my job but can't wait to roll out of here once I hear back from the new one.

10/4/2010 1:06:02 PM

hehe yeah butch. i have an appt this friday actually.

10/4/2010 1:36:11 PM

Hey you might want to try this place. Becker Farm Properties has these apartments for rent:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=27870&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=52.550571,114.169922&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Roanoke+Rapids,+North+Carolina+27870&ll=36.466212,-77.665696&spn=0.001646,0.003484&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=36.466173,-77.666095&panoid=d-1o4uNar8Va4oOZ9SFTiA&cbp=12,5.49,,0,9.85

537-8415 is the number for them. They don't look like shit and didn't have "subsidized" housing on it or anything.

10/4/2010 4:13:03 PM

let's try elsewhere for something with absolutely no content other than some pictures of fire

10/6/2010 2:20:57 PM

hhaaaaayyyyyy from bridgewood (gettin my haircut)

10/8/2010 12:24:33 PM

Quote :

"haha i know butch the gay hairdresser"

me too!

Butch is awesome

say hello to Butch for me

[Edited on October 8, 2010 at 12:51 PM. Reason : -]

10/8/2010 12:50:54 PM

too late. i didn't check back here before i left. sorry

10/8/2010 2:17:22 PM