I'm in Fairfax now. I loved living in Blacksburg, it hit a great balance of amenities and proximity to nature for me. The primary thing that keeps me up north now is my job. I keep tabs on job boards in various places in the state, NoVa, Richmond, Tidewater, the NRV. Obviously this varies based on your industry, age, etc., but for me, in the entirety of the NRV there's generally 1-3 open positions at any one time where the responsibilities of the job align with my experience and future career trajectory (there are slightly more positions that would be net pay cuts, and/or have slower career growth, from what I have now). Remote work is possible but that can be more ephemeral, risky if you leave the job. In NoVa, there's usually 9-12 such positions. So, if ever I want to leave my current position, or if the company fails, there's a lot more options available. Having a higher population of people your own age can be helpful, too. You're married, but what if your wife left you, or died? It's similarly more difficult to meet someone else if you had to. If Satan himself popped up out of the ground and said I could have an unimpeded, uninterrupted career and a lifelong marriage, but the catch was I had to live in or around Blacksburg the rest of my life, then I'd do it. But, unfortunately, that level of certainty doesn't exist and so it doesn't make sense for me to put down roots in Blacksburg; maybe when I retire.