The Roanoker - February 2014 - 33

A trip to Roanoke - "not as tourists, but as people
who live here" - and CityWorks sealed the deal. They
went to Ed Walker's future-living extravaganza, but also
enjoyed live theater, art, music.
"We've done more since we've been here than in seven years in Bellville," says Betsy. "Everything is close."
In Texas, going to a store could take an hour - one way.
Robert especially likes the availability of fresh,
healthy food in Roanoke. "I've lost seven pounds since
I've been here," he says. A smile crosses his face.
Next? Gotta buy a house. "We've never owned a
house," says Robert, "because the church always furnished one." Robert knows the steps they'll have to take.

HOME, THIS TIME
When Ben and Laura Rottenborn were seriously considering moving out of Chicago toward a slower pace,
a more family-friendly atmosphere and far more recreational options, it took 12 hours in Roanoke to solidify
their decision. They couldn't get here fast enough. That
was a year ago.
These are two high-end lawyers - he corporate with
Woods Rogers, she a federal prosecutor with the U.S.
Attorney - and they wanted it all: professional fulfillment, a safe and nurturing place to raise children (up
to two now; one three, one recently appearing), good
friends, opportunities to contribute to community, superior recreation and on and on.
He's 33 and from Waynesboro, she's 32 and from
Buffalo, N.Y. They met at Stanford University Law
School and married shortly after graduating. They
worked their way up the corporate law ladder, until
little Bradley came along and they saw that something
needed to change. Chicago was not where they wanted
to raise children. They wanted more options than a city
that size (2.7 million) could present. Yes, that's their
perspective.
They found those options in Roanoke (population,
100,000 or so). Options include all the stuff you know
right off: beauty, recreational opportunities, low cost.
But how about other options they found: professional
challenge, sophisticated arts and culture, good food,
solid health care, housing that's absurdly inexpensive
by comparison, excellent educational opportunities?
All here, they say.
"We flew in one day and saw enough to know we
wanted to be here," says Ben. "I looked at Laura and
we said, 'Yeah, we can do this.'"
"There is an ease in living here," says Laura. "I can
leave the office or the courthouse and be home in five
minutes. There are four playgrounds within a short
walk from our home [in South Roanoke]. The Blue
Ridge Parkway is a quarter mile from our driveway.
The city is well-laid-out and it's easy for professional
parents who want to enjoy it." Weekend excursions
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R OANOKER.COM

have become popular with the Rottenborns and "I'm
amazed at the number of festivals," says Ben.
Professionally they've found what they wanted. "In
Chicago, there are thousands of lawyers," says Laura.
"They're ubiquitous and if you're going to have any
impact, you need to be in the upper echelons. We've
become involved here more quickly and we're having
more impact."
"We're fulfilled professionally," says Ben. "This is really unbeatable in terms of living well."

Top: Betsy and Robert
Stutes shop at the Roanoke
Natural Foods Co-op:
"Everything is close."
Lower: Ben and Laura
Rottenborn in downtown
Roanoke: "This is really
unbeatable in terms of
living well."

We flew in one day
and saw enough to
know we wanted to
be here.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

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The Roanoker - February 2014

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