Why don't RU and VT graduates stay in SWVA?

I talk to hundreds of recent graduates of Radford University and Virginia Tech, on a monthly basis, and it seems that so many of them want to move from Radford or Blacksburg right after graduation. I moved to Blacksburg, VA in August 2000 to start graduate school at Virginia Tech. For 27 years, I had lived in either New York or New Jersey before moving to Southwestern Virginia. We live in a very ethnocentric culture. I was familiar with paying an arm & a leg for a gallon of gas, a loaf of bread, a car insurance payment, etc.

There is a cost of living difference between living in New York City and living in Blacksburg. For example, a yearly salary of $90,000 in New York City is equal to $39,760.27 in Roanoke! If you move from New York City to Roanoke, groceries will cost 35.957% less, housing will cost 77.359% less, utilities will cost 44.736% less, transportation will cost 19.065% less, and healthcare will cost 26.298% less. Young professionals, in their 20s, are attracted to cities/regions with thousands and thousands of young professionals. People want to be around people like themselves.

I am curious to hear the views, thoughts, and opinions of graduates of colleges/universities in Southwestern Virginia with regard to this region for opportunities to work, live, and play!