> Perhaps Slackware has something similar?
> 
> Once you have the chroot, it is very simple to use:
> chroot /path/to/chroot/root/directory
> 
> Then do whatever compilations, etc. inside that
> shell.  When done, a
> simple "exit" command will return you to the host system.

I can get chroot set up on Slackware. Certainly would be faster than the virtual machine. I don't know why the VM is exceptionally slower with compiling but is reasonably snappy with basic usage.