Moving to Roanoke, VA (Cave Spring, Salem: vacation, job, hospital)

[SouthernMomto3]

Good Luck Red123...We're moving to Roanoke this summer too!

happygal...great info. I've been looking at each of the SW elem's websites. I've noticed that since the SOL scores came out for 2007 that Clear Brook did great. Do you know any specifics about it or does anyone else? In regards to being able to transfer within the county, is it usually approved if you've been in the school and just move elsewhere in the county? That has been a concern for us as we will probably buy a house to get us through the next few years and then buy or build a house that will be the house we're in till all the kids are out on their own. Nowadays that may mean they've finished college and moved back for a few years! Considering our youngest isn't even 1 yet, we may still have atleast one around for many years to come!! Oh yeah, you mentioned visiting schools and made a comment about what an experiece it was visiting Salem schools...what did that mean? Haven't visited there or any schools yet so just curious??

[flwrs314]

Ya'll are exactly right! Roanoke is a hard place to make friends. People never call back and the pay here is bad and expenses high. It's great for a family, but not a place for a single middle aged lady. I moved here from a neighboring county.

[TNMom2girls]

I am so new to this, so forgive me for not knowing how all this works yet. I live in Memphis, TN and am researching new areas for my family to move. I just had to post after reading Happygal's post. It made me laugh. I have lived in the south all my life and I would have to say that your perception of southern hospitality is pretty good. I do have to let you know that you were right about the fact we don't even know we're doing it to people, I had no clue until I read your post and gave it some thought. But the main reason I wanted to reply to your post is because almost EVERY friend I have here is from the north or California. I am a very Outspoken southerner as are All the women in my family. And so are all my friends. Please don't stop being outspoken. It may just be your town, but I tell you, here in Memphis, we respect people more when they're outspoken. We all agree to disagree, but we love a good debate and if everyone just bit their tongue how much fun would that be? TIP: In the south, when we don't agree with what someone is saying and it is a situation when we need to bite our tongues, we say, "Well, bless his/her/your heart!" Try this next time, it's hilarious the facial expressions you get. It makes the person immediately shut up. And then you can politely change the subject. I love it.

[SouthernMomto3]

Originally Posted by flwrs314

Ya'll are exactly right! Roanoke is a hard place to make friends. People never call back and the pay here is bad and expenses high. It's great for a family, but not a place for a single middle aged lady. I moved here from a neighboring county.

I haven't moved to Roanoke yet but I haven't experienced that at all. I'm not single but IDK why that would make a difference. I've had to do a lot of emailing and phone calls related to my H's job, real estate, banking, and getting info on a civic group and it's all been timely. I hope your experience here improves, flwrs.

[trix]

Papertrail,

as a person who grew up in Roanoke I can tell you that the description about Roanoke above does NOT give you a true picture of what Raonoke, or the people, are like.
I have lived in all sections of the city and surrounding areas, too.
Just like any other town, there are poorer and richer sections of Roanoke. Orange Ave runs through the length of the city, but its the very worst of the city so far as delapitated houses, crime, etc. It also is the very oldest section of the town and it carries a LOT of traffic, especially trucks, which tear up the roads quickly. The water lines break there because they are over 100 years old in that section. Once you learn your way around, you can avoid that road except for crossing over to get from one side of the city to the other.

That is only one part of the city, though. Roanoke has many different personalities and where you live and work will give you a view of the city that someone else in another area will not experience.
I'm sorry that the former poster hates Roanoke so much, but to say the people don't have any respect for themselves is just too broad and mean-spirited. There are all sort of people there, just like anywhere else in the world.

I would buy a house in Roanoke County because the schools are considered better. They have higher scores and graduation rates than the city because the poorer, less educated people live more in the city.

As for the wind--I have never heard anyone say that before and I lived in Roanoke over 40 years. I dont think its at all windy and I am wondering if the other person lived up on a hill there. I know its can be windy if you live on some hill tops or next to tall buildings--but that isnt the case in the rest of the city.

Roanoke is a bowl and you will have more trouble with allergies and sensitivity to pollution there, but it does not appear as smoggy as larger cities and never bothered me that I could tell.

As for the crime rate, you would have to get a break down to see what crimes are occurring and where they are. I am going to venture that most of the drug and violent crimes are contained in relatively small sections of Roanoke. You can get crime reports from the city--perhaps online. When we moved to Bedford, the police chief gave me crime report spreadsheets which gave me a good idea of what the town is really like, much better than reading just the statistices.

Best of luck to you.

[smittysgirl]

Hey Guys!
I have been reading all the blogs I could find and greatly appreciate all the info. We may be heading that way soon and was very pleased to read that you can request a transfer to any school in the county. We would also like to rent before buying but were concerned about the school issue.
My question is where are the best places to rent (condo/apt or house). We have two kids at home and a small dog so we need 3 bedrooms. I have been on Realtor.com, Rent.com, Move.com etc... and haven't seen a lot out there. Is there a secret place to find these or is there a shortage overall?

Another question is about the schools, we are on a block system like colleges. Are the schools there block or continuos classes throughout the school year? This only applies to our high school.

Any info appreciated, Thanks!

[SouthernMomto3]

check out the craigslist for the Roanoke area...most craigslist have lots of rentals...I know that is how we found a place when we moved to PA.

[Twootees]

Hey Folks-
Just my 2 cents too- I'm a newby to this blog but found some of the comments interesting and just wanted to add mine- For anyone that may be interested in re-locating to the city of Roanoke. I would recommend looking at Old Southwest. It has done a huge turn-around in both less than desirable people living here to the crime rate. Our neighborhood has a very strong organization and there are people here that are involved and participate in the various activities that take place. We came here nearly 4 years ago and renovated a multi-family dwelling and took it back to single family living. We had re-located from Old Town Alexandria, VA and have not regretted one minute. Being involved and participating is a key ingredient in my opinion to the success of your neighborhood. As a result of being involved, we started a "Food with Friends" theme gathering. Each month a different house hosts this event. They pick a theme and everyone brings either an entree, side dish, or dessert and their favorite beverage to share. There have been as little as 30 people and as many as 100 in attendance. We will be celebrating it's 2nd year in April. We've only missed one month in the nearly two years, which isn't a bad record at all. Our property values according to some members of the Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors are among the best in Southwestern VA in both purchasing and selling. We are working with the school board as I write in order to change some of the zoning lines regarding where the schools are located so it will allow kids that should be going to Highland Elementary just that- Right now the zones are a little off the mark. The city needs to be committed to making schools a priority so I don't argue that point. We have regular neighborhood meetings monthly and the police are present at each one, offering statistics and useful data. They work very closely with the neighborhood and we have established a very good rapport. We also have a brand new fire/ems station within our neighborhood. There are a lot of rental opportunities too and our organization is open not to just owners, but to any resident of Old Southwest. It is the states largest recognized historic district and the various architectures are very nice. When time allows, check out our website:
www.oldsoutwestinc.com It's known as "A past with a future" but it's really "All about the people" Good luck and the best to you all-

[ihrtmoosen]

I love Roanoke. If you are looking for an apartment try Honeywood or Peeblecreek. They are off of Electric Road near Tanglewood mall. Also, there are some neighborhoods on Franklin Road (just a section of Electric that is heading toward downtown) that are nice. Also, in the same general area, the neighborhood off of McClanahann St. (next to the hospital) has many great houses for sale.

[PeggyB]

We are buying a summer home in Roanoke (Californians) and I need to find either intermediate spanish lessons or a one-on-one tutor. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We plan to buy in old SW Roanoke. Thanks