Best places to live in roanoke (Salem: transplants, job, cost of living)

[Thankheaven]

Hi, maybe someone can give us some info. on Roanoke. We are really trying to decide if we should move to Roanoke. Let me give you a little background on us. We were born @ raised in N.J. and still live here. We have 2 children ages 13 & 9. My husband can transfer his job to Roanoke. We have family in Roseland, Va. and have visited many times and just fell in love with the state. We recently visited Roanoke, and thought it was absolutely beautiful. We visited Botetourt County. We heard there were really good schools here and not to long ago was informed that S.W. Roanoke has really good schools too, but did not know what county they were talking about. If we do it, it will be such a big move for us so I want to get as much info. as I can. Jersey's cost of living is completely insane and not getting any better. We were also shocked on how polite and friendly the people in Va. are on our recent trip. Also, does anyone think the kids will be picked on coming from Jersey. I know this can happen anywhere, but if anyone moved to Roanoke from Jersey and has any info. please let me know. I know I sound nervouse, but I just want a better quality of life for my family and I feel Roanoke would be the answer. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Dee

[j1n]

Originally Posted by Thankheaven

Hi, maybe someone can give us some info. on Roanoke. We are really trying to decide if we should move to Roanoke. Let me give you a little background on us. We were born @ raised in N.J. and still live here. We have 2 children ages 13 & 9. My husband can transfer his job to Roanoke. We have family in Roseland, Va. and have visited many times and just fell in love with the state. We recently visited Roanoke, and thought it was absolutely beautiful. We visited Botetourt County. We heard there were really good schools here and not to long ago was informed that S.W. Roanoke has really good schools too, but did not know what county they were talking about. If we do it, it will be such a big move for us so I want to get as much info. as I can. Jersey's cost of living is completely insane and not getting any better. We were also shocked on how polite and friendly the people in Va. are on our recent trip. Also, does anyone think the kids will be picked on coming from Jersey. I know this can happen anywhere, but if anyone moved to Roanoke from Jersey and has any info. please let me know. I know I sound nervouse, but I just want a better quality of life for my family and I feel Roanoke would be the answer. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Dee

hey dee...
we moved down here from nj in '07. If you do a search and look back through this sub-forum, you'll find tons of discussion, and varying viewpoints, on all of your questions.

To answer a couple of questions you asked...no, the kids won't be picked on any more than they might be up north....there are lots of other transplants here. And generally the Roanoke county schools (as opposed to city) are thought to be best. There are also a couple of private schools around.

[Thankheaven]

Thanks for your input. Anything helps

Dee

[j1n]

Originally Posted by Thankheaven

Thanks for your input. Anything helps

Dee

no worries. Anything you still need answers on, ask. Someone'll chime in to help. Where would "work" be located for you folks? That might make a difference when it comes to where you want to live. Salem is a really nice town as well. It lies just west of Roanoke and has a very good school system. You can run potential schools through greatschools. It's a good tool to see how schools are rated...parent reviews, etc.

[Thankheaven]

My husband can transfer to Roanoke city - Verizon. Any surrounding towns are fine, we are use to commuting. As far as schools, I have been on Great Schools & printed info. on Botetourt County. I guess I was looking to hear whether north or south Roanoke is preferred. Dee

[Teebyrd86]

Roanokes worse sections lie in the South East and North West areas of the city. North Roanoke county is really nice as well as South West Roanoke county. I live in South Roanoke city (Crystal Springs) and it is really nice. I prefer city living, not county. I can see myself going further out into the county and have thought about it but this part of town works for me. It just depends on what works for you, Roanoke has a lot to choose from! It caters to all walks of life. Check out The South Roanoke Circle its my neighborhood paper. see if this might be somewhere you would consider! My neighborhood is in the city, most of the kids in my neighborhood attend private schools except for the elementary level.. Crystal Springs Elementary is a great school. If county works for you I would suggest either North Roanoke county of Southwest Roanoke county. I think Roanoke is a great place to raise a family and would be a nice change from N.j., you are right Roanoke has some really nice folks!! I wake up every morning telling myself I love living here!!!!!!! Good luck to you!!

Originally Posted by Thankheaven

I guess I was looking to hear whether north or south Roanoke is preferred. Dee

[j1n]

You'll also find that, in the Roanoke area, "bad" areas are generally not all bad. Nor are "better" areas necessarily all great! There are bad streets interspersed with good ones. 12th St will be bad, and one side of 13th will be bad. The other side of 13th will be nice. 14th will be fantastic, and 15th will be very run-down.

(not real street names...just an example)

[Thankheaven]

Thanks for all your info. Since you have been living there, how do you and your family like it? Was it a big adjustment coming from the North and did your children like it as well? Dee

[ethcd]

My family moved to Botetourt County 2 years ago. I have two children ages 9 and 13 as well. We have been very pleased with the schools. They are very good. Everyone raves about sw roanoke schools but Botetourt definately competes. Not to mention the views. My neighborhood is fantastic, the mountain views are incredible! Most neighbors are not from here either and we all have cookouts and are each others "family"! Everyone is friendly, the kids will not be picked on for being from NJ.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by Thankheaven

Thanks for all your info. Since you have been living there, how do you and your family like it? Was it a big adjustment coming from the North and did your children like it as well? Dee

There are a lot of pleasant things about the Roanoke area. There are also a lot of unpleasant things that you may initially overlook. Once the excitement of the move and the novelty of the new area have worn off, you may notice a lot of things that may or may not "jive" with you. The "adjustment" is getting harder the longer I am here...if that makes sense? The longer I am here, the more I find myself shaking my head at things that I see. But that's just me and my .02. Everyone's experiences will differ.