Looking for mountain views (Roanoke, Blacksburg: house, neighborhood, school)
Roanoke areaRoanoke - Salem area
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Folks, I like a lot of what I have read on this forum. A question - where can I go in SW Virginia that has really good mountain views (i.e. from my yard), in a reasonably populated area with some shopping etc. Our goal would be more lower density suburban feel than rural. My work is mobile so jobs are not critical.
Can anyone compare the Roanoke area to Western NC or Eastern TN?
Folks, I like a lot of what I have read on this forum. A question - where can I go in SW Virginia that has really good mountain views (i.e. from my yard), in a reasonably populated area with some shopping etc.
Almost anywhere in the Roanoke metro area offers a view (or views) of the surrounding mountains. Lots of good views from Vinton and Salem as well. As you travel further south and west, the mountains tend to get bigger and you get the possibility of more western-looking landscapes.
I'm sure you'll have the potential for mountain views in eastern TN, SWVA, or western NC. There may be slight cultural differences between all three regions and it would be hard for me to say which one you'd like more than the others.
I live south of Roanoke City in rural Franklin County. If by lower density suburban you mean a house with an acre in a neighborhood subdivision then I wouldn't necessarily rule out Franklin County, particularly if you are planning on spending in the neighborhood of $350K and up. There is one particular established subdivision that comes to mind in my area called Countrywide Estates. You're 20 minutes to downtown Roanoke, 10 minutes to Rocky Mount (pop 5,000) and 5 minutes to Boones Mill "town" with the basics. Plus you're line of sight with fixed wireless broadband via B2X.
If you're more interested in actual suburbs connected within 10 minutes of downtown Roanoke - and mountain views - then you'll be more limited to the hill sections of Roanoke City. I've got friends with some gorgeous mountain city scape views. Of course, the views carry a premium. Possibly in the $600K and up range. I found one in the Salem area (MLS #0726451) for $689K:
You may have already seen my view, but I'll post a webcam image just for reference:
I enjoy more intimate mountain views like this but you'd have to be okay with a more rural setting. I'm a 25 minute drive to the Market Square in downtown Roanoke, door to door, and about 15 minutes to Rocky Mount. About 8 minutes to our little town where they have all the basics.
Yes, that's my northern view. I love Cahas Mountain from this angle, it sort of stands alone in this part of Franklin County, rising to a little over 3,500'.
The big open 110 acre field visible mid-right in the photo is actually a new subdivision called Cahas Green. There are 19 lots remaining, 12 have been sold. If you squint you can see in the far right some red dirt; that's evidence of the 2nd home being built on one of the 5 acre lots. The homeowners have called us about access to our indoor riding arena so I suspect they're bringing horses with them. There are at least a dozen 5-acre lots on the top section where horses are allowed. I think about six of those lots have sold already. Last I checked the five acre lots were being listed for $125K but most are going for no more than $110K. There are about 15 1-acre lots at the bottom along Green Level Road. A few have been sold already and one developer's spec house is almost finished:
Someone looking for acreage might love this house, which is in an established country subdivision with alot of friendly families (I remember seeing an attractive wooden sign posted at the entrace welcoming a new family that had moved in):
Single Family Home - Boones Mill, VA, 24065 - Realtor.com (http://www.realtor.com/map/search/listingdetail.aspx?lid=1090946001 - broken link)
The virtual tour has great photos. You see this house from Bethlehem Road, it's got a nice spot. It's probably just 20 minutes to downtown Roanoke from this house.
Folks, I like a lot of what I have read on this forum. A question - where can I go in SW Virginia that has really good mountain views (i.e. from my yard), in a reasonably populated area with some shopping etc. Our goal would be more lower density suburban feel than rural. My work is mobile so jobs are not critical.
Can anyone compare the Roanoke area to Western NC or Eastern TN?
Thanks very much!
Rockbridge County/Lexington and further west, Bath County, have the loveliest views in my highly biased opinion, and Rockbridge feels comparatively suburban. Lex has two outstanding colleges and that gives the area a unique flavor and economy. For TN/NC feels, I recommend going south from Roanoke on 81, past Blacksburg, start looking west from the highway to the Blue Ridge Parkway, all the way to the bottom of the state. There's a college at Ferrum. There's nothing BUT mountain views!
The Blue Ridge to the east is gentler, the Alleghanies to the west are a little wilder, not so civilized (yet).
Ive never been to Wise Va (on the W. Va side, old coal mining area), but I see that UVA has put a branch of the medical school there. Is anyone familiar with development of that area based around the school?
I'm sure you'll have the potential for mountain views in eastern TN, SWVA, or western NC. There may be slight cultural differences between all three regions and it would be hard for me to say which one you'd like more than the others.
I live south of Roanoke City in rural Franklin County. If by lower density suburban you mean a house with an acre in a neighborhood subdivision then I wouldn't necessarily rule out Franklin County, particularly if you are planning on spending in the neighborhood of $350K and up. There is one particular established subdivision that comes to mind in my area called Countrywide Estates. You're 20 minutes to downtown Roanoke, 10 minutes to Rocky Mount (pop 5,000) and 5 minutes to Boones Mill "town" with the basics. Plus you're line of sight with fixed wireless broadband via B2X.
If you're more interested in actual suburbs connected within 10 minutes of downtown Roanoke - and mountain views - then you'll be more limited to the hill sections of Roanoke City. I've got friends with some gorgeous mountain city scape views. Of course, the views carry a premium. Possibly in the $600K and up range. I found one in the Salem area (MLS #0726451) for $689K:
You may have already seen my view, but I'll post a webcam image just for reference:
I enjoy more intimate mountain views like this but you'd have to be okay with a more rural setting. I'm a 25 minute drive to the Market Square in downtown Roanoke, door to door, and about 15 minutes to Rocky Mount. About 8 minutes to our little town where they have all the basics.
Sean
The Cahas Mountain Cam! I was up there at the very top a few weeks ago for work.
I'm sure you'll have the potential for mountain views in eastern TN, SWVA, or western NC. There may be slight cultural differences between all three regions and it would be hard for me to say which one you'd like more than the others.
I live south of Roanoke City in rural Franklin County. If by lower density suburban you mean a house with an acre in a neighborhood subdivision then I wouldn't necessarily rule out Franklin County, particularly if you are planning on spending in the neighborhood of $350K and up. There is one particular established subdivision that comes to mind in my area called Countrywide Estates. You're 20 minutes to downtown Roanoke, 10 minutes to Rocky Mount (pop 5,000) and 5 minutes to Boones Mill "town" with the basics. Plus you're line of sight with fixed wireless broadband via B2X.
If you're more interested in actual suburbs connected within 10 minutes of downtown Roanoke - and mountain views - then you'll be more limited to the hill sections of Roanoke City. I've got friends with some gorgeous mountain city scape views. Of course, the views carry a premium. Possibly in the $600K and up range. I found one in the Salem area (MLS #0726451) for $689K:
You may have already seen my view, but I'll post a webcam image just for reference:
I enjoy more intimate mountain views like this but you'd have to be okay with a more rural setting. I'm a 25 minute drive to the Market Square in downtown Roanoke, door to door, and about 15 minutes to Rocky Mount. About 8 minutes to our little town where they have all the basics.
Sean
Hi Sean, just want to ask how to post with a photo. I'm trying to post a photo of our lot with a phenominal mountain views that we want to sell. Thanks!
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