Again...Might be moving to Salem/Roanoke Area (Blue Ridge, Appalachia: appointed, real estate)

[yayamyers]

Hello all...well...my husband's latest job search has landed us in this area. I think, that he very much will be getting an offer from a company that is based out of Roanoke. Please don't mind me...I'm not excited about this move because I do not know ANYTHING about this place and have no idea how the cost of living, etc. might be. I keep reading is cheap to live out here..but from the few listing on houses for rent I seen, it doesn't seem to be. I am looking for a 4 Bd. house with at least 1500+ Sq. feet to accomodate a family of 6!
Our household income, if I find a job paying some $25-$30,000 a year will be about $110,000.
We are not looking to buy a home just yet, cause we want to explore the area first. I have 3 kids, 2 of which need to be able to enroll in a good elementary school. As I said, I have no clue as to what this area has to offer and I'm extremely confused about this move. Problem is, that today, we will know for sure if he will be offered the job or not, and if he is, we will need to get a house for rent ASAP cause he will be required to be there by 8/15.
Also, where would we be able to get a home for $1250 a month that is 4bd. And over 1500 Sq. feet in a safe, clean neighborhood. We don’t mind not living in the city either…I think my husband is ok with driving 30 mins. To work. I can’t say more than that, cause with today’s gas prices, it would be murder to our budget. Any ideas please? I’m extremely confused and a bit disappointed cause we were supposed to be moving to Phoenix or Philadelphia…and now, this monkey wrench been thrown and I have no clue about Roanoke or the surrounding areas.

[roanokers]

Off of that salary you should be fine. For $1250 rent, you should also be fine. Try calling around to some real estate companies (Long& Foster, Remax, etc.), they have rentals that may be a little nicer than some listed in the paper. Also, you may be able to find some new developments where people cant sell their units, and are looking to rent until the market turns around. Without "insulting" the locals, and getting a torrent of angry responses, I will just say that Roanoke definately ain't Pheonix or Philly, I'd be dissapointed, too. Good Luck.

[Diamond Dave]

Originally Posted by roanokers

Roanoke definately ain't Pheonix or Philly

Thank God.

No 104 degree July average temps...no traffic...no twelve-inch snowfalls...

Just beautiful mountain views.

Welcome to Roanoke. You'll find the majority of the comments here to be more positive. Is Roanoke perfect? Hardly. But it is a wonderful small city tucked into a mountain valley, surrounded by national forests, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian Trail.

If you're into that kind of thing.

[Diamond Dave]

See for yourself:

[j1n]

Originally Posted by roanokers

Without "insulting" the locals, and getting a torrent of angry responses, I will just say that Roanoke definately ain't Pheonix or Philly, I'd be dissapointed, too. Good Luck.

the whole "chip on the shoulder/disgruntled" routine is getting kinda old, honestly. I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, but your responses and input are really negative. I guess I'm curious why, if you hate it so much, you identify enough with Roanoke to come up with the screen name that you have.
I've done my share of disgruntled posting about the outlying areas, but the longer I'm here, the more goodness I find. Again...not trying to be a jerk, but there are a lot of really great things about this area.

[roanokers]

Originally Posted by j1n

the whole "chip on the shoulder/disgruntled" routine is getting kinda old, honestly. I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything, but your responses and input are really negative. I guess I'm curious why, if you hate it so much, you identify enough with Roanoke to come up with the screen name that you have.
I've done my share of disgruntled posting about the outlying areas, but the longer I'm here, the more goodness I find. Again...not trying to be a jerk, but there are a lot of really great things about this area.

No doubt, No doubt...being a "bigger city" person there are just some very important things that irk me about Roanoke, that's all. You know I was thinking of changing my screen name, now that you mention it.

[roanokers]

Originally Posted by Diamond Dave

See for yourself:

Dude, that is a Gorgeous Picture!!!!!!!!!!
Almost makes me want to stay, and I mean that in the best possible.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by roanokers

Dude, that is a Gorgeous Picture!!!!!!!!!!
Almost makes me want to stay, and I mean that in the best possible.

good on ya mate!
that really is probably the best pic of that part of the valley that i've seen.

[yayamyers]

Originally Posted by Diamond Dave

Thank God.

No 104 degree July average temps...no traffic...no twelve-inch snowfalls...

Just beautiful mountain views.

Welcome to Roanoke. You'll find the majority of the comments here to be more positive. Is Roanoke perfect? Hardly. But it is a wonderful small city tucked into a mountain valley, surrounded by national forests, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian Trail.

If you're into that kind of thing.

I don't doubt that this is going to be a wonderful area, and yes..I love nature and the atmosphere in Roanoke is not what I'm worried and dissapointed about. What I'm worried about is that for the other 2 places... I was ready for anything that might be coming my way. For Roanoke...not so much, cause I know nothing, and by nothing, I mean n o t h i n g about it...lol...Not to be ignorant or anything...but I thought in the begining that Roanoke was some back woods town close to West Virginia..lol...sorry...don't take offense please...

[yayamyers]

Originally Posted by Diamond Dave

See for yourself:

Wow...this is an AMAZING picture...yes..I don't think I would mind living here....if I knew where to start with the search...