Roanoke and surrounding areas (Blacksburg, Cave Spring: real estate, mortgages, house)

[Playball40]

Forgive me if my post is redundant.

My husband and I are seriously considering a move to the Roanoke area. We were previously considering Burlington, VT but taxes and cold deterred us. I still love VT though. Many suggested checking out VA.

My husband is in design engineering (fire protection). He is incredible at what he does. I have worked in commercial real estate, both in management and accounting as well as acquisition and asset mngt. However, last year I purchased a child care center on two acres. We currently live in Tampa, Florida and I am originally from Miami, Florida. As soon as I can sell the business we are hoping to sell our home and move out of Florida (I'm sick of the crime, the crowds and the weather!)

We have six children. My oldest will stay in Fl as he is in college. My girls will be going into high school (middle school now) by the time we move. My youngest three will just be entering elementary school. So, schools are a huge issue for us along with job prospects. We obviously need a decent number of bedrooms for our large family.

We are fairly liberal and not particularly religious, but I'm really not concerned with that.

So, do we stand a chance of setting up home in Roanoke? I desperately want a safer, slower pace for my children than what I grew up with in Miami (and my oldest boy in Tampa). We love the outdoors, camping, hiking, biking and boating. I particularly love roller skating......but that won't make or break a move.

Any input into good areas is greatly appreciated.

[Ryleigh]

You will do fabulously in Roanoke. From what you've written, I think it's a natural fit for you! Housing prices range wildly depending on where you want to live, what kind of development, acreage, etc. I'd bet you could find a home you love that's the size you need -- housing costs *typically* aren't very expensive there.

My fiance and I are moving there within a couple of weeks. We're going to be (assuming the sellers accept our offer) at a house in Boones Mill (tiny community +/- 20 minutes south of Roanoke) with 6.35 acres with a pond for a ballpark figure of $200K.

There's a plethora of opportunities for camping and hiking with the AT just outside your door in Roanoke and the surrounding area. The city of Salem is probably great for biking -- I went on a dog walk there and saw tons of people out walking dogs, power walking themselves, jogging, biking, etc. Smith Mountain Lake is about 45 minutes from Roanoke and has tons of opportunities for boating, jetskiing and swimming.

As far as public schools go, I've heard that the Cave Spring district (SW Roanoke County) is great. There are a couple of awesome private schools there as well.

[navyvet]

This is for Payball40. I moved from NY to Roanoke, VA and would never live in that town again. Yes the taxes are cheaper then up in New England, but the pay for a working person is substandard. With housing prices that don't match the pay of a normal working person. I've had job offers paying a lot more in Maine and Vermont and they compensated the tax differential. I now live in Coastal SC and find the pay here a lot better then Roanoke, VA... If you're retired and not working then I guess Roanoke might suite you. But for me, being on the coast, it's a better life.

[PaperTrail]

I don't think you can cast a blanket over the Roanoke region regarding its pay scale. This past week, I got offered a job in downtown Roanoke that pays much better than what I'm currently making working a comparable job in another city. Plus, the Roanoke business has offered a better benefits package and a moving bonus.

The region I'm coming from has a population more than four times that of the Roanoke Valley and has housing taxes about double Roanoke's. I think housing prices are very fair compared with the pay in Roanoke. The area I'm living in now, most city workers (police officers, teachers, maintenance crews) can't afford to buy a home because housing prices are so insane in comparison with the pay scale. Roanoke will be a refreshing change where even the lower-middle class can afford to buy.

If you're well qualified for a job and a company knows that you're worth it, they'll make it financially worth your while to move to Roanoke.

Plus, now that Roanoke is in my sights...I don't think I'd trade the mountains for anything.

[Erin1264]

Playball 40 -

I think you'd do very well here! I love it, it's beautiful. I've lived all over the East Coast (New England, FL, NC and now Roanoke) and this really feels like home.

It is a great area in which to raise a family. Ryleigh was right - the Cave Spring schools are good from what we hear. We are DINKS (double-income, no kids) and have good jobs that pay well. We believe that the salaries here keep up with cost of living, and we've been holding 2 mortgages waiting for our last house to sell!

And I believe that Roanoke has a roller derby team (if you're into that type of rollerskating.)

I'd encourage you to look in Southwest County, especially in the Crystal Spring area - there are some beautiful, larger, older homes there. Tree lined streets and sidewalks, and very family friendly. If you want some land, perhaps Boones Mills, Franklin County, Salem or Botetourt County.

There is such a variety here! You can drive 10-15 minutes and be in the city or in the country. It all depends on what you are looking for. We probably have it.

PM me if you want more info!

[seanpecor]

Hey Playball40, small world, I grew up in Burlington, VT. Moved to Orwell, VT in '98 and moved down to Blacksburg, VA in '04. Bought a horse farm in Boones Mill in '05 just south of Roanoke.

Burlington is a great city but the cost of living is easily 20% higher in Burlington compared to Roanoke and the salaries are close to 20% lower in Burlington. It's easier to make friends and build social networks in Roanoke too. I don't know why, I can't explain it, and that is of course just a subjective impression.

Both Burlington and Roanoke offer stunning vistas and both really take care of their natural environment. If you enjoy warm season sports and outdoor activities more than cold season alternatives, I think you'll stay healthier in Roanoke because the warm seasons are so much longer. In Burlington right now you've got 2' of snow still trying to melt off and promises of more snow and sleet on the way in 3 days. Here in the Roanoke metro area, it's climbing to 65F today, the cool season grasses are growing, and the swollen tree buds are revving up for blooms in just a few more days.

I visit friends and family in Burlington every year or so and while I'm there I'm missing Boones Mill and Roanoke, rather than regretting our decision to move south.

We have new neighbors who moved from Sebring, FL to anchor on our horse farm. We know another family who moved to the Roanoke Valley to work for Carilion from the Miami area, who were originally from Burlington. We have family in Saint Augustine that we just visited recently, and after visiting us and the Roanoke area their 10 year plan includes a move to Roanoke. On one visit they brought a friend from Florida who upon staying a week altered their own 15 year plan to include moving to Roanoke. Apparently Roanoke is becoming the un-Florida that people are drawn to once they visit

Sean