young single looking for cheap place in VA (Roanoke, Charlottesville: 2009, apartments)

[eagriffy]

hello all,
i'm a 22 year old single looking to move somewhere in VA for a change of pace. i have no idea where to start searching though,any advice? some info:
don't have any kids, looking for a cheap place to live/cost of living low

prefer a more urban area with things to do in walking distance or within city transit limits

looking for an apartment, not a house--hoping to live by myself, but am willing to find a roommate if absolutely necessary

job wise--have background in customer service/food management/food prep

any suggestions would be great! i know my pre-reqs aren't very specific, but i'm pretty much open for anything. just looking for a cheap place near a city with stuff to do.
thanks again!

[j1n]

where are you moving from? what are some things you are interested in? any "backstory"?
Although I don't think it always accurately reflects what's available, craigslist is a good place to start for any potential move.

[eagriffy]

Originally Posted by j1n

where are you moving from? what are some things you are interested in? any "backstory"?
Although I don't think it always accurately reflects what's available, craigslist is a good place to start for any potential move.

I'll be moving from Arizona to Virginia at the end of July. As far as interests go, I'm a huge fan of all things literary. I've volunteered at my local library for quite some time, and I love it. I like being outdoors, but I wouldn't say I'm athletic--I just like being outside at a park, zoo, outside my place, wherever. I don't like to stay inside too much.

i've worked customer service and food prep/management for about 2 years, and as a night time manager/closer on a college campus. i really enjoy the night life scene, and like the variety of people i come into contact with. if i could find a cheap place near an active night life area, that would be ideal.

i've been trying research some on VA on the web--any good places i can go to research the different areas a little more?
thanks again for any help!

[OuttaFlorida]

A lot of the old factories/warehouses in downtown Roanoke area are being remodeled as apartment lofts. Some of them are pretty nice and very reasonably priced. If I were you, I'd check those out...do a google search of Roanoke downtown lofts, or downtown living.

As far as Roanoke night life, there are a few bars downtown that are fun on the weekends, but after a while the lack of choice gets a little old and its not like you can just drive over to the next town and bar hop there. Salem has like 1 or 2 bars and I don't know about vinton, but i'm sure its not known for its nightlife. Your other option is blacksburg, which is about 30 mins south of Roanoke, but has v-tech, so there are tons of college students and I'm guessing bars to go along with it. (haven't been there yet). Good luck!

[Boomer15]

I agree, you should check out the new places downtown.... I currently live in one and absolutely love it! The only thing not in walking distance from downtown is a grocery store... I am waiting for someone to open a store that doesn't close at 6pm every night, so annoying! Living downtown is great, walking through the farmers market every weekend is always a favorite of mine.. During the spring and summer, local farmers sell their produce, arts and crafts, there is street entertainment restaurants, cafes, art galleries.... And as you mentioned as an interest, it is close to all sorts of night life... There is way more than just a few places to hangout, trust me...

As for being outdoors, you can take the trolly down Jefferson Street to Rivers Edge and go for a run/walk/bike ride on the greenway along the Roanoke River.... You can hike up to the Roanoke Star from that area as well....

Here are a few of the new places that are leasing apartments downtown:

8 Jefferson Place
Hancock Building
Lawson Building(Opening June 2009)
The Cotton Mills (Opening June 2009)

Do a google search on these and you should get some solid info!

Good Luck!

[whynot?]

No disrespect to Roanoke, but when you say "all things literary," I can't help but think of Charlottesville. Downside is it's more expensive than Roanoke. (Quite expensive, actually.) But if your heart's not set on Roanoke, you might like Charlottesville's ambience a little more.

[Teebyrd86]

You should check out the apartment rentals in South Roanoke most are privately owned. Its an excellent neighborhood. I too looked into living downtown when I first moved here but my heart is now in South Roanoke I couldnt imagine living in any other neighborhood in Roanoke! The nieghborhood is a perfect miux of Friendly, young, professionals and wealthy families.

[OuttaFlorida]

Originally Posted by Teebyrd86

You should check out the apartment rentals in South Roanoke most are privately owned. Its an excellent neighborhood. I too looked into living downtown when I first moved here but my heart is now in South Roanoke I couldnt imagine living in any other neighborhood in Roanoke! The nieghborhood is a perfect miux of Friendly, young, professionals and wealthy families.

Beautiful homes...nice yards...friendly streets...very reasonable rental prices....BUT many of these will not be in walking distance to downtown where the bars/resturants are. You may get lucky though or change your mind based on how nice this area is.

[Teebyrd86]

Originally Posted by OuttaFlorida

BUT many of these will not be in walking distance to downtown where the bars/resturants are.

I second that but dont forget we do have Fork In The Alley (nice little bar/resturant) that I walk to on occassion.. this location to me anyway is more convenient than downtown because the mall, supermarket, and other day to day needs (that I frequent a lot more often than a bar) are closer than any apartment downtown.

[OuttaFlorida]

Originally Posted by Teebyrd86

I second that but dont forget we do have Fork In The Alley (nice little bar/resturant) that I walk to on occassion.. .

mmm...great place...may be my favorite place in roanoke.