Glasgow Area (Roanoke, Lynchburg, Timberlake: real estate, how much, houses)

[harmonyfarms]

DH has a possible interview in Glasgow VA. We currently live in upstate SC outside of Greenville. We love it here but are willing to move in this economy.

-How much you are willing to spend on housing: up to $250,000 (maybe a little more) Need at least 2200 sq ft.

-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate: 45 min or so

-If you have kids: Private school or public school: we currently are in a Christian school (prep style) but are open to public if it's the better choice for the area.

-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: suburbs are fine, but I really want to be near a Target! Are looking for a subdivision with a pool or access to one near by. Also, need good pediatric medical care-specifically specialists like occupational therapists, physical therapists, neurologists, etc.

-Would love to be near a large church. Our current one has 10,000 people but will settle for a smaller 'mega church'.

I was thinking Roanoke or Lynchburg but am concerned about the medical services available.
TIA!

[Watchful]

Someone will know much more about it than me....but a few comments...

ROA is very strong in terms of medical...

Lynchburg would be a shorter drive - but if you look at Botetourt County north of Roanoke - like the Daleville area - you can shorten that daily commute and still be quite accessible to the amenities of Roanoke.

I know more about Roanoke than Lynchburg - but the posts on this board seem to indicate there is something of a different culture to the two cities....browse some of those posts as well as those on a recent topic about churches in ROA.

Good luck!

[540_804]

Lynchburg, Roanoke, or Botetourt (Daleville), as Watchul mentioned, would all be good choices.

You can definitely find decent housing in your budget in each of the locations.

If being near a Target is a must, then Lynchburg and Roanoke would be your top two choices.

As far as large churches, in Roanoke, First Baptist Church is the largest (largest in the western part of the state) but its shy of 10,000 (last I heard it was closer to 6,500, and of that the # of active members has been listed at closer to 3000). In Lynchburg the largest church is Thomas Road Baptist Church which claims 24,000 members (probably one of the largest in the state).

As far as Christian prep schools, Roanoke has North Cross and Lynchburg has Liberty Christian Academy (affiliated with TRBC).

Roanoke City public schools have a bad reputation but the education I got there is putting me through college with a full-ride academic scholarship and I have a 4.0 GPA in college and I don't feel as if I am in any way academically disadvantaged compared to my peers so its not as bad as people would claim. Roanoke County schools have a far better reputation.

And medical care in Roanoke is pretty good, from what I hear. I've been satisfied. I actually have an appointment tomorrow.

[sregorat3]

I'm pretty qualified to give insight on Glasgow; I was raised there and my father commuted to lynchburg for 8 years. I actually try to get in at least one run a week in the James River Wilderness Area (the area of mountains between Glasgow and Lynchburg) so I drive those routes quite often. Both the Botetourt area and Lynchburg are within a 45 min commute. If looking in Lynchburg, the Elon area (a suburb) and the 501 corridor as it leaves the city are both good options. There are several private Christian schools in Lynchburg; LCA is one of the largest, if not the largest in the state and students graduating get free tuition at Liberty University. Other options include Temple Christian, Timberlake Christian, and New Covenant (Classical- and probably the best ed. to be had in Lynchburg). Thomas Road Baptist in Lynchburg averages ~ 6000 every Sunday and provides some great content. Shopping is decent- yes, there is a Target! 540_804 gave you a good breakdown on Roanoke- with the exclusion of Roanoke Valley Christian School. Access to and from the Roanoke Valley is easy, though I-81 can be a mess in inclement weather and whenever there is a traffic mishap. If you have any specific questions, feel free to IM me- I have some pretty good connections for Real Estate in the Lynchburg area and have even looked at quite a few houses in the corridor between Lynchburg and Glasgow.

[540_804]

Its a shame I forgot about Roanoke Valley Christian School considering I live practically around the corner from it! LOL