Help Needed with Home Rental Information (Roanoke, Salem: apartments, condos, to buy)

[wsn1203]

A little over 13 months ago.. I posted on this forum my dream and desire to move to the Roanoke area. On that same post, I requested any help that might be available for finding employment. I received many replies and information that I was able to use.. but unfortunately, nothing ever materialized for me in regards to employment. I did however, make some good friends in the process and for that and all those who helped on this forum.. Thank You.

After months of searching (for employment) to no avail, but with my dream still alive.. I decided to leave a career of 30+ years and return to school in order to gain credentials in the health care field. Most importantly.. and thankfully, I now have a new career which I am well suited for and feel that I have found my calling in truly doing some good for mankind.
All of this said... It was my desire to live and work in this beautiful area... that gave me the incentive and joy to discover something special in myself that I never knew existed until now.

So now.. with credentials in hand and a great job that is secure and waiting.. I am looking for that place that I can call home... Not yet ready to buy.. I am in search of rental property somewhere near or preferably anywhere (N,S,E or West) just outside the Salem area. I'll be working up near Fincastle so the 20-30 commute is very doable for me. Something private, quiet, clean and allows me to have my 4 legged companion. I have searched all the Classifieds, Craig's list's and Realty Sites... for the past 3 weeks.. and all I have found is either too small, too rundown, permits no pets or is beyond my $750/mo. maximum. I'm an outdoorsy kind of guy so I'd like something away from town..Because of my dog.. apartments and condos are out of the question..most don't allow pets and she needs some room to breath too. Duplexes aren't very private, and a place in town is either too small, overpriced, (IMO) or has no outdoor space.
A house..in decent repair, doesn't have to be new or large.. (1200 sq. ft. or more) in the country, with privacy... would be great. Oh.. and did I mention my price range? $750/mo. or less...I'm willing to help make improvements, do some work around the property or help out in any way I can to keep the cost affordable..
Is anyone out there that knows of someone who needs a reliable, clean, quiet tenent to trust their rental property to? Perhaps someone knows of a rental agency I have not yet uncovered in my search. I know I'm probably asking for a lot.. but I've read The Secret.. and it works!
Any help would be greatly appreciated...