Best area in VA/Western NC to live for the rest of our lives? (Roanoke: 2009)

[4everYoung]

My husband and I are in the process of finding a new home to live out the rest of our lives.

My father's father's family is from Western NC and thus far we really like the Asheville NC area, but it seems like it is becoming really expensive to live here.

We are strongly attracted to beautiful country, nice friendly people (it is the people who live in an area who really make the area wonderful or not), great grocery stores/farmers markets (preferably with good access to organic foods), clean environment (no major air or water pollution), great places to eat out, acceptance of amateur radio operations (he's an emergency communications/SkyWarn specialist) which means that it isn't a huge problem to erect a ham radio antenna, I personally love the arts & music and horses & Nature.

We need easy access to great medical care as we age. Right now, Asheville's Mission-Memorial Hospital has offered the best hospital experience of our entire lives, from the ER on up.

We'd like to live in an area in the mountains for the cooler weather, but without a big snow load, as well as the incredible beauty found in the mountains. We are looking for an area which draws in open-minded, intelligent people who love life.

Asheville/Hendersonville area in NC is our top choice thus far for NC - but it seems like it is becoming really crowded here and the politicians are only now beginning to start controlling the growth so as to preserve the natural beauty, not overtax the natural resources, etc.

I just did some research on Blacksburg, VA (we enjoyed a visit there many years ago) which then led to looking at Roanoke, VA but I'm having trouble finding info on medical care.

We'd like to find a beautiful friendly place which is in the top 100 for medical care, but without having to deal with "big city" problems like pollution, crime, major traffic problems, etc.

Any suggestions/recommendations would be appreciated.

And yes, I know we are asking for a lot, but it doesn't hurt to ask

[seanpecor]

I don't think you're asking for too much.

Roanoke is home to Carilion Biomedical Institute and Carilion Healthcare which includes several hospitals in the area along with dozens of family practices, as well as specialists in the area of aging. Some good online references include:

Carilion
Carilion expansion gets even bigger - Roanoke.com

We live in Boones Mill, just south of Roanoke, and own a 128 acre horse farm. If you have horses or are thinking about making horses a bigger part of your life then you might look into the new Cahas Green subdivision. I mention it often because the subdivision is visible from my home (http://extranet.digitalspinner.com:8...2009-50-01.jpg) and I've gotten to know the developers, who live in nearby Countryside Estates in Boones Mill. 16 of the 31 lots are 5 acres and horses are allowed on those 5 acre lots. I think about 6 of the 5 acre lots have already been sold, and October as I understand it is their big selling season. They're having some kind of open house in mid to late October. I don't know the details but you can call Cindy's office (540-344-7765) for more info. Last time I looked the 5 acre lots were selling in the $99-$120K range. There are 15 or so 1 acre lots with public road frontage in the same subdivision in the ballpark of $39K or so. You can expect to pay slightly less for 5 or more acres in a more rustic setting but I suspect this small subdivision will be very welcoming and beautiful when all is said and done. Lots of horse pastures, friendly country and post-urban folks, etc. As I understand it, a family from Indiana bought two 5 acre lots and is starting to build there pretty soon, bringing down something like 4 horses. Families from all over seem to be showing interest. I suspect that Carilion's ongoing expansion and the growing number of active retirees who are moving to Franklin County are big factors in why a subdivision like Cahas Green is so successful even in this slowing home market.

Hope this helps,

Sean

[Schloggie]

My personal opinion is that Lexington is the nicest town in the entire state, and the area around it is beautiful. And I don't live there, but I may someday.

[JGallimore]

I would check out Floyd, Virginia which is a neighboring county to Roanoke. Floyd has a spectacular arts community, friendly people and and some of the most beautiful Appalachian scenery that one could imagine. It is about 30 minutes from Blacksburg and an hour or less to Roanoke.