Where in Virginia? (Virginia Beach, Richmond, Roanoke: rent, how much, townhomes)

[purrfectplace]

-Where you are working- Will be Telecommuting
-How much you are willing to spend on housing- 150k-200k for a multi family- Is it possible?
-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate- Would like a walkable/bikeable neighborhood where we can walk to a bakery/cafe/restaurant and arts/culture
-If you have kids:No KIds
-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: SMALL city excitement
-Community amenities important to you- Good food-we are foodies-good coffee, some live music or jazz every now and then...
-Pie or cake? BOTH

[j1n]

Originally Posted by purrfectplace

-Where you are working- Will be Telecommuting
-How much you are willing to spend on housing- 150k-200k for a multi family- Is it possible?
-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate- Would like a walkable/bikeable neighborhood where we can walk to a bakery/cafe/restaurant and arts/culture
-If you have kids:No KIds
-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: SMALL city excitement
-Community amenities important to you- Good food-we are foodies-good coffee, some live music or jazz every now and then...
-Pie or cake? BOTH

To remain within your budget for a multi-family home (I assume that you would be looking for a duplex?), I would suggest you look at Roanoke. Duplexes are out there and in your price range, however...
I don't think of Roanoke as much of a "foodie" town. But then again, I can't think of any city in VA that I would consider a real "foodie" town. Roanoke does have Thai, Japanese, (I've heard) Brasilian, etc. Not sure on the quality, as I haven't tried any of those yet.
There is a hip little downtown and a growing art scene. Live music is to be had as well. Floyd is a nearby town that almost specializes in music, cafes, food, and "funky".
Check out the R-noke area.

[Teebyrd86]

I live in Roanoke and I was looking for much of the same. I came across South Roanoke city. This is (so im told) one of the most eliete areas of the city and the best to live in within the city limits! We have tons of side walks, cute stores in our "downtown" area of south roanoke..The South Roanoke Circle an old timey grocer, pharmacy, and a few other shops. I love Fork in the Alley and they have live music! Fork in the Alley Brick Oven Pub ... Unfortunatly the homes in my neighborhood are pricey $250k or higher. But I rent so I am able to live here. I also hear the grandin court area is a cool place to live. Check out the new Roanoke area forum and post your questions there about Roanoke maybe more people can help you learn about the area and if its possibly the place for you to live! -Good luck!

Originally Posted by purrfectplace

-Where you are working- Will be Telecommuting
-How much you are willing to spend on housing- 150k-200k for a multi family- Is it possible?
-How long of a commute you're willing to tolerate- Would like a walkable/bikeable neighborhood where we can walk to a bakery/cafe/restaurant and arts/culture
-If you have kids:No KIds
-What type of neighborhood environment you are looking for: SMALL city excitement
-Community amenities important to you- Good food-we are foodies-good coffee, some live music or jazz every now and then...
-Pie or cake? BOTH

[vamtncat]

Not sure of what your definition of "Small" is but you might also look at Blacksburg.

[NightHawk112005]

From the responses you're getting, I'd guess you're going to SW Virginia, and I'd agree with everyone else, the Roanoke and Blacksburg areas would be good places to look. If you want to live in a different area of the state, there are similar places elsewhere, such as Bridgewater and Staunton.

[purrfectplace]

I had been interested in Roanoke actually. Not sure if there were other cities that compared. It looks like the city offers enough, and is not overwhelming. The weather sounds terrific. We are New Englanders/New Yorkers at heart....love the old architecture, and people...even though they are not the nicest. However I do need a change...and the only affordable (Multifamily under $200k) places to live in Upstate NY/ Mass seem to be rundown cities. We have been looking into Albany, and pittsfield but not sure if we got the best vibe from them. I am just afraid of the culture shock in Viriginia, it actually scares me that people are so nice. I was in Virginia Beach a few weeks ago (HATED IT there Sorry) and people were so nice...I guess I am so not used to that...it is a little weird. This woman stopped me in RiteAid because I was all dressed up (had just gone to a wedding) and was like "oh you look fabulous" and totally starring up and down...I thought she was giong to rob me or something. But i guess those kind of manners are contagious. I'm sure I could get used to that. Don't like country music either. Don't like country culture. Is Roanoke all about that, or is it pretty cultured? I mean don't need a lot of culture, but a little would be good.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by purrfectplace

I had been interested in Roanoke actually. Not sure if there were other cities that compared. It looks like the city offers enough, and is not overwhelming. The weather sounds terrific. We are New Englanders/New Yorkers at heart....love the old architecture, and people...even though they are not the nicest. However I do need a change...and the only affordable (Multifamily under $200k) places to live in Upstate NY/ Mass seem to be rundown cities. We have been looking into Albany, and pittsfield but not sure if we got the best vibe from them. I am just afraid of the culture shock in Viriginia, it actually scares me that people are so nice. I was in Virginia Beach a few weeks ago (HATED IT there Sorry) and people were so nice...I guess I am so not used to that...it is a little weird. This woman stopped me in RiteAid because I was all dressed up (had just gone to a wedding) and was like "oh you look fabulous" and totally starring up and down...I thought she was giong to rob me or something. But i guess those kind of manners are contagious. I'm sure I could get used to that. Don't like country music either. Don't like country culture. Is Roanoke all about that, or is it pretty cultured? I mean don't need a lot of culture, but a little would be good.

Wow, I've heard these kinds of stories before from neighbors who have moved down here to Charlotte, but I am always blown away to hear another - to think that people actually BEING NICE is considered weird is TOTALLY weird to me. I feel so sorry for all you people who were unfortunate enough to have been born where you were!

Southwestern Virginia is the real Virginia. Roanoke, Blacksburg, Floyd, Hillsville, Abingdon are all great places not at all lacking in "culture" - just filled with a different type than you may be used to. Before you make a choice, spend some time visiting to see if you can overcome your handicaps - otherwise do the people there a favor and don't move to Virginia. But if you CAN embrace the culture and be willing to grow as a human being my bet is you would never regret chosing such great people to settle among.

Best of luck with all that.

[Teebyrd86]

WOW! I am amazed that people being so nice is weird to you. I am from Richmond and actually the people here are nice than there. I think its great that nice people exist. I am one of those people and enjoy being treated the way I treat others. Roanoke is full of nice people.. people who hold the door for you, let you out of a parking lot, wave at you, give you gifts during christmas. The one thing I'd hate to see are more rude people moving in. I would suggest that you try your hardest to adapt to you surroundings and be nice to others. I guess it just becomes a way of life. Honestly though if you cant do it or get use to the "nice' lifestyle maybe Northern Va. is a better fit. Not saying anything bad about it but its a faster pace there and people arnt as friendly as they are here in SouthWest Va. Good luck!

Originally Posted by purrfectplace

I had been interested in Roanoke actually. Not sure if there were other cities that compared. It looks like the city offers enough, and is not overwhelming. The weather sounds terrific. We are New Englanders/New Yorkers at heart....love the old architecture, and people...even though they are not the nicest. However I do need a change...and the only affordable (Multifamily under $200k) places to live in Upstate NY/ Mass seem to be rundown cities. We have been looking into Albany, and pittsfield but not sure if we got the best vibe from them. I am just afraid of the culture shock in Viriginia, it actually scares me that people are so nice. I was in Virginia Beach a few weeks ago (HATED IT there Sorry) and people were so nice...I guess I am so not used to that...it is a little weird. This woman stopped me in RiteAid because I was all dressed up (had just gone to a wedding) and was like "oh you look fabulous" and totally starring up and down...I thought she was giong to rob me or something. But i guess those kind of manners are contagious. I'm sure I could get used to that. Don't like country music either. Don't like country culture. Is Roanoke all about that, or is it pretty cultured? I mean don't need a lot of culture, but a little would be good.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by purrfectplace

I had been interested in Roanoke actually. Not sure if there were other cities that compared. It looks like the city offers enough, and is not overwhelming. The weather sounds terrific. We are New Englanders/New Yorkers at heart....love the old architecture, and people...even though they are not the nicest. However I do need a change...and the only affordable (Multifamily under $200k) places to live in Upstate NY/ Mass seem to be rundown cities. We have been looking into Albany, and pittsfield but not sure if we got the best vibe from them. I am just afraid of the culture shock in Viriginia, it actually scares me that people are so nice. I was in Virginia Beach a few weeks ago (HATED IT there Sorry) and people were so nice...I guess I am so not used to that...it is a little weird. This woman stopped me in RiteAid because I was all dressed up (had just gone to a wedding) and was like "oh you look fabulous" and totally starring up and down...I thought she was giong to rob me or something. But i guess those kind of manners are contagious. I'm sure I could get used to that. Don't like country music either. Don't like country culture. Is Roanoke all about that, or is it pretty cultured? I mean don't need a lot of culture, but a little would be good.

hey purrfectplace...
Yes...as you said, the city of Roanoke offers enough in the way of amenities, and is not at all overwhelming. The weather is pretty nice. I'm a transplant from NJ/NYC area. The weather here in the summer is still really humid and hot (like the Northeast). But we get Fall colors, Spring, and Winter. Winter is waaaaay milder than up north! It gets pretty cold at times, but the snow is light. You'll find a lot of old architecture down here too. (Yeah...Albany is a pretty grey and depressing place!)
Ok...the culture shock. Yes, you will find, initially, that folks are generally more pleasant here than up north. And yes, it does take a little getting used to. Now I know that folks who grew up in the South may find that wierd or sad. But understand that the Northeast has a faster pace and a little more electricity in the air. Up there, folks tend to mind their own business a little more, move along a little more briskly, and make close friends with a smaller circle of folks.

What I have found down here, though, is that some of that pleasantness is a surface act and that underneath that "hey y'all", there is also some dislike of outsiders, and an adhereance to a very obvious "good ole boy" network and mentality. But there are good and bad folks everywhere, and those attitudes you will find more as you get out of town and into more rural areas. If you do end up in Roanoke, enjoy the friendliness for what it is...a held door, a wave while driving, a conversation with a stranger, etc. Hopefully you'll find yourself responding in kind. There are definitely some really good folks here.
And hey...I'm not a real big fan of country music either. There's a pretty good range of radio stations down here, though. And Roanoke city is not all about the "country culture". That gets thicker as you get further out of town and into rural areas. But if that's not your thing, just don't go out there. There are things you may end up really liking about "country culture" though...like the farmers markets, fresh honey, lots of farms and farm animals around (outside the city!), etc. As far as culture in Roanoke city? Yes it's there...live music, arts, etc. There could always be more though, and it's good to know that there are folks who will help push for it! Overall, Roanoke's a pretty good place to be.

[EricD]

Ladysmith - a Newland Community

Search the forums for my other posts about Ladysmith Village...

There are single family homes from the $230's... they aren't building townhomes right now, but I think there's a nice used one (under 2 years old) for $199k... it's something like 2400 square feet.

Let me know if you have any questions.