Is this even available in VA? Decent housing, safe community, near, but not necessarily in the mountains, reasonable (Richmond: real estate, to rent)

[MJN]

house prices ($100-150, lower end would be better, but can't live in less than 1800 sq. ft.) or should we just give up our dream of living in VA?

[j1n]

Originally Posted by MJN

Is this even available in VA? Decent housing, safe community, near, but not necessarily in the mountains, reasonable house prices ($100-150, lower end would be better, but can't live in less than 1800 sq. ft.) or should we just give up our dream of living in VA?

yup.
let me start by saying that when someone mentions something like "near, but not necessarily in the mountains" and VA in the same breath, I gotta say...
the mountains here are "manageable". It's not like, say, the difference between living on the front range of CO as compared to actually living in the Rockies. Roanoke is a city, and is "in the mountains".
Roanoke Valley...decent housing? Yes. And a variety to choose from. Safe communities? Yes, lots. Reasonable housing in your price range? Yes. 1800 sq ft for 100k in a safe neighborhood might take a little extra looking , but I think you've got a great chance of finding that in the R-Noke area. What do you/will you do?

[MJN]

My dh is looking for move w/in company he works for now. We'd love something in a rural area. The position is located in Richmond, but he can live w/in one or so hours from there closer to the mountains. Any suggestions w/ that information? Sometimes they have positions in the Roanoke area. I guess Harrisonburg would be too much?

Thanks for responding!

[j1n]

If he could land something in Roanoke, that might be your best bet. If that's the case, you could live in Roanoke City, Salem, Vinton, Roanoke County, Franklin County, etc. We live in Franklin County (which has no big towns and can get very rural) and my wife commutes @ 30-40 minutes into Roanoke. But there's lots of stuff that's very rural and closer to Roanoke.

Ok, now this is only my opinion, and I'm likely to get attacked for saying this, but...
Richmond is much more expensive and crime-ridden than Roanoke. My bro-in-law lives in a "suburb" of Richmond. I don't know if we could afford to live there even if we wanted to! Your money will go waaaaaay farther here than there. And if I lived in the vicinity of Richmond, I'd be heading west (read: "Roanoke valley") to go camping, etc! There are rural outlying areas to Richmond, but in the Roanoke valley, the "outlying" areas are right there! And Roanoke is a pretty hip little city with all the amenities you could ask for.

[goldenmom7500]

This is a list from Reader's digest a few years ago, but gives a few good suggestions for VA as well as NC, which might you might also like:

Lynchburg Reader's Digest award, rating, Amherst, Altavista, Bedford, Appomattox, Wintergreen, Smith Mountain Lake, Real Estate amherst, altavista, bedford, appomattox, wintergreen, smith mountain lake real estate

[MJN]

what ever little towns are near Roanoke?

Thanks!

[vamtncat]

If you look at Roanoke consider the Blacksburg/Christiansburg area. about 30 minsouth of Roanoke. As far as Richmond, maybe look near Charlottesville. Green County is nice too.

[Teebyrd86]

Hey! I just want to give my 2 cents.. (or maybe a little more haha) I moved from Richmond to Roanoke back in June. I lived in Richmond for my whole life and in my opinion you cant go wrong with either one. I love Richmond and there are a lot of things I miss from there but if I had the chance to choose between the two? I would definatly pick Roanoke!! It is way cheaper here & the scenery is way way nicer to look at. The people here are nicer and when I say that I am not kidding!! Its that southern comfort! The traffic here (other than 81 which I rarely use and I would suggest one who moves here avoid at all costs! at least for a daily commute) is much much better. I live in S. Roanoke city and I can tell you that I am close to two malls.. any where I want to eat.. two movie theaters.. well basically anything! And if you want to hit up the beach Roanoke isnt far from there either (4 hours or so!). Richmond has its areas too and if you want to know more about Richmond let me know because I can tell you a lot more about there then here. If you are young just starting out or want to raise a family then Roanoke is the better bet..If your established and have plenty of money and like bigger cities then maybe its Richmond. Again I'd say choose Roanoke I guess it just depends on what your looking for!! Good luck!!!

[tcdethom]

we are thinking of going relocating around harrisonburg area. within a 45 minute drive-looking for quiet, small town, newer communities with homes under $250, safe, good schools, LOW crime, that small town feel...anything?? i've looked up Broadway, waynesboro, staunton? seem ok homes in price range just not the statisics we were looking for regards to schools, crime, neighborhoods. any suggestions of other places? we need to rent for a year also and need a good area for that too..under $700 2bd.

[TrvlnMn]

MJN, If the Position is located in Richmond and you would like a rural setting, you should consider starting your Real Estate search in the Louisa County Virginia Area. That area still has a very rural character and you can find homes in the price range that you have stated. It is also just a short commute to Richmond. Other areas to consider- Gum Springs, Goochland County etc. I'd suggest going to google and doing a map search for Louisa Virginia, then checking out any of the communities you see between there and Richmond. Good luck on your search.