I am looking at a job that would require me to relocate to Roanoke, VA. What can you guys tell me about it? I want to live in the country but still have some big city amenities within a reasonable driving range(30mins). Thanks, DannerTrax

Pretty much everywhere around Roanoke except Salem offers what you're looking for.

Just check the police report maps before buying.   Sections of Roanoke have gotten a little wild in the last few years.

Small stuff.     But definitely not to be ignored.


What employee are you signing on with?

I was raised here, left for 20 years, and recently returned.  Crime in Roanoke is really nothing compared to the larger cities I've lived in.  Even the worst schools here seem relatively tame compared to the toughest schools in larger cities.  It's a friendly community.  You really can find anything you want within 30 miles of Roanoke.  Roanoke, Craig, Botetourt, Bedford, Franklin, Montgomery and Floyd are nice places to live with each offering their own version of "quality of life".  Some may grumble at our gun shows, but we have ~6 each year and they are large for a community of this size.  Very 2A friendly... even the local Dems that run for office tout their NRA memberships (except in Roanoke City).  Roanoke has more services, shopping and entertainment options than most cities it's size, but it's still on the development tail for most new restaurant and shopping concepts.  Blacksburg/Virginia Tech is ~30 min away and has all the amenities of your typical large college town.  The outdoor opportunities are seemingly endless with the mountains, large public lands (national forests), and Smith Mountain Lake all within easy driving distance.  It really is a great place to live if you can find a great job.

Where you coming from??

Danner, I recommend checking on the viability of your job position.  Roanoke has lost some major employers in the last few years.  Its a great area but the local politicians have not made it easy on employers causing some to leave.

I'm a MI refugee and I really like it here. 20 minutes to work, 20 minutes to the Appalachian Trail, low cost of living, and I can see mountains out my kitchen window.

I cant get into detail about the job but, its real and there. I don't have it yet and will have to wait a long while to see if I get it. So I'm and just trying to plan ahead. Thank you guys  for all the info, it sounds just like what I was looking for. DannerTrax

Downtown Roanoke=Loft community
SE,NE,NW Roanoke=Avoid at all costs
S Roanoke=Doctors and high prices
N Roanoke=Starter family area
Cave Spring=GTG
Salem=Meh
Glenvar/Elliston=GTG
Bedford=GTG
Botetourt=GTG just high property taxes

I live in craig co, i work in the hollins area of roanoke and i can get there in about 40 minutes. Craig is very rural, mountainous(spelling?) and a nice, quiet place to live. Give catawba area a look to. Still rural but in roanoke county, i grew up in catawba and moved into craig because i wanted to get farther out. And theres a couple public shooting ranges i know of in craig in national forest.

Good luck!

I love the area. I have dated a few girls from the greater Roanoke-metro area and spent a lot of time there.

I would happily live somewhere nearby, up in a holler somewhere, and commute into the city.

FWIW, if your job has anything to do with the feds, Roanoke is the head location of the Western District of VA, so there's a fed courthouse, and the associated fed LE offices that go with it (US Attorney, FBI, ATF, USMS).

Biggest employers that I've seen are healthcare, railroad, etc. And NS just did a big layoff/move of its white-collar shops. Still plenty of maintenance/track jobs, if you can break into that field. Not easy.

Thanks for the continued flow of information, I will put it in the bank. DannerTrax

If you like the Large Small Town feel, Blacksburg is just a 30-45 minute drive.

Roanoke itsself sucks and is a dump.

I grew up in Botetourt, mom lives there. Its GTG.

Id like to move back. Anywhere around roanoke is fine.

I grew up in Roanoke county and things were nice but the last time I visited my old neighborhood things had gone downhill quite a bit.

I'd be looking at Bedford area, but mostly because I'm familiar with it. In Bedford you are close enough to commute to Roanoke, Blacksburg, and Lynchburg for work if need be.

There are plenty of areas surrounding Roanoke that would meet your needs.

I live in Botetourt Co and work in Roanoke. Botetourt is conservative, has lower taxes and better schools IMO. Two of our kids graduated here and we are homeschooling the last one. Really good home school community if that appeals to you. This is the only area in the country I have lived that I moved back to because I wanted to.

Any word yet?


I've lived here in Roanoke for the past 23 years (since I was 5).  

It really is a great place.  Big city amenities with the small town feel.  TONS of outdoor activities to do.  Great shooting ranges (Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club...among others).  

I would look just outside the Roanoke Co. line for housing, as the taxes will be half of what Roanoke's is.  Bedford Co, Franklin Co, Craig Co, Botetourt Co....

I'll live here until I die

and as usual Montgomery county is left off the list.     I can understand leaving Floyd off.  

I never think of it because I never get out that way

When I go for a motorcycle ride...it's to one of the counties I mentioned...I hardly ever go west.  It takes 30+ minutes just to cross Roanoke (I'm on the East near the Parkway)

Jump on the parkway and head west.  Run out to Tuggles Gap and then drop back down 221 or Rt 8 to civilization.  Its not a bad drive.  

No offense to anyone that is from here, but Roanoke is a shithole for the most part. The downtown market district is really cool, and there is a good restaurant scene in Roanoke. Botetourt is gtg, better schools and less trash.

Moved here 2 years ago, moving back to NC as soon as the house sells.