Good Afternoon,

My husband and I currently reside in Columbia, SC. My husband just received an offer to run a store located in Roanoke, VA this news comes after we starting looking to buy a home in SC. We noticed that here in SC a "cookie-cutter" NEW home..vinyl, 4 bed, 2 bath, 1800 sq feet, nice neighborhood eventhough the homes are nearly on top of each other sells for 130,000+ , but in Roanoke most of the homes are older, there doesn't seem to be many new subdivisions from the what I've seen through my online searches, and most of the new nicer homes start out at 200,000+. If we go we'll live in an apartment for 6 months while we search for a home to buy, they seem so expensive there.

We're in our mid 20's and are hoping to start a family within the next two years. Is Roanoke a good place to live? Any advice/help/recommendations would be greatly appreicated, especially regarding where we can buy a new home.

We have to make a decision this week....Thanks everyone!!

I'm so jealous! You are moving to one of my fave cities - I grew up there. They have great school systems and is just a wonderful place to live. I would recommend looking in the Hunting Hills, Penn Forest and Cave Spring areas for homes.

What information are you looking for exactly?

Roanoke is an excellent place to live. Consider yourself lucky.

Try and purchase one of those great older homes in a great neighborhood with mature tree lined streets and sidewalks.

Homes are cheap in certain areas of Columbia for a reason.

Thanks for the info so far..I was looking for info on the names of subdivisions and info on good apartments. Were taking a road trip there tommorow to look at Sunscape, Glade Creek, and the Orchads apts. We were going to try and ride through some subdivision as well, grab something to eat, visit the mall..to get a feel for the area before we make our final decision.

I was just shocked by the home price difference (I know nothing about real estate)...I guessing you get more land in VA compared to SC or something

for apartments, I would recommend Pebble Creek, Summit, Coppercroft, and Windy Hill Key Apartments (where my best friend lives now and loves it). I have also been in Sunscape and they seem nice.

for good Roanoke downhome cooking, I would recommend The Roanoker (ask anyone for directions - everyone knows it). You must have their biscuits - they are heaven. They are great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I would also recommend Montano's (international, mainly italian), Corned Beef and Company (DT), Carlos Brazilian (on the hill). You must visit DT - it's really cute and check out the Hotel Roanoke (totally different from the Roanoker). Good Deli food is the New Yorker on Williamson Road. The local malls are Tanglewood on Electric and Valley View (larger and better of the two) near the airport. Good chinese is Shanghai (AMAZING buffet - and this comes from a New Yorker) in Salem, Va. or the Szechuan on Electric. Also in salem is Mac & Bob's and Macado's - great sandwiches, appy's, drinks.

You should also drive up to the Star to check out the view of Roanoke.

Hope this helps!

Roanoke is lovely, and you will like it there. My sister lived there for a few years and my late uncle lived nearby.

I had to chuckle at the housing prices. In my neighborhood, an 1800-square-foot house would go for about $900K...!

I grew up in Roanoke and turned out OK! The recommendations provided by radiofanatic are good ones. LOL too--a 1400 sq. ft. house in my current SF Bay Area neighborhood would get multiple bids on an asking price of 950K. Consider yourself lucky!

Do you enjoy mountain biking? Try the New River Trail State Park. Like fresh vegetables and flowers? Go to the market in the town center? Like a special evening out? Try the old hotel. You are in for a treat, Roanoke is a lively, wonderful town.