Local Neighborhoods
 

THE ROANOKE VALLEY HAS IT ALL. Let?s take a stroll through the Roanoke Valley MLS (multiple listing service) marketplace by neighborhoods: 

AREA 1: SOUTH ROANOKE - one of Roanoke city?s most prestigious areas. It takes on a ?Norman Rockwell? look with the tree-lined streets and sidewalks. It is close to downtown Roanoke, hospitals, major on/off to I-581, and has it?s own quaint shopping district with a grocery (Tinnell?s) and drugstore (Lipes) that allows monthly charge accounts and deliveries - a step back in time. There are mansions, older classic homes plus new plush townhouses and condos. 

AREA 2: SOUTHWEST CITY - a large area extending from downtown Roanoke to the west and southwest. It starts with Olde Southwest City with turn of the century (1900?s) homes and them goes through Raleigh Court/Grandin Court with their classic 1920?s bungalows and Tudors. Continuing west, you enter Windsor Hills and the Deyerle Road area with their interesting blend of traditional, contemporary, and colonial styles. The Grandin Road shopping area is a focal point with the renovated Grandin Theatre, a nice health store food coop, shops, and restaurants. There are numerous city parks in Area 2. 

AREA 3: SOUTHWEST COUNTY - a major growth area over the past 25 years. It is characterized by neighborhood developments in all price ranges. Some of the named areas are Hunting Hills with its golf facilities; Strawberry Mountain/Steeple Hunt/Autumn Park with great views; Penn Forest with affordable homes; Windsor West/Castle Rock Farms with great schools; Sugarloaf (where Sandy and I live) for great mountain living with beautiful views; and The Groves/Gardens/Roses for new colonials and transitional styles. Shopping Centers are throughout the area plus a growing restaurant presence. Really nice living!! 

AREA 4: SALEM - a small-town community feel with boutiques, antique stores, restaurants, and one of the strongest youth activity and school sports programs in Virginia. Community pride is strong in Salem, and house Buyers out number Sellers. It is the home of Roanoke College - an outstanding liberal arts college. The Division III National football, basketball, and baseball finals are traditionally held in Salem annually with the outstanding sports facilities. 

AREA 5: NORTHWEST CITY - an area of commercial and residential developments. Homes average up to $100,000 with easy access to Orange/Melrose (major east/west corridor) and the new Peters Creek Parkway running north/south. Close to Salem. 

AREA 6: NORTH COUNTY - a very large section of the Valley that starts just north of Salem, runs along I-81 to exit 150 and then south along US 220-Ext to the Vinton area. Numerous residential developments including several new ones with patio homes, single-family, and apartments in Botetourt County. North Lakes is a major older development with homes between $100,000 and 150,000. Hollins University, a liberal arts female university with an outstanding reputation is in this area. 

AREA 7: WILLIAMSON ROAD AREA - borders several major commercial north/south roads with many older neighborhoods with moderately-priced homes. You can still find 3 bedroom homes for under $100,000. Many renovations are underway in the area. The Valley View and Crossroad Malls are conveniently located. 

AREA 8: A COMBINED AREA OF VINTON , GARDEN CITY, AND MOUNT PLEASANT TO THE EAST OF ROANOKE. Moderate-priced homes ($75-125K) plus new development outside Vinton ($125-250K) are available. Vinton?s downtown offers a small community feel. As you travel south through Garden City and Mt. Pleasant, many houses have large lots and rural/secluded settings. 

COUNTIES 

AREA 9: BEDFORD COUNTY - large area east of Roanoke extending from Vinton toward Bedford. Rural feel with full range of price points and lot sizes. Bedford County borders Smith Mountain Lake on the east side of the lake. 

AREA 10: BOTETOURT COUNTY - a greatly expanding area of the Valley with the communities of Daleville, Troutville, and Fincastle (county seat - famous as starting point for Lewis & Clark expedition many years ago). There are numerous developments, many with 2+ acre lots where horses are typical rather than the exception. Botetourt Country Club and the Ashley Plantation Golf community are major drawing cards. Retail centers and restaurants are beginning to appear. The Greenfield Industrial Park is a great addition to the area. 

AREA 11: FRANKLIN COUNTY - extending south from Roanoke along US 220 to Boones Mill and on down to Rocky Mount. The Smith Mountain Lake west shore is in Franklin County with many attractive developments and golf courses. The explosive growth of the area has brought many retail establishments. Franklin County also offers farms, mountain settings, and real seclusion for those who desire it.