Roanoke, VA

[kalliyan1]

My DH was just offered a position in Roanoke, VA. If anyone has any information that will help, I would greatly appreciate it.

Looking primarily for school districts to focus on. This is very important to us.(1 rising freshman, 2 elementary)

Any other information is great too

Thanks

 

[StephMK]

Where are you moving from? Have you been there before? My mother's side of the family is from Roanoke. It's an interesting town. Very pretty in parts.

I don't know much about the schools but a cousin went to Salem and completed the IB program there. My uncle has enjoyed living there with his family.

Congrats on his promotion!

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

We live about 1 hour from Roanoke.

First, I would ask, what kind of lifestyle do you want to live?
Urban, rural, suburban, lake area?
All are available in the Roanoke Area...

In this part of Virginia, many people live further out of cities to enjoy a greener quality of life, commuting 45 miles or so to work is pretty normal for many.
Still some others don't mind trading off the city conveniences for traffic.

Roanoke city, while located inside Roanoke county, is surrounded by Bedford county to the east,
Franklin county to the south , Botetourt county to the north, and Montgomery County (think Virginia Tech) to the south west.
That's a lot of school options.


You would do well to check out the county websites:
http://www.roanokecountyva.gov/
http://www.franklincountyva.org/
http://www.botetourt.org/
http://www.montva.com/
http://www.roanokeva.gov/WebMgmt/ywbase61b.nsf/DocName/$home


Also, Smith Mountain Lake is close by if that appeals to you.
http://www.smithmountainlake.com/

Beautiful area- I am extra fond of Bedford county to be honest.

Check out the Roanoke TV stations for other news and info:
http://www.wsls.com/
http://www.wdbj7.com/

 

[RadioFanatic]

I grew up in Roanoke Nd my family still lives there. I miss it terribly and it is a wonderful place to raise a family. I was in the cave spring school district which was wonderful. Roanoke county has wonderful schools. Pls feel free to message me with any questions. I truly wish I could move back.

 

[kalliyan1]

Although I have not been there yet, DH has been doing work on a contract basis for the company and has been there quite a bit. I plan to visit in the next week or so. We would be moving from Winston-Salem, NC area, which we LOVE and have been her for the past 15yrs with the exception of 1 yr. We love the slower pace of life but also like to be near shopping, restaurants, etc.

Ideally we would like to be in an area/neighborhood that has large lots 1+acre.

Again, school districts will take precedence in the area we live.

Thanks to all who have responded. Any other info about schools, etc is still Appreciated!

 

[amyhschwartz]

Cave spring high school! Roanoke is a great city, lots to do, fun art scene, lively small town. I spent half my life 45 minutes away (right past Bedford) and the other half if my life 45 minutes away in the other side! So jealous!

 

[kt_mom]

We are about an hour away from Roanoke so I don't know much personally about the schools, but we have friends from that area that would agree with cave springs.

 

[steelers33pa]

I graduated from Salem high school which very close to Roanoke! Cave Spring is good...Northside High School...

My husband and I lived off of Williamson rd and sent our daughter to a private school. Good luck with your search!

 

[blessedby3]

I have lived in Roanoke since 1977. I have actually been in Botetourt County since 1993 (20 mins outside Roanoke). I also went to Cave Spring Middle and High School. Southwest Roanoke County has great schools (Cave Spring and Hidden Vally are high schools in that area). My MIL still lives in the Cave Spring area and my DH also went to school at CSHS. The SW County area has lots of trendy shops and restaurants. It is definately more upscale for the most part. I lived in Penn Forest subdivision, but you wont find one plus acre lots there. There are loads of newer subdivisions that will give you more acerage. Check out the subdivisions near the bottom of Bent Mountain.

Is your DH going to be working downtown or what will he be near? That could help as to what area to tell you to look in.

Salem also has good schools. We are in Botetourt County (the country...lol) and my kids have gone to Colonial Elementary, Read Mountain Middle and Lord Botetourt High. Also wonderful schools.
You want to steer clear of Roanoke City and their schools.

We love the area. The mountains are so beautiful. Everytime we travel elsewhere, I always love to come back to the mountains. You will be in the valley, so mountains all around you. Just beautiful. Take a trip to the Peaks of Otter for a hike up to Sharp Top at some point. What a view! It is off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

We have 2 main malls in our area. Valley View mall is the largest and most popular. Tanglewood mall is in the Cave Spring area, but doesnt have as many stores.

Please pm me with any questions at all. I would be glad to help you out

 

[RadioFanatic]

I have lived in Roanoke since 1977. I have actually been in Botetourt County since 1993 (20 mins outside Roanoke). I also went to Cave Spring Middle and High School. Southwest Roanoke County has great schools (Cave Spring and Hidden Vally are high schools in that area). My MIL still lives in the Cave Spring area and my DH also went to school at CSHS. The SW County area has lots of trendy shops and restaurants. It is definately more upscale for the most part. I lived in Penn Forest subdivision, but you wont find one plus acre lots there. There are loads of newer subdivisions that will give you more acerage. Check out the subdivisions near the bottom of Bent Mountain.

Is your DH going to be working downtown or what will he be near? That could help as to what area to tell you to look in.

Salem also has good schools. We are in Botetourt County (the country...lol) and my kids have gone to Colonial Elementary, Read Mountain Middle and Lord Botetourt High. Also wonderful schools.
You want to steer clear of Roanoke City and their schools.

We love the area. The mountains are so beautiful. Everytime we travel elsewhere, I always love to come back to the mountains. You will be in the valley, so mountains all around you. Just beautiful. Take a trip to the Peaks of Otter for a hike up to Sharp Top at some point. What a view! It is off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

We have 2 main malls in our area. Valley View mall is the largest and most popular. Tanglewood mall is in the Cave Spring area, but doesnt have as many stores.

Please pm me with any questions at all. I would be glad to help you out

I lived in Penn Forest too and my parents are still there! loved that area but very few 1+ acre pieces of land. my sis now lives in northside school district and is also happy with it for her kids' school. I so miss living there.

 

[blessedby3]

I lived in Penn Forest too and my parents are still there! loved that area but very few 1+ acre pieces of land. my sis now lives in northside school district and is also happy with it for her kids' school. I so miss living there.

Small World I graduated in 1984, lived on Hummingbird Lane. What about you?

 

[MeggerasMa]

DD graduated from Roanoke College. Wonderful college/professors/opportunities. We were extremely pleased with the quality of her education and the many, many gracious people that came into her life through the college and its staff. Can't say enough good things about them. It is a beautiful, scenic area. Though the drive from our home to visit her was lengthy, we never tired of the lovely scenery. We even made several side trips to interesting sites along the way. The WWII memorial site in Bedford (I think) was amazing and humbling. DD actually volunteered at a local elementary school while she was in college. She still has the "thank you" notes from her beloved group of students. Good place, good people.

 

[RadioFanatic]

Small World I graduated in 1984, lived on Hummingbird Lane. What about you?

so close! I was on the corner of Bobolink and Wood Warbler where my parents still are! I graduated in 1990.

 

[blessedby3]

so close! I was on the corner of Bobolink and Wood Warbler where my parents still are! I graduated in 1990.

Thats awesome...we were so close! I dont know anyone from your graduating class...good to "talk" with you though

 

[shellcruiser]

I live in Clemmons now, but grew up in VA. To put it into Winston-Salem Forsyth County perspective : think West Forsyth vs Reagan when trying to compare the schools mentioned above. Both are fine schools and in the end both will offer a great education. I have friends (with Doctorate degrees) who attended Cave Spring High who would not hesitate to send their children there. I have often wished that my kids were in VA schools.
Given the oppurtunity, I'd look into Smith Mountain Lake area simply for the beautiful surroundings. Always have dreamed of a home on SML, but I know very little about the schools close to the lake. Good luck.