Anyone here familiar with Roanoke?

[deepthought42]

I'm going to Hollins University in the fall for grad school, and I'm in the process of looking for housing, etc. Much to do, no time to do it.

So, seeing as how I've never been there, I'm just trying to get a feel of what Roanoke is like. Thanks. :)


:hi:

[underpants]

1. You are going to want to live downtown

I am only partly familiar with it (wife grew up there)

Downtown has a fairly good bar scene I am told but once you are out of the city it is pretty red well that's not fair.

If you like outdoorsy stuff you are going to think you went to heaven-Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian trail (the Home Place in Catawba YUM!!!)

pretty progressive area too-a railroad town, old big D Dems and the like.

[deepthought42]

2. I'm a girl from the suburbs of MD...

I'd prefer something quiet and not horribly expensive. I'm just looking for a studio anyway. I'm not much for bars, but I love me some cafes and bookstores! :loveya: :donut: :loveya:

[RobofSWVA]

3. I'm from Roanoke

Nothing is really more than 20-30min. away depending on traffic. The apartments and condos near Hollins are nice enough for a person on a budget and that area is pretty safe. There aren't too many bad areas in Roanoke County. Some parts of north city are rough as are the low-income areas but that's to be expected anywhere. Hollins -> Downtown is about 10 min depending on how fast you drive and the time of day.

Shopping wise the biggest mall (Valley View) is off I-581, 5 min from the college.

Stuff to do includes a lot of outdoor stuff. Lots of hiking, near to smith mountain lake if you have a local friend with a boat, and plenty of places to go camping.

Sports: There is a minor league baseball team in Salem. The games are cheap, $6 a ticket for general (imo the best seats, box are too low). VT is 40ish miles down the road in Blacksburg so if you like football make friends with a Hokie.

Part of VA Wine country is up on the Blue Ridge parkway particularly around the Floyd area. There are some nice wineries up there. Most do wine tasting on the weekends and a few have music.

Music: I’m personally not into music all that much so I don’t know the local scene. We get some big names every now and then but since this is a smaller area not many major bands actually play in Roanoke. Luckily, we’re 2 hours from Greensboro NC and Charlottesville and roughly 3 ½ from Richmond and Charlotte NC so there are big events relatively close.

Cafes and Bookstores: Mill Mountain Coffee is the local place. We also have your standard starbucks popping up everywhere. Soon to have 2 Barns and Noble locations. One opening soon at Valleyview Mall and the older one at Tanglewood Mall.

Overall this is a quiet place to live. It's definitely not a big city like Richmond or a college town like Blacksburg or Radford. Most of the people are 30s and up with families or working professionals (if that makes any sense). I like the area because you don't feel the rush rush of the bigger cities but there is enough here to do for my tastes.

[deepthought42]

6. Is Mill Mountain Coffee good?

I've seen a couple off of I-81, but I usually just stop at the Starbucks and that's been my only stop during the 4 1/2 hour drive to/from home.

The Valley View Mall and surrounding shopping areas I've visited, but for the most part I don't get out much.

So far it seems like there is more to do than in Lynchburg, where I went to school before. And it's definately different than home. As much as I miss Annapolis, I don't miss the traffic. :) But I do miss the water...

Anyway, thank you! I hope I have some time to check those out! :hi:

[electricmonk]

4. Another Roanoker checking in

I would echo what Rob said. He summed it up pretty well.

You might want to consider the Grandin Court neighborhood. Apartments around there go for $500 and up. Walking distance to the Grandin Theatre (currently showing Sicko among others), a good used book store, coffee shop, excellent pizza place and the only authentic ice cream soda bar in town, Pop's Soda Bar. I don't live in that neighborhood myself now but I have in the past.

You can check out the Roanoke forum at UrbanPlanet.org for other info.

Edit to say hi fellow Douglas Adams fan. Didn't notice your user name at first. :hi:

[deepthought42]

5. I need to check this thread more often, lol...

Hi. :hi: Do you have your towel? :freak:

Oh let's see...I've been to the Valley View mall on several occassions, as well as the surrounding shopping areas. It's a big area, and I'm impressed. But then almost anything would be better than Lynchburg (where I went for undergrad). I don't get out much, spending most of my time in the apartment (I finally found out sometime in July that I got housing at the Hollins apartments. They're quite nice. :) ) doing homework, and all that exciting stuff.

I keep meaning to check out downtown Roanoke sometime. I've been spending my free weekends at home (Annapolis, MD).