Where is the best place to live in Virginia? PLEASE ANSWER!!! (Roanoke: best town, real estate)

[billybobwv]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

That would be Roanoke. Just big enough so that the people living there don't die of boredom, but just small enough that housing prices are reasonable and non-accident-related traffic jams are non-existent.

You got that right about Roanoke traffic. A few years ago I remember reading on one of the broadcasting sites ( www.radio-info.com ) where Roanoke is one of the largest cities in America, if not THE largest where the local TV and radio stations do not do regular traffic reports. Some years back driving through Roanoke I was listneing to the morning show on their local WFIR Radio, Roanoke's news station and even during morning drive and during a weekday, I didn't hear WFIR give not one single traffic report. On a similar note local Roanoke TV doesn't use choppers for news ( and of course traffic ) either and for a time it was the largest city in that boat though it's no longer true as due to the economy many local TV stations in markets far bigger than Roanoke no longer use choppers but they still offer regular traffic reports which last I checked it doesnt exist on either WDBJ channel 7 or WSLS channel 10.

[miss_peabody]

I live in franklin county right outside roanoke. It is a bit farther out but worth the short drive into roanoke. If you move to roanoke move to the county area the schools are better. Many live out at the lake and drive into roanoke to work. I see many mention cville but I believe roanoke is a bit larger not really large not huge amts of traffic low crime

[roanoker 4]

Traffic here is still not a big problem as elsewhere but it is increasing at an alarming rate. Since so much of the state money for transportation projects goes to more traffic clogged areas(like building MORE roads? & creating MORE traffic), I think we will be in for a big shock in the next few years & I feel the local tv stations like WDBJ will have to invest in a chopper and start giving the public traffic news. Of course we have the mountains that prevent Roanoke from being bulldozed to make way for more traffic! It should be interesting to see what happens in VA in the coming years as it relates to traffic? Any ideas?

[CAVA1990]

Warrenton is a really nice town. If you don't have to commute to DC every day it's one of the best places to live.

[passo82]

Warrenton is being engulfed by the DC sprawl. It will likely lose much of its charm and rural character in about 10 years or so.

[SunFl0wer]

Where did the OP go - one and done?

Anyway, as a rule of thumb (and if you're still out there), if you want "trendy", I'd suggest staying in eastern and northern VA. For more mountains and rural, western VA is where to go. However, your original question

Where is the best place to live in Virginia?

is a bit too wide open for anyone to answer. Everyone has a different idea of what "best" means!

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by passo82

Warrenton is being engulfed by the DC sprawl. It will likely lose much of its charm and rural character in about 10 years or so.

They've been saying that for the past 20 years. It's a lot less true today than it was five years ago due to the stagnant real estate market. It'll be quite a long time before it's "engulfed". With gas at $3-4 a gallon it's not a real attractive commute. Also, keep in mind Alexandria is also a great place to live (albeit more expensive) and it was "engulfed" by DC about 200 years ago. I don't think the OP is looking for more less developed isolation or I'd have recommended Washington or Sperryville further out 211.

[upthecreekgotapaddle]

$3-4/gallon? Seriously?? Where? That is nuts. I thought it was below $3 pretty much throughout Virginia now.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by upthecreekgotapaddle

$3-4/gallon? Seriously?? Where? That is nuts. I thought it was below $3 pretty much throughout Virginia now.

In NoVA it's right around $3 right now and will probably head to $4 during the summer driving season. Might be less further South where you don't pay as much in taxes.

[passo82]

Its 2.79 for gas here in Lynchburg which usually has some of the highest prices in the state. I think It could have something to do with our isolation and lack of access to an interstate.