The Ultimate Guide to Living in Roanoke, VA

Are you considering living in Roanoke, VA? Often referred to as the “Star City of the South,” Roanoke seamlessly combines its rich railroad history with modern amenities, offering residents a high-quality life with a touch of Southern charm. Tucked in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the city has lots to explore, whether you prefer the great outdoors or a downtown scene. Check out our Ultimate Mover’s Guide to Roanoke, for our recommendations on the best places to eat and visit in the city!

Rent-a-Space offers resources to help you settle into your new home and get to know the neighborhood, including affordable storage units in Roanoke, VA, and its surrounding areas. See how our team can support you through your move and beyond.

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Table of Contents

I. Economy & Industry

II. Culture & Community Events

III. Restaurants

IV. Outdoor Adventure & Attractions

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What Makes Roanoke, VA, a Thriving Place to Live & Work?

Quick Facts

Population: 97,912

Median Home Value: $180,500

Median Rent: $964

Historically, Roanoke’s economy has been built around the manufacturing and transportation sectors. The city was formerly the headquarters of Norfolk and Western Railway until its merger with the Southern Railway created the Norfolk Southern Railway in 1982. Currently, Norfolk Southern continues to operate maintenance facilities and a rail yard in Roanoke, although its marketing department has since moved out and closed its downtown office building in 2015. Still, the manufacturing and transportation sectors continue to be dominant factors in the Roanoke economy, largely due to the city’s central location within the Western Virginia area.

Beyond the city’s manufacturing and transportation industries, Roanoke, is noted as a large health care and retail hub. Notable employers and companies headquartered within the area include Advance Auto Parts, the Valley View Mall, New Horizons Healthcare, and the city’s largest healthcare employer, the Carilion Clinic. This Virginia-based non-profit integrated health care organization provides care for nearly one million Virginians and West Virginians, and is responsible for the employment of 13,200 employees, with 737 physicians covering more than 70 specialties at 225 practice sites.

Moving forward, Roanoke’s economy is expected to trend toward growth, an outlook largely influenced by the city’s overall affordability, as well as its diverse talent pool as dictated by the area’s collection of universities and medical centers. These are just some of the few reasons our residents choose this city to settle down in.

Explore Roanoke’s different neighborhoods to get a look into life here!

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A City Alive with Culture: Roanoke’s Arts & Learning Centers

Culturally, Roanoke, VA is an exciting city, hosting a number of popular theaters, museums, performance centers, and more for residents of the greater region.

The Taubman Museum of Art, which is perhaps the city’s most signature cultural attraction, is an art museum in the heart of Downtown Roanoke that features a permanent collection of more than 2,000 works of art, including prominent 19th- and early 20th-century American art, as well as significant modern and contemporary art, photography, design, and decorative arts, and several smaller collections including Southern folk art. Notable artists featured within the museum include Norman Rockwell, George Inness, and Winslow Homer, among many others.

If you prefer to see your art in action, Mill Mountain Theatre offers a dynamic lineup of plays, musicals, and live performances throughout the year. Known for its professional-level productions and community engagement, the theater provides entertainment for audiences of all ages while also supporting local actors and arts education programs. The Jefferson Center is another one of Roanoke’s premier performance venues, and it features historic architecture as a charming backdrop for each event. From concerts and theater productions to lectures and community gatherings, its intimate setting allows for close-up experiences with performers.

Don’t leave all the fun to the performers! The Roanoke Pinball Museum is a one-of-a-kind attraction for both locals and visitors. While it doubles as a museum, it also provides an interactive experience where guests can play dozens of classic and modern pinball machines. Combine history and hands-on fun with the perfect family friendly outing.

For our life-long learners, the History Museum of Western Virginia showcases the rich history and heritage of the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. Walk through exhibits that range from Native American artifacts to Civil War relics and the industrial history of the region, and see a deep dive into the area’s past.

Annual Events in Roanoke, VA

Beyond the city’s museum and theater scene, Roanoke features a vast calendar of festivals throughout the year, including:

• Festival in the Park
• Local Colors Festival
• Henry Street Festival
• Big Lick Blues Festival
• Strawberry Festival

Roanoke’s Festival in the Park is the city’s largest celebration. Celebrated annually in September since 1968, this festival is a multi-day event that features musical and entertainment acts, kids activities, commercial exhibits, an exhibition from the antique car club of Roanoke, various food vendors highlighting local Roanoke restaurants, and much, much more.

There are plenty of ways to get involved in community happenings year-round. Keep an eye on the community calendar for unique events around Roanoke.

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Taste the Cuisine that Roanoke County Has to Offer

From trendy eateries to long-standing local favorites, Roanoke serves up a culinary experience for every taste. Check out some of the area’s most celebrated restaurants that are worth a visit.

• Viet Sub – Viet Sub is a sandwich shop specializing in Vietnamese banh mi in a no-frills setting with outdoor seating. Despite their limited menu, this Roanoke staple is known for their generous portions, and affordable prices.
• The River and Rail Restaurant – The River and Rail serves Southern bistro-style cuisine in an elegant and elevated restaurant setting. Executive Chef Tyler Thomas is noted for his use of locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients in his menu that includes NC Catfish, Black Angus Hanger Steak, and Black Grouper.
• Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint – Established in 2009, Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint is a joint venture between two childhood best friends, Aaron Ludwig and Mike Sabin. This casual bar-chain serves a variety of creative burgers, and is noted to feature an extensive craft-beer list showcasing numerous local brews.
• Local Roots – Local Roots Restaurant is a casual contemporary-American restaurant that offers a menu highlighting the absolute best of the Roanoke region, from locally-farmed and sourced vegetables and meat to the handcrafted dining room tables produced by area artisans. Menu highlights include a local cheese board, the LR Pappardelle, and the restaurant’s signature dish, their Brasstown Beef Sirloin.
• TJs Backyard BBQ – Frequently cited as Roanoke’s “Best Barbeque Restaurant”, TJ’s is a casual barbeque eatery that specializes in a variety of smoked meats, and a number of mouth-watering sides. Highlights of their menu include the restaurant’s Smoked Brisket, Rib Tips, Chicken Wings, and more!
• BILLY’S – This upscale tavern brings elevated dishes to its historic downtown setting. BILLY’S makes for the perfect date night and special occasion celebration.
• Alexander’s – Searching for a fine dining restaurant? Alexander’s combines “old world charm with new world flavors,” offering contemporary American cuisine favorites like seared scallops, lamb, or duck.
• Athens Corner Grill – Get your Mediterranean fix with a menu featuring a long list of gyros and sandwiches, as well as specialty platters.

Looking for a happy hour? Roanoke has plenty of options when it comes to breweries. Here are just a few of the popular spots in the city:

• Big Lick Brewing Company, LLC – Located in the heart of Downtown Roanoke, Big Lick Brewing Company is Downtown Roanoke’s premier brewery, beer garden and taproom.
• Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen and Brewery – Originally opened in Charlottesville, VA in 2013, Three Notch’d Brewing Company has since expanded to add additional locations in Roanoke and Virginia Beach. This brewpub is known for their innovative craft beer selection, as well as their elevated menu.
• A Few Old Goats Brewing –  Originally opening in 2018 as a 2-barrel nano-brewery located on the west end of Downtown Roanoke, A Few Old Goats Brewing features a rotating draft-list of small and seasonal batches of beer. Check their calendar for the food truck schedule!

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Adventure Awaits: Top Outdoor Activities in the Roanoke Area

Largely due to its location between the Alleghany and Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke, VA, is an excellent hotspot for avid hikers, backpackers, and mountain bikers. The city’s surrounding area boasts a number of hiking trails and destinations, including the Sharp Top Mountain hike, Apple Orchards Falls, the Mill Mountain Star Trail, and McAfee Knob.

One of the most photographed spots on the Appalachian Trail, McAfee Knob is a bucket list item for hikers around the world. Over the course of its 4.4 mile climb, hikers will ascend to a peak of 3,197 feet that offers spectacular panoramic views of the immediate surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain area. This is one hike every outdoor enthusiast should consider if they are ever in the Roanoke area.

During the winter these same mountain ranges provide a recreational area for winter sports, including cross country skiing, downhill skiing and snowboarding, snow tubing, and snowmobiling. Notable area ski resorts include the Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre in Lynchburg, Wintergreen Ski Resort, and the Omni Homestead Resort in Hotsprings. The Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre is of particular note, specializing in year-round mountain activities open to Liberty University students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Developed by Briton Engineering, Snowflex is a synthetic multilayered material that simulates the effects of snow, and the facility currently offers a variety of ski and snowboarding runs, tubing runs, and an Olympic trampoline where visitors can practice aerial tricks.

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Simplify Your Move: Self Storage Solutions in Roanoke, VA

After exploring all that Roanoke, VA, has to offer—from its lively downtown and local breweries to its scenic outdoor spots and cultural gems—we hope you end up loving the city as much as we do. If you are looking forward to a move to Roanoke soon, allow Rent-a-Space to help you make a smooth transition.

Secure Storage Facilities You Can Trust

Rent-a-Space prioritizes ease and convenience, so your belongings stay secure and within reach. With two locations in Roanoke on Valley Avenue and Patrick Road, plus a nearby facility in Salem, we offer a range of storage options including drive-up units, temperature-controlled spaces, and vehicle storage options. Whether you’re in between apartments, moving for work, or just need extra space, our storage experts are ready to help you pick the right unit size and features for your needs.

Stop by your local Rent-a-Space office to talk through any questions that you may have. You can also grab moving essentials like boxes, bubble wrap, and other packing supplies to make sure you have everything you need on moving day.

With Rent-a-Space, keeping your items safe and organized while you settle into Roanoke has never been easier. See how easy it is to rent self storage near you online!

 

Rent-a-Space on Valley Avenue · Rent-a-Space on Patrick Road

 

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