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Garden City

Garden City

$249,574 Average Value
$237 Average Price per Sq Ft
10 Homes For Sale

A rural town turned suburban southeast Roanoke neighborhood

Before 1917, Garden City was a small, rural community at the base of Mill Mountain, just southeast of Roanoke proper. But when the American Viscose Plant — then the world’s largest rayon mill — opened nearby along the banks of the Roanoke River, the town’s apple orchards and rolling farmland slowly developed into a suburban enclave, ultimately annexed by Roanoke in 1949. “I wouldn’t classify it as rural anymore, but it still has its own small-town identity and tons of places to hike,” says Bob Chandler, a real estate agent with MKB Realtors, who has sold several homes in the area. Churches, a park and an elementary school all share the neighborhood’s name along Garden City Boulevard. Adjacent to the thoroughfare, the Garden City Greenway is a 2-mile asphalt trail between the Roanoke River Greenway and the Garden City Recreation Center. Locals can also hike Mill Mountain to pass the iconic Roanoke Star, an 88.5-foot-tall landmark that’s illuminated by 2,000 feet of neon. A small commercial center is off Bennington Street and Riverland Road’s roundabout, but nationally known retailers are in nearby Tanglewood Mall. Locally owned diners and steakhouses can be found in downtown Roanoke’s Italianate-style storefronts only 4 miles away.
Garden City is a small neighborhood, Annexed by Roanoke in 1949.
Garden City is a small neighborhood, Annexed by Roanoke in 1949.
Garden City is still very much a rural community with acres of farmland.
Garden City is still very much a rural community with acres of farmland.
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One-story homes built throughout the past century

Various one-story houses line Garden City’s wide, asphalt cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets. Concrete steps lead to 1920s bungalows on hilly 10,000-square-foot lots. Gravel driveways stretch alongside 1950s ranch-style homes with unfenced backyards. Three-bedroom Minimal Traditional homes from the early 2000s back up to Blue Ridge Mountain views and dense hardwood forests. Garden City is subject to frequent flooding, as it’s just south of the Roanoke River, and residential streets don’t have gutters. Buying here typically costs between $150,000 and $300,000, similar to the average Roanoke selling price of $300,000.
Typical home types in Garden City include this modest traditional home.
Typical home types in Garden City include this modest traditional home.
Quaint and cozy bungalows line this Garden City Road.
Quaint and cozy bungalows line this Garden City Road.
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Garden City Elementary is at the neighborhood’s core

Children can attend Garden City Elementary, which has a B-minus grade from Niche, and then continue to C-plus-rated John P. Fishwick Middle School. “You may see a few kids who live near Garden City Boulevard walking to the elementary school, but it’s more common for them to take the bus in this neighborhood,” Chandler says. Lastly, students may attend B-graded Patrick Henry High School, which offers numerous dual enrollment classes like calculus and environmental science in partnership with Virginia Western Community College.
Garden City Elementary School is home to 304 students.
Garden City Elementary School is home to 304 students.
Welcome to Garden City Elementary School in Roanoke, Virginia.
Welcome to Garden City Elementary School in Roanoke, Virginia.
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Garden City Greenway spans from rec center to the Roanoke River

Garden City Elementary sits next to Garden City Park, where the green and black playground equipment includes a modern merry-go-round and twisty slide. On summer Saturday nights, parents sit in the bleachers around the lighted baseball diamond that hosts youth leagues. Garden City Recreation Center is a few blocks away from the park on Yellow Mountain Road, although it’s currently closed for renovations. Behind the red-brick building, hikers and bike riders can still hop on the Garden City Greenway. A quick walk south on the trail offers access to the 5-mile Chestnut Ridge Trail, lined with birch trees and pink mountain laurel flowers. Heading northbound on the Garden City Greenway connects to the 13-mile Roanoke River Greenway, stretching from the Bridge Street canoe launch to the River’s Edge Sports Complex. Access to Mill Mountain Park’s Star Trail is just off Riverland Road. The 3-mile route loops around the neon red, white and blue Roanoke Star overlooking Roanoke Valley. On the way down, visitors can veer into the Wildflower Garden, where woodchip paths weave between waterfalls, pink eastern redbud trees and red bee balm plants. Walking through the entire garden leads to the Mill Mountain Zoo, home to around 85 animals, like black bears, red pandas and snow leopards.
Have a fun filled adventure on the Roanoke River.
Have a fun filled adventure on the Roanoke River.
The Garden City Recreation center offers activities as well as access to hiking trailheads.
The Garden City Recreation center offers activities as well as access to hiking trailheads.
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Churches abound in Garden City

The neighborhood has three namesake churches. Potluck-style gatherings and gospel sing-alongs are regular events in The Garden City Church of the Nazarene’s parking lot. Garden City Bible Fellowship is a non-denominational option with three Sunday morning services and a Wednesday night mass. Bells ring from Garden City Baptist Church’s century-old Greek Revival-style structure, which also has an infant through kindergarten daycare.
Garden City Baptist Church is at the heart of Garden City.
Garden City Baptist Church is at the heart of Garden City.
Come worship Sunday Mornings at Garden City Baptist Church.
Come worship Sunday Mornings at Garden City Baptist Church.
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Downtown Roanoke restaurants are a quick drive away

The Bennington Place Shopping Center has chain retailers like Family Dollar and Food Lion, plus a few local stores. Vintage comic books and trading cards fill Collectors Lair, while bicycles and helmets hang on the wall at Good Times Cycle and Adventure. “Garden City is not a place that’s known for having a lot of commercial options,” says Chandler. “But you’re no more than a 15-minute drive from the city’s most well-known shopping centers.” Over 50 stores and chain restaurants like TJ Maxx and Five Guys are about 4 miles west at Tanglewood Mall. Garden City is equidistant from downtown Roanoke’s museums, theaters and restaurants. A neon-red “eat” sign glows above Texas Tavern, a 24/7 diner known for bowls of chili and hot dogs since 1930. Patrons enjoy bourbon, seafood and steak from the all-wood bar and linen-covered tables at Billy’s, a local go-to dating back to 1979.
Garden City residents often pop into Downtown Roanoke for dinner.
Garden City residents often pop into Downtown Roanoke for dinner.
Texas Tavern in Roanoke is a Garden City favorite for classic American diner style food.
Texas Tavern in Roanoke is a Garden City favorite for classic American diner style food.
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Easy access to Interstate 581 and the Roanoke Amtrak Station

Most of Garden City’s residential streets don’t have sidewalks, making it a car-dependent community. Interstate 581 is 4-miles north, and Blacksburg is another 40 miles west on the highway. The Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital is 3 miles north, and the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is about 9 miles in the same direction. A few Valley Metro bus stops are on Garden City Boulevard. In downtown Roanoke, the Amtrak station follows the Northeast Regional Route to cities like Washington, D.C., and Boston.
Highways like i-581 provide easy access to Garden City and downtown Roanoke.
Highways like i-581 provide easy access to Garden City and downtown Roanoke.
Garden City residents are only minutes away from the Amtrak station in Downtown Roanoke.
Garden City residents are only minutes away from the Amtrak station in Downtown Roanoke.
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Meghan Baker
Written By
Meghan Baker
Jeff Rainone
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Rainone
Ellie Brown
Video By
Ellie Brown

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Mark Hardin, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field)

19 min drive

Bus

Garden City Nb & Carico (Garden City Elementary)

Bus

Garden City Sb & Hartsook

Bus

New Spring Branch Sb & Yellow Mountain

Bus

Garden City Nb & Findlay

Bus

Garden City Sb & Davenport & Ivywood

Bus

Garden City Sb & Craig Robertson

Bus

Garden City Sb & Ray

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Garden City US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Garden City Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$549,280
Median Sale Price
$605,847
Median Single Family Sale Price
$518,660
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
38
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
60%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$237

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,161
Number of Homes for Sale
10
Median Year Built
1959
Months of Supply
3.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,405
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,205
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,325

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Mark Hardin, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,657
Median Age
42
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$67,337
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$81,744

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89.4%
College Graduates
21.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.5%
% Population in Labor Force
58.7%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
29°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
1''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

16 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

16 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

21 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Garden City