$345,929Average Value$424Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
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An active and historic Roanoke community
Old Southwest is the largest residential historic district in the state, offering an array of vintage homes, local restaurants and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located a mile from downtown Roanoke, the neighborhood is home to the Alexander Gish House, which is one of the city’s oldest properties, as well as office buildings and public green spaces. The community’s non-profit neighborhood association organizes block parties and helps preserve historic buildings. Old Southwest maintains its storied character, but residents are within a mile of more modern entertainment options, like the Dr. Pepper Park music venue.
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20th century Victorians and American Foursquares
There are several apartment complexes throughout the neighborhood, but single-family homes make up the majority of the housing stock. Old Southwest’s collection of historic homes sit close together on smaller lots, with front yards often decorated with rounded shrubbery and concrete walkways. American Foursquares and Victorian shingle homes from the early 1900s are priced between $200,000 and $400,000, depending on renovations. There are some condos from the 1930s that sell for between $150,000 and $170,000. Investors can buy duplexes and multi-unit apartment buildings for between $450,000 and $700,000.
Visit the historic Alexander Gish House in Old Southwest.
Historic home tours and outdoor concerts
The Old Southwest Neighborhood Association organizes community events, like block parties and group repair projects at the Alexander Gish House. The house was built in 1838 and is one of the oldest buildings in Roanoke—the Old Southwest non-profit association took over the maintenance of the home from the city in the 1970s. The Alexander Gish House can be rented for events, and during the holidays, it’s part of the neighborhood’s parlor tour. During the tour, residents stop by the decorated parlors of six historic homes, and the Gish house has festive treats and art exhibits. For more modern festivities, households can participate in the holiday light contest; the neighborhood uploads a map so residents can take a walking tour of the lights. When the weather warms up, the community looks forward to concerts at Dr. Pepper Park, which is about a mile south of the neighborhood. “It’s an outdoor music venue, so it’s not big city vibes. It’s not like Taylor Swift is coming here, but it feels more intimate,” says Lisa Marie Santacaterina, a Realtor with MKB, Realtors who’s served the area for 19 years. “It’s an all-grass field, so even the ‘cheap seats’ aren’t the cheap seats. Everyone’s just bringing their blankets and lawn chairs out to appreciate the music.” In the summer of 2024, artists like Chase Matthew and Elle King played at Dr. Pepper Park.
Highland Park
Disc golf, tennis and basketball at Highland Park
“It’s an active place, but you don’t necessarily have to be super adventurous. You can just take a short walk on the trails or go to the park and enjoy being outside,” says Kaelyn Spickler, who’s lived in Roanoke for six years. Highland Park is the hub for outdoor recreation in Old Southwest. Not only is it the highest area in the neighborhood, which affords residents the best views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Mill Mountain Star, but the park has a large, shaded disc golf course. Kids kick balls around the soccer field or meet for pickup games at the basketball courts, and locals meet for after-work tennis matches at the tennis courts. Children also enjoy the playground and skate park, while dogs can run around the off-leash dog park as their owners chat.
Local bakeries and bistros in Old Southwest
The Albemarle Bakery and Coffee House is a new addition to the neighborhood. Situated in a historic American Foursquare, the coffee shop serves lattes, cinnamon rolls and scones. Locals can head to Evie’s Bistro and Bakery for soup and sandwiches for lunch and enjoy slices of cake for dessert. Lews Restaurant is a casual eatery serving American fare like burgers, wings and beer on tap. There aren’t many choices for shopping in Old Southwest, but there are a few local businesses like Sunnyside Market, a small grocery store for grab-and-go conveniences. Residents drive a little over a mile southwest to stock up on groceries at Kroger. To browse a wide array of retailers, the Valley View Mall is a little over 4 miles northwest; Walmart and Target are near the mall, which has shops like H&M, Ulta Beauty and Macy’s.
Check out The Albemarle Bakery and Coffee House in Old Southwest.
Evie's Bistro and Bakery is a local favorite in Old Southwest.
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Patrick Henry High School
Academic clubs at Patrick Henry High
Kids can begin at Highland Park Elementary, which has a B rating from Niche. Students progress to B-minus-rated James Madison Middle and B-rated Patrick Henry High. The high school has clubs to encourage student involvement, like the scholastic bowl, the student literary magazine, the debate club and more.
Residents of Old Southwest can hop on a bus and ride into downtown.
Buses take residents a mile downtown
Though there’s a rail yard for freight trains near the western border of the neighborhood, residents must travel a mile northeast to catch a passenger train. “The Amtrak station downtown keeps everything connected. The train goes up to NOVA and New York City,” Spickler says. The area’s sidewalk-lined streets lead to bus stops operated by the Valley Metro. Old Southwest is bounded by Interstate 581, which residents can merge onto to connect to Interstate 81. From there, locals can drive 40 miles southwest to Blacksburg. They don’t have to travel far for most services, however, as the Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital is just outside the neighborhood.
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
Wendy Swanson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Highland Dog Park
Highland Park
Transit
Airport
Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field)
13 min drive
Bus
Franklin Nb & Mountain
Bus
Jefferson & Mountain
Bus
Jefferson & Highland
Bus
Franklin Sb & Woods
Bus
Franklin Sb & Highland
Bus
Jefferson Sb & Marion (Breast Cancer Center)
Bus
Elm Ave & 2nd St Wb
Old Southwest Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old Southwest, Roanoke sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Southwest, Roanoke over the last 12 months is $670,000, up 127% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$10,000 credit towards closing costs, buydown, 2/1 buydown. Charming, updated home in Historic Roanoke! Welcome Home! A beautifully updated gem blending classic charm with modern comforts. Step inside to find gleaming hardwood floors, a tastefully renovated interior, and a sun-drenched layout perfect for everyday living or entertaining. The former sleeper porch has been thoughtfully reinforced
ROANOKE CITY 4 SQUARE with all the charm of the era and solid brick construction. This gorgeous home is close toeverything Roanoke City has to offer: shopping, restaurants, the greenway, the Roanoke River, and more! The detached garage has storage above! The originalwoodwork, hardwood floors and high ceilings are stunning. come visit today and fall in love with the quality construction of a
This newer built vinyl sided two story home is conveniently located in the heart of the city and close to everything you'd like to do. Enjoy the cozy rocking chair front porch or the nice rear deck. This inviting home features on the main level a large living room, kitchen with dining area, a half bathroom and laundry area. The upper level has 4 bedrooms and a full bathroom. Home sold in AS IS
Situated within Roanoke's charming Old Southwest historic district within walking distance of downtown Roanoke, Highland Park, and Carilion Clinic, Historic Briskwood Place contains 15 one-bedroom / one-bathroom apartments. The three-story, brick property is surrounded by beautiful, historic buildings, many of which are more than 100 years old. Nestled between the Roanoke River and downtown, this
One Bedroom One Bath Apartment | Hardwood Floors | Stove and Fridge | Street Parking | NO LAUNDRY | Pets are considered on case by case basis | NO Smoking
Property Id: 1207588Large 1 bedroom 1 bathroom, eat in kitchen, foyer, large living room, porch and private entrance. In a duplex. 2nd floor unit. Near Highland Park, walking distance to downtown Roanoke, parks, river, greenway. Near Carilion hospital. Quiet historical district neighborhood. Non-refundable processing fee of $40 per person on the completed application for the
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Wendy Swanson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,234
Median Age
38
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.2%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$32,686
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$49,997
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.6%
College Graduates
42.2%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
21.8%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
29°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
1''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
68/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
63/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
44/ 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.
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.
