$331,961Average Value$148Average Price per Sq Ft14Homes 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
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Old Southwest
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Old Southwest Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Old Southwest, Roanoke sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Old Southwest, Roanoke over the last 12 months is $299,950, down 23% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Investor Special! Duplex or single-family opportunity in a prime location. Classic early-20th-century brick Four Square loaded with original character, featuring an unfinished attic, unfinished basement, two off-street parking spaces and a covered carport'' offering excellent value-add potential. Minutes from downtown, Grandin Court, shopping and dining. Sold as-is and priced for a full
Beautiful downtown Roanoke office property that has been proudly owned and occupied by the same family business for many years. This well-maintained space offers a unique opportunity for an owner-user, investor, or entrepreneur seeking a prime downtown location. The property is currently owner-occupied and has never been leased, presenting strong potential as an income-producing rental investment
Tons of charm and character with this Victorian in Old Southwest. Great walkability to nearby restaurants, gym, and Jefferson Center! Fenced rear yard, beautiful front porch, and Sunroom overlooking rear deck and yard. The living space is comfortably laid out with the first floor featuring a large kitchen, a great family room, and space for a dining room/office/bedroom. High ceilings and large
518 Highland Avenue SW is a remodeled historic, 100% occupied, three-unit multifamily located in Roanoke's highly desirable Old Southwest neighborhood. a short walk to Highland Park, the property offers a functional unit mix within a submarket known for strong tenant demand, limited rental inventory, and consistent occupancy. Situated on a quiet, tree-lined street near downtown Roanoke and
Duplex. 2 Bedroom unit. Side enclosed sun room. Wrap Around porch. Original natural ''tiger oak'' woodwork including doors with original brass escutcheon plates and knobs, windows, baseboards, trim and a mirrored mantle. Original heart-of-heart tongue and grove floors with original wide baseboards throughout the home. Tall ceilings, doorways and large windows add to the feeling of spaciousness.
Fully leased, well-maintained triplex located less than one mile from the Carilion Medical Center and vibrant downtown Roanoke, with proximity to Highland Park and the Greenway system. Situated on a corner lot in the Old Southwest Historic District, this property features charming finishes, including high ceilings, French doors, decorative fireplaces, and covered porches. Hardwood floors, tons of
Charm and character shine at 519 Woods Ave in Old Southwest! Nestled on a tree-lined street perfect for evening strolls and just minutes from beautiful Downtown Roanoke, this home is full of warmth, style, and inviting spaces. Relax with your morning coffee on the lovely wraparound front porch and enjoy all the charm this special home has to offer. The entry level features a spacious living room
Mill Mountain views through huge windows. The character of 1930 with conveniences of today. Walk to Radford U-Carilion, downtown, or the Medical research center. Property is a condominium located in a multi-unit building close to downtown. Parking located right at your back door!
Building exterior upgrades and paint completed this year. Freshly-painted unit with installed flooring in living room, bedroom and hallways. Kitchen and Bathroom are linoleum flooring. Gas heat with central air. Stove, refrigerator and dishwasher included. Coin-operated shared laundry facility onsite. Off-Street parking. Water, garbage and sewer included. The resident pays for electricity and
Property Id: 1207588 Large 1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment, has a 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. Income needs to be 3 x rent. ($2700 per month income). Non-refundable
Property Id: 2458657 Spacious 1162 sq. ft upstairs apartment in low key part of Historic Old Southwest. Features 2 large, fenced yards, just 0.2 miles from Carilion and less than a mile from Roanoke's top attractions like the Taubman Museum, Western Virginia Science Museum, and more. Enjoy easy access to the best music venues, including 5 Points Music Sanctuary and Elmwood Park
This was a residential house back in the 1920's when it was built. It has been completely remodeled from top to bottom as an office building. Although it could be a residential home again. The history and beauty of this grand old house has been preserved. Most recently it has been a law office and property management business. It is a must see and is ready for its new tenant. It has 11 plus
Nicely renovated first-floor property in a historical building with tons of charm.. All electric unit with central air. Water and lawn maintenance included. The resident pays for electricity. No pets of any kind. Coin-operated laundry facility onsite. Responsive owner and professional management. [SELF-VIEWING APPOINTMENT]All of our properties are available for self-viewing using
Spacious 1-bedroom apartment in a convenient Roanoke City location! This bright and inviting unit features an eat-in kitchen with ample cabinet space, one generous bedroom with great natural light, and a large walk-in closet for extra storage. The bathroom offers classic tile finishes and a full tub/shower combo. Enjoy easy access to downtown, local shops, and restaurants. A great value for those
Offered by PMI CommonwealthThis listing is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.Availability:The listed available date is the earliest possible move-in date. Properties cannot be made available before that date or held for more than 30 days beyond it.Qualification Standards:Minimum 650 credit score. Gross monthly income must be at least 3x the rent amount (or 3x the
First floor unit. Very convenient location close to downtown and public transportation. Securely locked building, off street parking and laundry onsite. Electric heating, gas water heater and central air. Water and lawn maintenance are included. Resident pays electricity. No pets of any kinds.
Please excuse this mess as we get this property ready for you!APPLY TODAY & SCHEDULE YOUR SELF-GUIDED SHOWING!Showings begin 08/21/2026Move in ready 09/06/2026Apartments are leasing quickly—submit your application today to get pre-approved and secure your next home faster!Ready to see it for yourself? Schedule your showing online:
**AVAILABLE LATE AUGUST 2026 ** Quaint 1 BR apt in Old SW! Convenient to Carilion, Greenway & DT Roanoke!-Directly beside Evie's Restaurant and One Block from Highland Park!-Second floor apartment with 1 Bedroom and 1 Bath.-Approx 600sq ft-Minimalistic kitchen with gas cooking-Enclosed porch area for storage plus rear entrance with small balcony/spiral staircase-Refinished hardwood
**AVAILABLE mid-SEPTEMBER 2026**Lovely Victorian home with historical elements & modern touches!- Walking distance to Jefferson Center, YMCA, restaurants, breweries and Downtown plus proximity to the Hospital. - 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and approx. 1,890 sq ft. - Spacious foyer, living room with ornate mantel, large dining room & full bath with jacuzzi tub & storage closet-
Entire second floor of duplex in walkable Old Southwest Historic District. Roomy 1200+ sqft floorplan offers one bedroom plus office with plentiful closet space. Large living room, dining room and kitchen with stove, fridge and stainless steel dishwasher. Laundry room with stackable washer/dryer provided (as-is). Central air, hardwood floors, tall ceilings, natural sunlight and attic storage. Gas
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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