$277,418Average Value$199Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
A historic neighborhood infused with vibrant energy
Wasena became Roanoke’s first bus suburb in the 1920s when a steel bridge was built over the Roanoke River to connect it to downtown. These developments prompted the first bus route in Roanoke, and today the community buzzes with outdoor activities and newer developments near the vast Roanoke Valley Greenway. “When I think about Wasena, the word that comes to mind is social,” says Tess Flinchum, who has lived in the neighborhood for three years. There’s a town square that’s always busy with community events and trivia nights, and you see people out on walks on the greenway all the time.” Wasena’s collection of early 20th-century homes earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. In the past decade, some historic buildings have transformed into trendy restaurants and shops.
American Foursquare and Colonial homes line these Wasena streets.
Hang 10 is the perfect place to soak up the summer vibes in Wasena.
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Elevated eateries and classic American restaurants
A few vibrant restaurants line Main Street near the greenway, making it easy to stop by Roasters Next Door Coffee House on a morning walk or grab a tropical shaved ice from Hang 10 Hawaiian Ice and Cream in the evening. RND Coffee is a beloved coffee lounge with exposed brick walls and leather couches offering coffee, chai lattes and gluten-free pastries. The Green Goat, which sits in a refurbished train depot near Roanoke River, is a popular destination for American fare. Flinchum recommends bloom Restaurant and Wine Bar for an elevated date night or celebratory dinner with farm-to-table dishes and wine. “The whole table can order five or six small plates to share,” she says. Wasena City Tap Room and Grill is popular for its beer on tap, pizza and monthly trivia nights. Locals grab groceries and essentials at Kroger or The Fresh Market, which are about a mile south of Wasena. There are a few local boutiques, like BitterSweet and La De Da, about 2 miles away in downtown Roanoke. The Valley View Mall, about 4 miles north, features big-box stores like Target and retail shops like Loft and JCPenney.
The Green Goat offers American fare in the converted Wasena Park Transportation Museum.
Stop into Bloom in Wasena for crafty cocktails and light bites.
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Public parks along the greenway
Wasena has direct access to the Roanoke Valley Greenway, a 400-mile network of trails throughout Roanoke City and Roanoke County. The tree-lined trail follows the Roanoke River and has a bike lane for cyclists. One of the parks on the greenway is Wasena Park, which has basketball and tennis courts and baseball diamonds. Kids enjoy the playground, and there’s also a skate park, though it’s temporarily closed because of repairs on the Main Street Bridge. Smith Park is also on the greenway. Locals can enjoy a snack at the covered picnic pavilions as they watch their kids climb on the playground. Roanoke Mountain Adventures is a go-to spot for outdoor recreational activities, where residents can rent e-bikes to ride down the greenway or book a tubing or kayaking trip. After they book the trip, locals board the company’s shuttle at Wasena Park to travel upstream, and float or paddle back to the park.
Smith Park offers cycling and walking trails along with some great fishing spots along the river
Enjoy cycling along the greenway through Wasena Park.
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Inflatables float down Roanoke River during the Floatilla to Star Hill-a
In July, the community gathers at the Roanoke Mountain Adventures for the Floatilla to Star Hill-a, a yearly float down the Roanoke River that ends with $1 beers at Starr Hill Brewery. “It gets everybody excited to be outdoors for the summer, and the more creative the floats, the better. There will be huge inflatable swans and unicorns floating down the river,” Flinchum says. The Wasena Neighborhood Forum organizes Wasena Weekend every October, encouraging residents to connect with their neighbors and check out local businesses. Recent years have included outdoor movie nights at the Green Goat, happy hours at the Wasena City Tap Room and a local business challenge where participants enter a raffle for a gift card. The community closes the year with the annual last-minute market in December, where residents can shop for the holidays while listening to festive live music at Roanoke Mountain Adventures.
The Roanoke river flows through Wasena making it a great place for relaxation and adventure
Every Night people flock to see the Roanoke Star, the largest man-made star in the world.
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20th century bungalows and Foursquares
Development in Wasena began in the early 1900s, so most homes were built on smaller lots in the early-to-mid 20th century. Bungalows and American Foursquares, decorated with garden landscaping and shrubbery, line the streets. Prices for bungalows start around $120,000 for a home needing renovation and rise to around $270,000 for a renovated property. Foursquare homes and larger bungalows usually cost between $300,000 and $350,000.
The American Foursquare is a classic home style in Wasena with four rooms on both floors.
This cure row of bungalows sits directly across from the entrance to Wasena Park.
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Career pathways at Patrick Henry High
Children may begin at Wasena Elementary School and advance to James Madison Middle; both schools have B-minus ratings from Niche. Older students can progress to Patrick Henry High, which has a B rating and offers college and career pathways. High school students can enroll in pathways to study engineering and architecture, information and communication technology and, manufacturing and product development.
Patrick Henry High School is ranked 196 within Virginia.
Patrick Henry High School is ranked number 9,433 nationally.
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Bus stops along Main Street
Main Street usually takes residents 2 miles northeast to downtown, but the Main Street Bridge closed in April 2024 for a two-year-long repair. The official detour to drive downtown is Franklin Road to Grandin Avenue, which adds about a mile. Nearby state routes connect to major roadways like Interstate 581 and Interstate 81 for those driving to nearby towns. Residents can board Amtrak’s Northeast Regional rail to travel toward Washington, D.C. or New York City at the train station downtown. Industrial train tracks run by the river, but Flinchum notes trains are slowing down as they pass Wasena and stop in the rail yard next to Smith Park. “Most of the train tracks are inactive; they only add character to the city," Flinchum says. The Valley Metro has bus stops on Main Street and Brandon Avenue, and residents walk or bike on the greenway network’s trails to travel throughout Roanoke.
Public transportation can be found throughout Wasena via bus or you can rent a scooter.
Towers Shopping Center on Main St. offers Wasena a host of shopping and dining options.
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Flood risks near Roanoke River
The city of Roanoke reports that flooding of the Roanoke River is easier to predict than it is for smaller waterways, since more streams are feeding into the river. The city maintains stream gauges as far away as Blacksburg, which is 40 miles away. Residents should be aware that Wiley Drive, which runs parallel to the river near the eastern edge of Wasena, is prone to flooding.
The quaint streets of Wasena encompass a variety of housing styles along tree lined streets.
The Roanoke River flows through the heart of Wasena.
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.
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Wasena Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Wasena, Roanoke sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Wasena, Roanoke over the last 12 months is $274,750, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome home to Wasena, one of Roanoke's most dynamic and popular neighborhoods for walkability, outdoor recreation and an amazing sense of community!This home has retained its original charm, with a 2013 two story addition to facilitate your modern lifestyle. The three beautiful outdoor spaces, front porch, rear patio off the kitchen and recreation room, and upper deck off the owner's suite,
Investor Special In Wasena. Classic 1925 brick four-square with over 2,000 SF, alley access, off-street parking, drive-in garage, and full basement. Located in the heart of Wasena, just steps from the Roanoke River Greenway, Wasena Park, and a vibrant mix of restaurants, coffee shops, and local retailers. Currently configured as a duplex, the main level offers a spacious 2BR/2BA apartment while
Location, Location, Location! This home is ideally situated near Wasena, the Towers Shopping Center, and the Greenway--giving you quick access to parks, shops, and dining. Step inside and you'll find a spacious addition in the back of the home featuring two extra bedrooms, a bathroom, a dining room, and a living room--plenty of space for everyone to spread out. Enjoy the large covered patio
Charming and recently updated duplex situated in Wasena within easy walking distance of great SW City amenities! Boasting updated kitchen and baths, fresh paint and refinished hardwoods! Each unit includes 2 BR/ 1 bath. This duplex provides great opportunity as an investment property or to be an owner/landlord!
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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.
