In the heart of the Roanoke Valley, Salem, Virginia, is a town of 25,000 with scenic mountain views. It's the county seat of Roanoke County and hosts the area’s courthouse complex, Department of Social Services and sheriff's office. But despite these government buildings, a quaint downtown district and Roanoke College’s campus, Realtor Allison Ratcliffe with Embolden Realty Group, who has been selling homes in Salem for nearly a decade, says people are typically drawn to the area for its residential feel. “It’s basically the suburban life,” she says. “You still have the country feel, but you’re close to restaurants and shopping.”
Churches are situated along residential streets in Salem.
The Roanoke County Courthouse is located in the heart of Salem.
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Hiking Roanoke River Greenway, cheering for the Salem Red Sox
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Salem is near a wealth of outdoor activities. Just north of the city, numerous national forests and trail systems offer hiking, camping, hunting and fishing. The city experiences warm summers and snowfall in the winter. Ducks swim in the water at scenic Lake Springs Park, a popular spot for wedding and prom photos. Sections of the paved Roanoke River Greenway run through Salem. Walkers and bikers traverse paths that weave through the woods and contour the water. Nearby, Longwood Park is the largest park in the city, with a playground, picnic tables and an amphitheater that regularly hosts family-friendly movie nights and events. These include the Pickin’ in the Park festival, which celebrates the community’s love for bluegrass music. Attendees sit on picnic blankets and lawn chairs, listening to local artists pluck banjos and sing harmonies.
Golfers tee off at the Salem Municipal Golf Course and the Hidden Valley Country Club, while dogs run off-leash at the Salem Rotary Dog Park. Launching Pad Trampoline Park & Family Center is a go-to for birthday parties. In the spring, baseball fans cheer for the Salem Red Sox at Salem Memorial Ballpark, where the mountains backdrop the outfield. “There are die-hard fans everywhere,” Ratcliffe says. Post-game fireworks light up the stands on Fridays, and kids run the bases on Sundays. The baseball stadium is within the James E. Taliaferro Sports and Entertainment Complex. The facility also includes the Salem Football Stadium, home of the Salem High School Spartans, and the Salem Civic Center, which hosts various conventions and concerts.
The Salem Red Sox, a minor league baseball team, play at Salem Memorial Ballpark.
Longwood Park in Salem features a large playground for kids to enjoy.
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Locals and students enjoy Roanoke College's campus
Salem City Schools receive an A-minus grade from Niche. The district has four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Roanoke College, a private liberal arts school with about 2,000 undergraduates, is also in Salem. In addition to being a major employer, the campus, which is mainly built in Neoclassical and Greek Revival styles, is also trafficked by locals. “Residents utilize everything that is public as much as possible,” Ratcliffe says.
Roanoke College is a private liberal arts college located in Salem, Virginia.
Salem High School is known for it's excellence in sports.
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Homes with Blue Ridge Mountain views
Homes in Salem sit up and down the city’s hills. “Salem is beautiful,” Ratcliffe says. “People fight over lots that overlook the mountains perfectly; everything I’ve sold over there has an amazing view.” Students rent properties close to Roanoke College. Stately Victorians and Colonial Revivals line Broad Street near City Hall, and homes away from the city center often feature large yards on roads that sometimes end in cul-de-sacs. Salem’s a mix of older properties and new construction, and the median single-family home price is $305,000, lower than the national median of $406,100.
Stately Victorian homes are sprinkled throughout Salem.
Colonial Revival homes are a popular option for Salem residents.
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Boutiques and markets on Main Street, shopping plazas elsewhere
Antique stores, boutiques and restaurants inside brick buildings line Main Street in downtown Salem. Every Saturday year-round, vendors sell local produce and baked goods on the corner of Main and Broad streets during the Salem Farmers Market. Big-box retailers, grocery stores and fast-food chains sit in the Spartan Square shopping center on the city’s west side, and, to the east, Lakeside Plaza offers similar amenities. About 10 miles southeast, Downtown Roanoke’s Italianate-style structures host more shopping and dining options. The Valley View and Tanglewood malls are also in Roanoke. For medical services, the Salem Veteran Affairs Medical Center is on Roanoke Boulevard, while Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital’s main campus is about 13 miles away. The hospital system, which has clinics throughout Roanoke and Salem, is one of the area’s top employers.
The Salem farmer's market takes place downtown every Saturday morning.
Friends enjoy a stroll through the mall just outside the Hollins neighborhood.
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Roads and buses to nearby towns like Roanoke and Blacksburg
Interstate 81 borders the city to the north and leads toward Roanoke, Christiansburg and Blacksburg, where many residents commute to work at Virginia Tech. U.S. Route 11, a main arterial road, also runs through. Valley Metro provides bus service between Salem, Roanoke and other surrounding communities. For air travel, the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is about 9 miles away.
Crime
Crime statistics for Salem are not readily available.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
Photography Contributed By
Caleb Jones
Video By
Matthew Link
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Salem, VA sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Salem, VA over the last 12 months is $305,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to this beautifully renovated 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home that blends modern upgrades with timeless charm. Featuring an open-concept layout, refinished hardwood floors, fresh paint, and new light/plumbing fixtures, this move-in-ready home is thoughtfully updated and exceptionally well maintained. The custom kitchen boasts a large island and upgraded electric induction cooktop, while two
Beautiful Brick Cape Cod Home! This 3 bedroom home has been well maintained, evidenced by the meticulous landscaping outside. Inside, the kitchen has been tastefully updated. The living room allows for nights around the fireplace. One bedroom is on the entry level and two are upstairs. On the side of the home is a sunroom, that your pets will love just as much as you do. The basement is half
Welcome to 1461 Antrim Street, a beautifully updated ranch-style home nestled in the highly sought after Southside Hills neighborhood of Salem. This charming 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom residence offers a perfect blend of modern comforts and stylish finishes throughout. The main floor features a fully remodeled kitchen complete with brand new cabinetry, contemporary countertops, and new flooring. An
WOW! Discover this meticulously maintained Ranch Rambler! Boasting 3 beds/3 baths and a spacious 1728 sq ft on the main level, plus main-level/2nd laundry for ultimate convenience! But wait, there's MORE!A second lot ensures blissful privacy 2 Lots totaling 1.14-acres. Incredible potential - build your dream or ensure blissful privacy! Safety first with heat-sensing, smoke, and fire detectors
This beautiful Single Family home on 755 Honeysuckle Rd in Salem, VA was built in 2007 and features 3.5 bathrooms, 3 stories, and a spacious finished area of 3,039 sq.ft. Situated on a large lot of .4 acres, this property offers plenty of space both inside and out. With modern amenities and a well-maintained interior, this home is perfect for families or individuals looking for a comfortable and
Welcome to 2435 Post Oak Rd in Salem, VA--a well-maintained 2-bedroom, 1-bath condo in the desirable Ridgewood Farm community. This 1,094 sq ft home features an open living area, a fully equipped kitchen, cozy bedrooms, and a fenced-in patio for private outdoor enjoyment. Located just a short walk to the community Pool. With off-street parking and a HOA that covers exterior maintenance, lawn
TUCKED IN THE HEART OF SALEM; Valleydale emerges as a beacon of high-end living, providing an unparalleled multifamily experience in a market thirsting for innovation. In transforming the former Valleydale Meat Packers site, this inspired apartment community offers a unique approach to intentional living. With its proximity to bustling downtown, charming local shops, and essential medical and
Move-in ready home featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and an open living room layout. Recently renovated with modern upgrades including luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring and an updated kitchen. Nestled in a private setting with beautiful mountain views. Originally built in 1930, this home blends classic charm with contemporary comfort. Tenants are responsible for electric and water. Pets are
Salem Wood Apartments offers the best of both worlds. Conveniently located, yet comfortably secluded on a picturesque hillside. Each apartment has been beautifully and tastefully renovated with meticulous attention to detail, blending quality of craftsmanship with comfort and flair. Wall-to-wall carpet, new appliances and European style cabinets are just a few of the decorator touches we have
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