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.
As a committed Real Estate Agent in Virginia with a focus on the Roanoke, Bedford and Lynchburg areas, Jennifer is dedicated to bringing her clients a smooth transaction as possible whether you are buying or selling a home. Jennifer has lived in the Southwestern Virginia area for many years and brings that knowledge to benefit her clients.
As a second generation Realtor, Jennifer understands the importance of buying and selling properties whether you are a first time home buyer or a seasoned property owner. Clients choose to work with Jennifer for her consistent communication, knowledge of the area, ethics, and expertise.
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.
