Why Live in Wasena
Wasena, a historic neighborhood in Roanoke, Virginia, is known for its early 20th-century homes and vibrant community life. The area, which became Roanoke’s first bus suburb in the 1920s, features a mix of bungalows and American Foursquares, many of which are adorned with garden landscaping. Wasena is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has seen a resurgence with trendy restaurants and shops in repurposed historic buildings. Main Street, near the Roanoke Valley Greenway, is home to popular spots like Roasters Next Door Coffee House, Hang 10 Hawaiian Ice and Cream, and The Green Goat. The neighborhood is highly social, with community events, trivia nights, and the annual Wasena Weekend. Wasena Park, part of the extensive 400-mile Roanoke Valley Greenway, offers basketball and tennis courts, baseball diamonds, a playground, and a temporarily closed skate park. Smith Park, also on the greenway, provides picnic pavilions and a playground. Roanoke Mountain Adventures facilitates outdoor activities such as e-bike rentals, tubing, and kayaking. The yearly Floatilla to Star Hill-a event and the December last-minute market are local highlights. While the Main Street Bridge is under repair until 2026, residents can use Franklin Road to Grandin Avenue to reach downtown, which is 2 miles away. The neighborhood has access to major roadways and Amtrak services. Flooding can occur along Wiley Drive near the Roanoke River, but the city’s stream gauges help predict such events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wasena a good place to live?
Wasena is a good place to live. Wasena is considered car-dependent and bikeable with some transit options. Wasena has 3 parks for recreational activities. It is fairly sparse in population with 5.4 people per acre and a median age of 38. The average household income is $78,695 which is below the national average. College graduates make up 44.1% of residents. A majority of residents in Wasena are home owners, with 48.6% of residents renting and 51.4% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Wasena can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Wasena neighborhood guide.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Wasena?
The median home price in Wasena is $458,990. If you put a 20% down payment of $91,800 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.74%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $2,380 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $102K a year to afford the median home price in Wasena. The average household income in Wasena is $79K.
What are the best public schools in Wasena?
The best public schools that serve Wasena are:
What are the best private schools in Wasena?
The best private schools that serve Wasena are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Wasena, Roanoke, VA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Wasena, Roanoke, VA?
Home Trends in Wasena, VA
On average, homes in Wasena, Roanoke sell after 32 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Wasena, Roanoke over the last 12 months is $432,990, up 73% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$432,990
Median Single Family Sale Price
$432,990
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$331
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
26
Median List Price
$458,990
Median Change From 1st List Price
6%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
73%