For a complete listing of relocation resources for Southwest Virginia, visit our Relocation Guide . Roanoke Virginia's largest metropolitan area west of Richmond is an independent city surrounded by Roanoke County , a quintessential suburb. Long a railroad town, Roanoke City now serves as the business, health care, education, cultural and shopping center for the region with many distinct and diverse neighborhoods. Salem A very independent city in the guise of a small town. Residents are fiercely proud of their schools and high school football.
Neighbors know each other's names.
No whiners allowed within city limits. Most famous for Blacksburg, home to Virginia Tech and its nationally ranked football team. The college town is full of charm with a strong arts comunity and lots of restaurants and college bars. All surrounded by farms and country and reputedly the second oldest river in the world. Botetourt County Apple orchards have been yielding to suburban sprawl for the past 20 years.