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Young couple (upper 20's) looking to relocate from the DC area to a more affordable small/mid-sized coastal city. We like historic buildings and houses, and gritty up-and-coming areas with walkability. Ideally we'd like to be a decent bike ride from the beaches. Possibly childen coming within the next 5 years, but would prefer to still live within the core of the city.
Given that criteria, would you recommend Norfolk or Wilmington as a more livable city? Or neither? (Please recommend) Thanks!
Young couple (upper 20's) looking to relocate from the DC area to a more affordable small/mid-sized coastal city. We like historic buildings and houses, and gritty up-and-coming areas with walkability. Ideally we'd like to be a decent bike ride from the beaches. Possibly childen coming within the next 5 years, but would prefer to still live within the core of the city.
Given that criteria, would you recommend Norfolk or Wilmington as a more livable city? Or neither? (Please recommend) Thanks!
If I had to choose between Norfolk or Wilmington I would choose Norfolk. I'm a North Carolina native and lived in Norfolk for 4 years but just from an economic stand point I would choose Norfolk...more opportunity. However, given your criteria, I'm not really sure either place would be what you are looking for...aside from being coastal. Neither city is particularly walkable, Norfolk obviously winning in that aspect. Neither city is really a haven for Historic Architecture. Norfolk once had a pretty historic core but the city tore most of it down in urban renewal efforts. If you want to be a bike ride from the beach than you would want to look more into Virginia Beach than Norfolk, unless Ocean View is your thing. The economy in Norfolk really revolves around the military and the hospitals so I would do some research on job opportunities in your field before moving down there. My suggestions would be Virginia Beach for proximity to the beach and Richmond(about 45 min to Yorktown Beach) for job outlook, historic buildings/houses and walkability. Honestly, Richmond hits all of your requirements with the exception of beach access(The city does have great river access and class IV rapids through its downtown). If beach access if a deal breaker for you then my choice would be Virginia Beach>Norfolk>Wilmington. I'm just not huge on beach towns from a job stand point. Are you only interested in moving South? If so, how far south are you willing to relocate?
If I had to choose between Norfolk or Wilmington I would choose Norfolk. I'm a North Carolina native and lived in Norfolk for 4 years but just from an economic stand point I would choose Norfolk...more opportunity. However, given your criteria, I'm not really sure either place would be what you are looking for...aside from being coastal. Neither city is particularly walkable, Norfolk obviously winning in that aspect. Neither city is really a haven for Historic Architecture. Norfolk once had a pretty historic core but the city tore most of it down in urban renewal efforts. If you want to be a bike ride from the beach than you would want to look more into Virginia Beach than Norfolk, unless Ocean View is your thing. The economy in Norfolk really revolves around the military and the hospitals so I would do some research on job opportunities in your field before moving down there. My suggestions would be Virginia Beach for proximity to the beach and Richmond(about 45 min to Yorktown Beach) for job outlook, historic buildings/houses and walkability. Honestly, Richmond hits all of your requirements with the exception of beach access(The city does have great river access and class IV rapids through its downtown). If beach access if a deal breaker for you then my choice would be Virginia Beach>Norfolk>Wilmington. I'm just not huge on beach towns from a job stand point. Are you only interested in moving South? If so, how far south are you willing to relocate?
I can't speak to Norfolk but I found Wilmington to be pretty walkable for a city its size, at least in the core and not the newer suburban growth. The core of Wilmington is really charming and beautiful.
Norfolk is a good choice. It is family friendly and has an active downtown. I also like the scenery and historic cities a part of the metro area. Virginia Beach is a better beach area imo than Wilmington.
I would vote neither also. Savannah fits the OP's criteria and despite the reputation of the town being completely developed/done there are emerging historic neighborhoods near city center that provide the lifestyle they're after. Check out the Victorian District which is still developing in areas, but has plenty within walking distance.
If I had to choose between Norfolk or Wilmington I would choose Norfolk. I'm a North Carolina native and lived in Norfolk for 4 years but just from an economic stand point I would choose Norfolk...more opportunity. However, given your criteria, I'm not really sure either place would be what you are looking for...aside from being coastal. Neither city is particularly walkable, Norfolk obviously winning in that aspect. Neither city is really a haven for Historic Architecture. Norfolk once had a pretty historic core but the city tore most of it down in urban renewal efforts. If you want to be a bike ride from the beach than you would want to look more into Virginia Beach than Norfolk, unless Ocean View is your thing. The economy in Norfolk really revolves around the military and the hospitals so I would do some research on job opportunities in your field before moving down there. My suggestions would be Virginia Beach for proximity to the beach and Richmond(about 45 min to Yorktown Beach) for job outlook, historic buildings/houses and walkability. Honestly, Richmond hits all of your requirements with the exception of beach access(The city does have great river access and class IV rapids through its downtown). If beach access if a deal breaker for you then my choice would be Virginia Beach>Norfolk>Wilmington. I'm just not huge on beach towns from a job stand point. Are you only interested in moving South? If so, how far south are you willing to relocate?
Thanks for the recommendation! I have definitely thought about Richmond. I love the city and everything about it. Short trip to beaches, and an equally short trip to mountains. Certainly something to consider..
I would vote neither also. Savannah fits the OP's criteria and despite the reputation of the town being completely developed/done there are emerging historic neighborhoods near city center that provide the lifestyle they're after. Check out the Victorian District which is still developing in areas, but has plenty within walking distance.
I've never been to Savannah (nor Charleston), but would certainly check them out. My main concern with those is that they might be too far south. And possibly even more touristy. But I won't know for sure until I visit!
Young couple (upper 20's) looking to relocate from the DC area to a more affordable small/mid-sized coastal city. We like historic buildings and houses, and gritty up-and-coming areas with walkability. Ideally we'd like to be a decent bike ride from the beaches. Possibly childen coming within the next 5 years, but would prefer to still live within the core of the city.
Given that criteria, would you recommend Norfolk or Wilmington as a more livable city? Or neither? (Please recommend) Thanks!
Neither, and I live in Norfolk. I'm not so sure that Norfolk is "up-and-coming". And Wilmington is just too small of a city in my opinion. It is not yet mid-sized. Maybe it will be in another twenty years. Sure Norfolk is gritty, but so are a lot of cities. I would say Wilmington, for the up-and-coming part, as it is a younger city. But is it gritty?
Coming from the Midwest, the gritty thing used to be important to me too. But then I visited New York and realized that simply was not as important to me as I thought it was. Grit is overrated. I need something in between both extremes.
If a place has the infrastructure, I say go for it. You can find broken windows anywhere. As long as the place is walkable, who cares how filthy it is. Plus your opinion will change once you have children.
As far as the water, that one is tough, because most places next to the water have either already developed into large cities, or they are a lot smaller than what you are looking for. The large cities are already too expensive and the small cities are more than affordable but they are too far from a real urban center to provide what you need. Savannah sounds like a really good choice, as it is one of the last coastal cities with some name recognition that is still small, but still moving. What about Charleston, SC?
I would try charleston sc or savannah ga over the others because of the better job markets. Savannah is two hours south of charleston and a little smaller than charleston. If you want small then i say savannah. I wouldn't go anymore south than savannah. If you want bigger city than chose charleston. Population might say savannah is bigger but if you visit both you can tell them charleston amd surrounding areas are completely more populated
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