[stevieo]

Hey, I am in the midwest. I have two job offers, both similar pay with full relocation. The total compensation for these jobs would allow me to live comfortably, and I've checked that against cost of living calculators. One job would send me to Virginia Beach. And one to Hartford.

Which city would be better?

[skytrekker]

Virginia Beach will have slightly lower housing costs. Considerably Milder weather; summers will be far hotter, but winters milder. The area however is hurricane prone-overall COL will be less as well. median home price greater Hartford 258K VB 232K. Taxes will be lower in VB.

Greater Hartford area is intrinsically a very attractive metro area, one of the most pleasant places to live in the USA- with many attractive towns offering a high quality of life.

Crime in VB is below the national average- Crime in Hartford proper is high- but as a whole in the entire metro region is well below the national average.

Hartford will have greater access to the visual & performing arts- (ranked 21st best in the US & Canada) and close to New York & Boston (2.5 hours to NYC-1.5 hours to Boston)

[celina1960]

Virginia Beach all the way.

[DragonFly757]

I live near Va. Beach. You have great weather here and lots to do. I haven't been to Hartford to compare, but I recommend coming here. I think the cost of living is great!

[kidyankee764]

I would agree with VA Beach. It is a great place to live and I'd choose it over the Hartford area if I were single without kids. The weather is a bit warmer and housing costs, especially to rent, are much cheaper.

The upside to Hartford is the sophistication over VA Beach as well as being slightly over 2 hours to NYC and about 1 hr 40 minutes to Boston (both without traffic). The suburbs of Hartford are, as mentioned above, some of the most attractive in the country.

If you are raising children, I'd go with the Hartford area no questions asked since many of the suburban schools are top notch - but you will pay a high prices to live in those districts.

Keep in mind Hartford is an hour from the nearest beach - but coming from the Midwest this shouldn't bother you.

[uconn99]

No way would I ever consider Virgina Beach over Hartford!

In Hartford you have access to everything out the front door. Skiing in Vermont less than 2 hours away. Boston, NYC, Philly all less than 3.5 hours max away. Cape Cod, Marthar's Vineyard, Nantucket, Block Island, Newport, the Rhode
Island beaches ect.....

Plus Hartford itself isn't too shabby with a great arts and entertainment scene, good nightlife for the younger crowd, and one of the better corportate bases in America for a medium sized city.

Please tell me Virgina Beach has all this?

[DragonFly757]

Va Beach has a great arts and entertainment scene as well. We are home to many corporations and government positions. We have a great night life with a younger crowd and lots for families to do as well. We have a lot of history here, including Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown, a theme park nearby (Busch Gardens) and the outer banks, lots of major cities nearby such as DC and Richmond. We have beaches, mountains, lakes, rivers, ocean...all within 100 miles in any direction. We have multiple airports, the Amtrak, excellent bus systems and lots of options for transportation. It's largely a military community, though we have something for everyone. No harsh winters, mild summers and four seasons.

Hmmmm....it would be hard to choose if you've never been to both, but I say go to Va. Beach and put some of your saved housing and COL money into a retirement account.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by uconn99

No way would I ever consider Virgina Beach over Hartford!

In Hartford you have access to everything out the front door. Skiing in Vermont less than 2 hours away. Boston, NYC, Philly all less than 3.5 hours max away. Cape Cod, Marthar's Vineyard, Nantucket, Block Island, Newport, the Rhode
Island beaches ect.....

Plus Hartford itself isn't too shabby with a great arts and entertainment scene, good nightlife for the younger crowd, and one of the better corportate bases in America for a medium sized city.

Please tell me Virgina Beach has all this?

Virginia Beach is just over 3 hours from DC, less than 2 hours from the Outer Banks, just outside Norfolk, 1 hour 45 minutes from Richmond and has the ocean, not just the sound. Yes Hartford is more corporate and professional, but VA Beach offers a laid back, affordable atmosphere that IMO is great. If I were to raise a family however, I wouldn't move there over the pricey Hartford burbs if I could afford them. Schools in the Hartford area are better than VA Beach area schools, but in order to buy into a district with much better schools than VA Beach, you'll have to spend more than the Hartford area average home price - think $300k for a starter home, mostly higher though.

As for Hartford having a good nightlife - well as a 25 year old who has been out in Hartford a number of times, I beg to differ. I never found the Hartford bars/clubs to be anything special. Have you been out in VA Beach? Great nightlife - a lot of military folks looking to have a great time.

Similar pay in Hartford and VA Beach? VA Beach hands down as more money can be saved. I'm all about helping the original poster - not just selling the area where I live.

[skytrekker]

Cost of living wise- Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Hampton Roads will be slightly less then Hartford-the savings made up mostly in lower taxes. COL like Hartford ranks in the lower third nationally- meaning overall living costs are considered high for both Virginia Beach & Hartford.. Rents will be less, but single family homes and Townhouse/ condo sale prices will be about the same as Hartford. In the current housing slowdown, VB has more overbuilt conditions then greater Hartford. According to Places Rated Almanac latest edition Hartford and VB rank nearly identical for COL -Hartford in the mid 20s and VB the mid 30s- so any savings is likely to be small, even if you are very careful with your spending habits.

Weather/climate wise- VB is Basically subtropical in characteristics, with 35 or more days days each summer above 90 (compared to 20 for Hartford) Richmond, further inland records an average 47 90 degree days, but last summer had over 80. The area is mild enough for several sub tropical hardy fan palms to be easily grown (Sabal, Needle, Windmill) Although I grow windmills in my garden here with winter covering as well as Giant Sequoia. Norfolk/ Newport News/VB is rated a USDA zone 7-8, Hartford a zone 6.

Summers, in VB are warm, humid and long. The area is nearly surrounded by water, offering relief in the summer from intense heat, and far enough south from cold winters- a temperature of zero has never been recorded, although snowfall is not uncommon. Tropical cyclones/hurricanes and coastal storms may present a growing problem (as in all eastern coastal locations) Additionally climate change is likely to present the issues of sea rise & Coastal erosion/Flooding, since the area is nearly sea level- these problems are already an issue in all eastern low lying areas near the water, including Connecticut's shoreline.

The area rates 79 for the arts compared to 21 for the Hartford metro area. The region is rated very highly for outdoor recreation.

[ogplife]

I don't know much about Hartford, but living in VA right now I can tell you that Hampton Roads is one of the best places to live in the country. Great weather, beautiful houses, beautiful women, DECENT SCHOOL SYSTEM. The BEACH OF COURSE. The only downside is their traffic is terrible if you don't plan on living in VA beach.