Charleston, SC vs Hampton roads, Suffolk VA (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: crime, job market)

[bailey]

Have two job offers to consider and having difficulty deciding between the two areas. Any advice about crime, traffic and schools will be helpful.

[VT Hokie 2007]

Charleston, SC, is relatively high-crime if you go downtown but Charleston is SOOO nice and the place is just awesome. Hampton Roads has the better job market than Charleston (which has a pathetic job market) so upward mobility in your career would be more likely out of Hampton. I don't know anything about Suffolk.

BTW, I was within a hare's breadth of moving to Charleston. Ultimately, I just couldn't pull the trigger. Decided to stay in DC for career reasons.

[roanoker 4]

Charleston is in a class by itself!! I'm sorry you are considering leaving for a better career in Suffolk/Hampton Roads. It is very tough to compare these two areas as they are so much apart!! The Tidewater area of our state is a sprawling metropolis of cities, traffic and poor planning. Downtown Norfolk has transformed itself from a run down city core to a charming, tourist-friendly area with an upscale mall, restaurants and world-class museums. Like Charleston, Norfolk has an nautical feel. More downtown housing is planned and hopefully more people will move there. Believe me, it is nice but I'm afraid Charleston is a much nicer place!! Suffolk is a suburban area with lots of new housing developments and their downtown is beginning to come alive as well.
As you know, Tidewater is mostly Military. Pat Robertson has his big evangelical church there and it is generally a very conservative, button-downed area. The City of Virginia Beach is the largest city in VA and it offers just about everything in the way of shopping, restaurants, etc so I'm sure that is a big plus. It has a tourist friendly feel to it and I'm sure you will find much to do there. If you like seafood, go to Captain George's on Laskin Rd in Virginia Beach. They have the biggest seafood buffet bar I have ever seen!!
Williamsburg is nearby with Busch Gardens and also visit the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Enjoy the area but don't expect another Charleston. There is much to offer in that area but you must get out to experience!!

[bailey]

Roanoker4
Sounds like your choice is Charleston. We are leanign toward charleston as well because of the great quality of life. Have a good job offer in Hampton roads but area feels very congested. Concerned about schools for children. Have even thought about residing in Williamsburg but not sure. Charleston still #1 on list.

Bailey

[carolinajack]

I am a native of Charleston SC, 8th generation on Mt Pleasant/Sullivans island. Mt Pleasant is a wonderful, safe place to live, raise kids, and recreate.

we have lovely beaches 5 miles away, wildlife, historical museums, great weather--though hot and humid in the summer but hey thats Dixie!

we have great schools in Mt Pleasant and great neigbhorhoods

Check out www.ion.com

charleston is lovely with lots of shops, good restuarants and hospitals and arts and culture(spoletto is amazing).

If you are a professional you should have no problems in Charleston, though low wages for unskilled labour.

and we have great instittutions of higher learning

Crime is in every urban area, no matter where ya go.

look at www.propertiesofcharleston.com look at what $279,000. will get you there compared to the Virginia area.

[bailey]

Carolinajack,
Thanks for your reply. I have ask before on other post about Mt. Pleasant with some feedback. Any particular areas or communities in Mt. Pleasant that you reccomend or would avoid. Also my wife wants to know, how bad are the bugs?

Bailey

[carolinajack]

it can get buggie closer to the water, any place but we have screen porches here.

Mt Pleasant is a wealthy suburb of Charleston adn really there are no bad places.

Look at Rivertowne

Hamlin Plantation

Old Mt Pleasant

Dunes West

The Battery at Park West

I'ON Awesome

Harbour Pointe

Belle Hall

and look at Sullivans island and Isle of Palms

just google them

[carolinajack]

also try james island, west ashley, summerville (affordable)

not bad commutes to Downtown but some traffic for sure--since i also live and work up north in Philadelphia, i am comfortable commuting via bus from MP and I put my bike on the bus, its cool, but most locals wont do that.