San Francisco Bay vs. Hampton Roads (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: appointed, real estate, oceanfront)

[free]

Hi everyone,

I've been looking into the SF bay area for a while now, trying to find the right place to move to next summer (from the UK).
However, the ridiculous level of prices and cost of living make me look elsewhere though.

Virginia Beach seems to be a considerable alternative. My priority is proximity to the ocean with as much sunshine as possible. My wife, my by then 1 year old son and myself need to consider living costs though...
So my question to those who know both big popular areas:
What is better in the Virginia Beach area (or the rest of the Hamptons) than in the San Francisco Bay area?

What kind of salary does a young family of 3 need in VB to live relatively unworried (in terms of monthly bills etc)?

Any tips or anekdotes are welcome and appreciated.
Thank you.
-free-

[Fearless Kid]

I used to live in Va Beach from 1995-2004. I do miss the oceanfront of Va Beach, and
how the locals would stick around Chesapeake Beach (Chick's Beach) during tourist season.

For me, it's hard to say if VB is better than SF; as they are totally different. VB has more of a small town feel to it, and you can be rural within minutes. No tall buildings in VB (Norfolk is still considered "downtown", although that may change soon), the oceanfront has a reconstructed boardwalk that extends a good distance. Very nice people, and while it's still a military town, you see people from all states serving duty.

Ah, Virginia Beach. I would head out to Sandbridge (southeast VB) and enjoy the strong breezes in this secluded area. I would visit my friend Laird from my cable installation days and hang out in his 3 story home overlooking the beach.

I would have hotel parties on the first floor at the Dolphin Inn and invite random people to our party. I miss frequenting Chicho's and Hammerheads, with an occasional visit to the Edge and Kiefer's. Amy would always hook us up with drinks. The waitresses were nice too; Debbie and Teresa and others. lol and Ben (bling bling) showing up with his girls in a limo sometimes!

And the beautiful Irish lady I met in the summer of 2000. Sinead. I wonder what she's doing now.

One reason I left is because of the lack of jobs available to civilians. At least that's what I noticed. Unless it's because I was in the telecom field, where most jobs are contracted and require clearance, so if you weren't in the military, they didn't want to pay for clearance.

But honestly, if I didn't retire in CA, Virginia Beach would be my next choice, again.

Sorry, have to go, my g/f is waiting outside

[free]

Thanks nonibiz. Looks like you were really happy over there.
I am a bit concerned about that military dominance in the city. I'm not a fan of military, though having served in the german army myself.
I don't know if I like running into uniforms everywhere.

But I certainly like what you described as more of a small town feel. I like the big amount of water all around and small rural areas or maybe even victorian style houses?

Can I get that anywhere else in the Hampton Roads area, just without the military?


-free-

[i_is_tiger_woods]

Originally Posted by free

Thanks nonibiz. Looks like you were really happy over there.
I am a bit concerned about that military dominance in the city. I'm not a fan of military, though having served in the german army myself.
I don't know if I like running into uniforms everywhere.

But I certainly like what you described as more of a small town feel. I like the big amount of water all around and small rural areas or maybe even victorian style houses?

Can I get that anywhere else in the Hampton Roads area, just without the military?


-free-

A little tidbit of information for you...Virginia Beach and the surrounding area (known as the Hampton Roads region) is home to the WORLD'S largest naval base, as well as bases from the other branches of the Armed forces. Yes, the area is hyper-influenced by the presence of the military. You won't see much in the way of uniforms, but you can easily tell who is and who is not in the military, even when off-duty. I have a very negative opinion about the entire area, and it goes beyond the military, but that seems to be your biggest concern so that's what I have addressed.

Now, as for other areas you may want to consider:
1). Charleston, South Carolina
PROS: Great weather year-round (although does get pretty warm and humid during the summer).
Small-town atmosphere with big city convenience (in downtown Charleston, you will find many famous name-brand fashion stores, as well as some of the best restaurants on the Eastern Seaboard...and not one building in downtown Charleston exceeds 150 feet in height).
Perhaps some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.
Good beaches in the immediate area, with places like Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head Island no more than a two hour drive away).
CONS: The Citadel, a military academy, is located in Charleston. You will see those from the Citadel walking down the streets of Charleston in uniform on a regular basis. There is also a large naval base just to the north of Charleston, so a few sailors will be seen throughout Charleston (mostly out of uniform). However, the military does not affect the local atmosphere as much as it does in Virginia Beach.
2). Galveston, Texas
PROS: Good weather, nice people, good beaches, and those Victorian homes you have such an affinity for.
CONS: It's about an hour away from Houston, which in the Houston area means that Galveston is essentially a suburb of Houston.
3). Seattle, Washington
PROS: Perhaps the most beautiful city on the face of the planet.
The weather, during the summer, is phenomenal. Not too hot, but not too chilly...much like San Francisco.
If you like an educated population, Seattle is the place to be.
CONS: During the winter, although it doesn't snow much, it does rain...a lot. Count on overcast skies for about a week, then a break of sunshine for a couple of days, and then bring on the clouds again. The rain, however, falls in the form of drizzle and mist the majority of the time, and even on overcast days, the sun will come out every once in a while. It's nowhere near as dejecting as people say it is, but it still makes you think.

Those are probably the best suggestions I have. Of course, I'm only one person. Just do a little more research and feel it out. But I can tell you this much: you will be disappointed if you relocate to Virginia Beach. I went there with an open mind, and I left there telling myself that I will NEVER return under any circumstances.

[stacylee926]

I have been to San Fran and I liked it, but I went right after the big earthquake over there and I was nervous about that. We do NOT have earthqaukes here - only hurricanes. However, we do not have that many and you KNOW when they are coming...
I have traveled up and down the east coast so I know many of the cities - at least as a tourist.

If you want the beach thing - then Hampton Roads IS a good choice.
1. You can actually live at the beach AND make a decent living. Most big beach towns on the east coast do not have much industry other than tourism. We are a small to medium size city so we have plenty of non-tourism jobs.
2. Housing prices here are reasonable - much cheaper than the west coast and the Washington DC area.
3. We have ALOT to do in your free time - history, museums, nature.
4. Good weather - we have 4 seasons, but our winters tend to be much milder than the rest of Virginia. We can still get cold, but little snow. If you want snow it is close by.

As far as how much $$ you need to make to live here.... that is a hard question. Depends on if you want to buy a home, rent a home, drive brand new SUV's and what your job is.

[stacylee926]

BTW - as far as military goes.... We have several bases in Hampton Roads. Typically you will see more military closer to the bases - VA Beach, Hampton - even the Coast Guard in Portsmouth.

Other than that I don't really SEE them much. You do hear the jets everyday in VA Beach near the coast. The military is in the news more here. As Americans we are proud of our military but the military here is different than other areas of the world. We see them at the gas station and the grocery store and going to work - not hanging out and guarding street corners.

The military is a big part of our economy here, but they by no means dominate the area.

[RMELIFER]

Being from the California bay area originally, I miss the west coast culture but not the prices. Things are very nice and hometowney here in the Hampton roads area and prices are definitely a lot more reasonable than other waterfront metropolitan areas.

--Since I'm active duty military, I was surprised with how few military uniformed people I see in the peninsula area (a lot more around the navy bases south across the bridge). I bought a 2180 square foot, 2-story house in the York Tabb area with 3 bedroom/2.5 bath for under $300K. I think now is probably the best time to buy anywhere. And as far as military personnel, your neighbors will all most likely be local Virginia civilian citizens, even if they do work on one of the bases or their business contracts with the military.

If you're British or German, you may want to check out the Spanish coast area from the French border south to Gibraltar. Great year-round climate and there's just no comparison to those sweet euro beaches anywhere on the med sea (especially if you're single). The jobs and income might not be so great, but I believe there's some benefits there if you're a European union citizen or married to a spaniard.

[darkblue]

I have lived in Bay Area for 3 years and now living in Virginia Beach for past one year.
One basic and important disadvantage of VB/Hanmpton roads area compared of SF Bay Area is lack of jobs. Not many jobs in this area. Most of the jobs are health care and tourism apart from Military.

This is not the place for people who like big city living, to party on weekends (not a gr8 party place)

This place is a perfect fit for people who like to live in small city setting, little bit of rural life(chesapeake). little bit of city life (norfolk and VB).

Weather is almost as same as Bay Area . In 75- 100s(low) in summer, Starts descending from October last week (low 60s to med-high50s). Low temperatres till April last week.Almost no snow.
Housing is very cheap ciompared to SF Bay Area. You can get approx 1800 sq feet new single family condo for $300 - $325 K in very decent area of VB(i recently bought one). But this is expensive for this area becos of not many jobs.


I have no idea about your job, It all based on what type of career you r going to have at VB. if you are retiring here then its very good place.

[stacylee926]

I am not sure the statement from Darkblue is accurate about jobs here.

We have Downtown Norfolk where there are tall bank buildings and office buildings - people do work there. Yes, there is alot of healthcare options. Tourism is an option too. However, we have a fair amount of different types of jobs here. Blue collar and white collar.

Maybe if the OP could tell us what type of work he does, that would help.

[darkblue]

Originally Posted by stacylee926

I am not sure the statement from Darkblue is accurate about jobs here.

We have Downtown Norfolk where there are tall bank buildings and office buildings - people do work there. Yes, there is alot of healthcare options. Tourism is an option too. However, we have a fair amount of different types of jobs here. Blue collar and white collar.

Maybe if the OP could tell us what type of work he does, that would help.

Stacy,There are jobs in Norfolk (at Dominion, Bank of America,Capital One, Dollar Tree and Oracle-chesapeake, ) But when compare to SF Bay Area, job options are very less in Hampton Roads (especially in IT) and the salary is also less compared to the real estate.