Nice neighborhoods in Hampton Roads (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: to rent, low crime, hotel)

[PChildres]

Ok here goes. My fiance and I are going to Hampton Roads 1/5-1/9. We want to give one city its chance for the entire day. If we like what we see, we will be flying back to that city in April or May to have housing planned for our move in the summer.

What 4 or 5 cities/towns should we consider? Williamsburg is one of them, so name me 3 or 4 others. Also, what are some nice areas of town for these cities you name? If you can, give me a specific intersection to help me reconize the area inwhich you suggest. I'll add it into my GPS to help plan and navigate our trip.

I've printed out several neighborhood maps for Chesapeake, but Im not quite sure of their whereabouts. I'll have to look them up later. I really want to see Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Williamsburg for sure.

Low crime rate is a big key for us. Commute time doesn't really matter, we just need to be in a decent driving distance from grocery stores, restaurants and shopping centers. So what are some of the better overall cities for this? I don't need a halfmillion-dollar-housing type neighborhoods.... just something decent and safe, all we care about. Thanks in advance for your input guys!

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by PChildres

Ok here goes. My fiance and I are going to Hampton Roads 1/5-1/9. We want to give one city its chance for the entire day. If we like what we see, we will be flying back to that city in April or May to have housing planned for our move in the summer.

What 4 or 5 cities/towns should we consider? Williamsburg is one of them, so name me 3 or 4 others. Also, what are some nice areas of town for these cities you name? If you can, give me a specific intersection to help me reconize the area inwhich you suggest. I'll add it into my GPS to help plan and navigate our trip.

I've printed out several neighborhood maps for Chesapeake, but Im not quite sure of their whereabouts. I'll have to look them up later. I really want to see Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Williamsburg for sure.

Low crime rate is a big key for us. Commute time doesn't really matter, we just need to be in a decent driving distance from grocery stores, restaurants and shopping centers. So what are some of the better overall cities for this? I don't need a halfmillion-dollar-housing type neighborhoods.... just something decent and safe, all we care about. Thanks in advance for your input guys!

Williamsburg is awsome ! On your way up to Williamsburg, go a tad further to Urbanna right on the Rappahannock River. Beautiful ! Also drive through Yorktown. It's not just an old battlefield to visit.

Im very fond of Chesapeake, specificly the Great Bridge area. Stop in Great Bridge Lock Park and walk the path out to the end of the pennilsula to watch the boats on the Elizabeth River. Continue this path to where the GB Lock is. Sit on the bleachers and watch the snowbirds navigating their yachts down the ICW.

Nothing about Virginia Beach ever turned me on but go south along the VB ocean front all the way south to False Cape State Park and fall in love. Go further down to Bodie Island and the Dolphins swim within 40' of the beach. They swim with you as you walk along the oceans edge. Oh how I miss that place.

Norfolk is dumpy but take a look at Ghent. The beautiful old homes will make you say wow. It does get pricy there though. While in Norfolk make sure you stop in Waterside and Town Point Park where there are enough festival events to keep you always busy on weekends. I left my beloved Virginia just before MacArthur Center in Norfolk opened. What is this new mall like...anyone?

We used to go to Smithfield all the time too. Visit the Lighthouse that is available to rent like a Hotel. You walk way out on a boardwalk across the water to your own private light house. Nearby visit the home of the Smithfield Ham Company. Oh how I miss that place.

I would say that Hampton Roads, Tidewater...whatever they call it these days is one of the best places to live. I spent just 3 years there from age 40-43 and I call Chesapeake my home. There is so so so much to do and see. I miss it badly.

[EMERALDGIRL]

Where are you moving from? Why the Hampton Roads area?

*Williamsburg is very nice, I grew up there. Very safe area and just beautiful and charming.
*The Shore Drive area of VA Beach is nice, also known as Chick's Beach. It's a nice little beach community.
*Great Bridge in Chesapeake is a nice place to live, I also lived there..........nice place to raise a family.
*Ghent in Norfolk is nice but personally the only area of Norfolk that I liked. I just moved from there........... it can be real expensive though. Bad areas and good areas can all be kind of mixed in together though, you just have to do your research.

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by EMERALDGIRL

Where are you moving from? Why the Hampton Roads area?

*Williamsburg is very nice, I grew up there. Very safe area and just beautiful and charming.
*The Shore Drive area of VA Beach is nice, also known as Chick's Beach. It's a nice little beach community.
*Great Bridge in Chesapeake is a nice place to live, I also lived there..........nice place to raise a family.
*Ghent in Norfolk is nice but personally the only area of Norfolk that I liked. I just moved from there........... it can be real expensive though. Bad areas and good areas can all be kind of mixed in together though, you just have to do your research.

Emeraldgirl you just repeated what I said. That means that great minds think alike. I wonder if you miss Hampton Roads as much as I.

[EMERALDGIRL]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

Emeraldgirl you just repeated what I said. That means that great minds think alike. I wonder if you miss Hampton Roads as much as I.

hehe........There are some things I miss like: Town Point Wine Festival, Stockley Gardens and Boardwalk art festival, Chrysler Museum, Chick's Beach, going to the Outer Banks at a moments notice, Busch Gardens, Restored area of Williamsburg, concert venues, Pungo, North End of VA Beach.

I really love my new home though.......the sunsets on the Gulf are amazing! The beaches are breathtaking as well, white sands and emerald green/blue water. I could not even go back to Va Beach after seeing the beaches here in FL. Just hope the hurricanes stay away!

[PChildres]

Thanks for the responses guys. And we're moving from Houston, TX. I moved to Houston in 2003 from eastern North Carolina (Rocky Mount/Greenville area) to be closer to my girlfriend who lived here in Houston. She'll be graduating school in May and I'd like to live in a place that has better weather, less congestion with people and traffic, lower crime, close to the ocean, and closer to my family in NC.

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by PChildres

Thanks for the responses guys. And we're moving from Houston, TX. I moved to Houston in 2003 from eastern North Carolina (Rocky Mount/Greenville area) to be closer to my girlfriend who lived here in Houston. She'll be graduating school in May and I'd like to live in a place that has better weather, less congestion with people and traffic, lower crime, close to the ocean, and closer to my family in NC.

Well your leaving Houston and Im going to Houston. Actually we have a place an hour above Houston on Lake Livingston. But I cant stop thinking about the Bolivar Peninsula. Im not afraid of hurricanes. Maybe we will end up in Crystal Beach.

Good luck to you !

[PChildres]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

Im very fond of Chesapeake, specificly the Great Bridge area. Stop in Great Bridge Lock Park and walk the path out to the end of the pennilsula to watch the boats on the Elizabeth River. Continue this path to where the GB Lock is. Sit on the bleachers and watch the snowbirds navigating their yachts down the ICW.

What is this "ICW" you speak of? By the way, "Continue this path to where the Great Bridge Lock is"

What exactly is the Lock?

[EMERALDGIRL]

ICW is the Intercoastal Waterway.......... I am just taking a guess, but I am pretty sure that is what it means.

I used to work in Chesapeake right on the ICW at a place called Lock's Pointe right near the Lock's bridge.........I think that might be what desertsun41 was refering to.

Have you considered N.C.? I just know that the housing in Hampton Roads in very high right now, even for undesirable areas. That is one of the reasons I moved. You may end up finding a place though that is perfect for you guys and money may not even be a factor for you both. Good luck!

[PChildres]

Well another reason I didn't list for wanting to live in Hampton Roads area of VA is simply because its NOT NC. Lived there for 18 yrs and didn't really enjoy it. Not sure how I feel about it now, honestly. If I strike out in VA then I will look into some spots in NC.