Is Virginia Beach THE city to raise a family?? (Norfolk: best cities, real estate)

[Chicago Suburbanite]

Wow this website provides so much information on so many cities; it's great! I've read most of the other Virginia Beach threads but wanted to throw a new one out there with a spin specific to me; so please reply with a helpful post if possible.

My wife and I are in our late twenties (kids on way) and currently live in Chicago Suburbs. For the most part we like it here; we're 30 minutes from downtown, plenty of culture, golf, high paying jobs, entertainment, etc. However one thing that we cannot stand are the months December through March; the dreaded Chicago winters... they are brutal! We are looking to relocate someplace considerably warmer. We've been to several cities across America but mostly as tourists so we didn't know where to begin. Don't laugh but I googled "best cities to raise a family" and the first site to come up was www.******. We filled out the 50 or so question questionnaire and it spits out your top 25ish "compatible" cities. Virginia Beach was in my top 5 (along with Tampa, Houston, West Palm, & Charleston)

I've since done some research on these cities and became fixated on VB due to it's geographic location. Wikipedia has desirable things to say about VB's climate that are of interest to us. I've read in other VB threads that crime is an issue. I can get over that as you'll get that in any larger city. I've read that education is good and also read that airplane noise is a common complaint about the area.

Basically what I'm asking is, and shoot me straight here, is VB the ideal city to raise a family? I understand the answer is dependent on what's important and I'm saying that climate, and an overall good environment for children especially education options are what's important. My wife and I make in the ballpark of 140K (I'm in business development and she's in IT). I browsed local real estate at www.realtor.com and saw some nice places by TPC golf course, Signature at West Neck golf course, and the Heron Ridge Golf course. Would this be a nice area to raise a family??? If in your opinion, other cities along the eastern seaboard would be more ideal I'd love to hear about them so I could research them as well. We'll likely fly out and visit these places when we get closer to moving..... still in the early stages of research right now.

Oh and if we bought a plot of land and built a custom house... can we have a walk-out basement put in????? I heard walkout basements (& basements all-together) aren't too common out there. Thanks in advance for any opinions you'd like to share. Best regards.

[stacylee926]

When I looked at your top 5 list - I have been everywhere except Houston so I am clueless there. Out of the other 4, Va Beach is probably the best. However, out of the 5, Va Beach definitely has the best weather. The others are VERY hot and humid in the summer -we have heat and humidity here too, but it is really short lived - July and Aug only. In Hampton Roads we still have 4 seasons but very little snow and milder winters in general. Our Spring comes earlier too.

Tampa seems to be going downhill fast (I spend alot of time on the Florida forums) and Florida is not as desirable as it used to be. Charleston is a beautiful city to visit, but I don't think the economy is that great to live there. The humidity in that area is also practically unbearable in the summer.

When we talk about Va Beach, we generally refer to the whole area of Hampton Roads. Chesapeake and James City County/York County are also desirable areas to live.

Personally, I am not crazy about Virginia Beach. It is on the outer edge of HR and takes time to get anywhere else in HR. Plus, there is the tourist issue in the summer. Granted the tourists are at the oceanfront, but traffic getting in and out jam things up for the residents. The airplane noise is really Jet Noise - which is much different that commercial planes. It is loud and ear piercing if you live close to the base. However, when I am in the area it just reminds me of how important our Armed Forces are - but I don't live with it 24/7.

There are good schools in almost every city here, so when you visit you really want to check out ALL of HR. The peninsula (Newport News, Williamsburg) tends to get more snow and temperature extremes though. South HR has the ocean currents to keep it milder.

Basements do not exist at all anywhere in Chesapeake, Va Beach (that I know of) due to the water level. You will not find any kind of basement South of Williamsburg and James City.

I moved to HR 4 years ago from Northern Virginia (right outside DC) and I have found that we have a MUCH better quality of life here. I spend less time in the car and more time with my family. Things are cheaper - taxes and all services (car repairs, food, gas etc) and even though pay is less, I still have more disposable income than I did. There is plenty to do too. HR does not have the best concerts or shows compared to the big city, but we have museums and entertainment complexes that can compete nicely with most mid size cities.

Overall, HR is a nice place to raise a family - at least compared to the other choices. Maybe not the best in the country, but a decent choice if weather is a major factor to you.

[Puddle Pirate]

I grew up in Oak Lawn, on the south side of the city until I was 18. The Coast Guard brought me to VA Beach in 2005, and I'm now seperating after 9 years and getting a real job ( )because I like the area so much and don't want to transfer.

For me this city is ideal ... however I don't have a family. The climate is pretty decent, and there is an abundance of things to do typically. Traffic is horrendus if you have to go through one of the tunnels, otherwise it's much better than Chicago's traffic.

You have to pick and choose the areas of the city wisely, like all bigger cities there are some places you just wouldn't want to live and raise a family. I haven't seen or heard of any homes with basements ..

Like the other person that replied, Chesapeake, which borders VA Beach has some really nice areas to live.

Personally I live off of Princess Anne Road and Dam Neck, which is a good area with good schools, however Oceana Naval Jet Base's flight path goes right over the house .. and like the other poster said these are fighter jets not commercial jets ... and I think the fighters are just a little bit nosier. That being said, I don't notice it and wouldn't move because of it either.

[Chicago Suburbanite]

Thanks for the quick and thorough replies; much appreciated.

Climate is a big factor in our decision making, so the HR area remains a top candidate. I noticed that you (StacyLee) aren't a big fan of the actual city of VB due to congestion, tourists, jet noise, etc. My question to you and everyone else really is what other areas should I look into? I've looked at Google Maps and see Chesapeake and notice that it was mentioned. I've also read some not so great things about Norfolk. However are there any pockets of Norfolk that are desirable for a family? Plus you mentioned that the peninsula (Newport News, Williamsburg) has more extreme climates so I'll be avoiding that (that's the whole reason why we're looking to leave Chicago). Suffolk? What about north of Norfolk (along I-564 or route 13)? I take it Chesapeake and VB run all the way to the NC border? Any areas down there nice/trendy/upcoming/etc? We'd ideally like to be within 20-30 minutes of the beach, our commute to work (we would both probably need to find work at midsize to large company), and shopping/dinning/etc.

You all have a safe and happy New Years Eve tonight!

[jerlap]

I grew up in VB and Norfolk, lived in Norfolk for the first 9 years of marriage, moved to Iowa for two years and moved back to VB two years ago. When my children were very young and started school, they went to private school... There is no WAY I would put a kid in a Norfolk public school. (My personal opinion, and I realize, not the ONLY opinion.) That being said, I live in VB, and don't like all the schools in VB. We live in the Great Neck corridor, and love it. Our kids are in the Trantwood/Lynnhaven/Cox district. My husband and I both graduated from Princess Anne HS, and loved it. There are some very reasonable neighborhoods in that district, and also Kempsville district.
As far as climate goes, it sounds like you would love it here. If you want four TRUE seasons, I am not sure you will get it entirely.... The winters are cool, but very rarely do we ever get snow. The fun thing is, when it does come, everything shuts down, since no one here knows how to drive in it. The spring is very pleasant, but some years we might get only a couple of weeks, then it turns quickly to summer. Summer is truly beach weather. Fall is absolutely beautiful, especially if you take a weekend to go a few hours inland to the mountains to see the trees up there. The most awsome thing about the area is that it is close to the beach, close to mountains, close to DC, NC, tons and tons of history, entertainment, etc...
I hope this helps, and the very best to you as you continue to ponder your choices.

[Mark Sr.]

Happy New Year!

I moved to VB in '78-'79 w/ my Dad's Navy career, and my wife and I are now raising our 2 kids here (1 1/2 and 4 yrs.) I went to Kingston Elementary, Lynnhaven Junior High(middle) School, First Colonial HS, & ODU. My wife went to a local private school, then ECU. No town/city is perfect but VB is pretty good. If location was the only consideration, I'd be in Solana Beach/Oceanside (N. San Diego County) CA.

My cross the street neighbor is a retired Navy F-14 pilot who grew up in Chicago & flys for FedX now. We live near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay - NE corner of VB. I would not live anywhere else, considering my current familial status (www.capestory.org). -Check out www.vbschools.com, John B. Dey Elem., Great Neck Middle, Cox High.

Moderator cut: please do not ask for members to contact you in your posts I personally am somewhat familiar with the Atlanta, San Diego, Charleston, D.C. areas as comparison.

Most 100 year+ old homes here have basements, but the high water table makes them more trouble than they are worth. We make do as best we can w/ sheds, garages, and attics.

-Mark

[stacylee926]

In order to stay within 20-30 min of the beach, you should really consider Cheapeake - maybe the Greenbrier area due to the large number of stores/restaurants/mall etc and many new neighborhoods. With a large shopping area, you do have alot of traffic tho.... I feel that Chesapeake is a little more centrally located and away from the touristy area.

Norfolk DOES have a family friendly area with older established neighborhoods (not Ghent) but I cannot remember where it is (I want to say it is NE of McArthur near the big cemetary??). However, I do not know about the schools and it is kind of on the edge of a not so great area.

I understand your desire to be near the beach, but in reality you probably won't go there very often. IF we go, we go in the off season just to walk around. Sandbridge is a much nicer beach in the summer, but a little further drive.

[vzwkelly]

Hello. I grew up in the Chicago area. Boy I don't miss the winters or commuting to the city! I moved to Virginia Beach and lived there 14 years before we got transferred to Washington DC 4 years ago. We didn't want to leave Virginia Beach, but the demands of the Army come first. My husband is now retiring and we are definately considering moving back to Virginia Beach. We loved it there. It is a great place to raise a family. We didn't have kids then, but now my son is 4 years old and I want to go someplace we know is great for kids. We are also considering Colorado Springs, because it offers so much of what we are looking for... except the weather. Virginia Beach is great because the weather is so mild! You still get the seasons, without the extremes. And the city is so clean!

We lived in different areas while we were there, but our favorite is the "Kempsville" area of Virginia Beach. It is centrally located, in the middle of every thing. Easy commute (less than 30 minutes) to the beach. No jet noise (which you have to be so careful of). There are great areas near the beach, but commutes might be longer depending on where you move. Kempsville has one of the best school districts. It is very sought after.

We have friends in Chesapeake, however they have told us the whole area is getting very crowded. They built down there in 2003 and now they wish they would have stayed in Virginia Beach.

We have been looking at a number of cities, but we keep crossing them off(like SC and Florida) and always end up with Virginia Beach back on top of our list! Right now we also have Colorado Springs only because of the schools and cost of living. We also thought it would be nice to live closer to the mountains since we have spent so many years on the east coast.

I definately think anyone from Chicago would enjoy the city. All my family from Chicago loved to come visit me in Virginia Beach and they all want me to move back so they can come visit again!

[windycitygirl]

My husband was transferred to this area last year. We lived in Algonquin (but have also lived in Crystal Lake, Evanston and Bucktown in the city). We currently live in the Great Bridge area of Chesapeake. I stay at home and we have to kids in primary school.

The weather is wonderful. It's great that I never have to chisel ice from my car and shovel a couple of feet of snow every other day. I even had my car's top down yesterday (it was January 8!!!!!). And I LOVE the beach (Sandbridge in VB is my favorite).

I would STRONGLY suggest you look in Virginia Beach versus Chesapeake. I discounted VB due to jet noise when I was house hunting and now I'm sorry.

Chesapeake is a lot slower paced and a bit more conservative than what I'm used to. There's a lot of traffic and I'm not exactly sure why. Not many good restaurants or places to shop. There is SOOOO much more to do over in VB, plus why not live closer to the beach if you move all the way out there? VB school are good, probably better than Chesapeake's in my opinion. Look for houses in the Cox High School area (a bit pricey) or Kellam High School.

I know a few people from Illinois who happen to love it in Chesapeake. Not me. However, I could probably live in Virginia Beach long term. But that's just me.

[Mark Sr.]

If jet noise is a huge concern, find help from someone who truly knows the area. There some are less expensive homes in low noise areas, and some very expensive homes in high noise zones. Jet noise can be annoying but, with a little knowledge and effort, avoided. Check out New Page 1 (broken link), click on AICUZ at top left of the page. The noise zone maps of the area can be accessed here.

-Mark