Currently live in DC but interested in learning about Norfolk (Virginia Beach: oceanfront, rent)

[RLCMA]

I've been contacted about a job in Norfolk and was wondering how the area is. I currently live and work in DC and I enjoy it for the most part (minus the arrogant people). How is Norfolk? Good for a single professional in his early 30's meaning good restaurants, good amount of educated single women, less snotty than DC, etc.? Any feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

[goofy328]

Originally Posted by RLCMA

I've been contacted about a job in Norfolk and was wondering how the area is. I currently live and work in DC and I enjoy it for the most part (minus the arrogant people). How is Norfolk? Good for a single professional in his early 30's meaning good restaurants, good amount of educated single women, less snotty than DC, etc.? Any feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

Slower than DC. Laid back. Wages lower than DC, depending on the situation. You might like it, really have to visit for a week to get a feel for it. Not as many people that are in the DC metro.

[goofy328]

Snotty is, subjective; that's heavily going to depend on who you ask.

[RLCMA]

Is it a beautiful area? People friendlier? Lots of singles and not just families? My wages would amount to about $800 less per month, however, my rent would go from about $3,000/month-$1,400/month so I'd actually be better off financially.

[goofy328]

Originally Posted by RLCMA

Is it a beautiful area? People friendlier? Lots of singles and not just families? My wages would amount to about $800 less per month, however, my rent would go from about $3,000/month-$1,400/month so I'd actually be better off financially.

So, take away $800 but save $1,600? I don't know; I would check around and see what you could get for $1,400 a month here relative to what you're paying $3,000 for there. $1,400 here will put you in a good, safe, area. Whether you will be in proximity to what you enjoy in DC is the question you'll need to answer.

If you aren't asking for much you'll get more than you need in this area. If you need a lot of museums, high end shopping, high end theatre, nightlife, etc this place is more "working class", or pedestrian, in comparison to DC or even Northern Virginia. If you don't care about those things then by all means, move here, but if you have a certain lifestyle that's tough to let go of, while I would say there's probably pockets of cosmopolitan, sophistication, in Hampton Roads it won't be like DC.

Singles I can't speak on. I've been married for like forever. People friendlier than both Coasts or the Rust Belt, definitely.

[goofy328]

It is a beautiful area.

[RLCMA]

Originally Posted by goofy328

So, take away $800 but save $1,600? I don't know; I would check around and see what you could get for $1,400 a month here relative to what you're paying $3,000 for there. $1,400 here will put you in a good, safe, area. Whether you will be in proximity to what you enjoy in DC is the question you'll need to answer.

If you aren't asking for much you'll get more than you need in this area. If you need a lot of museums, high end shopping, high end theatre, nightlife, etc this place is more "working class", or pedestrian, in comparison to DC or even Northern Virginia. If you don't care about those things then by all means, move here, but if you have a certain lifestyle that's tough to let go of, while I would say there's probably pockets of cosmopolitan, sophistication, in Hampton Roads it won't be like DC.

Singles I can't speak on. I've been married for like forever. People friendlier than both Coasts or the Rust Belt, definitely.

All in all, I would be doing better off financially. This also doesn't take into account I could be making $100k in annual bonuses which would be awesome so in all reality I have to a change to do much better financially.

I've seen all the museums, I'm not into shopping, theater, or nightlife. I like grabbing happy hour but clubs and bars until 1 AM is not my thing. Being a single guy it would be great if the area had a good amount of single women, educated, professional, etc.

[RLCMA]

I guess the big question is where to live in the Norfolk area. I like a place with a good amount of coffee shops and restaurants. Somewhere safe and upscale would be nice. I'm totally clueless about Norfolk, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, etc. so I don't know where to begin with looking for places to live.

[goofy328]

Originally Posted by RLCMA

I guess the big question is where to live in the Norfolk area. I like a place with a good amount of coffee shops and restaurants. Somewhere safe and upscale would be nice. I'm totally clueless about Norfolk, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, etc. so I don't know where to begin with looking for places to live.

Ghent is nice. Same with Downtown Norfolk. In Virgina Beach Town Center, Pembroke, neighborhoods outside of the Oceanfront, Lynnhaven, Hilltop.

[goofy328]

Fort Norfolk. The thing about Norfolk is that the neighborhoods are really small. Its easier to find what you're looking for on an app, or Google Maps, and just explore the area from there. You'll probably cross over into several different neighborhoods in the process.