Moving to Norfolk... Help! (Virginia Beach, Chesapeake: wood floors, fit in, apartments)

[chris10elaine]

Hi, My husband is in the navy. Right now we live in Washington state and I have to tell you that I can't WAIT to move outta here! Norfolk looks like a place that I would really fit in.

However, I'm having a hard time looking for places to live. I'm not real picky. I'd like a town home, but I could deal with an apartment. We're both young (24 and 25) and no kids, but are looking for some in the next few years... schools really aren't that important for now, but location is. I'd like to live pretty close to Norfolk Navy Base, and I've heard everything is pretty close but that the tunnels are a pain with the tolls?? (I may be wrong on this, correct me if I am) Does anyone have any advice on a good and safe place to live? We're a pretty modern couple, so I don't want to get stuck in a ghetto area!

Moving there in late May-Early June. I plan on taking a trip out there end of February to check things out, but I just don't know where to even start!
I'd like some advice from someone who has lived there a bit and can tell me what its like... please?

Thanks in advance!

[kbsimmons]

I have lived in Norfolk for almost 20 years. i love it. I would suggest the Bayview area. Try they Virginia Realty company they have great townhouses called Marquis Villa i had a friend who lived there and the are beautiful and quiet and very close to everything including norfolk naval base. also try the williamsburg townhomes also in the bayview area... hope i helped...

[stacylee926]

There are no tolls at the tunnels - yet... There is talk of putting them in though.

There are a number of recent threads here about moving to Norfolk and the surrounding areas so I hate to repeat myself .

I will say this, TH are not that common here. There are more in Va Beach, but you probably don't want to move that far into 'suburbia'. Norfolk is probably your best choice for a young couple - definitely check out the Ghent area. Also, consider renting a SFH for the same or less than an apt.

[chris10elaine]

forgive my ignorance... but... "SFH"?

and thank you both for your replies! they are most helpful! I'm excited about moving to VA

[citydweller]

SFH = single family housing

[ScottSr]

There are lots of proeprties on the market right now. There are some really nice Townhouses/ Condos available in the Northeast Suffolk Area, which is not that far a drive from Norfolk. The area is less crowded than Norfolk. But it all depends what you are looking for. Chesapeake is nice also and central, and may not require a tunnel to get to the base if you take the southern route.

[rosemaryjoyful]

Originally Posted by chris10elaine

Hi, My husband is in the navy. Right now we live in Washington state and I have to tell you that I can't WAIT to move outta here! Norfolk looks like a place that I would really fit in.

However, I'm having a hard time looking for places to live. I'm not real picky. I'd like a town home, but I could deal with an apartment. We're both young (24 and 25) and no kids, but are looking for some in the next few years... schools really aren't that important for now, but location is. I'd like to live pretty close to Norfolk Navy Base, and I've heard everything is pretty close but that the tunnels are a pain with the tolls?? (I may be wrong on this, correct me if I am) Does anyone have any advice on a good and safe place to live? We're a pretty modern couple, so I don't want to get stuck in a ghetto area!

Moving there in late May-Early June. I plan on taking a trip out there end of February to check things out, but I just don't know where to even start!
I'd like some advice from someone who has lived there a bit and can tell me what its like... please?

Thanks in advance!

The tunnel traffic can get pretty bad, but most people in the military have to report to the base pretty early or they should want to since the base traffic gets pretty backed up. I own a home in Suffolk, which is about 25 mins away from the base, away from the traffic. I used to drive on the base and as long as you leave no later than 6:45 in the morning, it's not bad (no tolls either). You can get a place right in Norfolk (which doesn't look nearly as nice and is costy) or on the outskirts. Traffic in Norfolk gets pretty bad too....which means you can live 10 miles away, but it will take you 25 to 30 mins to get to work. I've always liked to get more for my money and live in a quiet area.

[adctvmonkey]

Since you and your husband are a young couple, I would suggest, like stacylee926 did above, the Ghent community in Norfolk, though it's not very close to the base. Ghent is an upscale, established community and has townhomes, though they can be pricey.

[Boardwalk Diva]

I agree with stacylee as well. Ghent is beautiful--a historic section of Norfolk where a lot of young people live. There are dog parks in the area and some excellent restaurants. It's five minutes from downtown Norfolk and has a mini-downtown of it's own (I think of it like that anyway, having moved here from a smaller town) with an awesome indie movie theater, a diverse selection of local restaurants and shops, etc.

[surfergirl79]

If you want to live in Norfolk, then live in Ghent. Perfect place for 20 somethings - you can walk to everything: wonderful restaurants, coffee shops, stores, night life, etc. The apartments and townhouses are beautiful, old historic ones with hard wood floors and nice open floor plans and very reasonably priced. I think it is the best and nicest part of Norfolk for young people. I love Virginia Beach, especially the Great Neck, Shore Drive, North End area, but it would be a bit of a commute to the Norfolk Navy base. You can still drive to the beach on the weekends.