Possibly taking job in Williamsbury, VA, what is the area like? (Norfolk: apartments, condos)

[OT4eva]

I am a 29-year old African American female and I am considering accepting a position in Williamsburg, VA for a few months. I currently live in the DMV area and I already know it won't be the same. I was just wondering what the Williamsburg area is like as far as things to do and demographics and socializing. Any thoughts?

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by OT4eva

I am a 29-year old African American female and I am considering accepting a position in Williamsburg, VA for a few months. I currently live in the DMV area and I already know it won't be the same. I was just wondering what the Williamsburg area is like as far as things to do and demographics and socializing. Any thoughts?

I was there as a tourist recently, and tried to chat with locals at the hotel bar. The housing is probably too expensive for the working class locals, but it is a very safe small town.

The population figures are not overwhelmingly white: about 71% white and 14% black. Colonial Williamsburg makes a good effort to hire black people. The interpreters who portray blacks are shown in a positive light.

As for things to do, there are numerous good restaurants, and some place have live music. Busch Gardens is good for entertainment, and the beaches are closer than they are to DC. In short, life would not be too bad if you lived in or near Williamsburg. It is probably too far to commute from the more urban areas in Hampton Roads.

[Beach Bus Bum]

Originally Posted by goldenage1

I was there as a tourist recently, and tried to chat with locals at the hotel bar. The housing is probably too expensive for the working class locals, but it is a very safe small town.

The population figures are not overwhelmingly white: about 71% white and 14% black. Colonial Williamsburg makes a good effort to hire black people. The interpreters who portray blacks are shown in a positive light.

As for things to do, there are numerous good restaurants, and some place have live music. Busch Gardens is good for entertainment, and the beaches are closer than they are to DC. In short, life would not be too bad if you lived in or near Williamsburg. It is probably too far to commute from the more urban areas in Hampton Roads.

Ummmm...."blacks"? I take offense to your connotation and I am not African American. Unbelievable.

OT4eva I apologize for the manner in which you were responded to, and I can't believe that I have to even say these things.

Williamsburg is a typical suburban area with malls, a theme park, chain restaurants, and community living. Technically it will harbor less tourists than the other HR municipalities. It is a bit far (in my opinion) to travel daily to get to the tourist beaches of VB. But relative to the area, everything is within a short drive.

The nice thing about Williamsburg is that it is away from the business of VB. It is also within reach to Norfolk, VB, Hampton, NN, and the rest of the 7 cities.

A little more information may be helpful...what are you lookking for in a city and in a community? Socializing shouldn't be a problem regardless of where you are in this area...

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Beach Bus Bum

Ummmm...."blacks"? I take offense to your connotation and I am not African American. Unbelievable.

Would you prefer that I used "Euro-Americans" instead of "whites"?

FWIW, I do use the term African American, but when I am in a hurry I use the shortcut terms. I don't see a problem with using shortcut names, and I use them in parallel positions.

[OT4eva]

Originally Posted by Beach Bus Bum

Ummmm...."blacks"? I take offense to your connotation and I am not African American. Unbelievable.

OT4eva I apologize for the manner in which you were responded to, and I can't believe that I have to even say these things.

Williamsburg is a typical suburban area with malls, a theme park, chain restaurants, and community living. Technically it will harbor less tourists than the other HR municipalities. It is a bit far (in my opinion) to travel daily to get to the tourist beaches of VB. But relative to the area, everything is within a short drive.

The nice thing about Williamsburg is that it is away from the business of VB. It is also within reach to Norfolk, VB, Hampton, NN, and the rest of the 7 cities.

A little more information may be helpful...what are you lookking for in a city and in a community? Socializing shouldn't be a problem regardless of where you are in this area...

Thanks for your response. I currently live in a city where there is a lot to do and everything is near by. I guess I am essentially looking for a location that may be close to bars, movies, restaurants, shopping and events so I don't feel like it's hard to meet people and I don't want to be stuck sitting at home doing nothing because there just isn't anything to do. I also want to feel comfortable and not feel like the environment is too uptight.

[TN Lily]

I realize this is off the OP's question, but what is wrong with "black"? Is it politically incorrect? WHY? I see "white" on forms instead of "Caucasian" and as Goldenage1 indicates the corresponding term for many whites would be something like "Irish American" or "Polish American" etc. White folk did not originate in North America either. Given the use of another term by both "African American" rap artists and racists, "black" is hardly worth getting upset about from my perspective.

I find it unreasonable that one poster would call out another poster on this forum for using the term "black."

“I believe that political correctness can be a form of linguistic fascism, and it sends shivers down the spine of my generation who went to war against fascism” P. D. James - speaking to the Paris Review in 1995

[Poquoson7]

Originally Posted by OT4eva

Thanks for your response. I currently live in a city where there is a lot to do and everything is near by. I guess I am essentially looking for a location that may be close to bars, movies, restaurants, shopping and events so I don't feel like it's hard to meet people and I don't want to be stuck sitting at home doing nothing because there just isn't anything to do. I also want to feel comfortable and not feel like the environment is too uptight.

Check out The New Town development right over the border from Williamsburg in James City County. Shops, restaurants/bars, movies, bookstores, professional offices, single family homes/apartments/condos/townhomes and medical facilities. It's about ten years old but as time goes by has taken on a much more organic look as it matures. It very much resembles a small town that has been there for years, the design and aesthetics are top notch.
I work in the area and there are retirees, young families, corporate types, students, empty nesters and a sizable international population.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Poquoson7

Check out The New Town development right over the border from Williamsburg in James City County. Shops, restaurants/bars, movies, bookstores, professional offices, single family homes/apartments/condos/townhomes and medical facilities. It's about ten years old but as time goes by has taken on a much more organic look as it matures. It very much resembles a small town that has been there for years, the design and aesthetics are top notch.
I work in the area and there are retirees, young families, corporate types, students, empty nesters and a sizable international population.

Thanks. That sounds like what the OP was looking for. If she needs a more urban experience, Richmond is an hour away, and Norfolk is also about a hour away.

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by TN Lily

I realize this is off the OP's question, but what is wrong with "black"? Is it politically incorrect?

Well, in the context of my remarks about Colonial Williamsburg, it sounded a bit patronizing. If the OP was offended, I apologize to her.

I just realized that the OP was discussing only a few months in Williamsburg. I think she will find sufficient things to do. If she gets a day off in cooler weather (and the crowds have gone), she might enjoy touring Colonial Williamsburg.

[Beach Bus Bum]

Originally Posted by TN Lily

I realize this is off the OP's question, but what is wrong with "black"? Is it politically incorrect? WHY? I see "white" on forms instead of "Caucasian" and as Goldenage1 indicates the corresponding term for many whites would be something like "Irish American" or "Polish American" etc. White folk did not originate in North America either. Given the use of another term by both "African American" rap artists and racists, "black" is hardly worth getting upset about from my perspective.

I find it unreasonable that one poster would call out another poster on this forum for using the term "black."

“I believe that political correctness can be a form of linguistic fascism, and it sends shivers down the spine of my generation who went to war against fascism” P. D. James - speaking to the Paris Review in 1995

FYI...and I'm sure this is only a refresher...those who went to war against fascism did so as segregated armies, rife with racism, prejudice and ignorance. So............??????????