Va Beach - My TWO really big problems (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: real estate, oceanfront)

[Prince Vegetta]

Greetings all,

I have made plans to relocate to Virginia Beach hopefully by March or April.

I have two really big problems though: Property Rental and Adequate Employment.

Please allow me to explain...

I am currently studying to become a Licensed Real Estate Appraiser. The Real Estate Appraisal Profession Is Not an easy one to break into. In fact, my success depends on finding someone who is Licensed, has a very solid reputation, and is willing to take me on as a mentor.

Because I am interested in doing business and raising my family in Virginia Beach, I will need to relocate there now, so I can set up my own office and get to really know the Virginia Beach market. I have to accomplish all of this prior to anyone considering me as a possible trainee. There is a lot of networking involved and meetings to attend to get the ball rolling. On top of that, I am not willing to take on just any offer by one who says he or she would like to mentor me. I am looking for the best and most reputable.

So, having said all of this, here are my two problems.

1). Employment - I will not be able to break into my profession right away, which means I will need to find adequate employment to sustain me and my family while I seek to find a reputable mentor or company who can take me on as a trainee. Also, I am studying the current market in Virginia Beach and I will need this knowledge (among many other things) to even be considered by most, if not all, potential mentors.

Question - What kind of job can I hope to find in the Virginia Beach area that will adequately sustain a family of five? My wife and I have three sons ages 9, 5 and 1 respectively. Can someone here give me a run down of the job scene in Virginia Beach and what are the best chances I have of finding something that will keep the utilities on and the rent paid?

2). Houses for Rent - I will not be looking to buy a house right away for two reasons: First of all, I will want to know which part of Virginia Beach I will want to raise my family in permantly. I can ask all sorts of questions concerning crime, good areas vs. bad areas, etc., but I will not know any of this for sure unless I have been living there for a while to judge for myself which area I think will be best for my family. That doesn't mean that I will shun any advice from the natives concerning which areas should be avoided and which areas are nice.
Second of all, even as an Appraisal Trainee, I still will not be making enough just yet to be in the position to buy. The average time it takes to obtain your License is about 2,000 hours of supervised work over about a Two Year time span. So we are talking at least 2-3 years before I can even consider buying a home. My first couple of years there I have to rent. I basically have no other recourse.

Question - How can I find any Properties for rent in Virginia Beach? I am not ready to buy, but at the same time I have to be in the area to give myself time to adapt to the local market (and scene) and seek a position as a trainee and work my way towards getting my License. Are there houses available for rent, or do I have to deal with apartments, which is something I certainly do not wish to do?

Any advice and guidance concerning these two issues will be greatly appreciated.

Thanx in advance for any and all feedback.

Regards,
Vegetta.

[Alanboy395]

i can help you with the second question. i would go with realtor.com which can help you find a rental house just put under $2k in the price range you could also try dailypress.com which is the local newspaper, but be warned that goes a little way from VA beach like over the HR bridge-tunnel. An area you REALLY want to avoid is the Eastside of Newport News which runs along I-664. A couple of areas I would recommend are the North Side of Hampton. The closer in Hampton you are to the york county line the better. You may also want to try Newport News, again the closer to York County the better, like Kiln Creek which runs along the city line. York County has the best schools in the region but not too many rentals or diversity is available. Be warned all these places can require a little commute to VA beach proper. Chesapeke is also a favorite HR city close to VA beach but houses can be a little expensive. Same with Suffolk and the actual city of VA beach. i hope i really helped you.

[Prince Vegetta]

Hi Alanboy395,

i hope i really helped you.

Yes, this was very helpful. Thank You very much.

Regards,
Vegetta.

[Ryleigh]

Actually, the local newspaper for Va. Beach is The Virginian-Pilot, which is a much larger and more reputable paper than the Daily Press. Just sayin.

[damian]

The virginian-pilot is larger than the daily press, but I wouldnt say it is more reputable than the daily press

[Ryleigh]

Wow, I have never heard that opinion before.

Regardless of that, because it's off track anyway, Prince Vegetta was asking about property and employment in Virginia Beach. I don't know of a single person down here who subscribes to the DP -- they cater to Hampton and Newport News. The VP caters to the South Hampton Roads cities, and also touches on other areas.

Vegetta -- yes, there are plenty of houses in Va. Beach that are for rent. Most of them will go for at least $1200 a month, though, if not more, for a safe area. Stay away from the Newtown Road and Witchduck areas. Kempsville is typically pretty safe and not as expensive as the Oceanfront and Chesapeake Bay areas. If you'd like advice on other South Hampton Roads cities, I'll do what I can. I know many parts of Va. Beach and Chesapeake, and some of Norfolk.

[Jonny Boi]

if i can awnser your last question real quick to help you .dont be mislead people told us the beach had low crime and we are very dissapointed to see we were lied to if you come here anyway truthfully your going to be dissapointed as well. You will see that the crime is increasing every year ,and i just wanted to say that i caught your comment and saw the responses and wow the same thing they told us before we came and where i live i have heard more than i wanted {gunshots every once in a while which is to much ,robberies,rapes,alot of *vandelisim*} virginia beach isnt horrible but then i will say {not yet} . Dont belive everything you hear we're moving already . Hope this helps

[citydweller]

I have never heard gunshots where I live so I think it's where you reside. Overall, the city is pretty safe but there are areas to avoid like Newtown and possibly Green Run as well. The standard of living is pretty good and the schols here are excellent, so I hear.

[MauricioColvin]

Virginia Beach is okay;I lived there most of my life. But it's not what it use to be. It's getting crowded, and the traffic is an absolute nightmare.

To live in a nice safe area, you'll pay anywhere from 1000 to 1300 per month. And you'll have to search for that. If you decide to come, stay out of Green Run, and please, stay away from Newtown Road.

Overall, the schools are decent, and the standard of living is good. If you have the money,I'd probably try to live in the Great Neck area, or along Laskin Road, or maybe Kempsville.

I love my hometown, but I left to buy a house in nearby Chesapeake, and I'm happy about it. The countryside is a couple of minutes away, and major league shopping is nearby. It's quaint and quiet, but I got a feeling that the fungus known as sprawl that engulfed most of Virginia Beach is heading our way.