Virginia beach? (Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton: oceanfront, insurance, hotel)

[ampetry]

My fiance and I were in Virginia Beach about a year ago and almost moved there but certain circumstances made that impossible at the time. We are now looking at the area again but have a few questions. We are a very young couple (early 20's) and have no children (so schools are not an issue). We absolutely love the beach and the ocean and that is one of our biggest draws to the area. Our questions are:

1. Is there a good amount of activities/nightlife for young people (this doesn't necessarily have to mean bars)? Examples would be appreciated!!!

2. Is Virginia Beach generally considered safe?

3. Are there plenty of job opportunities (this is something that has caused us to stop looking at a lot of other coastal communities)?

4. Does income and cost of living match up, or is the average income low/high compared to cost of living?

Thank you in advance to anyone who responds to this!

[Rita Mordio]

Originally Posted by ampetry

1. Is there a good amount of activities/nightlife for young people (this doesn't necessarily have to mean bars)? Examples would be appreciated!!! Not at all. Most of the "night life" really does revolve around bar hopping or hotel parties.

2. Is Virginia Beach generally considered safe? Really depends on the area, like most cities. Before you chose your house, drive through the neighborhood several times at different points of the day on a Saturday to get a feel for it.

3. Are there plenty of job opportunities (this is something that has caused us to stop looking at a lot of other coastal communities)? In my job hunting, I found that many places in Virginia Beach are very skeptical at hiring "youngins" for more than an "errand person".

4. Does income and cost of living match up, or is the average income low/high compared to cost of living? Well, according to City Data Stats, VB has an average family income of around 60K while the housing is around 200K average. The answer is no.

Thank you in advance to anyone who responds to this!

And for your information's sake, I'm 20 years and have my own place in Virginia Beach with my husband and daughter.

And just a hint about the oceanfront that you seemingly love.... It may seem great to vacation here and enjoy the sites and such of the city, but when you're working a full time job, running a household, and (maybe eventually) raising children - you don't get much time to really enjoy the oceanfront.

Because tourists are always crowding the beach during the summer, I go maybe once a month.

[EMERALDGIRL]

1. Is there a good amount of activities/nightlife for young people (this doesn't necessarily have to mean bars)? Examples would be appreciated!!! There are several areas: Chick's Beach has some great restaurants and bars, The Oceanfront....great restaurants and The Block which is a strip of bars and Town Center. If you want to go to Norfolk... Granby Street is full of nightlife and Tapas or fine dining, Colley Ave. has some great places to hang out and to eat as well in Norfolk. There is a wine festival every year in Norfolk with live music featuring VA wines. Art festivals at Stockley Gardens in Norfolk and the Boardwalk Art Festival in VA Beach every year. Chrysler Museum of art in Norfolk is a great place, Harrison Opera House in Norfolk. There are some great concert venues.....Norva is one of them in Norfolk on Granby Street. Harbour Festival in Norfolk every Spring is so much fun as well as the Neptune Festival at the beach. You also have to take a trip to Hatteras, N.C. for camping at Frisco Woods or the Outer Banks, N.C. in general is a great beach area and is only a few hours away. The Shenandoah Mountains are only about 4 hours away and is so beautiful! Busch Gardens and Water Country is only about an hour away in Williamsburg. Williamsburg has some great restaurants....Fat Canary and The Trellis are both great just to name a few.

2. Is Virginia Beach generally considered safe? Depends on the area

3. Are there plenty of job opportunities (this is something that has caused us to stop looking at a lot of other coastal communities)? What is your occupation?

4. Does income and cost of living match up, or is the average income low/high compared to cost of living? To be honest....the area in general can be expensive.

[ampetry]

EMERALDGIRL- Thank you for your response! My fiance is currently an automotive technician but is interested in a job as a service writer (the guy who writes up the repair order on your car). I will be attending school to become an esthetician (skin-care specialist) where ever we move so a lot of the cities we've looked at we're found through my research on schools.

Also, just out of curiosity, do you currently live in Virginia Beach?

[bbguy05]

To be honest with you, maybe it's just my personal observation, but I am 20 years old and there really isn't much to do in Virginia Beach. The only things you really can do is Go to the movies, eat out, go clubbing or go to the oceanfront. Pretty much everything else gets boring and tired after the first few go arounds. My honest opinion, Virginia Beach is very family oriented and is a great city for families. But if your looking for that "hot young fun!" It's not really here.

AND!

Not just Virginia Beach, but most places around the Hampton Roads area close by 9pm. The only places open after 9 are clubs and some restaurants.

In regards to the safety of Virginia Beach. Your pretty much safe anywhere. Yeah there are some neighborhoods that's not very polished, but it's not like compton or anything. Although there have been some recent incidents at the Town Center area and a few shopping centers around the city. So contrary to staying out of "bad neighborhoods" you may want to be alert when your walking back to your car after a shopping trip.

I'm not really familiar with the job market here. When I was looking for a job there were a lot of telemarketing job ads.j

The income and cost of living in Virginia Beach DO NOT match up. The average income is low compared to the cost of living here. Unless you have a college degree and can land a good paying career (still probably won't get paid as much as you could), finding something suitable maybe difficult if your on a strict budget.

[EMERALDGIRL]

Originally Posted by ampetry

EMERALDGIRL- Thank you for your response! My fiance is currently an automotive technician but is interested in a job as a service writer (the guy who writes up the repair order on your car). I will be attending school to become an esthetician (skin-care specialist) where ever we move so a lot of the cities we've looked at we're found through my research on schools.

Also, just out of curiosity, do you currently live in Virginia Beach?

No, I just relocated to FL. in 2007. I lived in Hampton Roads pretty much all my life though. I lived in VA Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake and Williamsburg so I am familiar with all aspects of the area and what is has to offer. My Fiance and I are not in the military if that was your next question. I know that the medical field is thriving in that area.

There are good and bad aspects of any location but having recently moved.....I can truly appreciate what the Hampton Roads area has to offer now that I do not live there....I do love where I live though now in FL!

[scorey2002]

I was hoping someone might be able to be of assistance to me. Myself and my Fiance are thinking of relocating To Chesapeake VA. I have a bachelors degree in business and he is an airplane mechanic. How are the jobs out there compared to houseing? Cost etc?

[Mark Sr.]

Originally Posted by ampetry

My fiance and I were in Virginia Beach about a year ago and almost moved there but certain circumstances made that impossible at the time. We are now looking at the area again but have a few questions. We are a very young couple (early 20's) and have no children (so schools are not an issue). We absolutely love the beach and the ocean and that is one of our biggest draws to the area. Our questions are:

1. Is there a good amount of activities/nightlife for young people (this doesn't necessarily have to mean bars)? Examples would be appreciated!!!

2. Is Virginia Beach generally considered safe?

3. Are there plenty of job opportunities (this is something that has caused us to stop looking at a lot of other coastal communities)?

4. Does income and cost of living match up, or is the average income low/high compared to cost of living?

Thank you in advance to anyone who responds to this!

I'll try to answer your questions:

1. Another poster mentioned Chick's Beach. The Shore Drive area has a decent nightlife and Chick's Beach is fairly convenient to Town Center (Funnybone Comedy Club, Keegans, etc.), and downtown Norfolk (Granby St., The Norva, etc.).

2. Yes absolutely. There are exceptions, as with anywhere. But comparing cities with similar population size, VB is one of the safest in the nation.

3. For your husband's job, there are many large auto dealerships here. Hendrick, Hall, Checkered Flag, etc. I think with the military presence here we have more Auto dealerships than average. I have a friend who works for Hendrick (Colonial Chevrolet). Also USAA insurance is big here (damage estimator?).

4. Some say the cost of living here is high, I would say it is average. The closer you live to water the more expensive the housing will likely be. Average incomes might be a little lower as there are many (young) retired military here who can take lesser paying jobs, as they have their retirement pay as well.

Hope this helps,

-Mark

[stacylee926]

One good thing about Va Beach is that it is one beach area that also has a good all year economy - probably wont find that anywhere else except Florida. You can live very close to the beach, but get a decent job as well.

As far as things to do.... what are your hobbies? Do you like to hike, ride bikes...? We have all the things you would do in your home city, PLUS the bigger bar scene on the oceanfront.

[Rita Mordio]

Originally Posted by scorey2002

I was hoping someone might be able to be of assistance to me. Myself and my Fiance are thinking of relocating To Chesapeake VA. I have a bachelors degree in business and he is an airplane mechanic. How are the jobs out there compared to houseing? Cost etc?

Your husband would make some great money to become a Civilian or Contractor over at Oceana Master Jet Base. It's in Virginia Beach... but around here, the cities are so close that you can do this sort of thing.

It's very very common to see somebody living in one city and work in another.