Naval Station Norfolk: looking to buy a house

[par]

I m a native of the "beach" and I say no to Portsmouth and Norfolk. Consider Greenbrier in Chesapeake or Kempsville/Landstown/Salem area of VB. Great for families, lots of growth so home values will never go down and low crime areas.

[arudd427]

If you're gonna be at NS Norfolk expect a heck of a commute from VA Beach. The interstates are busy, the tunnels are deathly slow & Hampton Blvd. towards the base is bumper-to-bumper. That being said, it's what you get for probably a better city.

Portsmouth is a quicker commute, just be careful about the neighborhood.

The Western Branch area of Chesapeake is nice too & about the same commute as from most of Portsmouth.

[PaperTrail]

Originally Posted by arudd427

If you're gonna be at NS Norfolk expect a heck of a commute from VA Beach. The interstates are busy, the tunnels are deathly slow & Hampton Blvd. towards the base is bumper-to-bumper. That being said, it's what you get for probably a better city.

Portsmouth is a quicker commute, just be careful about the neighborhood.

Well, in the case that you mentioned, a person actually *wouldn't* have to go through any tunnels if they came from Va. Beach. It's a bit of a longer commute, but the only tie-up in traffic would be the I264-I64 interchange. Yes, tunnels can be hectic, which is why a place like the Beach or parts of Chesapeake would actually make sense, IMHO.

You say Portsmouth is a quicker commute, but a person would be doomed to go through the tunnels no matter what. The only practical ways northward are through the Midtown and Downtown tunnels. Portsmouth might be a shorter distance as the crow flies to the naval station, but I doubt that it would be less time -- or less of a headache.

[arudd427]

Well, however you put it, traffic here is a nightmare.

You're either stuck in it or living & travelling well out of your way to get anywhere.

[DMV11982]

there is a web site that I found in my search for a new home that is AWESOME.

https://wwws.vbgov.com/ePRO/MainUI/Crimes/CrimeSearch.aspx (broken link)

You can put the street you are interested in and it will tell you every crime dating back to 1JAN2004. It was very helpful for me. You can also do neighborhoods. Do you have an agent? If not, I know a great one. Also, keep in mind, a lot of people will tell you negative things about Green Run and Rosemont Forrest, but they are HUGE communities. Hope this helps. If you want my agents number drop me an e mail at crackerjack11982@aol.com

Good Luck!

[DMV11982]

Originally Posted by arudd427

If you're gonna be at NS Norfolk expect a heck of a commute from VA Beach. The interstates are busy, the tunnels are deathly slow & Hampton Blvd. towards the base is bumper-to-bumper. That being said, it's what you get for probably a better city.

Portsmouth is a quicker commute, just be careful about the neighborhood.

The Western Branch area of Chesapeake is nice too & about the same commute as from most of Portsmouth.

This is true, but with any traffic situation, timing is key. I lived in Chesapeake and made the commute to NOB Norfolk and it took me 26 minutes, but I had to leave at 5:30.

[John Cady]

I speak as a retired Navy man who had to talk to guys about renting or buying homes in the Hampton Roads area, and I have one concern. If anyone in the active duty side is looking for a home, have they communicated this with their chain of command? I ask because a lot of times the senior personnel can direct junior sailors into finding good resources - realtors, landlords, etc. - and help them avoid getting ripped off by some of the shadier elements out there.

Just asking...

[Erma]

Originally Posted by arudd427

Well, however you put it, traffic here is a nightmare.

You're either stuck in it or living & travelling well out of your way to get anywhere.

Depends on what time you travel. HOV lane at the interchange is open to all traffic until 6 and then switches to HOV2 for commuters. I go to and from the base quite a bit as well as Chesapeake, which is where my office is. I live near Trashmore, so I feel it isn't bad at all. It just all depends on what time you travel. I make it to the base in 15 before 6 and don't do Hampton Blvd unless I get off at Terminal Blvd. to stop for coffee and it isn't bad then either, unless there is a train.

[JRushing]

I live in Chesapeake. There are some top rated schools here at all levels of education. This area right in the middle of all the bases.