relocating to virginia beach area- alittle help? (Norfolk, Richmond: apartments, renter)

[hollygolitely]

i've had years spending time in various parts of fl to know what i'd be getting into... va .... not so much that's why i'm so interested in this forum :P

[rosescheller]

I left the tri-state area 14 years ago and moved to Va beach. My family moved here 10 years earlier. I was going through a bad divorce and thought it was a good idea. Wrong! The salaries here are about one third of what they are there. You're right the military keeps the wages for every one else low. Housing costs are way out of proportion. Worst of all once you're here you can't make enough money to move back. I've spent 14 years trying to catch up to move out of here. Don't do it. There are so many more opportunities there. Good Luck!

[Erma]

Divorce has a big impact on anyone, mentally and financially. If you are from the northeast, don't expect to make the same salary. Your cost of living IS higher and the private sector pays to facilitate your cost of living. My spouse left MA after working in the same place for 23 years. It was a shock at first that he was not making the same wage, yet couldn't believe that I as a single person, I had more than he did when in MA. It's about how well you plan your move and how much you save to make the move to start over. The military really has nothing to do with the wages, it's the Federal Government who sets the standards.

[Hokie]

Wages here are low. Teachers do better here than many if not most of the civilians, so that ought to tell you something. I do think the military plays a role. For example, there are so many guys retiring or leaving the service here that need jobs. Often the jobs they get in the civilian world pay far less than what they made in the military. The employers here seem to know that many have pensions and frankly they take advantage of that. For many military people it is hard to find work if it isn't connected to a contractor because that is the type of work they do. I think it is very hard on the people who do not have pensions to work for some of the salaries they offer here. The food is here is way higher than where I lived in the Northeast, and my house here cost more than the houses in the neighborhood I grew up in (also a nice area).Houses skyrocketed herre in the past ten years. The only big advantage I found here was in real estate tax. It isn't as high here.

[Hokie]

If I had to do it again, I would have stayed in Massachusetts. Everybody is different, but I consider the move here to be one of the biggest mistakes of my life. In my previous career before teaching I took a 50% cut in salary down her. I never expected that. There are many hourly wages positionsdown here, too, instead of salaries. Best of luck to you, but do your research. My husband's job has kept us here, but we plan to start researching other areas soon with the hope that we can make a move in the next few yaers.

[rsl331]

Hi, I don't know if you are still interested, but I have lived in Virginia Beach for a year and a half in a great area. I am in an apartment complex that is 3 minutes from the ocean, and in a safe area. I am a female living alone, so safety is important. However, I am having to move to Nashville with my recording career and they want me there in January. So I have a beautiful 2bdrm, 1 bath apartment for short term lease (Jan.09 thru May), or longer if you like it. It is a good area, close to the beach, and has a washer and dryer, and in your price range. It would be a great deal because it gives you time to find what you like. If you are interested, e-mail me at: taylor331@sbcglobal.net. I will be glad to give you more information.

[Erma]

Originally Posted by rsl331

Hi, I don't know if you are still interested, but I have lived in Virginia Beach for a year and a half in a great area. I am in an apartment complex that is 3 minutes from the ocean, and in a safe area. I am a female living alone, so safety is important. However, I am having to move to Nashville with my recording career and they want me there in January. So I have a beautiful 2bdrm, 1 bath apartment for short term lease (Jan.09 thru May), or longer if you like it. It is a good area, close to the beach, and has a washer and dryer, and in your price range. It would be a great deal because it gives you time to find what you like. If you are interested, e-mail me at: taylor331@sbcglobal.net. I will be glad to give you more information.

Good luck with your recording career. Let us know when you cut your first record!
Juice Newton was our girl from Virginia Beach!

[NorfolkNoggin]

I am a bit surprised that no one has suggested Ghent in Norfolk. I think that is an excellent neighborhood for a young person working in the corporate field and looking for a safe neighborhood.

It's the area right next to downtown Norfolk (which I LOVE because it reminds me of a miniature NYC) so you can walk to work (if you'd end up working downtown Norfolk) and walk to clubs.

There's also Colley Ave in Ghent with lots of restaurants and coffee shops. 21st St also has lots of stores and is within a walking distance no matter where in Ghent you are.

Sure it's a bit expensive but with the market becoming a bit more renter friendly I'm sure you can get a nice place at a reasonable price.

The neigborhood is very old. Most houses are 100-120 years old but almost all of them have been renovated. It's clean, very friendly and above all safe.

Everything here is within walking distance. We walk the kids to school, to ballet school, to work, the grocery store (two great ones in Ghent), bars, restaurants, everywhere. Seriously, our car has cobwebs on it because we use it so little (and I am speaking literally).

I have never come across any of the tension you talk about between white people and African Americans here. Not at all.

Norfolk is a Democrat town. We voted Obama 71% here and I contribute it to the fact that there are a lot of AAs here and the majority of white folks here are educated. (Hope I'm not offending anyone with that statement).

So I suggest you consider Ghent. Lots of young people here, many working at the hospital (drs, nurses, etc) since Norfolk General and EVMS (medschool) is located at the outskirts of Ghent, and it's also kid/baby friendly.

Usually you'd have to park your car in the street though since the houses are so old they were built before people commonly owned a car so they have no garages or driveways.

[Erma]

Bikesarebetter lives in Ghent, but hasn't been on the board in quite some time.

[eddieb323]

You said something about Newport News. That's my town and I love it! If you're looking for an affordable area while still being in Hampton Roads that's probably the best place for you. There is a beach on this side of the water called Buckroe Beach in Hampton. It's on the bay though not on the ocean. I don't know if that makes a difference to you. If you consider Newport News, only look at places above Mercury Blvd. Below Mercury Blvd is ghetto. As far as jobs go, unless you have a college education, don't plan on making a lot. This might be a beautiful place to live but there is a tradeoff when it comes to wages.