Virginia Beach on FORBES Top 10 Least Family Friendly List (Cana: amusement park, houses)

[Erma]

Originally Posted by Trevor92

I really think we can simplify the discussion and say the Va Beach should have both. Let's take a step back and consider that Virginia Beach has more than 425,000 residents and there are more than 1.6 million in the Hampton Roads MSA according to City Data. votes.

The problem I have with the numbers, is that they don't simplify how much of that is military. You have to consider that many of them are NON-state residents and the military does not pay personal property tax. Our livilihood IS the military. The tourists only make up a portion of that for the beach businesses. We have to take care of the military and their families first and foremost.
Myrtle and SC are a different scenario. Myrtle thrives on the golf courses to bring in the big name tourist and hosting tournaments.
Now, I'm not saying either is better than the other, but you have to understand where our responsibilities lie and in this economic crisis, where is the money going to come from to accommodate part time visitors? If Regal Cinemas wanted to build a theater at the water front, chances are is that it would go broke in the off season.

[Trevor92]

Originally Posted by Erma

The problem I have with the numbers, is that they don't simplify how much of that is military. You have to consider that many of them are NON-state residents and the military does not pay personal property tax. Our livilihood IS the military. The tourists only make up a portion of that for the beach businesses. We have to take care of the military and their families first and foremost.

I don't disagree in any aspect, but they do pay sales tax, some of which goes to localities, and support many local businesses, so they do contribute in an abbreviated, but important way to the economy.

It is beyond me why Virginia has not looked to Tennessee as a model to follow to increase the benefit of this arrangement. They have a sales tax around 10% depending on the locality, including the state and local tax, and it's higher for prepared foods (restaurants). They've also eliminated the income tax on salaries and wages. Here in Virginia we could very look at eliminating personal property taxes or income tax, or a combination of both. That way, all individuals living in an area contribute to the tax base of an area. This especially makes sense for Hampton Roads and NOVA, the two big population and tourist areas of the state, as well as Appomattox, Charlottesville, and Blacksburg. Not doing what's best for Virginians has not been limited to local government. But then again, this 'consumption tax' always gets into partisan politics, but there's no doubt in Virginia, and especially Virginia Beach, it would work out far better for residents and localities because of tourists. It's basically why Pigeon Forge, TN has become the tourist destination that it has with such a small residential population.

But you're right, Myrtle Beach has found a year-round niche in golf courses and other things. While Virginia Beach, while supporting the oceanfront and downtown, never tried to attract or even foster a tourist environment with fun things such as theme parks or water parks (worth mentioning), themed dinner & movie/show establishments, putt-putt courses, discount shopping outlets, premium golf courses, childrens museums, multiple go-cart courses, nature trails, etc.

[bbguy05]

Originally Posted by GarciaForever

Way to go Virginia Beach! It's so expensive to live here you made the Forbes 10 Least Family Friendly List!

In Depth: America's Most And Least Family-Friendly Cities - Forbes.com

Wow I would think Virginia Beach would be family friendly. That's a shocker!

It's shame that there is no cheap place to eat in town center. As a worker in town center, it would be nice to WALK to a cheap place to eat instead of drive. Eating @ Bravos and Cheesecake factory everyday adds up.

[citydweller]

Speaking of cheap eats I wonder of the demise of the now defunct Johnny Rockets there in Town Center. I always thought the location they had 'off the beaten path' was not a good thing. There is across the street though some cheaper eats at Panera and the other Chinese place that recently opened. Also, Jason's Deli is pretty good.

[janeannwho]

Originally Posted by Erma

You're right, it does depend on perspective. I would think after spending all day on the beach with the kids and the things they have going on down there, the adults would want to get away at night. If they had a theater at the beach, it would most likely be seasonal, because it wouldn't get the yearly support from the locals. Why go to the beach when we have to pay for parking and the hotel guests don't? That would end up being a big issue that the tax payers (again) have to pay for.

Erma, you are back on my big beef, that as residents we cannot get a low or no cost parking pass for the year for the beach. Seems to me we pay the taxes to support the beach, so we should get to park there, instead of having all the antipeople towing signs up all over the place. But you continue to think of the beach area as seasonal when it should be a year round venture. I was there for two months in the winter two years ago and met so many people who were disgusted nothing was open in January and February.

[hunterme]

erma i'm not calling you a liar but who ever made those stats is a darn fool va beach shouldn't even be on that list on second thought neither should norfolk or richmond either

[bbguy05]

Originally Posted by citydweller

Speaking of cheap eats I wonder of the demise of the now defunct Johnny Rockets there in Town Center. I always thought the location they had 'off the beaten path' was not a good thing. There is across the street though some cheaper eats at Panera and the other Chinese place that recently opened. Also, Jason's Deli is pretty good.

Again, we would have to drive. Because walking across the blvd, especially around lunch time, is pure suicide.

[Rita Mordio]

Originally Posted by bbguy05

Again, we would have to drive. Because walking across the blvd, especially around lunch time, is pure suicide.

Not to mention that an overhead walking path attaching Town Center to Pembroke Mall was shot down.

By the way, this article seriously keeps me thinking that Virginia Beach is trying to get rid of residents... Closing Elementary schools is a thought.

[Erma]

Originally Posted by janeannwho

Erma, you are back on my big beef, that as residents we cannot get a low or no cost parking pass for the year for the beach. Seems to me we pay the taxes to support the beach, so we should get to park there, instead of having all the antipeople towing signs up all over the place. But you continue to think of the beach area as seasonal when it should be a year round venture. I was there for two months in the winter two years ago and met so many people who were disgusted nothing was open in January and February.

Knock down a few of those hotels and build a parking garage, or better yet, where they tore down those other buildings by the old lighthouse restaurant...build a parking garage there. Let's see what Sessons will do for us!

[oleo]

Everyone I know from VA doesn't even go to VA Beach anymore. They just go to Myrtle Beach because VA Beach is a pain in the rear.