Norfolk - Grad School (Virginia Beach, Chesapeake: crime, job market, public schools)

[coloradocutter]

I have an opportunity to attend grad school in Norfolk and the posts on here are scaring me to death. I would be relocating my family from Denver, Colorado, which is fairly pricey, but here I have a good income. I am the breadwinner. In Norfolk, I would be attending grad school with relatively meager stipend. My husband is self-employed and would have to figure out employment which will be tough for his field, but I do have a large amount of savings to help us out. It sounds like cost of living is high for the options you have in Norfolk. We also have a small child - so I am worried about childcare, crime, etc. Transportation options here aren't great as not near any major airport.

I would have to spend less time in school at this program, but the other programs I am looking at are in lower cost of living places Alabama and North Carolina - where we each have family. I am about to rule out interviewing at this program at all...If anyone has any redeeming things to say about this area, please let me know.

[Erma]

Originally Posted by coloradocutter

I have an opportunity to attend grad school in Norfolk and the posts on here are scaring me to death. I would be relocating my family from Denver, Colorado, which is fairly pricey, but here I have a good income. I am the breadwinner. In Norfolk, I would be attending grad school with relatively meager stipend. My husband is self-employed and would have to figure out employment which will be tough for his field, but I do have a large amount of savings to help us out. It sounds like cost of living is high for the options you have in Norfolk. We also have a small child - so I am worried about childcare, crime, etc. Transportation options here aren't great as not near any major airport.

I would have to spend less time in school at this program, but the other programs I am looking at are in lower cost of living places Alabama and North Carolina - where we each have family. I am about to rule out interviewing at this program at all...If anyone has any redeeming things to say about this area, please let me know.

I wouldn't fret what you read. The negatives are mostly from those who would prefer NOT to be here or unhappy campers. I've been here 24 years and lived many places including CO, which I travel to now and then for business. Norfolk is just one of the many cities here and you will find that our cost of living isn't that bad, if you have the opportunity to achieve. The option of leaving a high income job and continuing your education is a decision you will have to make. I understand the cutbacks on the people who are self employed, especially in the economy we are in. Hampton Roads is not jobless. There are many jobs here, it just depends on what your husband wants to do while you are in school. Federal work is there, if he can obtain a clearance. Since Homeland Security has beefed up, background checks and security clearances are a big thing in federal work. Good money and benefits if you can pass those two obstacles.

[SiestaBay]

Originally Posted by coloradocutter

I have an opportunity to attend grad school in Norfolk and the posts on here are scaring me to death. I would be relocating my family from Denver, Colorado, which is fairly pricey, but here I have a good income. I am the breadwinner. In Norfolk, I would be attending grad school with relatively meager stipend. My husband is self-employed and would have to figure out employment which will be tough for his field, but I do have a large amount of savings to help us out. It sounds like cost of living is high for the options you have in Norfolk. We also have a small child - so I am worried about childcare, crime, etc. Transportation options here aren't great as not near any major airport.

I would have to spend less time in school at this program, but the other programs I am looking at are in lower cost of living places Alabama and North Carolina - where we each have family. I am about to rule out interviewing at this program at all...If anyone has any redeeming things to say about this area, please let me know.

I don't really find the cost of living to be high here, per se.

Crime is a big problem in Norfolk, Portsmouth, and parts of Virginia Beach, Newport News and Chesapeake. As far as childcare, you should be okay. I would worry about the schools though. Many of the public schools around here leave a lot to be desired. If possible go private.

We really don't have a major airport around here, either. Norfolk, depending on where you're going, can be extremely pricey. It also doesn't have too great of non-stop services.

If you're thinking about NC, I will say VA is better. NC is really the pits. I've never been to Alabama.

[SiestaBay]

Forgot to mention about jobs... the job market around here is really not built for professionals. It's VERY blue collar around here.

[Erma]

Originally Posted by SiestaBay

Forgot to mention about jobs... the job market around here is really not built for professionals. It's VERY blue collar around here.

Depends on what kind of professional you are!

[naomisday]

SiestaBay,

When I visited NC--Charlotte and Raleigh and Greensboro..I met a lot of folks who wanted
to move to VA.....

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by SiestaBay

I don't really find the cost of living to be high here, per se.

Crime is a big problem in Norfolk, Portsmouth, and parts of Virginia Beach, Newport News and Chesapeake. As far as childcare, you should be okay. I would worry about the schools though. Many of the public schools around here leave a lot to be desired. If possible go private.

We really don't have a major airport around here, either. Norfolk, depending on where you're going, can be extremely pricey. It also doesn't have too great of non-stop services.

If you're thinking about NC, I will say VA is better. NC is really the pits. I've never been to Alabama.

I visited Raleigh once, I thought it was a nice little city. Wages are far closer to cost of living, thats for certain.