Planning to Relocate to Chesapeake/VA Beach Area (Virginia Beach, Newport News: hair salon, apartments)

[kapadokr]

My girlfriend and I (both 22 years old) and looking to relocate to the Hampton Roads area. We are from central NY and are looking to be in warmer weather and be within close proximity to the beach. We are trying to get a better idea of the area and where we would like to live.

Our major concerns after doing some research are how saturated the area is with the military, the job market, how touristy it is (I understand that VA Beach is touristy, but don't want where we live to be that way), and the overall traffic. We are looking for a one bedroom apartment in the $750 range, something in a nice, safe area but nothing too fancy.

We are leaning more towards Chesapeake because from what we have read it seems like a nice area, is central to the surrouding cities as far as jobs go, the apartments seem to be a reasonable price, and it is a reasonable distance to the beach (about a 1/2 hour right?). As far as nightlife goes, a local bar for us is fine. We just want to be close to the major things like a grocery store, mall, movie theater, restaurants, etc.

We plan on visiting the area within the next few months so any opinions, facts, and helpful hints on the different areas and best places to live (including actual names of apartments) are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by kapadokr

My girlfriend and I (both 22 years old) and looking to relocate to the Hampton Roads area. We are from central NY and are looking to be in warmer weather and be within close proximity to the beach. We are trying to get a better idea of the area and where we would like to live.

Our major concerns after doing some research are how saturated the area is with the military, the job market, how touristy it is (I understand that VA Beach is touristy, but don't want where we live to be that way), and the overall traffic. We are looking for a one bedroom apartment in the $750 range, something in a nice, safe area but nothing too fancy.

We are leaning more towards Chesapeake because from what we have read it seems like a nice area, is central to the surrouding cities as far as jobs go, the apartments seem to be a reasonable price, and it is a reasonable distance to the beach (about a 1/2 hour right?). As far as nightlife goes, a local bar for us is fine. We just want to be close to the major things like a grocery store, mall, movie theater, restaurants, etc.

We plan on visiting the area within the next few months so any opinions, facts, and helpful hints on the different areas and best places to live (including actual names of apartments) are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

1. The area is incredibly saturated with the military. In fact, almost every person or business is some how wrapped up in it, from the large number of contractors, to the apartments renting to them, to the businesses trying to pull them in with discounts, to the schools which make double money off their kids.


2. The job market is lame. Most decent paying jobs here are government contract related, and require high levels of experience or education. This is no place for a prospective 22 year old job searcher.


3. There are a couple decent apartments in the $750 range, but they are increasingly dissapearing.

4. Nightlife, well, this isnt NYC but this place is saturated with restaurants, bars, and clubs, its actually the only real thing to do here outside of hang around the beach. By the way, the "beach" here, is a giant ashtray. This isnt a beach youd find in Miami, or the Bahamas. The beaches of the area are poorly maintained and cleaned, and on most of them, you must watch out for broken bottles, and if you take a handful of sand from almost anywhere on the beach, especially the Virginia Beach ocean front, you will pull up no less then 5 cigarette butts.

[chesapeakesim]

I have to agree totally with Randomdude. This is probably one of the last places I would suggest moving, especially if you are just starting out.

To touch on your points (some may be repeats of above):

1. HR is probably the most militarily saturated area in the country with over 50+ military bases and countless military contractors. Almost everyone here is connected with the military in some way.

2. The job market around the country is rough, but unless you are military or military-related in HR, the job market is pathetic. Very little corporate presence and most jobs are retail/service related. You will be hard pressed to find anything decent paying. What field are you and your gf in? If you do move here, I would strongly suggest having a job lined up already.

3. Virginia Beach is probably the most touristy city in HR. The beach is mobbed by tourists in the summer. Honestly, I haven't been to the beach in about 3 years. It is over commercialized and no where near as clean as other beaches around the country. But go inland to like Chesapeake and the tourists aren't that bad.

4. Overall traffic in HR can be rough, although it is relative. Coming from central NY you will think it is bad, coming from NYC maybe not so much so.

5. One bedroom apartments for $750 in a nice area will probably be hard to find. My last one bedroom place is going for about $940 a month and it was in a so so area. Overall this area is very expensive to live, I think it was rated 6 or 7 in the country for most expensive when you factor in the median income.

6. I live in Chesapeake and IMO it is better than some of the other cities in HR (Newport News, Hampton, etc.). There are plenty of restaurants/stores/bars here so that won't be a problem. Chesapeake is pretty blah though. There is no real draw to it like a cool downtown, riverwalk type area, etc. It is really just a giant suburb with cookie cutter subdivisions and strip malls with the same stores (Game Stop, Subway, nail place, hair salon, etc.). The beach is probably 1/2 hour with no traffic, with traffic it would be much higher, also depends on where in Chesapeake you live. If I had to pick though I would choose Chesapeake over any other area in HR.

Really, if you aren't tied to a specific area to move for a job or family, I would look elsewhere. It is hard to make it here if you are starting out and other cities will pay better on average and have a much cheaper cost of living. Everyone's opinion varies, but I honestly don't know anyone (non-military) in their 20s that really likes living here.

If you are still interested though, come down for a visit, that is the only true way to tell what an area is like. If you still want Chesapeake, I would suggest looking in either Greenbrier or Great Bridge areas.

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by chesapeakesim

Really, if you aren't tied to a specific area to move for a job or family, I would look elsewhere. It is hard to make it here if you are starting out and other cities will pay better on average and have a much cheaper cost of living. Everyone's opinion varies, but I honestly don't know anyone (non-military) in their 20s that really likes living here.

This is exactly true. The only people I know who like this place are people who are well in to their 40's or more. These are usually people who came here with money, transfered to a high level job here and had money, retired here, or have been living here long enough to have purchased a house when the area was dirt cheap, and therefore, are not particuliarly affected by the unaffordable nature the area has endured since 2000. Some military like it here that are younger, but thats what happens when you have a cushy housing allowance to fall on that adjusts for the cost of living.

Who this really affects is the young people. There are no good entry level or mid career jobs, we cant afford housing, there isnt much entertainment for our demographic that doesnt involve drinking(no major league sports teams, no real cultural things), and the main attraction, the beach, is primarily constructed as a tourist trap, and its not of high quality in the first place.

Every person in their 20's I know who lives here, if they arent in the military, are either living with their parents or with a number of roommates. Its not because they enjoy that set up, its because its the only set up they can manage.

[Spazkat9696]

Well then you must not know too many people. I know tons of 20 somethings who live on there own or with their SO and are not affiliated with the military in any way. Stop complaining if you don't like it here move. There are a lot of nice beaches here just go to the local beaches not the resort beaches. There are a lot of jobs you just need to look for them, and yes you'll need to either be willing to do manual labor or have a college degree. Good luck with finding an apartment for that price. You're more likely to find a house or townhouse rental from a private owner in that range than a complex.

[damian]

if you are complaining about not having enough to do in this area, than you are not really trying. There is a plethora of activities and attractions from Williamsburg to the OBX; just do a search, i think Mr. Williamsburg has a list around here somewhere

[SiestaBay]

Originally Posted by kapadokr

My girlfriend and I (both 22 years old) and looking to relocate to the Hampton Roads area. We are from central NY and are looking to be in warmer weather and be within close proximity to the beach. We are trying to get a better idea of the area and where we would like to live.

Our major concerns after doing some research are how saturated the area is with the military, the job market, how touristy it is (I understand that VA Beach is touristy, but don't want where we live to be that way), and the overall traffic. We are looking for a one bedroom apartment in the $750 range, something in a nice, safe area but nothing too fancy.

We are leaning more towards Chesapeake because from what we have read it seems like a nice area, is central to the surrouding cities as far as jobs go, the apartments seem to be a reasonable price, and it is a reasonable distance to the beach (about a 1/2 hour right?). As far as nightlife goes, a local bar for us is fine. We just want to be close to the major things like a grocery store, mall, movie theater, restaurants, etc.

We plan on visiting the area within the next few months so any opinions, facts, and helpful hints on the different areas and best places to live (including actual names of apartments) are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I'd also recommend you keep looking.

Virginia weather is mild compared to NY, but isn't really pleasant.

I wouldn't say everything here is connected with the military. Sure, there's a lot, but saturated? I don't really think it's saturated, nor revolves totally around it.

I'm not saying you'll get a good job here, those are few and far between. There's little corporate presence here.

VA Beach is a hole and the beach there looks more like a litter box, but I guess if you have no beach now, it's one step up!

In terms of people, I'd prepare for culture shock. If you're from NY you'll most likely think people down here are ignorant and slow. I'm from NJ and that's how I see it.

Have you thought about Texas? Say the Dallas area? Perhaps the Baltimore area would also be better. Maybe even Jacksonville, FL.

[Freefreq]

Originally Posted by SiestaBay

In terms of people, I'd prepare for culture shock. If you're from NY you'll most likely think people down here are ignorant and slow. I'm from NJ and that's how I see it.

Now thats what I call a kick in the face................Just cause you have met some idiots along your way doesnt mean everyone is ok ??

[Rita Mordio]

Okay, to clear up a few things. I have lived in almost every single main city in Hampton Roads at one point or another. The only ones I'm missing are Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Williamsburg.

First off: Believe it or not, there are areas of Hampton and Newport News that are actually better than Virginia Beach! At least to my opinion as a 21-year old. Newport News is really only bad in the southern region. I'd reckon about 50th street and south - because that is where 90% or so of the city's crime takes place. Personally, the Lee Hall area of Newport News (over by the Newport News City Park) is a lot more attractive to me than Windsor Woods will ever be.

Because where I'm moving to on Sunday, I have a gorgeous lake to fish on, great hiking trails, and plenty of nature photo ops sitting right in my own backyard. I can also bike myself over to Busch Gardens/Water Country simply by going down Route 60.

Secondly: The job market for young folks is not that bad. Yes, I'm connected to the military as a contractor. However, the pay is quite decent - and the market is easy to break into. However, you have to search these jobs up and really apply yourself to getting in. Also, because it is a military-linked position, you are probably going to need to pass a background check.

It all really depends on the field(s) you are willing to work. I checked out your other posts and found this:

Our main concerns is the job market there. Currently my girlfriend is a wedding coordinator, and I am just starting the job search and I have a degree in Business Management. Is there a lot opportunity in Raleigh and Durham? At this point we don't mind entry level jobs to start out, but at this time we don't have jobs lined up (plan on moving south in Nov.)

As a wedding coordinator, she can make some decent money if she is willing to work with military personnel. Virginia Beach is chocked full of high-paid pilots who are looking to spend some serious dough on a wedding.

As for your bachelor's in Business Management. If you have no experience at all, you'll probably be staring at quite a low salary to start. However, if you've worked another job while getting that degree, I have heard that several of the local major contractors have lifted their hiring freeze. SRA, NMCI, to name a few - saw a listing for $50K as a Jr. Field Manager (train to take over the Field Manager position in 1-3 years) just yesterday. All you need is a degree and 2 years experience.

Originally Posted by Randomdude

Every person in their 20's I know who lives here, if they arent in the military, are either living with their parents or with a number of roommates. Its not because they enjoy that set up, its because its the only set up they can manage.

I will have to say that most of my friends in their 20's are indeed living with their parents. Why? Because they're still in college.

As for me, I'm 21 and live on my own. I work; my husband does not. My military contractor position makes enough that my husband can stay home and take care of our lovely 2-year old.

I would definitely recommend a trip to see this area.

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by Spazkat9696

Well then you must not know too many people. I know tons of 20 somethings who live on there own or with their SO and are not affiliated with the military in any way. Stop complaining if you don't like it here move. There are a lot of nice beaches here just go to the local beaches not the resort beaches. There are a lot of jobs you just need to look for them, and yes you'll need to either be willing to do manual labor or have a college degree. Good luck with finding an apartment for that price. You're more likely to find a house or townhouse rental from a private owner in that range than a complex.

1. You show me a 20 something on their own, and Ill show you someone who is spending over 50% of their gross income on housing.

2. Manual labor pays dirt, and there actually is little demand for college degreed people, hence the brain drain of the area. Oh by the way, why dont you go to Monster, Careerbuilder, or the Virginia Pilot, and count up how many jobs have been posted in the last month in the accounting/finance field that pay over 35k, and require less then 5 years of experience. I bet you that you dont even need two hands. Guess how many people graduated with bachelors degrees concentrating in Finance or Accounting in the ODU Spring '04 class? Over 100. I bet, even given all of them stayed here to this day, all 100 of them would not even be able to find an accounting job, forget about one that pays remotely close to a living wage. It took me until 2 years after I graduated to find a job in accounting, and thats only because I accepted such a low salary that they couldnt refuse.

3. Id gladly move, like Ive posted numerous times, Im currently taking donations for the help Randomdude move to a real city fund. If you arent willing to contribute, then you can either listen to me complain about the area, or ignore my complaining, until I can save up enough to leave on my own. Thats completely up to you.


4. Lets see, what beach isnt dirty? Certainly not the whole of the Virginia Beach ocean front. Maybe its cleaner down by Sandbridge? I certainly know you arent talking about any of the public beaches along the Chesapeake Bay or in Hampton or Newport News.