The Future of Hampton Roads? (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: condos, home, job market)

[hurley89]

What do you predict Hampton Roads to look like in 10, 20, or 50 years?
What do you think would be different or be the same? Economy, the people?


Please share your thoughts!

[Randomdude]

Originally Posted by hurley89

What do you predict Hampton Roads to look like in 10, 20, or 50 years?
What do you think would be different or be the same? Economy, the people?


Please share your thoughts!

Here are my predictions for 20 years from now.

1. Virginia Beach population will have leveled off around 600k, but Newport News and Chesapeake will have moved in to the 400k level, and Suffolk will be approaching 300k.

2. The area will still only be home to Dollar Tree and Norfolk Southern.

3. Traffic will be insane as bottlenecks such as the 2 lane roads going down Princess Anne, Newtown, Downtown Norfolk and Virginia Beach Blvd are still handling far too much traffic. Virginia Beach will have still refused to have anything to do with public transportation, and Norfolks small line will be in disrepair.

4. The area will still have no major league sports teams, as they are passed over for NBA and NFL expansions. Virginia Beach refuses to have anything to do with pro sports, Chesapeake and Suffolk argue they are too far away, and the pennisula wants the stadium up there, or they wont cooperate, and Norfolk cannot afford it by itself.

5. Virginia Beach has allowed expansion of McMansions in to the green area, but have found that nobody can afford them. Many sit wide open for years as developers take baths on them rather then lower the prices. Virginia Beach levels off due too unaffordable housing and lack of jobs. The city will see its population shrink as the elderly (who will make up about 50% of the population) begin kicking the bucket.

6. The "historic triangle" has become completely engulfed in time shares and McMansions for retirees. Camping and historic areas are routinely auctioned to the highest bidder. The Williamsburg area will also see an increase in related service jobs supporting these wealthy tourists and retirees, most of whom, cannot afford to live anywhere remotely near where they work.

7. The US government has shifted a considerable amount of naval personel to South Carolina and Florida, as Virginia Beach citizenry continue to encroach on Naval bases and complain about them. The fact that much cheaper housing can be found elsewhere, which lowers the housing allowance output for the service members, has also influenced the decision. This is a blessing in disguise, as the area becomes slowly weaned off its government dependence.

8. Pembroke Mall has been bulldozed and replaced with......overpriced condos and retail space which is quickly filled with restaurants, trinket shops, and chain stores. Town Center continues to be the laughing stock of the area, and country. Virginia Beach residents continue to wonder how Newport News and Norfolk managed to construct better "city centers" with a fraction of the tax base.......


9. The area largely continues to have no identity, because most of those born here quickly move away for any opportunity, and the military is transient, and most of the permanent residents are retirees from out of the area.

[telemonster]

A: I think McMansions might be cut up into multi-household structures.

B: Norfolk Southern has no reason to stay here. I heard some rumor that it's here because some execs daughter wanted to go to Va Wesleyan or some such. Their major ops are in ATL and Roanoke, correct? So perhaps they will leave.

C: Housing prices will come down. Hampton Roads (Homicide Roads) was late to the housing mania, and is late exiting. But it will happen.

D: Tech industries will still be centered around where the venture capital is. AKA, not Hampton Roads

E: Maybe the mind-virus of Religion will have waned. Maybe people will be more educated, and avoid it, and focus on more important things. Like pushing society further with innovation and modernization.

I like the way you think.

Maybe the old people that run things and don't get it will eventually be replaced by more progressive people. But most likely the throne will be handed down to kids groomed by the wealthier elders who will keep the power in the same families that have it now.

As young people though, we could mess it up. We could figure out who has the power, and go at them with huge advertising and disinformation campaigns to hurt their companies, make them look bad, and push away business.

[xGrendelx]

I'm predicting utopia.

[telemonster]

Originally Posted by xGrendelx

I'm predicting utopia.

Like.... Star Trek? Maybe aliens will have visited by then.

[hurley89]

Really interesting food for thought! Please keep the comments coming!

[xGrendelx]

Originally Posted by telemonster

Like.... Star Trek? Maybe aliens will have visited by then.

No, not exactly. But it'll be a place where even Randomdude can find peace.

[Steph22679VA]

This thread is hilarious!! Randomdude and telemonster always state it just the way it is :-) We have to be honest with ourselves about the future of HR because it sure isn't looking good right now!

[mommamia b]

who, exactly, is it looking good for?

[Steph22679VA]

I'm not just talking about housing or the job market, as we know that is not looking good in many places right now. I am simply talking about the sheer quality of life in HR. It's gone downhill before my eyes especially in the past few years. It's turning to trash.