Calling all Hampton Roads natives and experts!!! (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: apartment, rental)

[MKAlston]

Calling all Hampton Roads natives and experts!!!

Ok, so my friend and her husband are finally planning a trip to VA Beach and Chesapeake this weekend! They really need some advice on what to see. This will be their first time in the area and they haven’t decided which city she’d like to call home.

My friend and her husband are looking for homes (new or resale) for $375K or less. They’d really like to be in VA Beach b/c of the great school system but have been told that they’d get more for our money in Chesapeake. They really don’t want to live too far south in either location since they both will be commuting to Norfolk for work. Based on the my online research, I’ve found that the best VA Beach School districts are Cox, First Colonial, and Kellam. I’ve read that Greenrun and Landstown are “less desirable” districts. As for Chesapeake I’ve read that Great Bridge and Hickory are the best (although Hickory is really far south I think—could be wrong though). Would you agree with the aforementioned info I found online?

Can you suggest communities, shopping areas, parks etc in both VA Beach and Chesapeake that would give them a good feel for the areas? I’m sure they can’t see everything in one weekend, but they are really hoping to see the “highlights.”

I welcome ALL comments and suggestions—good, bad and indifferent! Thanks so much for your help!

[rtandc]

Most people will agree with the listings of the school districts. But trying to get into the 3 Va Bch schools that you listed for under 375K will limit their choice of neighborhoods as many of the neighborhoods for these 3 schools are well above those prices even in todays poor market... I can really only talk about the Kellam district as that is where I live...for 375K they can get into the Courthouse Estate and Christopher Farms neighborhoods....There will be several others but those will be putting them more into the jet noise areas from Oceana jet base or even further south in Va Bch if that is an issue for them.

Chesapeake may be their best bet......As the 3 Va Bch schools you have listed are either far east or south of Norfolk.........The old saying that you get more house for the money is kind of a wash today as the property taxes are higher in Chesapeake (1.05) then Va Bch (.89) but the school zones are bigger in Ches. so they will get a larger choice of neighborhoods in their price range. Chesapeake is more "country" especially in the Hickory School zone so normally you will find the lots larger then what you get in Va Bch for the same money.

So it will all depend on how their life style is now and what they are looking for....

[telemonster]

Great Bridge... who are we, great bridge we are G R E A T B R I D G E wildcats say you, check this out... sorry.

There should be housing to get you in to some of those schools below $375K. If not, just rent. Take the rental price, multiply it times 100 or 120, that is what the house should cost to buy. For instance, my apartment comes out to like $145K. But to buy something not as good around the block, asking prices are $400K. So renting works out better. Bank the cash.

Who cares if others put you down cause you rent, at the end of the day, you have $$$ in the bank and they have huge debt loads. Unless they've lived there forever, when they bought for 1/2 of what the market goes for now (which was what, 6 years ago). Then you just need to kick them in the nuts. The old people, "huh huh I could NEVER afford to buy my house on my salary these days!"

[chesapeakesim]

As far as Chesapeake, you are right, Hickory and Great Bridge (along with maybe Grassfield) school districts are the best. $375K will get you something decent in those zones, nothing spectacular though.

My first advice would be to tell your friend not to move here, hehe . But if they have to, I personally would take Chesapeake over Virginia Beach. Anything in Great Bridge is probably safe. I agree with Tele that renting is a better option right now. Rent for a year and really get a feel for the area. Plus, house prices will come down even more so you will end up getting more for your money and the money you save renting can be used for a bigger down payment.

Out of curiosity, where is your friend coming from and why pick here?