Would you move to Newport News? (Norfolk, Chesapeake: 2009, crimes, chapel)

[damian]

Originally Posted by artistatheart

Okay, since I've never visited NN, it's hard for me to know where all the cool places you all have been telling me about actually are. I finally found a map today that should make things easier. The area where my husband would be working seems to be closest to (or maybe even in) an area called Deer Park. I also see areas called Saunders, Palmer, and Watkins nearby.

Are these decent areas? If not, are they a reasonable commute (like 20 minutes or less) from a nice, family-friendly area? Sorry to seem so dumb about all this, but trying to find a place to live from so far away is really hard!

Thank you all so much for your help.

It looks like you looked at a map of newport news on google maps, and for some reason the neighborhoods are not in the right area. The area on the map that your husband will work in is not called Deer Park, but rather Oyster Point, which is the Central Business District of NN. Deer Park is actually where it says Boulevard. From Oyster Point, all of the above mentioned neighborhoods from hilton, Rivderside, Hidenwood, Menchville are all within 15 minutes. You would not need to travel on interstate, and traffic on the arterial roads can be a little rough, but tolerable. What is your price range. Port Warwick, which is a new mixed use area, is across the street from oyster point. Check out the website Port Warwick, Newport News

[FL Beaches]

Originally Posted by artistatheart

Thank you so much everyone for your replies! After reading some of the other threads, I was afraid everyone would say NN was a terrible place to live--I'm so pleasantly surprised!

Another question: My husband is really into the outdoors. I know NN is near the water, but are there many foresty (is that even a word?) areas nearby? Parks, preserves, etc.?

There are some great parks and trails here. The Noland Trail is gorgeous and one of our favorite places to hike. Newport News Park is another great one with hiking and biking trails. If you're the outdoorsy type and don't know about Geocaching, you might give that a try. Newport News Park is a "cacher's Heaven." And they are also along The Noland Trail, the Maury Natural Preserve area, too. In general, Hampton Roads has thousands of them! It was a good way for us to learn our way around here. There is also letterboxing, but we never caught on to that.

[FL Beaches]

Originally Posted by ToughLuv

There on Oriana Rd, it runs parallel to Denbigh. Basically you cant be on Denbigh (Warwick side) and not see the Kmart or Food Lion, there right behind the McDonalds/Wendys etc. And the new development plan has been in the newspaper and its somewhere online. It's basically supposed to began in 2010 when they start knocking down public housing in the East End. I guess you could say there "shipping" the ghetto. There building condos and some other things down there, I think Donald Trump has some investments in it as well.

Ack! I don't even like to drive through that area. I avoid it as much as possible. The only real time we're there is to take "the back way" to Busch Gardens. It beats 64! And I remember hearing about the same thing with developing there.

[FL Beaches]

Originally Posted by ToughLuv

Yes Menchville is in Newport News..Menchville is on Warwick, Deer Park is on Jefferson but still no more than a 10 minute drive. Maybe even only 5 minutes if the lights go your way. And saunders is near the Harpersville Area I spoke about in prior post, Deer Park is a pretty good area overall. And yea thats another park for you as well. Deer Park is more of the "foresty" park you described earlier, with lots of trees etc, while Riverview is more just open land park, nice for jogging running and the playground ...But still IMO as a whole Menchville >> Deer Park area or Harpersville

I dont know any addresses off top in the mechville area to start you off but find the address for Menchville High School in Newport News, and that will put you right there in the neighboorhood, you can use google map then use street view and you can walk around and see the neighboorhood. And Riverview Farm Park is right in the heart of Menchville and like I said 5-10 minute drive. Nice area go for it.

Menchville is not on Warwick. Try looking up Menchville Road in NN and scan on your map from there. It might just about extend to Warwick, but that wouldn't be the center of the area. It would be the border of Menchville and Oyster Point. But it's very drivable to Deer Park.

[artistatheart]

Thank you so much for that clarification, Damian--I was wondering why Deer Park was on the map twice! And Toughluv, thank you so much for all your help--my husband is traveling down to NN on Tuesday and now has some idea what areas to look in. You guys are the best!!

[damian]

Originally Posted by artistatheart

Thank you so much for that clarification, Damian--I was wondering why Deer Park was on the map twice! And Toughluv, thank you so much for all your help--my husband is traveling down to NN on Tuesday and now has some idea what areas to look in. You guys are the best!!

good luck, let us know what you guys find

[ToughLuv]

Originally Posted by FL Beaches

Menchville is not on Warwick. Try looking up Menchville Road in NN and scan on your map from there. It might just about extend to Warwick, but that wouldn't be the center of the area. It would be the border of Menchville and Oyster Point. But it's very drivable to Deer Park.

Dont try to "correct" me if you dont understand what I said. If you were paying attention you have realized I was tellin her warwick in relation to what side of the city the area is on. Hence why I said, Deer Park is on the Jefferson side and Menchville is on the warwick side (which is relevant to know because you have to cross over, which takes more time). Matter of fact you turn into Menchville area from Warwick BLVD. I wasnt saying a "warwick area" if theres even such thing.

[FL Beaches]

Originally Posted by ToughLuv

Dont try to "correct" me if you dont understand what I said. If you were paying attention you have realized I was tellin her warwick in relation to what side of the city the area is on. Hence why I said, Deer Park is on the Jefferson side and Menchville is on the warwick side (which is relevant to know because you have to cross over, which takes more time). Matter of fact you turn into Menchville area from Warwick BLVD. I wasnt saying a "warwick area" if theres even such thing.

That's not what I got out of your post. I'd refer more to Boxley than to Warwick.

[SES]

I found this web site from another thread. I have found it invaluable in searching out areas I would not like to live.

Crime Watch - Newport News - dailypress.com

[damian]

Originally Posted by SES

I found this web site from another thread. I have found it invaluable in searching out areas I would not like to live.

Crime Watch - Newport News - dailypress.com

The above crime link pretty much shows where most of the crime is in NN. The majority of it is in the area south of Mercury Blvd. There is sometimes a concentration on the map where it says Jenkins/Nelson