Area of VA Beach to avoid? (Virginia Beach, Chesapeake: apartments, for rent, crime)

[markusandemily]

We're moving to VA Beach this June (for 1 year) and I'm wondering if there are particular areas to avoid? My husband will be working near Lynnhaven Parkway (I'm not sure where exactly) so we're looking for a place within easy driving distance. Should we avoid homes near bases and the airport (which might be too far away for us anyway)? Also, we have 2 small children not yet in school so a family-friendly place is important. Are there areas in Chesapeake that would work?

Any input you have would be great! Thanks!

P.S. We used to live in Richmond so I checked out apartments/homes for rent up there out of curiosity and discovered that you get a lot more home for your money up there than in VA Beach. We could rent a beautiful new townhouse in a nice area for $1200-1300/mo. To get anything nearly as nice we'd have to pay $1600-$1700 down at the beach. Why is that?

[Lethal_Poison]

Originally Posted by markusandemily

P.S. We used to live in Richmond so I checked out apartments/homes for rent up there out of curiosity and discovered that you get a lot more home for your money up there than in VA Beach. We could rent a beautiful new townhouse in a nice area for $1200-1300/mo. To get anything nearly as nice we'd have to pay $1600-$1700 down at the beach. Why is that?

Because Virginia Beach, and the Hampton Roads area in general, is one of the most overpriced places on the east coast outside of New England.

By the way, there are very few townhouses in "nice areas" in Virginia Beach.

[darzz1]

Originally Posted by markusandemily

We're moving to VA Beach this June (for 1 year) and I'm wondering if there are particular areas to avoid? My husband will be working near Lynnhaven Parkway (I'm not sure where exactly) so we're looking for a place within easy driving distance. Should we avoid homes near bases and the airport (which might be too far away for us anyway)? Also, we have 2 small children not yet in school so a family-friendly place is important. Are there areas in Chesapeake that would work?

Any input you have would be great! Thanks!

P.S. We used to live in Richmond so I checked out apartments/homes for rent up there out of curiosity and discovered that you get a lot more home for your money up there than in VA Beach. We could rent a beautiful new townhouse in a nice area for $1200-1300/mo. To get anything nearly as nice we'd have to pay $1600-$1700 down at the beach. Why is that?

A few areas to stay away from would be Green Run, Rosemont area, Chimney Hill. It has gotten very expensive here in Va Bch and can't buy much of anything for under $250,000. Make sure you check out the area before you buy anything.. do a drive by at night and see what it looks like. If I had my choice I would not live here any longer. We've been here since 92 and crime is pretty bad in all areas. Look at our paper on line... Virginia Pilot and see for yourself.
There are nice things here as well but guess the crime is getting bad everywhere. But heard it was even worse in Richmond.
Good luck in your search

[bobg]

Will be working in Chesapeake and need to know where the nice areas are in both to rent...youngster just out of college..thx.

[eastcoastgrl]

i believe the cost of living is due to the fact that you're on the coast, is it worth it? some people think so, richmond is cheaper but i have heard that the crime is worse and again, no beach. i agree with staying away from green run, chimney hill, and a lot of areas closer to the norfolk line aren't all that great.

[Shoobie]

It's worth living here, just not $1000-$2000 worth of living here. You over charge the tourist, not the people living here. I sure I could get a home with a lower monthly payment than what I'm renting for.

[NJR]

Originally Posted by darzz1

A few areas to stay away from would be Green Run, Rosemont area, Chimney Hill... do a drive by at night and see what it looks like.

Interesting choice of words for those areas (drive by at night), You may walso want to add, you may want to go there and get a "car Jack" there or come by to meet the "gang(s)"!

[Erma]

Originally Posted by NJR

Interesting choice of words for those areas (drive by at night), You may walso want to add, you may want to go there and get a "car Jack" there or come by to meet the "gang(s)"!

Those areas aren't as bad as the newtown/weslyan college area. Now that is scary and they're building all those nice homes over there.

[eastcoastgrl]

some nice family areas to look at would be some of the developments around the courthouse, all the way up to and including red mill, the great neck corridor, parts of shore drive (all depending on your budget). lots to do for families with small kids. not as familiar with chesapeake areas.

[darzz1]

Originally Posted by NJR

Interesting choice of words for those areas (drive by at night), You may walso want to add, you may want to go there and get a "car Jack" there or come by to meet the "gang(s)"!

I personally don't live in that area.

I'm merely saying when looking at an area to live , I would drive by at numerous times. The evening, weekends and when kids are getting of the bus.

Best just to educate yourself that way.