Military family needing information about housing (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: rental, condo, townhomes)

[militarywife79]

I have a ton of questions. First off I would like to know how approx how long is the waiting list for a four bedroom is? I am not at all interested in any military housing in the Norfolk area. Also do I have to be present to apply for housing or can I send in application like the Lincoln website says? What areas should I stay out of besides Norfolk? I have four children and three of them are school aged. My hubby is going to Sea Duty and we still have a choice between him going for orders in Washington or Virginia. Just trying to figure out which one has less of a waiting list with military housing, better for family, less crime, ect. Thank you

[Ljohnson23452]

Well Va Beach has some of the best schools in the country. I live in the Thalia/Lynn Shores Area of Va Beach, and you could not do to much better in terms of safety, housing and location. Thanks for the sacrifices your family make for me and mine! I hope you choose Va Beach.

[landofosz]

We were a military family until just a few years ago, CA then TX then VA. My husband and I drove out here the summer before we moved, to check it out and I am glad we did. We were in the area of navy housing right outside the Norfolk base, it was about 8:00 pm in the evening. We wanted to see what it was like when it was closer to dark. We saw two police officers in the parking lot of a complex (private apts, not military) accross the way and approached them. We told them that my husband was getting stationed here and we were considering moving in the area (its certainly was cheaper than VB or Chesapeake). He asked if we had children, we told them yes, one in elementary and one in middle school, soon going to high school at the time. One of the officers just responded with a nod of the head, as if to say "no." He said Virginia Beach or Chesapeake. That was it, and that was all we needed. This was in 2005. We live in the Great Neck area of Virginia Beach, very nice, but also very pricey. A house rental can easily go for $1,600 and up. There are Emerald Point apts and Washington Square townhomes, but there are also a lot of people, which comes issues, and depending on where you are located, in the jet flight path. For Virginia Beach I would suggest east of Independence and north of Virginia Beach Blvd. Ocean Lakes, Red Mill, Princess Anne area is good, but more of a commute to get to NOB. So that's why I say north of VB Blvd as your husband can hop on the 264. There seem to be nice areas around south Independence and Kempsville, but I don't know that much about them. I would also suggest Chesapeake, if you look on the map for Chesapeake, find Military Blvd. and stay south of there. In VB, if you can afford something on Shore Drive, a house rental or condo rental, staying east of Independence, that would be a pretty good commute for your husband, taking Shore Dr, which turns into Little Creek, and goes to the base. No freeways. Its difficult when you are moving from out of state and don't know the area but we got a lot of great tips and they were right. I would apply for Little Creek base housing personally due to location, decent area, and they have been remodeling the housing. You are also right next to the base with commissary, exchange, etc. Good luck !

Also, Washington DC or Washington state ? If its Washington state, Bremmerton and Everett and very nice.