Any negatives to Williamsburg and other relelocation questions (Norfolk, Newport News: transplants, chapel)

[Mr.b]

My wife, son (19 mos.) and I are planning to visit Williamsburg area in December with intentions to relocater here. After reading posts on forum (and now joining), I have a few question on the area.



1.There were so many positives mentioned about Williamsburg. But is there anything negative about the city/surrounding area? FYI: I am a positive person, but I like to know both sides.



2.Other posts mentioned difficulty in gaining employment as a teacher in Wburg/York county? What about other surrounding districts (Newport News, Glouchester, New Kent, Charles County) and is commute manageable?



3.During our visit, I am looking to visit regular places that would be a part of our life (park and rec. center, church, grocery, shopping mall, etc). Can anyone recommend such places that are part of your life in this area?



4.My wife and I are an interracial family. Based on what I've read, Williamsburg seems welcoming to all. But I want to make sure of this and get feeback from people living here


5.Also, does anyone know of a good map for area that lists the neighborhoods/subdivisions mentioned in thread. City of Hampton has good

map for their neighborhoods, and I hoping to find similar one for Wburg.


Thank you so much for your replies!

[ToughLuv]

It's too country and layed out for my liking..But As far as #3 concern it has all of those, so I guess you will be fine.

[Aibutiej]

I have only been living here since May, so I can't answer all your questions but I will tell you that I haven't found any real negatives so far (well, maybe that's because I don't mind that it is over 80 after the sun goes down!) There are a lot of areas around here so do explore and see what you like. I live in New Town and I love it here. I found a Lutheran church that I like a short distance away, several supermarkets nearby and there is shopping opportunities everywhere. It all depends what you are looking for and how many minutes you want to drive. I have found that the people around here are mostly transplants from elsewhere (I am from CT/NY). This means that people are not as overly friendly as I expected, but also more open minded than I feared. (They are not unfriendly, just that I can pass someone while walking and no "hellos" are exchanged. Sort of what I am used to.) I don't think you would have a problem here. I know what you mean about a neighborhood map. I couldn't find one when I was searching online. Maybe others can fill in the information I don't know (such as about teaching jobs). Good luck in your search!

[Mr Williamsburg]

We have lived in the Williamsburg area for a number of years. I can't think of anyone I know who wants to move away that is over 40. There are very few places I have lived in the past that I could say that about. Search the forum for positives, you will see many.
Negatives. Housing is pricier than many other areas in the US. Especially the south. I work with folks who move here ( military) from different states and am astounded at home values in other places.
Some teens get bored here. Our two sons are still only 9 and 11 and quite content with the area, but parents I know say this is a problem. Traffic getting to and from VA Beach/ Outer Banks Beaches during the summer.

Getting hired as a teacher does seem easier in other areas than James City County/ York County. We are opening a new elementary school next year and will need to staff that. I know a New Kent Principal who has to hire quite often since teachers will start there and then move to other districts.

We frequent many of the parks in the area. as we like to spend time outside. Those include Waller Mill, Chickahominy Riverfront, ( boating/ fishing) Freedom, ( mountain biking) York River State Park, ( kayaking, hiking, mountain biking) Kidsburg ( when the kids were younger) The JCC Recreation Center, ( pool, sports programs, skate park) Warhill/ WISC ( football, baseball, soccer sports programs) Colonial Williamsburg/ Jamestown, Busch Gardens, Water Country. Williamsburg Community Chapel is very welcoming .. We also travel to Va Beach, The Outer Banks and the mountains whenever we can.
No mall in the area. We go to New Town , Prime Outlets and other various stores.

Our experiences here have all been very positive. If you get involved in the community you will meet many friendly people.

[jms_ladybug]

we moved here 11 years ago from a major city- it was a cultlure shock! But we quickly grew to love it.

In MY opinion, one major downfall is the rapid rate of growth. I liked the small, quaint little town it was back then. It was occupied mostly by the retired & college students but we have seen many more young couples/families come into the area. I will probably get slammed for saying this, but there has been a huge influx of NY/NJ residents recently. I can't say it's been a positive experience all around.

NN is very commutable. My husband commutes to Norfolk every day & before that, he commuted to richmond. I work with several people who come to wmabg from NN & hampton.

a great park is Mid County Park- we all call it "kidsburg" we like Ukrops for grocery, and the target that's there for "every day" shopping. The only mall we have is the outlet mall-

Wmabg has become more diverse over the last 10 years... I don't think you will run into any trouble with being a mixed race couple.

[froggin4colorado]

We arrived about 3 weeks ago now. I took at job at Warhill HS here in WJCC public school division. DH will be at Langley. We are from CO (well duh- hence the name! ) I have been researching the area all summer and even though we are in September now, my jaw is dropped on the cost of living. We just accepted an offer for our CO 5 bedroom 2 bath home for 153K and in order to get something comparable here, we would have to double that amount at least. It wouldn't be as bad if we had gotten a raise by coming here, but we didn't. However, it was better than DH losing a job and becoming unemployed- so we consider it a raise in that sense.
We have the community and surrounding area very pretty with all the trees. Everyone is very friendly and Williamsburg itself is very resorty looking with everything so well manicured and landscaped. The town is very easy to navigate once you figure out that 64 doesn't go east/west it goes north/south here and 199....well I still mess up on it because I use the northern end of it and so it reads backwards for me. But, once I get on it, I know where I am.
I have noticed the bugs, not used to the bugs coming from CO. The humidity isn't that bad now, very doable weather. It is nice being close to the beach, not as salty as the Gulf. And everything seems to be so close. In CO, it seemed like you drove quite the distance to get to stuff. I am quickly learning that everyone knows someone somewhere or used to live somewhere along the east coast. It isn't uncommon to run into someone who is heading up to DC, New York, New Jersey, Conneticut, North Carolina, etc. Heck, back in CO, if you left the state, you were truly going on a vacation, not just running up or down somewhere for a day or two. I am also learning that VA requires a vehicle inspection every year. Interesting. We only had emissions tests on certain vehicles occasionally. And last thing I am getting used to is counties. Here it seems like people refer to where you live depending on what county you live in. At first I thought who cares what county you are in? What city/town are you residing in or neighborhood (thinking like a Coloradoan) not what county? Counties didn't mean jack and I guess they do here. Still not sure why though...
Anyhow, this is my perspective after being here for a few weeks as an outsider. So far I like it, its a neat adventure. I am glad we are on this chapter in our life...
Good luck with yours.