Beautiful rural home in suffolk vs fixer upper in greatschool area chesapeake?! (foreclosures)

[relocating_usa]

We have 4 little kids, getting ready to start school (the oldest is in 3rd grade). Keeping our budget in mind, we are trying to decide whether to buy a big beautiful home in rural Suffolk or a fixer upper in the heart of Chesapeake, what would you guys recommend? what about schools in Sufolk, do they compare to the ones in Chesapeake? (Great Bridge and Hickory)? THANKS FOR OUR HELP!

[cityboi757]

Suffolk schools are not up to par IMHO. I'd much rather live in the 'heart of chesapeake'. Suffolk is too far out for me. Chesapeake schools are much much better.

[stacylee926]

It depends on where in Suffolk. Suffolk is HUGE but parts near RT 17 (between MMBT and JRB) are still close to shopping and highways.

Personally, I really hate the traffic anywhere near Battlefield Blvd and Greenbrier. However, conveniences are very close.

This is really a personal choice. Larger ready to move in home, vs something you have to really work at. With 4 children, I cannot imagine managing home repairs amongst every day routines. Especially if you need to do work to make your family happy and comfortable.

I have older children (17 & 24) and could see myself doing handyman jobs to keep busy. 10 years ago? no way .

[Erma]

I prefer fixer upper's vice newly built homes. I believe older homes are more soundly built. Another factor is that you'll probably be closer to your children's functions and with four of them, you'll be busy parents when they start getting involved with after school activities. Runnin' back and forth "to town" will not be budget minded vice being near the things they will be doing as they get older.

[telemonster]

How about neither. Everything is still grossly overpriced. Still lots of foreclosures in the pipeline, ARM loans that will adjust on prime borrowers, etc.

Plus you can get much better stuff elsewhere. This area isn't anything special.

[cityboi757]

Telemonster we understand you hate the area lol. Does it need to be voiced on every thread?

[shellytc]

relocating... only you can decide if the schools are up to your standards!! I strongly suggest you use some of the rating sites, Schooldigger.com -- Search and compare elementary, middle, and high schools. and GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community to compare schools, then plan to visit them and take some tours. Most important are involved parents that care (and you sound like one that does!!!)

shelly

[rtandc]

Houses are a dime a dozen out there right now, I would pick a home in the best school district I could find IMO.....Hickory high school zone in Chesapeake would be my first choice right now if trying to decide between Chesapeake or Suffolk