Any info on Chesapeake (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: real estate, city hall, insurance)

[Dockside]

My wife looking at potential job opportunity. I'm coming from the NYC area don't know anything about Chesapeake other than what I see on the map. Any first-hand info would be greatly appreciated. How are schools, crime, housing? Is that an active airport I see on the map? I just checked the sex offenders site set up by the VA State Police and got 440 hits. What's with that? Thanks.

[Thruway]

Is Chesepeake rural or sprawling?

[godfreew]

We moved to Chesapeake from Milwaukee, Wisconsin 8 years ago. I work in Norfolk. If you want more information about the Hampton Roads area, call me (Earl) at (757) 638-1908 in the evenings.

Overall I would rate the schools in Virginia as inferior to those in New York state. The major reason is that they do not spend the money that is required. Also there are fewer families that put an emphasis on education (i am a professor). Classrooms overcrowded and buildings are behind the needs because of a reluctance to raise taxes. In Chesapeake, there are often 30 or more kids in a class and at the high school my kids attend (20% over capacity) there are 25 portables (trailers). Teaching is fairly traditional, which is both good and bad. The focus is on the SOLs (standards of learning), which are standards of what kids should know at each grade level. The idea is good, but schools are rewarded for performance on SOL tests, so memorization of facts is stressed more than skills such as writing. Quality of schools varies, so check them out thoroughly. Look at average SAT scores and the colleges the graduates attend. The good news is that the state college system is good and top schools like UVA, William and Mary (both hard to get into), Virginia Tech and James Madison are nationally ranked. In Chesapeake, the best high schools are considered Great Bridge and Hickory (Hickory is really overcrowded), followed by Western Branch. Avoid the other high schools.

One of the biggest problems in Hampton Roads is the roads, which are inadequate. After years of inaction, the state legislature has just approved a transportation plan, which, if approved by the local cities, will raise taxes fees and tolls to build new roads and tunnels. You should avoid commuting through a tunnel. Many folks take 45 min-an hour to get to work, but traffic is much better than in New York. I can give you more info if you call.

Crime is not a problem if you live in a nice area. Chespeake has many nice areas. It is very spread out, so you have to drive long distances to get places. For example, my house is 15 miles from Chesapeake city hall. This is frustrating if you like compact cities, but the plus is there are lots of wooded areas and water and it is beautiful. There are also rural parts in the southern part near NC (Hickory school district), but these are farther from employment, schools and shopping.

We found cost of living in Hampton Roads to be comparable to the Milwaukee area, but it would be much cheaper than the suburbs of New York. Heating bills are lower. Taxes are lower (but increasing) esp. real estate taxes. Here we pay $3500 a year, a little more than we did in Wisconsin 8 years ago, on a more expensive house with 4 BR, 2.5 Ba, 2500 sf. Real estate in most of VA (at least the northern and eastern half) has increased greatly in value, even in many small towns (e.g. in Shenandoah Valley- a beautiful area near mountains) a nice house for a family would cost over $300,000.

You just need to come and give it a thorough look. Virginia has the ocean (beautiful beaches), mountains and Washington DC with all its museums and attractions. The summers are hot, but in Chesapeake we get maybe 2-4 inches of snow a year. The pace of life is MUCH slower than up north. If you are an impatient, fast paced person, this is NOT the place for you. Things move slowly and you have to get used to the fact that people and businesses are not geared toward efficiency and accuracy -- we have to deal with many errors in doctor bills, insurance claims, etc. If you are looking for a quiet, calm and friendly place, I think you will like it.

[shellytc]

there are two airports in Chesapeake. One is a small community airport that handles single engine type aircraft... not a passenger airport. the other airport is Fentress. It is a military airport with jets that do fly in and out of it. It is also located in one of the most sought after areas of chesapeake, called the Hickory School District. Chesapeake is growing. Has a lot of Suburban sprawl, but also has a lot country living. It just depends on what you are looking for.

If you Moderator cut: realtor soliciting

[Thruway]

I remember seven years ago driving on 168 to the OBX and it looked like a nice place to live, close to the beach, yet rural.
Is that still the case today or is it severly threatened, would be a shame.

[shellytc]

You don't have to go down through Great Bridge anymore, there is a bypass, then you pick up the rural 168 down below the "growth". The single lane you used to get to OBX is now mostly double lanes the whole way to the bridge. And if you haven't been to OBX in awhile, you wouldn't recognize it!! We just keep going south to Hatteras to get a feeling for the old fishing village, but it is still growing as well.

shelly

[Thruway]

Originally Posted by shellytc

You don't have to go down through Great Bridge anymore, there is a bypass, then you pick up the rural 168 down below the "growth". The single lane you used to get to OBX is now mostly double lanes the whole way to the bridge. And if you haven't been to OBX in awhile, you wouldn't recognize it!! We just keep going south to Hatteras to get a feeling for the old fishing village, but it is still growing as well.

shelly

It's been 7 years.
Has Chesepeake changed much or is the 168 area still nice and rural?
What about the OBX?

[shellytc]

there are still rural areas in chesapeake, mostly South. But it has changed quite a bit. Growth over the last 4 year housing boom really changed the face of chesapeake. And OBX is very built up. Again, the real estate boom for second homes really built it up.

Shelly

[robind64]

I lived in Virginia Beach for 6 years and my territory for my job included Chesapeake. I liked Chesapeake very much. I can not answer for the schools in Chesapeake but the schools in Virginia Beach are the best!! We moved back to Richmond, VA and there is no comparison. VA Beach is not far from Chesapeake, you might want to check it out?

[Thruway]

Originally Posted by shellytc

there are still rural areas in chesapeake, mostly South. But it has changed quite a bit. Growth over the last 4 year housing boom really changed the face of chesapeake. And OBX is very built up. Again, the real estate boom for second homes really built it up.

Shelly

Let's keep our fingers crossed it doesn't get too much more developed, Cheseapeake.