Questions about York County and Poquoson (Newport News, Hampton: low crime, new home, neighborhoods)

[llqool]

We are moving to the area in the summer (going to be stationed at Ft. Monroe and then Eustis) and are already starting the house hunt. We have narrowed it down to these two areas mostly b/c that is where the better schools seem to be located and b/c we don't want to have to commute across bridges or tunnels.

Any tips on areas of York to avoid? It seems like the best schools are in the south York area, but much of the housing is almost priced out of our range, or is in total disrepair. What about neighborhoods just west of 64, seem to be just barely in York County (Queenswood Park, Williamsburg Bluffs, etc)?

And is Poquoson really prone to flooding? I also saw some crime statistics for that town that were very high.

*Any* input is welcome....the housing market up in VA is SO different from what it was in GA that it is making our heads spin!

[reckless99]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/12552809-post15.html

[upthecreekgotapaddle]

:sigh: Take the above poster with a grain of salt. To each their own and all that. Poquoson isn't my cup of tea either but that kind of talk, especially to newcomers, just really isn't helpful or welcoming at all.

As for flooding in Poquoson, that's an entirely different issue. Yes, Poquoson is subject to flooding unfortunately. You can see pics from the latest Nor'Easter here. The somewhat dubious good news is that homes flooded in Isabel were built up on blocks when they were renovated. You do have to worry, though, about mold issues and whether they were properly remediated after Isabel. I won't lie, the Poquoson area was pretty much devastated by Isabel. People lived in FEMA trailers for what seemed like forever.

York Co. has its share of crime, and some encroachment of gangs (minimally visible gang signs on public property, for instance), but it's mostly kids trying to act cool & tough, and the York Co. Sheriff's Department is all over it any time there are reports of incidents. You'll have your usual burglaries but they are typically chalked up to kids as well. If you leave your purse in full sight on your car seat & your car unlocked in the Walmart parking lot, yeah, you can probably kiss that goodbye too.

I won't lie, Hampton Roads is a decent sized metropolitan area, and you can't escape some crime. I don't love it here, but it's not as bad as some would like to make it out to be either. But York Co. is overall reputed to have good schools and low crime. It's arguably the best you'll find in the area. If your children are elementary age, you could probably be a bit less picky about where you'll be but if they're middle or high school aged, or you're thinking you'll be here for awhile, you will want to be a bit pickier.

There is always the option of living elsewhere and utilizing private schools, but for whatever reason, the non-religious private schools here are rather expensive compared to the overall cost of living here.

Finally, you might also want to look at Queens Lake. It seems to be in the area you're describing right on the borderline of York Co. & Williamsburg.

Good luck & welcome!

[ptfcNassoc]

I've lived in this area (specifically the pennisula) for 16 years. "Real" crime (rape, murder, muggings) is not a problem in Yorktown and Poquoson. Those statistics had to be all other crime (but that's just life what are you going to do). Also those stats you saw could be misleading because those are smaller rural areas with less people, so if you looked at percentages it may seems worse compared to look at numerical data. As far as flooding, they are more rural areas so they are more prone to flooding then a city but you're not going to need a boat.

[BrianLMA]

I think York County or Poquoson would be an idea location since you will be moving from Fort Monroe to Fort Eustis. I was stationed at Fort Monroe for 8 years (2 different tours), first living on post and commuting from Poquoson for the last few years before I retired. Yes, Poquoson is definitely prone to flooding, but not all of it. I actually live in a flood zone but didn't have water anywhere close to inside/under my house during Isabel or the most recent Nor'easter. You really have to look at the homes on a case by case basis. The same goes for some areas of York County, Newport News and Hampton, since all have areas in a flood zone.

I personally feel very safe in Poquoson. Almost all of my kid's friends that have lived there forever never lock their doors (although they really should since criminals don't care what city/county they are in). I've accidentally left my garage door wide open during day while I was gone and overnight as well and haven't had any problems.

Both school systems are highly rated, but you will certainly want to research this as much as possible if that is a prime concern. To keep yourself centrally located in Yorktown, probably look for homes in the Grafton and Tabb HS districts.

It's a shame to see historic Fort Monroe closing...

[llqool]

Originally Posted by upthecreekgotapaddle

If your children are elementary age, you could probably be a bit less picky about where you'll be but if they're middle or high school aged, or you're thinking you'll be here for awhile, you will want to be a bit pickier.

Can you clarify the "bit pickier" part? Our kids are currently elem school age, but will grow quickly! Unfortunately, there are not many middle or high schools in the area, and all the more "affordable" areas of York County seemed to be zoned for York Middle and York High. Is this a case of the "worst of the best" or are these schools something to avoid?

What about the newest housing areas that are going in....in the Summer's Crossing area? (off Baptist Rd, I think -- there seem to be several developments going in) My husband was able to make a quick day trip to the area, and that area seemed sort of....transitional.

[BrianLMA]

I think Yorktown Middle is also worth consideration. My brother has a child in both Yorktown Middle and York High School and my sister-in-law is a teacher at Tabb Middle school. I could put you in touch with them if you would like some first-hand perspective.

Summer's Crossing would be a reasonably good location once you make the move to Fort Esustis, but is a bit of a drive to/from Fort Monroe due to the heavily travelled Route 17 and/or I-64. Let me know if you need more information about this new homes site.