Moving out for the first time(Debating on which state). (Virginia Beach: apartment, rentals)

[brandapandaa]

Hello! Thank you for taking your time to read this. I am a 19 year old female born and raised in South Carolina. I'm going to be moving out on my own around the end of July. I have put a lot of thought into this, and I'm sure it's what I want to do. I've been working in child care for a while now, and before that I've worked as a hostess, but have gone back to child care, and the company I'm with now I will be working for them for a year now as of next month, but I'm open to any job opportunity really that would give me the chance. I'd also start applying to jobs online months before I actually move, and I have started saving for my move. I won't have to worry about furniture since my family will help me with that, so that will be one less thing financially I have to worry about. I have a friend who lives in Long Island NY, but the cost of living is so high in NY. I was thinking of moving to PA, but I also wanted to get advice on the other states I have in mind as well. It's between Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. I'm looking to move to a safe area(I know there's always some type of crime no matter where you go), with a low cost of living. I'd rather not go somewhere absurdly cold, but I could make due. I'd be renting a place to live either a one bedroom apartment or house(I have no pets, and it would be good to have something where some utilities are included), and I don't want to pay an insane amount each month for rent and utilities as some places have a high average utility rate, and I have a car so I would be paying car insurance as well(I know car insurance is usually really high for someone my age). Basically, I'd like your advice on the matter, and anything helpful you could tell me and your personal opinion of the state(s) especially if you're from Virginia or live there(since I'm posting this under the Virginia thread). Any cities that you could recommend that would be good for me to live in, and any good websites to use to find legit rentals? I've heard zillow isn't that reliable and I'd like to steer clear from craigslist. I know not everything is a scam on there, but I'd like to be safe than sorry.Those are all the questions that I have for now, but if anything else pops in my mind I'll be sure to post something else. Thanking y'all in advance!
P.S. As far as Virginia goes I was thinking of Virginia Beach?

[TN Lily]

The cost of living is high in Virginia Beach thanks in part to the heavy military presence in the area. Jobs that pay a living wage with benefits are not plentiful in Hampton Roads/Tidewater. Don't move into the Hampton Roads area (of which Virginia Beach is part of) without a job.

You will likely find more job opportunities in Northern Virginia (NOVA). The cost of living is high, but the wages are higher too.

Good luck whatever you do.

[Bigfoot424]

Why Va Beach? Unless you're looking for tourism and such I'd avoid the area. Why not the mountains of VA? Some real nice areas along I-81 that will be cheaper than the more crowded urban areas. Winchester is a good size town that comes to mind but keeps you close to the DC area.

[brandapandaa]

Thank you for your responses. I mentioned Virginia Beach, because my former co-worker moved out there and she recommended it to me if I haven't already picked a place to move to, but your comments are helpful thank you!

[TN Lily]

Spend some time on the Hampton Roads sub-forum to learn more about Virginia Beach. Many people love Hampton Roads. It's got its good points and its bad points. Traffic is a major issue. I assume you've got a car. Public transportation in Hampton Roads is not one of its strong points.

Again, good luck!

[brandapandaa]

Okay thank you very much. I'll also look into northern Virginia like you mentioned and Winchester as Bigfoot mentioned as well. Any specific cities you could recommend?

[lovnova]

I would look elsewhere in VA.

Winchester, if you love to be around mostly red necked people W/half buried tires and engines hanging from trees.

NOVA is probably very very much different from what you are used to or looking for. Plus its very expensive.

Good Luck

[LynchburgLover]

OP, I would not recommend the Northern Virginia area. The cost of living in Northern Virignia is extremely high. For instance, just starting out, my daughter rented a small (maybe 8 x 10 feet) bedroom in a group house with three other young women. Her monthly rent and utilities share were around $1,000. Car insurance, food, everything is significantly higher than SC (especially if you are in a more rural area of SC).

Child care (as in a day care facility) here would probably only pay around $10-12/hour. You didn't mention a college degree and I think it will be difficult to find a position without one. So many young people here have degrees and they are still having trouble finding jobs.

I understand completely your desire to move out on your own but if you can stay home for just a bit longer and get at least a two year degree in early childhood education or something, it would help you immensely. You write very well; have you considered something like paralegal? The pay would be significantly higher than child care or hostessing.

Best of luck.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by lovnova

I would look elsewhere in VA.

Winchester, if you love to be around mostly red necked people W/half buried tires and engines hanging from trees.

NOVA is probably very very much different from what you are used to or looking for. Plus its very expensive.

Good Luck

Quit showing your ignorance.