moving to norfolk / virginia beach area soon, please help! (Hampton: 2009, apartment)

[hollygolitely]

ok me and my boyfriend are considering relocating to virginia beach area this winter. i've only been down there once before and we loved it. we are planning a long weekend trip down next month to explore the area a little better. however, i'm getting a little concerned now about the crime and safety of this area. how bad is it????

i would be renting an apartment for at least one year (if we like it enough we'll buy a house after).
just the two of us, but i'd rather live in a family friendly area... someplace safe where i can walk alone at night and not be concerned....
i'd like to keep the rent under 1500$... around a 1000$ would be good.
maximum commute (driving/train) would be an hour.
i want to be close to the beach... part of considering moving to this area is that on a map at least it looks ideal... i can live close to the beach and commute to work in the norfolk area... everything seems to be within an hour drive....

but is it safe?!?!
i see a lot about racial tension... we're both white, i come from mixed places but there was never any real "tension"... something to worry about?

we were planning to just spend the weekend "driving around" but now i'm too nervous to even book a hotel anywhere besides off the beach...

[Erma]

Go to the Hampton Roads forum, you'll get all your answers there.

[saneedtorent]

have you moved to Virginia beach yet?

[rsl331]

Hi, I don't know if you are still interested, but I have a beautiful 2bdrm, 1 bath apt. for rent, now (Jan.2009) thru May 2009, and then longer if you want to stay. I have lived here for a year and a half, and it is safe and has parking, washer-dryer, a beautiful veiw, and is only 3 minutes from the ocean. I am having to move to Nashville with my recording career and need to find someone needing a good area to live. If you are interested, e-mail me :taylor331@sbcglobal.net, and I will be glad to give you more information. The nice part, is it can be short term if you need time to find something else, (or long term if you like it), and in a great area!