Suffok, Chesapeake, Richmond or Mechanicsville??? (Hampton, Suffolk: 2009, houses, employment)

[Mandalynns]

My husband and I are considering moving to VA. I am an Art Teacher (9-12) and he will be a Registered Nurse in may of 2009. We currently live in New Jersey, near philadelphia but also near farms, shopping and colleges. We are looking to move to VA for a change and for more house for the money, so we think. I currently drive an hour each way to work and wish to keep my commute around 30 minutes. We havent even searched for positions b/c we want to know where to concentrate our search. My questions are:

Is it wise to expect to make 46,000/yr as a teacher? I will have six + years experience and I have my Masters Degree?

What on earth do Registered Nurses (staff at a hospital) make in VA?

It looks like we will be able to afford 250-300K for a house. I have found houses that look good in Suffolk, Chesapeake, Richmond and Mechanicsville. We have a 4 yr old son and wish to live in a very safe area that is also near a lot of culture and educational opportunities. I looooove Indian food, and if that is too weird and hard for me to find, then I will have to keep looking. Which area would be best? I read that certain areas of Chesapeake are nicer than others, like norfolk and portsmouth aren't so nice but south chesapeake and great bridge are.
Can anyone tell me if we are nuts, here?

I love pie-(in response to a recent posting by someone else...)

Thanks! mandalynns

[Fairfax Mom]

We lived in NJ - near Philly - and most of Northern VA is much more expensive and crowded and traffic filled. But - by the time you get down to the Richmond/Mechanicsville area homes are VERY cheap - it is much more country. Hope this helps.

[Lisaluvly99]

We are in the Greenbrier section of Chesapeake. Great schools, all within walking and driving distance. Great neighborhoods. And two contemporary indian restaraunts across the street. haha.

[VA Yankee]

Originally Posted by Mandalynns

My husband and I are considering moving to VA. I am an Art Teacher (9-12) and he will be a Registered Nurse in may of 2009. We currently live in New Jersey, near philadelphia but also near farms, shopping and colleges. We are looking to move to VA for a change and for more house for the money, so we think. I currently drive an hour each way to work and wish to keep my commute around 30 minutes. We havent even searched for positions b/c we want to know where to concentrate our search. My questions are:

Is it wise to expect to make 46,000/yr as a teacher? I will have six + years experience and I have my Masters Degree?

What on earth do Registered Nurses (staff at a hospital) make in VA?

It looks like we will be able to afford 250-300K for a house. I have found houses that look good in Suffolk, Chesapeake, Richmond and Mechanicsville. We have a 4 yr old son and wish to live in a very safe area that is also near a lot of culture and educational opportunities. I looooove Indian food, and if that is too weird and hard for me to find, then I will have to keep looking. Which area would be best? I read that certain areas of Chesapeake are nicer than others, like norfolk and portsmouth aren't so nice but south chesapeake and great bridge are.
Can anyone tell me if we are nuts, here?

I love pie-(in response to a recent posting by someone else...)

Thanks! mandalynns

Hi Mandalynns,

I have lived 20 years in Hampton Roads & 10 years in Central Va outside Richmond. Originally I am from NY Suburbs. Let me try to answer some of your questions.

Chesapeke & Suffolk are both part of Hampton Roads as such they are greatly affected by the military. I found that the schools can be good depending on the district I lived in Va Beach so I am not quite familiar with the other 2. Because of the military there it is harder to get teaching positions so many spouse are teachers creating a glut. For your husband I don't forsee an employment problem. Traffic can be a challenge depending on the time of day and where your going.

Mechanicsville would be your best choice, it would stage you for employment in 4 counties and your salary expectations may be met. Although not an incorperated town Mechanicsville has a nice mix of suburban and rural, easy interstate access and excellant schools. There is a hospital there as well as
5+ within 30 minutes drive. For jobs in education you can start with VDOE :: Careers in Virginia Education . This site will give you a feel for what is currently available as well as license requirements. The list is not all inclusive but you can check individual districts if something interests you. Virginia is primarily a non-union state if thats an issue.

For the city of Richmond it is an urban district with all the problems associated with it. Eclectic in parts the schools sorely fail and I don't think you want to pay for private school.

Indian food is common here but the last decent pizza & bagel are somewhere in NJ.

Hope this helps.

[leavingli66]

My husband is looking at offers in the suffolk area and the chesterfield area. can you offer pros and cons to these areas. we have 3 children and schools are very important to us. we are coming from NY and want to have an area that offers a fun place to live for the kids with some diversity and is safe

[Mr Williamsburg]

go to www.SchoolMAtters.com and compare the schools. I think you will find Chesterfield Schools to rank much higher than Suffolk. My wife grew up in Chesterfield ( Bon Air) . We were considering the area but chose Williamsburg to be closer to family. It was our first choice solely looking at schools. She still has lots of friends there who have children attending school. All are extremely happy with schools, teachers, etc..