Fresh Start (Chesapeake, Richmond, Hampton: for rent, home, find a job)

[rbyflame1066]

Hi..I am looking for a place to live in Virginia that is not in the middle of a big city but within 30 minutes preferably. I am wanting to start from scratch which I know will be hard. I want to rent up to max of $500 monthly. I will need to get a job when I get there so I need somewhere with options. It will only be me and a dog and two cats. I have a degree in human services and a degree in business. I want to be within two hours of the ocean if possible. My biggest concerns are getting a job and affordable housing. It doesn't have to be fancy but safe and clean area. I have transportation of my own. When looking at the map I keep going back to southern Virginia area along border of NC. I know this is a wide description but any ideas would help.

[castufari]

Maybe southern Chesapeake? Not much out there, you'd have to drive into work. Maybe you could find something in Elizabeth City and commute.

I'd not move until you find something workwise, things are slow.

[oleo]

Yeah, you can't just move and find a job like it's the 80's man. Not in this economy.

Why are you running away from your problems? What in your past do you regret?

[onevthoki]

There is a town southwest of Richmond, about 60 miles, called Blackstone. For what you can pay for rent, that might be a good place to start. Not sure on employment though - might have to drive into Richmond. Check out the local paper (Welcome to The Courier-Record Newspaper) which can give you a lot of info on Blackstone and the surrounding towns, and you might want to look at government jobs (USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Jobs Site). Fort Lee in Prince George County is growing (gaining 5000+ troops) and that is a commutable distance from Blackstone.

[rbyflame1066]

Thank you for information. I am not running away. I am 38 and have raised my kids. I want to go somewhere. By the end of my life I want to have lived the width of it as well as the length. Yeah, the job would have to come first. I do plan on coming down and looking around in early spring. Wouldn't move until May or June anyway. I am coming from Ohio.

[castufari]

I'd look into the Hampton Roads area, maybe Chesapeake or even Suffolk.

[rbyflame1066]

How far inland do hurricanes come into Virginia?

[Windywendy]

Originally Posted by rbyflame1066

Thank you for information. I am not running away. I am 38 and have raised my kids. I want to go somewhere. By the end of my life I want to have lived the width of it as well as the length. Yeah, the job would have to come first. I do plan on coming down and looking around in early spring. Wouldn't move until May or June anyway. I am coming from Ohio.

Good for you for having the courage to relocate! I'm 36 and was in the same boat... just wanting to live my life wide spread... not knowing what other areas ever were like, jumping at any chance to get away from the crappy snow and grey skies in New York. I ended up getting lucky going with my boyfriend who had a job offer when we were down here on vacation. Wanted to tell you, I'm in the southern part of Chesapeake and have been door to door, online, in the paper and to temp job services... since September. I've had a few PT offers but that was in the beginning and was looking for FT Days. Unfortunately for me I've got an 8 year old boy still at home with me so work hours gotta be around the same time of his school hours for me to still be a "mom". If you want to keep in touch I can give you some info as I see it as I'm still looking myself, but in a different field. I've got an interview on Tuesday though... so hopefully not too much longer for me. I would start here and keep an eye on this site if you want this area. Good luck! And from what I've seen, this isn't a bad area, about the same as the area I come from but much more to do.
http://pilot.careers.adicio.com/careers/jobsearch/results?searchType=advanced;clientid=pilot;swBoxSe arch=Searching...

[rbyflame1066]

Thank you Wendy. I just thought living near the beach or close would be refreshing. I don't want to go West. I don't want to have Ohio weather. I just want to go somewhere with my pets that is safe and work available. It is scary but I am just tired of it here. Maybe I should look into traveling more and maybe that would settle me down. Lol! I was in New Jersey this past summer and went to the beach and fell in love. So much city though. I have lived in country all my life. Getting a job is the tough part and timing it for a move.

[castufari]

rby:

Hurricanes can go way in. I live in Asheville, we had 2 roll through here one year. This is a place that's 4 hours by car from Charleston and 6.5 hours away from Hatteras.

Chesapeake is a nice. Southern Chesapeake is great, still some affordable housing and it's neighborly. The beaches aren't that far. Great Bridge (city seat for Chesapeake) is maybe 35 minutes away from Sandbridge, Nags Head/Kitty Hawk are an hour away or so.

If I could move today I'd be back in Chesapeake in a heartbeat.