Charleston VS VA Beach (Newport, Hampton: houses, landscaping, transfer)

[Sour.Amaretto]

I know these are definately two totally different cities...BUT my husband and I relocated last year to Charlotte and arent that happy here and we have been debating moving back to the coast,we lived in VA Beach for 3 years so we know what we like/dislike up there but i was wondering if anyone can give a comparison on the two? Especially someone thats lived in both?
Also the cost of living? Is it a huge difference? VA Beach was getting to be really expensive and we preferred to stay within a specific area b/c the other areas school districts weren't what we wanted and our daughter is due to start school soon so that plus the rising cost of rent(we couldnt think about owning) is what drove us to move, along with the fact that my husbands office shut down up there so he just transferred with his company.... Anyway we are trying to make a decision within the next few months on whether to move down there, back up to VA or just stay put so anything anyone can add would be great...


Thanks

[Maryjane55us]

We've lived in both Newport News, Va, Charlotte and have vacationed annually in the Charleston area.

We have always been in love with Va Beach for our summer vacations. I love her beach much better than the charleston area beaches because 1) it's groomed daily (no seaweed, no ocean trash) 2) you have a wonderful raised concrete concourse that runs for miles with beautiful landscaping, park benches, and gas lighting so you feel safe walking at night. Plus, the separate bike paths that run along the beach concourse separated by pampus and oleanders and palm trees. We don't even consider summer vacationing anywhere else. So as far as beaches go, Va Beach will always be my first choice in a beach.

However, 1) the Charleston area has downtown "Charleston"... the most beautiful small city in all the coastal areas to me.. and a beautiful bridge (now) getting to it.. nothing comparable to it in Va Beach 2) the landscaping.. beautiful large oaks draped in moss, wild palmeto trees, and beautiful water scenes abound, mostly for tourists only. Nothing affordable in these areas. 3) the temperature is milder than the Va coast. Not to say it doesn't get cold in Charleston, because it does.. and it's that damp, coastal cold that you feel in your bones.. but generally, it doesn't last as long as the winters in Va do.

I haven't looked at the cost of living in Va Beach lately. About 5-7 yrs ago we looked for something in the Rudee's Inlet area (the monopoly street area) and Harbor Pt area and most of those houses were around 300k. If you compare that area to the Old Mt Pleasant area, it might be similar. Like I said, I haven't priced it in awhile. But my guess is that it's probably similar.



Not much help, huh?

[brycejeffcoat]

I've lived in both. Unfortunately, when I lived in Virginia Beach I was a young lad (11-13). I lived in Hampton Roads and Sandbridge. Nice areas from what I remember. Hampton Roads was metro-ish, Sandbridge is a beach community. I'd recommend Charleston, but I'm biased :-).

[The Right Side_TX]

I having lived in both now thanks to the military, Id say hands down Va Beach all the way. Charleston is a nice lil town but doesnt really compare to Va Beach and the Hampton Roads area. Just alot more to do up there and alot more stuff going on.

As far as comparing thats tough.

Va Beach

Large
Plenty of events
All the shops/eating you need
The beachs in my view are alot better
Great location to the rest of the big towns on the Eact Coast.

Charleston

Smaller
More laid back
Nice downtown area
Cost of living is a little cheaper