Why live in Williamsburg over VB? (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: low crime, houses, neighborhoods)

[lady757]

I'm a VB local, but am considering moving elsewhere and it always seems so peaceful when I drive through Williamsburg. However, aside from school field trips as a kid and Busch Gardens, I am not all that familiar with it.

I'm looking for a family friendly community with low crime, bike paths, a good sense of community, playgrounds, parks, houses that aren't smack up against your neighbor, activities for kids (like Little Gym etc.).

Do you get jet noise there?

[myjulylily]

I've lived in both places, and both places have their pros and cons.
Williamsburg is very peaceful - nice neighborhoods. I'm not sure the neighborhoods here are much different than the ones in VB in terms of space of your lot.
It is definitely family friendly, there is not much crime here. There are a few good parks here for kids. We have a Y and a rec center. There is no Little Gym in Williamsburg, but we do have the WISC and they have a great gymnastics program for little kids. We also have a 2 bounce houses. A few great music programs for kids (Music Together and Kindermusik). Of course, Busch Gardens and Water Country are close - we do that a lot in the evening, as well as go to the huge Yankee Candle store here. There is also Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown. We do have to travel down to Newport News for things like the Living Museum and petting zoo.
There is really no jet noise to speak of here. That is one thing I don't miss with small kids and a dog

[Mr Williamsburg]

I grew up in VA Beach and now live in Williamsburg. Where to start, remember the Andy Griffith show, well Williamsburg is a little like Mayberry. Our population density is 446 people per square mile. VA Beach has 1746 people per square mile. Almost 4 x the density. Traffic around town is mild in comparison to VB and southside. I can't remember the last time I heard a jet, trains maybe..
As myjulylily noted we have lots of activities for kids..No shopping malls but we do have the outlets.
Sports programs are huge considering our community size. Check out our parks here Parks & Recreation Home Page . Sure we miss the ocean and as a result we visit VA Beach and OBX often. But we are only 2+ hours to the mountains, Washington DC and many other points of interest.

I can't think of a better place to raise our kids.

[Coconut1]

Williamsburg hands down beats Virginia Beach.

VA Beach is trashy, filled with vinyl McMansions, awful roads, ugly scenery. Just a gross place.

Williamsburg is historic, peaceful, green, and offers a better quality of life, IMO.

I don't know your budget, but if you were to live in the historic area I think you would like it a lot.

[Emrak]

This is not even a debate. Williamsburg, all the way!

[froggin4colorado]

Don't come to Wburg for the schools though. I can't believe the number of teachers who hate working for the school district and the number of upset parents. Now that I have been here for a year, I have several ex-WJCC teachers who are so glad they left and many more who want out.
The community itself is a pretty community and I like it. In fact, so many people say they really like the community itself but want to leave for other reasons- cost of living, jobs, schools, nothing for kids to do (don't understand that one), etc.

[Emrak]

Originally Posted by froggin4colorado

Don't come to Wburg for the schools though. I can't believe the number of teachers who hate working for the school district and the number of upset parents. Now that I have been here for a year, I have several ex-WJCC teachers who are so glad they left and many more who want out.
The community itself is a pretty community and I like it. In fact, so many people say they really like the community itself but want to leave for other reasons- cost of living, jobs, schools, nothing for kids to do (don't understand that one), etc.

This sounds like a perception issue. I.e., people who just don't want to be in the area period, or are having financial difficulties and redirecting their stress.

If you don't like Williamsburg, you probably wont like anywhere in HR.

About teachers, I think this has more to do with the quotas/stress caused by budget cuts due to recession. It'll get worse. Next year all districts that I know of are projecting double-digit cuts because stimulus money is running out.

[tvpirate05]

When I was in school at HU, my part-time job occasionally took me to Williamsburg/JCC. Very nice area. I think the only reason I'd choose VB is because my current job is in Norfolk, and I grumble enough about my 20 min. commute from Greenbrier! :-)

[TiredOfVa]

I've lived in VB and Newport News for 2 years and have been commuting to my job in Williamsburg.. I can tell you hands down Williamsburg is infinitely better. I would buy a house in Williamsburg myself if it weren't so expensive; but it is beautiful and peaceful. If you want more land I would suggest the Toano, New Kent area though; I find that a lot of Williamsburg is new development areas with rather small lot sizes, although I suppose that is subjective

[wafflesx100]

good thread, read alot of what i was looking for too.