Hampton Roads run down? (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: how much, hotel, new home) - (VA) -Chesapeake - Hampton - Newport News - Norfolk - Portsmouth - Suffolk - Virginia Beach - City-Data Forum

701RachelT123 · 10-24-2010, 02:29 PM

We recently visited the Hampton Roads area, we stayed in Norfolk at the Best Western Holiday Sands Inn & Suite, and it all appeared to be run down, old, and unkempt. I am not implying that if a home is old it equals trashy. Did we just go to the wrong places? We did the whole tourist thing in Va beach and went up to Williamsburg. So we were primarily on the interstates. We could potentially be moving to the area next August so I am hoping that we just coincidently hit all the run down areas of the towns.

emeraldgirl · 10-24-2010, 03:18 PM

That hotel is located in E. Ocean View which is not considered the best area in Norfolk. Although, they are trying to revitalize that part of Norfolk.

Coconut1 · 10-24-2010, 03:36 PM

You're most likely going to hear "Oh, you were in Ocean View which is not a nice area," but honestly, you'll find the same pretty much any place you go.

HR is gritty, blue collar and not very aesthetically pleasing. It doesn't have much business and is heavily focused on the military. Due to the transient nature of the military, quality of life isn't a big factor. You're not going to find much sophistication here such as museums, dramatic productions, environmental protection, etc.

nosoup4u · 10-24-2010, 04:05 PM

Most of Virginia Beach isn't as gritty and blue collar as the surrounding areas.

Upsilon · 10-24-2010, 04:32 PM

I'd say explore a bit, you might find something you like and you might not. People will complain about it and people will love it; it's a matter of what you like! Sure, some parts are a bit more blighted than others, but I'm sure it's no where near the intensity of a lot of other American cities, especially up there in Detroit and all of that.

froggin4colorado · 10-24-2010, 09:17 PM

I am one of those that believes if you don't have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut. This is me saying nothing. I hope you like it here, not many do. Please be one of the few who do, they need more people who love this area...so many others like myself can't stand it here.

701RachelT123 · 10-24-2010, 10:58 PM

Why do u live somewhere u hate? Not easy to move but if living somewhere you hate then don't do it anymore. Be happy life is too short!

froggin4colorado · 10-25-2010, 05:30 AM

I agree, but with this economy, you have to live where the job it. So, DH is at Langley for now. Will do it for a couple years and then go back to CO.

ChessieMom · 10-25-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 701RachelT123

We recently visited the Hampton Roads area, we stayed in Norfolk at the Best Western Holiday Sands Inn & Suite, and it all appeared to be run down, old, and unkempt. I am not implying that if a home is old it equals trashy. Did we just go to the wrong places? We did the whole tourist thing in Va beach and went up to Williamsburg. So we were primarily on the interstates. We could potentially be moving to the area next August so I am hoping that we just coincidently hit all the run down areas of the towns.

Ugh. Not why sure you chose THAT place/area to stay at. A throw of the dice would have most likely landed you at a much nicer area.

Coconut1 · 10-25-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChessieMom

Ugh. Not why sure you chose THAT place/area to stay at. A throw of the dice would have most likely landed you at a much nicer area.

To be fair, who would think an area, directly on the Chesapeake Bay would be run down?

Those are exactly the things that make no sense about the HR area. A home in Asheville Park in VA Beach is listed at $1.5M. Your neighbor is right behind you, the entire neighborhood was clear cut and the only thing separating you both is a little wrought iron fence.

Yet I can go over to Ocean View and get a home, pay $500K for it, put in $100K worth of upgrades to bring it up to par with the new home, and have my own private beach on deep water for practically a million dollars less.

People here don't think. They believe buying a piece of old farm land and throwing crap up on it is good design. It's all about how much bang for the buck they'll get back on their project, not about the quality of life of future residents.

East Beach is at least doing better in terms of location... it doesn't make any sense to let such valuable property go to waste simply because it's run down. Redevelopment is key. I suppose throwing up vinyl McMansions is easier, though.