Moving from charlotte to VA (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: to rent, good schools, living)

[momiRN]

I am a registered nurse and my husband is a merchant seaman. We are looking to relocated to Virgina but I am not sure where to start. My husband is already astablished his position there is VA. I am a cardiac nurse and would like to work at diverse hospital setting. My main priority is to find good schools for my children. I have two boys who are 2 and 7. I am somewhat looking for some diversity if any. I am looking to rent for no more than 1400 if possible. Can someone please help me.

[Falcor117]

Why Virginia? In particular, why the Hampton Roads area?

I'd stay on the southside, Virginia Beach in particular. Most of Chesapeake isn't bad either. Although there is very little diversity in both of those places. For diversity, you'll find Norfolk attractive. At the same time, the Norfolk school system doesn't have a good reputation.

Avoid Portsmouth and Suffolk.

Just be warned, it's a lot different here than Charlotte. The cost of living is significantly higher. It's much more spread out with little, to no city(only "city" to speak of is downtown Norfolk), and traffic problems out the wazoo. Hampton Roads used to be mostly farmland that has been converted to suburban sprawl. In the process of the conversion, our DOT hasn't been expanding the roads as needed. Because of this, we have all of the traffic problems of a major city.

[momiRN]

Thank you for your response. My husband's job is in Virginia. It has been for the last 13 years. He has been communtting back and fourth.