where should I rent? Military working at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, (Virginia Beach: salons, oceanfront)

[18May2012]

Good morning,

My Fiancee and I will be moving to Norfolk area in less than a month. We are 25-30 years old couple, (Asians). I will be working for the Navy at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and she will be looking for work as a Nails technician.

I would like recommendations as to where to rent, with the maximum rent around $1300. No pets, no children. I looked into Cheasapeake/ Virginia beach areas but worry about the traffics, as I've heard the tunnels are dreadful.

I also would like to take some classes at ODU as well.

Thank you in advance for your help.

CKP

[TheJagMan]

I'll put it like this...If you live in Cheasapeake or Portsmouth you may regret it. If you move to the Ghent area (21st and Colley Ave in Norfolk for a point of reference) you'll be in the middle of the all the action. There's a lot to do in that area and you'll stand the best chance to build a large social circle quickly compared to other areas.

[thesolution]

As JagMan mentioned, you'll probably regret living on the same side as the shipyard. There isn't much on that side, but it really depends on what you value most. If you want to avoid traffic, then live in the Old Towne part of Portsmouth. However, if you plan on taking classes at ODU, you'll still have to go through one of the tunnels. If you don't mind traffic as much, then live in Ghent, which is easily the best location for young professionals in HR. Be prepared for high rent and loads of traffic going through the Midtown or Downtown tunnel though.

If you live in Ghent, don't get a ground-floor apartment and make sure you check the area out before signing a lease. With that area of Norfolk, you can easily step into a "bad" part by just going 1 block down.

As far as your fiancee, there are nail salons everywhere. This entire area is a haven for strip malls, and I imagine most have at least 1 nail salon.

By the way, it is called Norfolk Naval Shipyard, even though it's located in Portsmouth. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is somewhere up in Maine. I know, it's confusing.

[stva]

Traffic won't be too bad from Ghent, 95% of the people are coming into Norfolk for work, not leaving Norfolk. I know this because I go through the Midtown every day, towards Portsmouth.

[thesolution]

Originally Posted by stva

Traffic won't be too bad from Ghent, 95% of the people are coming into Norfolk for work, not leaving Norfolk. I know this because I go through the Midtown every day, towards Portsmouth.

I can't comment on morning traffic for the Midtown going to P-town from Norfolk, but I know it can get bad in the afternoon. I've gone to Norfolk plenty of times from Portsmouth through the Midtown in the afternoon and it hasn't been a pleasant experience overall.

[18May2012]

Thank you everyone for the response. I like Ghent, however, my Fiancee seems to like an apartment in Bleecher Street in Virginia Beach mainly because of the amenities. I guess I need to drive around in both areas to find which ones is best. I usually wake up a little earlier, so hopefully morning traffic won't be as bad.

I actually didn't know the name of the shipyard. That's good to know. Thank you again.

[bonnielisabeth]

If the commute from Ghent or Va Beach looks longer, and you want an easier commute to the shipyard, you might want to look at the Old Town section of Portsmouth, as well as areas of Chesapeake or even North Suffolk--like the Western Branch area of Chesapeake or the Harbourview area of Suffolk where there might be some newer construction.

[TheJagMan]

Originally Posted by 18May2012

Thank you everyone for the response. I like Ghent, however, my Fiancee seems to like an apartment in Bleecher Street in Virginia Beach mainly because of the amenities. I guess I need to drive around in both areas to find which ones is best. I usually wake up a little earlier, so hopefully morning traffic won't be as bad.

I actually didn't know the name of the shipyard. That's good to know. Thank you again.

It's BleecKer St and Greenwich Village Apt. If your fiancee is referring to amenities in regards to the apartments, those amenities can be found in an apartment complex's in any town in Hampton Roads. If your fiancee is referring to the local area, here's the run down. You're one mile from the area called town center which is a fun area on occasion...It has lots of expensive restaurants and/or chain restaurants. If night life is important to you, there's only one place that's any good and that's Keagans. Of all the places in Va Beach, town center, due to only having one major nightlife hang out will get old quick. Of the dozen restaurants there, a happy hour can be fun but again most place die down significantly after dinner. A mile is a very long walk requiring you to cross very busy streets, finding a free parking space can be a challenge but they're paid garages. I'll put it like this, come visit the area, go to Keagan's talk to locals and ask them where would they rather live, near town center or ghent, most if not all will answer ghent.

We're all just faceless people on an internet forum so I strongly advise you do the following prior to looking at any apartments. Stay in a hotel for a night or two in Ghent, then in Town Center and lastly by the Oceanfront. Do the activities you like to do, such as go running in the morning, gym in the afternoon, hit up a happy hour or the nightlife. Talk to locals to get their opinions of things that are important to you. Check out multiple apartments or rentals before signing a lease and be aware that leasing agents will be very high pressure. My opinion is that it Ghent would still be the best area since it has the most to do and ODU is right there.

[18May2012]

I also believe Ghent would be a better location for me, but this is only based on pictures and talking to coworkers (many do not actually live in Ghent). I do enjoy night life, however, I prefer coffee shops/restaurants over clubs/bars since I rarely drink alcohol. I really like the idea of being able to walk to local shops and trying out different things (in Ghent). ODU being so close is also a huge plus. After I buy myself a car (just came back from my deployment today), I will drive around the areas both day and night time to check the places out.

CKP

[KENKINSEY]

Originally Posted by 18may2012

good morning,

my fiancee and i will be moving to norfolk area in less than a month. We are 25-30 years old couple, (asians). I will be working for the navy at portsmouth naval shipyard and she will be looking for work as a nails technician.

I would like recommendations as to where to rent, with the maximum rent around $1300. No pets, no children. I looked into cheasapeake/ virginia beach areas but worry about the traffics, as i've heard the tunnels are dreadful.

I also would like to take some classes at odu as well.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Ckp

check out my rental at craigslist # 4565921000