Possible move to Portsmouth area - need advice (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: wood floors, houses) - Hampton Roads area - (VA) -Chesapeake - Hampton - Newport News - Norfolk - Portsmouth - Suffolk - Virginia Beach - City-Data Forum

DBF · 06-21-2012, 08:15 AM

Hi All,

My husband is considering a job in the Portsmouth area and I would love to get a little feedback. We currently live in the Charlotte area and like it here but unfortunately the job he relocated for was eliminated due to a merger...ugh. I can work from home so no location issues for me. We currently have a 5 BR/5BA home with a walkout finished basement, 3 car garage, nice wooded lot, wood floors, great kitchen, tons of storage, etc. and would be looking for something similar that is newer (our house is 2 years old) Our boys are out of school so that is not as great of a concern. We love to boat so being near the water would be good too. Any inputs with pros and cons of areas or recommendations would be most appreciated!

Coconut1 · 06-21-2012, 10:11 AM

You don't mention price. Price is key.

I wouldn't move to Portsmouth. Lived there before and I loathe the city. Probably the most miserable city in HR.

Your best bet is to look at the Riverfront in Suffolk. (Not Harbor View as a whole, the first neighborhood they built in there is nothing but vinyl boxes, but the Riverfront at Harbor View)

xGrendelx · 06-21-2012, 10:16 AM

For a newer house that big near the water, Virginia Beach would be the first place I'd look. However, although I'm not familiar with Charlotte, I have a feeling it will be more expensive in VB. Chesapeake and Suffolk have a lot of new construction going on, but water access is not as good. Have you searched trulia? You should be able to search all three cities at the same time and narrow it down to only houses with 5BD/5BA, etc.

Coconut1 · 06-21-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xGrendelx

For a newer house that big near the water, Virginia Beach would be the first place I'd look. However, although I'm not familiar with Charlotte, I have a feeling it will be more expensive in VB. Chesapeake and Suffolk have a lot of new construction going on, but water access is not as good. Have you searched trulia? You should be able to search all three cities at the same time and narrow it down to only houses with 5BD/5BA, etc.

See, I have to disagree with that. There's plenty of waterfront property in North Suffolk and most of it is far superior to VA Beach, IMO.

One of the best things about North Suffolk, especially Harbor View, is the location.

You're right at the MMBT which gives you quick and easy access to Hampton, NN, and Williamsburg (and it's never usually backed up like the HRBT is)

I-164 gives you quick access to Portsmouth (and Norfolk via the Midtown Tunnel) and it also is right at Harbor View

664 gets you down to Chesapeake Square or to 64 to take the High Rise over to Greenbrier (and 664 is also at Harbor View)

The only place that's a royal pain to get to is VA Beach

xGrendelx · 06-21-2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coconut1

See, I have to disagree with that. There's plenty of waterfront property in North Suffolk and most of it is far superior to VA Beach, IMO.

I'll take your word for it! I'll be the first to admit I'm not much of an expert on Suffolk. I'll have to check out this Harbor View place you're talking about.

Coconut1 · 06-21-2012, 10:23 PM

Just go where 164 ends and 664 passes through/where the MMBT Suffolk entrance is. From there you can get any place! LOL!

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&i...ed=0CAMQkwMwAw

DBF · 07-04-2012, 04:07 PM

You are right Coconut 1....i did forget price. In Charlotte (across the state line in SC actually) we paid around $500,000. Would be willing to go up a bit from that and could cut down on some square feet but must have at least a 3 car garage and be newer or newly remodeled. How about shopping in those areas? Love CostCo, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, TArget, Walmart, etc. also would you say people are generally friendly there?

Thanks and Happy 4th of July!

Coconut1 · 07-04-2012, 09:20 PM

Hmm, well, around $500K for a 5/5 and 3 car in the Riverfront will be hard, if not impossible. Actually many places you're going to have a hard time finding the 3 car garage.

There's a Sam's Club and BJ's at Chesapeake Square, as is a Target (just down 664 if you're at the Riverfront) Trader Joe's is in Newport News which is the opposite way on 664 and right by it is a Costco and Fresh Market.

Wal-Mart is right at the Riverfront, maybe a mile if you're far back in the neighborhood. There's also a movie theater, two grocery stores (Harris Teeter and Food Lion) restaurants, Dick's Sporting Goods, Kohls, Office Max, GNC, Radio Shack, Panera, and some other stores right in there.

The only Whole Foods will be in VA Beach, I'm not sure if they're even done building it yet- I don't think they are. It's the only one in the region.

smittyjen · 07-08-2012, 01:46 PM

Don't move to Portsmouth....there are a few good neighborhoods left, but they are few and far between! Check out the Virginia Beach or Chesapeake area :-)

DBF · 07-08-2012, 08:21 PM

Thanks for info all!

I did see a few in Riverfront....seems like Suffolk and Chesapeake the most compatible...but no houses have wowed me yet. You are right...very few 3 car garage homes. We had a 4 car in TX and felt like we downsized already. Like to have a second fridge and other stuff in the garage plus we have 2 SUVs so hard and lots of sports equip. Anyone know something about Sleepy Point Estates?