Poquoson, Hayes/Gloucester Point, living (Norfolk, Richmond: houses, to buy, school districts)

[Dangousity]

I have been reading most of these posts for the Hampton Roads/NN/VB/Norfolk area for a little over two years.

Me and my family have been discussing moving to Poquoson, or GP for about 6 months. I am wondering how decent the Poquoson area compares to Hayes/Gp area.

I am a military contractor, so I am betting on the possibility of working for/near Langly, Eustis Bases.
I have 2 pre school children, and want decent college choices for myself as well. (within a decent driving range.)I am looking at 3brd 2 bath homes with .25-.5 acre lots.

How is the commute from Hayes over the bridge area, compared from Poquoson.
I am from originally California, so 1 hour commutes are normal for me.
How do the taxes compare
Would it be better to buy a house outside Williamsburg kinda closer to Richmond

I am trying to stay out of the city limits, also trying to avoid the higher housing taxed areas as well.

Any information would be great, if anyone needs information about North California, or North TN, just ask.

[TN Lily]

Have you been on the website for the city of Poquouson?

City of Poquoson

I suspect it may answer a few of your questions. I am a newcomer here, but have gathered that Poquoson has a very small school system compared to say Newport News or Hampton. Some people prefer that for their children.

Flooding is an issue for Poquoson. There is info on that on the city's website. You'll see that some houses are built on tall foundations if you look on an MLS or drive through the city.

It looks like a charming small city, but based on my one experience there, it is not the most diverse place. If I am wrong on that statement, I'm sure someone here will correct me.

[UHgrad]

Originally Posted by TN Lily

Have you been on the website for the city of Poquouson?

City of Poquoson

I suspect it may answer a few of your questions. I am a newcomer here, but have gathered that Poquoson has a very small school system compared to say Newport News or Hampton. Some people prefer that for their children.

Flooding is an issue for Poquoson. There is info on that on the city's website. You'll see that some houses are built on tall foundations if you look on an MLS or drive through the city.

It looks like a charming small city, but based on my one experience there, it is not the most diverse place. If I am wrong on that statement, I'm sure someone here will correct me.

I lived there for a year and agree with everything you said. A year was enough for us, but others never want to leave there. In my experience people are very love it or hate it with Poquoson. It is a small community, flooding is a major issue in certain parts, schools are considered good, outsiders are called "move ins", and the population is about 97% caucasian (if that matters to you). My wife is not white and felt a bit uncomfortable there, but couldn't name any instances of being discriminated against, she just felt out of place and thought that the residents "looked at her funny" when she was around town.

For the folks that had roots there it seemed like a very tight knit community where folks look out for each other. Lots of fishermen and hunters. Lots of families with kids. Two grocery stores, a hardware store, some restaurants, gas station etc... all right there in town. Nothing particularly exciting to do there but safe and quiet for sure.

I don't know much about GP so I can't really comment on that. Some of my coworkers live up there and seem to like it. Most around here with kids that work at Langley seem to try and find a place in Poquoson or York County somewhere like the Tabb or Grafton school districts.

In terms of taxes, you just have to go to the various City/County websites and find their rates... there may be a chart somewhere on a realtor site or something that lists them all but I haven't seen one.

[Dangousity]

Appreciate the comments so far thank you.
I have been doing a lot of research on the surrounding areas, I really am not interested in Poquoson, but my wife likes it. I prefer the GP area, and Williamsburg, truthfully.

[Falcor117]

Hayes to Langley is quite a haul. Traffic on route 17(the only way from Hayes to Langley) is a nightmare from 4-6. You're looking at about 45 minutes to an hour one way during those times.

Poquoson is about 5-10 minute easy commute from Langley depending on where you live(it's a small city).

Pardon me for a second while I turn off my politically correct switch. Poquoson is very white and most people that live there are not tolerant of non-whites moving in. It really is a place unto itself compared to the rest of Hampton Roads. I would strongly encourage you to look elsewhere(York County, Newport News, Hampton) if you're a minority; you would have a much easier time elsewhere.

They do have great public schools(again, if you're white). I used to repair cable in Poquoson and can only describe the residents as odd. Something is a bit off about the place. Most people are well off, although there are a few sections that are a bit... how do I put this nicely... rednecky.

The commute itself would make me pick Poquoson. You'd quickly grow tired of the Coleman Bridge with its traffic and tolls and route 17 with its endless traffic and stoplights.

[froggin4colorado]

We know a guy at Langley who has a daughter with needs who lives in Gloucester. He doesn't mind the commute, he hates the schools (but keep in mind it is the sped dept), and house is newer on a smaller lot.
The other gal I knew also had a toddler with needs, disliked the school district, but liked living in the community and was on a larger lot.
I know 2 other families who live in Poq, again with needs, they love the community but dislike the schools, again sped dept. I like small towns and all that comes with it. However I don't live there, I live in York. We just moved out of a home here in York that was on 1 acre and there are other properties that have some land with it. 1 acre was plenty to mow IMO.