Relocating from OK and need advice! (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: apartment, rentals, safe area)

[Haila29]

My husband and I are looking to relocate to the Noefolk area. We are coming from a very small rural town in Oklahoma. I have a low budget but want somewhere safe. Where is the best place to go? My husband has never been further than Arkansas and I have only been west so not familiar with the area or lifestyles of Virginia. Also what is the best way to find rental properties there? Preferably on the Internet.

[tvpirate05]

It's an interesting area in that you have a little bit of everything, country, suburb, city, the beach.

In Norfolk, I always recommend Ghent. Affordable and safe with a pretty decent nightlife...older, Colonial style architecture which gives it a lot of charm.

Are either of you guys military? That makes a lot of difference because of the bases and tunnels in this area. It's nice to explore, but for work, you'll probably want to live on your side of the tunnel. Hampton and Newport News are generally lower-priced, and both have the pockets to stay away from, but are overall okay places to live.

There's the more suburban Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, a little more expensive with no shortage of malls and chain places, with local spots hidden here and there.

[artistatheart]

Originally Posted by tvpirate05

Are either of you guys military? That makes a lot of difference because of the bases and tunnels in this area. It's nice to explore, but for work, you'll probably want to live on your side of the tunnel.

This is an excellent point. Hampton Roads is a great place to live, but people sometimes underestimate what a pain commuting can be here because of the various tunnels and bridges. Where you'll be working should be a major influence in where you plan to live.

I agree that the Ghent section of Norfolk has a reputation as a good, safe area. Are both you and your husband going to be working in Norfolk?

As far as rentals, I've heard that militarybyowner.com is a good source.

http://www.militarybyowner.com/default.aspx

[Coconut1]

What makes you choose Hampton Roads if you've never even been here?

Do you have jobs lined up?

What is "low budget?"

[Haila29]

My friend is being stationed there and we are moving with her. So we would need something no more than 30 or 45 minutes away from base probably. I would say $500-$600 a month tops. We are unsure of where we will be working until we get there.

[lowrimol]

Originally Posted by Haila29

My friend is being stationed there and we are moving with her. So we would need something no more than 30 or 45 minutes away from base probably. I would say $500-$600 a month tops. We are unsure of where we will be working until we get there.

That is a very low budget for a safe property close to the base.

[tvpirate05]

Agreed with lowrimol, good luck finding a safe area for $600 max. My old apartment was 725 for a 2 BR...it was in a good neighborhood, but extremely tiny. The place I'm at now is just under $800, also 2 BR.

If it's just you and your husband (no kids), you may be able to find a studio for about $650, but from what I've seen those are few and far between here. Might wanna look for 1 BRs in Ghent...that's about a 10-15 min. drive from Naval Station Norfolk (straight down Hampton Blvd.), and you may be able to find a decent one bedroom apartment in the low $700s.

[Coconut1]

So you're coming with no job, to an area you've never even been to before, with a teeny tiny little budget, for a friend?!

Sorry, but that's absolutely insane. You need to reconsider the entire move.

[artistatheart]

I have to agree with the previous posters. Hampton Roads can be a really nice place to live, but it's not inexpensive, and the bad areas can be really BAD. Your budget is too low to get you into a good area. If you are set on coming here, please make sure to get some sort of personal recommendation about where you'll be living before you sign a lease.

[bendiesel]

For that amount... Youll be lucky to find a place in Ocean view..