Currently live in DC but interested in learning about Norfolk (Arlington: real estate, to rent)

[Coconut1]

Originally Posted by RLCMA

I've seen all the museums, I'm not into shopping, theater, or nightlife. I like grabbing happy hour but clubs and bars until 1 AM is not my thing. Being a single guy it would be great if the area had a good amount of single women, educated, professional, etc.

For the first part, eh, you could maybe make it work. For the second, large amount of single, educated, professional woman, well, no, just no.

Not even taking into consideration education or professionals, you have this little thing called the United State Navy here, which means not only men galore, but single men galore.

The bottom line is I don't think this area is right for you, but the good news is you're only a 4 hour drive away so you can easily come and see for yourself.

[randomlikeme]

Originally Posted by RLCMA

I guess the big question is where to live in the Norfolk area. I like a place with a good amount of coffee shops and restaurants. Somewhere safe and upscale would be nice. I'm totally clueless about Norfolk, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, etc. so I don't know where to begin with looking for places to live.

I would say Ghent is probably where you would want to be if you made it here. It would also have your greatest concentration of what you're seeking single, female professionals (or single female students at EVMS).

[Mlutz]

Have a FSBO in Larchmont community of Norfolk. Nice to walk to shops and resaurants. Young vibe, beautiful neighborhood.

[UHgrad]

Originally Posted by RLCMA

I've been contacted about a job in Norfolk and was wondering how the area is. I currently live and work in DC and I enjoy it for the most part (minus the arrogant people). How is Norfolk? Good for a single professional in his early 30's meaning good restaurants, good amount of educated single women, less snotty than DC, etc.? Any feedback is appreciated. Thank you.

You aren't gonna come close to the DC area in terms of restaurants, bars, and educated single women down here... or in most of the rest of the country for that matter. DC is one of the hubs for educated young professionals in the country right now. The "snottiness" is just a byproduct of having a bunch of highly educated young professionals in one place... I don't know that you can have one without the other. haha

Norfolk has its cool spots, a slower pace, and has a nice community vibe in some areas but there is a lot less variety than DC. Just depends what you are looking for I guess... career wise though DC is definitely a better option overall.

You are close enough that you could come and check it out one weekend. Granby street and Ghent are the two areas where you'll find most of the singles out in Norfolk.

[RLCMA]

Thanks for the feedback. In all honesty, I have the potential to make more money down in Norfolk compared to DC since I don't work for the government, consulting, law, and other industries that are common in DC. I'd be better off financially in Norfolk and since I'm not a party guy anymore I'm seriously contemplating it. Ghent seems to be the best place from the responses I have read.

[UHgrad]

Originally Posted by RLCMA

Thanks for the feedback. In all honesty, I have the potential to make more money down in Norfolk compared to DC since I don't work for the government, consulting, law, and other industries that are common in DC. I'd be better off financially in Norfolk and since I'm not a party guy anymore I'm seriously contemplating it. Ghent seems to be the best place from the responses I have read.

If you can make a good salary here and live someplace like Ghent or Freemason then you should have a good time. Seems worth a shot.

[randomlikeme]

Honestly, I started my career up there in Alexandria working for the corporate offices of a property management company there. I was glad to get back here, because I was sick of the commute and like the more laidback lifestyle down here compared to the ultra-competitive nature I felt up there. The job market is better up there for what I do (SQL analyst), but there is no accounting for happiness sometimes.

[goofy328]

Originally Posted by randomlikeme

Honestly, I started my career up there in Alexandria working for the corporate offices of a property management company there. I was glad to get back here, because I was sick of the commute and like the more laidback lifestyle down here compared to the ultra-competitive nature I felt up there. The job market is better up there for what I do (SQL analyst), but there is no accounting for happiness sometimes.

I don't mind HR because both of the cities I've lived at in Ohio there was no rat race and I don't feel like there is one here. Every city I've lived in is laid back. Now the traffic here is far worse than anything I experienced there, but if you don't have to travel to other cities it's not bad.

The little bit I've experienced of DC seems like if a person can live and work in DC it's not bad, plus you have the train. But the majority of people obviously cannot do that, either because of the cost of doing so, and because DC is 100 square miles with height limits and where else would people live. I would hate a 2 to 3 hour commute there.

[goofy328]

Originally Posted by RLCMA

Thanks for the feedback. In all honesty, I have the potential to make more money down in Norfolk compared to DC since I don't work for the government, consulting, law, and other industries that are common in DC. I'd be better off financially in Norfolk and since I'm not a party guy anymore I'm seriously contemplating it. Ghent seems to be the best place from the responses I have read.

You've already answered the question of if you should do so. Just a matter of how you do it.

[goofy328]

If it weren't for the limitations of the tunnels and bridges in Hampton Roads traffic here wouldn't be any worse than it is anywhere else. We also have some interesting situations with the service roads but I don't find traffic here any worse than any other major city.