Commute Norfolk to Richmond for Work (Chesapeake: school, housing, best)

[jobber123rd]

Too bad you can't swap jobs or living places with the poster in the Richmond forum who wants to commute from RVA to ODU.

In all seriousness, as the previous poster suggested, 460 is typically a less stressful route to the Richmond area (the only real concern is crossing the Elizabeth River, and that's not much compared to the HRBT and 64 on the Peninsula), but it's going to be a longer and slower-paced trip (unless your destination in the RVA area is Chesterfield or points south -- then 460 is pretty much the most direct route anyway).

Source: I drive a Virginia Beach to Chester round trip about twice a month. I'm one of the few people who would have benefited from Governor McDonnell's failed 460 bypass toll road.

[Spazkat9696]

Wait you want to keep your child in a Norfolk school? I'm guessing it's a private school.

BTW there is no way in hell I'd be willing to make that drive.

[randomlikeme]

Originally Posted by mj62

It's multiple reasons. I'm military and trying to keep my personal life and my career- very difficult. Next best option is lose my career or send my child away to live elsewhere due to the nature of my job in Richmond and lack of moveable support system. Crappy situation but weighing my options and this is one of them. Only upside is it's only two years, right?!!

Can your child live with your support system through the week and you come home on weekends? It might be a better solution considering you wouldn't see your child through the week anyway with that type of commute.

[jillybean720]

Originally Posted by randomlikeme

Can your child live with your support system through the week and you come home on weekends? It might be a better solution considering you wouldn't see your child through the week anyway with that type of commute.

This is what I was thinking. I had a coworker in NOVA who lived on the peninsula, and he rented a small basement apartment for just himself in NOVA during the week and went home for weekends.

[mj62]

Thanks everyone, I'll post a update in a few months!

[Mr Williamsburg]

Buy a helicopter or plane !

[aln627]

Hi, MJ62 - just wondering if you have an update on what you decided to do/how the commute is going. My husband and I moved to Norfolk in August when I landed a new job here that I intend to keep for the long term. He was hoping to transfer to Norfolk (he works for the USPS) but the best he could get was Richmond. He's just received an offer there after months of trying to transfer down here, so he's eager to take it and get back to work. I am concerned about the distance, and wondered how you're faring. It's likely that once he's put a couple years in this region he'll eventually be able to transfer into Norfolk from Richmond, so we are also looking at about 2-3 years of this commute. Any update?

[Spazkat9696]

Originally Posted by aln627

Hi, MJ62 - just wondering if you have an update on what you decided to do/how the commute is going. My husband and I moved to Norfolk in August when I landed a new job here that I intend to keep for the long term. He was hoping to transfer to Norfolk (he works for the USPS) but the best he could get was Richmond. He's just received an offer there after months of trying to transfer down here, so he's eager to take it and get back to work. I am concerned about the distance, and wondered how you're faring. It's likely that once he's put a couple years in this region he'll eventually be able to transfer into Norfolk from Richmond, so we are also looking at about 2-3 years of this commute. Any update?

He hasn't been on since May 2016. My advice is no way it can't be done.

[goofy328]

Originally Posted by mj62

I'm being relocated for two years to Downtown Richmond but planning to live in Norfolk and keep my child in school here. I have a support network to help me out with her. It looks like I'll be leaving around 6am to drive to Richmond and leave work around 4:30 or 5 to head back to Norfolk. Has anyone done this? Is it crazy to think about doing this for two years?

What type of masochists continue to post such questions in this forum?

[Deeman804]

A couple of comments:

1. I would do that commute if I had family, support and everything else that is priceless.
2. I think you can swing it at 6am if you are close to the HRBT, I would even consider 5:45 to avoid the people that start at 6:30 in the military.
3. Do you absolutely have to work 5 days a week. If you are supercommuting one day without travel can do wonders for the stress.
4. Consider 460 in the evenings, you actually may benefit by not having the headache.

I absolutely would not turn down a job opportunity without testing the drive myself. Sure it will be tough but as long as you know what you are getting yourself into, only you can decide what will make you happiest.