Should I move to the Virginia Beach Area? (Norfolk, Hampton: real estate market, rentals)

[Baxdens]

I currently live in the UK in Cornwall and have been offered a job for 2-3 years in the Virginia Beach area (and then returning to the UK). I have kids aged 3, 8, 10 & 12 and I see this as a fantastic opportunity. I am concerned about my 10 year old, who will just be starting Middle School and has Special Educational Needs. Whilst in mainstream education he has 1 to 1 help for 20 hours a week - with this help he is able to stay in class, has friends and can interact with the rest of the class - without this help he would rapidly go into meltdown. The UK system to get this help is long and laborious (leaving kids without help until sorted). Can anyone give advice on how good the system is in the US for getting 1 to 1 help, which schools have the better Special Needs Departments and what areas I should look at renting a house.

[Erma]

I lived in the UK for 2 years....loved it and you will love it here as well! :-)

[CosmicWizard]

Baxdens wrote:

Should I move to the Virginia Beach Area?

This is a decision that you will have to make for yourself.

[Leigh Penner]

The public school systems here are excellent. Check out www.vbschools.com for more info.

[jenbennnn]

I hope someone from Virginia Beach replies...but just to give you an idea...I'm a Special Ed teacher from Northern Virginia and have a daughter who will be entering Kindergarten with special ed. services.

20 hrs a week of 1 on 1 help is quite rare. My daughter will be pulled out of class for 20 hrs/wk with one sped teacher along with 3 other students (4 to 1 ratio). She will also get 2 hrs/wk help inside the regular classroom, however the teacher will also be working with other students at the same time. Another thing to think about is that any therapuetic services (Speech, OT, PT) can be delivered as the therapists wish (unless otherwise stated on the IEP). For instance, at my school the speech therapist was seeing 6 students at the same time and counting that group session towards their therapy time. Now how much talking can 1 student do in a 1/2 hr. if he has to wait for 5 other kids to get their turns too?

School systems rely on tax money, some of which comes from real estate taxes. As I'm sure you've heard, our real estate market is going down the tubes. Many schools are increasing the student : teacher ratios to save money. The good thing about our system is that you can sign an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and your child will receive services right away. You can then go back (as it is a fluid document) and fight for additional services that you feel are necessary. There are advocate groups that could help you and you could hire an advocate or a lawyer to attend any IEP meeting. I've seen school systems cave into the wants of parents when the parents bypass the teacher and school administration and go straight to the top of the Special Ed services dept. and complain to the director. Although time consuming, the squeeky wheel always wins! Hopefully you can hook up with a parent support group once in the States and get some inside info on the schools you're children will be attending.

I do hope someone from VA beach replies as I too am considering relocating there soon.

Good luck!

[sleeptodream138]

I'm 24, currently living in Va Bch and, in all honesty, I hate it.

BUT, I'm 24 and looking to experience change in my life so my opinion isn't really all that relevant.

The schools are good, the area has a really low crime rate (DO NOT let people fool you into thinking VA BCH has any "ghetto" because it doesn't). Everything is geared for family entertainment and kids so there's a lot to do here for families. However, if you're searching for nightlife, it's all a joke. Theres also a HUGE military population due to the naval base, etc.

That's just my opinion, though. Norfolk has some decent culture left to it (like Ghent and stuff), but nothing major.

I say Virginia Beach (and Hampton Roads) is pretty mute compared to many other locations. But, if you're only going to be here for 2 to 3 years, why not try it?

Oh, and house rentals are kind of high. I think the real estate here in general is kind of high. Check out some rental sites to get an idea of the price.

[Erma]

Originally Posted by sleeptodream138

I'm 24, currently living in Va Bch and, in all honesty, I hate it.

BUT, I'm 24 and looking to experience change in my life so my opinion isn't really all that relevant.

.

Get out and experience the world, come back and you will appreciate this area!

[Hokie]

Kingston and Lynnhaven Middle School or the Great Neck schools.

There are a couple of nice homes for rent right now in the Kingston area. It is a middle and upper middle class area. Lots of kids, too.