Portsmouth? (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake: lease, crime rate, house)

[stacylee926]

Originally Posted by SojChindo

I'm moving to the area in July and am thinking about leasing a 2-BR condo in Olde Towne. I visited once and really liked the historic area and the preservation movement. How is life in Olde Towne? I am told it is much safer than other parts of Portsmouth... true?

I've read that there is a ferry that runs between Olde Towne and Norfolk. How long does it take to ferry across to Norfolk?

Thanks.

This area is pretty safe. I really like the downtown area - we ate dinner down there last night . There are lots of galleries, antiques shops, the main library, a coffee shop and restaurants. The ferry takes about 15 min to cross over and runs every 30 min.

[SojChindo]

Thanks for the info on the ferry. That is actually one of the reasons I think I will choose to live in Portsmouth instead of downtown Norfolk. I like the fact that P-town appears to be much quieter and slower-paced, and that I can easily walk out of my front door and be in downtown Norfolk in less than 30 minutes using the ferry.

[dfeldbusch]

Hi!
I’m actually going to Portsmouth tomorrow to look for a place to live. I’ll be working at the Coast Guard regional office and I found some places that are in walking distance to the building.
The office is on Crawford Street. Would you consider that area safe?
I hope so. I’d love to walk to work everyday considering now that I have an hour commute each way.

[Hokie]

Northern Suffolk or Churchland in Porstmouth near the western branch of Chesapeake

Make sure you have a teaching job before you get here. Currently, we have too many teachers in this area. Most teaching positions get at least 60 applicants. Speical ed might be an exception.

[Hokie]

Check it out on their site. It is Norfolk that pays the lowest.

[stacylee926]

Yes - the Crawford street area in fine. The closer you get to the water the better. There are some very historic homes/apts in that area.

[NEPA-x-pat]

Originally Posted by dfeldbusch

Hi!
I’m actually going to Portsmouth tomorrow to look for a place to live. I’ll be working at the Coast Guard regional office and I found some places that are in walking distance to the building.
The office is on Crawford Street. Would you consider that area safe?
I hope so. I’d love to walk to work everyday considering now that I have an hour commute each way.

I work downtown at a museum. I have been working here since 2002 and never have any qualms about safety. The Olde Towne area is really nice. Would be great to walk to work. I drive in from Churchland which is 15 minutes north of Olde Town...and there is no traffic to worry about going in or back from work.

[NEPA-x-pat]

Originally Posted by SojChindo

I'm moving to the area in July and am thinking about leasing a 2-BR condo in Olde Towne. I visited once and really liked the historic area and the preservation movement. How is life in Olde Towne? I am told it is much safer than other parts of Portsmouth... true?

I've read that there is a ferry that runs between Olde Towne and Norfolk. How long does it take to ferry across to Norfolk?

Thanks.

They run on a half hour schedule if not mistaken, so figure about 10 minutes or so (Figure to have 3 stops to drop off and pick up passengers)

[Hokie]

A couple of years ago it was easy to get into Norfolk. Portsmouth, and Suffolk schools. Not anymore. Va. Beach needs way fewer teachers these days and where do you think the new teachers and transplants are having to? Many have applied and not so many got into those school districts this summer either. Times have really changed in the past couple of years. The exception would be probably math and science in Norfolk, special ed in general, Japanese, Chemistry, and Work and Family Studies. Otherwise, there is fierce competition in ALL the cities now.

[Hokie]

meant "having to go?" Norfolk, Porstmouth and Suffolk

I don't want to discourage the poster, but this is not a great area to find a teaching job so if she needs one immediately she might have to sub for a long time to get her foot in the door, and subbing doesn't pay much.