Any info on Chesapeake

[lovely-ladybug]

I grew up in Chesapeake, VA in Great Bridge. I loved it there. I think you will love it there to if you are moving to the area. It has lots of conveniences, and is close to the beach. Don't get caught by the bridge if you're trying to get somewhere in a hurry!! Of course I am being bias since I am from Great Bridge. There are many great areas in Chesapeake other than there. You'll love it here! Welcome!!

[anpadas]

If you're coming from a big city, this is going to be a culture shock. This is suburbian hell. The schools in Chesapeake are not good compared to the schools in New York, but the schools in Virginia Beach are better. My kids came down from Long Island and couldn't believe how far ahead they were.

There are good neighborhoods in Chesapeake, and there are bad neighborhoods (hence, the sex offender hits). You just have to research and look around before you settle down in one area. Just remember, this is a transient population here (Navy you know), and demographics are fluid. What's "good" today could be "bad" tomorrow.

There is NO DOWNTOWN. Forget it; it's not there. Norfolk has a downtown, and Portsmouth pretends to, but Chesapeake and Virginia Beach do not. Oh, and one city blends into the other - don't blink, you'll miss it. One second you're in Chesapeake, the next you're in Virginia Beach, then, you're in Chesapeake again! It can be very confusing to someone from another city who is used to borders.

Forget efficient public transportation - not in Chesapeake. They believe that if someone has to go somewhere, they should have a car - and if they don't have a car, well all their errands need to be done by six o'clock - because that's when the busses stop running in Chesapeake. They run until midnight in Norfolk and parts of Virginia Beach, but they stop at six in Chesapeake. That's if one lives in an area where the busses run at all - because not all areas of Chesapeake get the bus.

The nearest international airport is in Norfolk, and it's not much of a drive, or much of an airport... but you can always go to Richmond for cheaper fares - or Raleigh.

However, there is plenty of shopping around here, and the beaches are great - when it's not tourist season. Unless you like huge crowds and heavy traffic, then go to the beach in the summer. The museums are great, and there are some nifty outdoor activities year around. It's an okay place to be. If I'm gonna be stuck here, I'd prefer to pay extra and live in Virginia Beach, but that's my own opinion.

[TracyME]

My husband and I are possibly relocating back to the hampton roads area after living in New England for the past 8 years. Wondering how much it has changed there. We would like to be able to find an area with great schools but also some space. I believe the area has built up quite a bit. Any suggestions?

[f14norm]

TracyME...

Unless you have big bucks to spend (which you might since you are coming from NE) , you'll have a challenging time finding an area w/ space. Over off of First Colonial Rd. there are some neighborhoods that have bigger lots...but again, big bucks. Pungo, which used to be out in the boonies but really isn't any more, has a lot more space and from what I've heard the schools out there are decent. I think Creeds is the elementary school, Princess Anne is the middle and maybe Kellam for the high?? I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. I don't know what's available on the other side of the water...all the times we've been back and forth there, we've always lived on the southside. And yes, after being away for 8 years, you will see HUGE changes...especially the traffic. Good luck to you!

[adctvmonkey]

for TracyME, I would highly recommend Yorktown and the Williamsburg areas on the Peninsula over the Southside if you prefer a higher quality of life (this sounds biased =D) that's more spread out than the with less traffic and less density. I have relatives that live in VA Beach and I was a resident of Yorktown for 14 years- I would definitely choose the suburbs of the Peninsula over the Southside.

[shellytc]

Tracye, it has changed in 8 years, but it is still the same ; ) If you are looking for a little space, I like the southeast area, zip code 23456. It is where I live as well. The schools are sought after. you check them out at GreatSchools.net Princess Anne Middle, Kellam High and for elementary Princess Anne Elem, Strawbridge Elem, RedWing Elem., Christopher Farms Elem. Depending on the type of invironment and how much you can pay for home will determine how much space you get. Do you consider space a larger backyard? or acreage?

For Chesapeake, there is the hickory area that have both subdivisions and rural homes and the schools are fairly sought after there as well.

Feel free to ask any questions and I will try to help you. And any additional information you can give about what you would like may help as well.

shelly

[anpadas]

TracyME, I wish I could recommend an area for schools around here, but I can't. I finally pulled my kids out of the schools here and home schooled them - they are that terrible. But, that's just my opinion. Of the cities in Hampton Roads, I think that Virginia Beach has the better public schools, but even that is hit and miss.

As for space, it is fast disappearing, and what is there is expensive (as someone else pointed out). Head out of the cities and into the rural areas like Suffolk and Pungo for cheaper space... but those areas are supposedly building up too.

Someone mentioned Williamsburg... It's nice, and has a lot going for it. I don't know much about the school system because all of my friends up there are single. I do know it's expensive.

Good luck in your move.