10 Places in Virginia You Should Never Move To (Richmond, Newport News: for sale, crime rates)

[BOS2IAD]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgGnW6OZ7gs

I came across this video.

What do you all think about the places mentioned? Do you agree or disagree?

[Bigfoot424]

While he is an irritating fellow he's not wrong. Nothing new here. Crime stats and low rated schools are the norm in these places and it's the main reason I do not recommend these towns/cities to those looking to move.

[_burrito]

As I stated on the Roanoke Page:

Nick Johnson is a serial Youtuber who creates these "lists" videos (best places, worst places, etc). He's a no-nothing who seeks clicks. Half the footage used in his videos aren't even accurate (talking about Roanoke, showing footage of Asheville, as an example). He sources Wikipedia for his "facts". He's lazy in his craft and should be avoided.

Tip: Anytime you seek "best of" or :worst of" info on Youtube, it will be from one of these kinds of creators, or from realtors; neither of whom will give you accurate info.

[nm9stheham]

Burrito puts the right perspective on these types of 'reports. This journalist can't even get the poverty income level right for a family of 4.....

Nothing new here.... IMHO, this reflects is the mindset of, if it is not rich and upscale and trendy, then it is no good. According to this, I should not ever live in SW or southside VA but in Richmond or NoVa or C'ville. No thanks! Every one of these so-called bottom 10 has good areas around these towns. And like any rural area (except for Newport News) you need to think ahead about how you are going to make a living; jobs are just more limited.

Then there is the question of ranking stats.... These 'ranking' stats, like school quality are based on what? SAT scores? Standardized test results? Newer buildings? They are all questionable..... according to the 'stats', a place that is crowded and has endless rush hour traffic and shopping malls is the best place to live.... really? LOL


But hey, these do one thing good IMHO... they drive many people to the big cities and away from where I want to live. Fine by me.

[spencer114]

I mean some places have to come in last I guess.
I do not agree with Newport News though. That city has really beautified and grown over the last few decades. The Oyster Point area can go toe to toe with any higher end suburb in the state.
Downtown is still “bad news” but the news isn’t as bad as it was ten years ago.

Old Towne Portsmouth is a very desirable location too. Portsmouth may have a sluggish job market but let’s not pretend that you can’t get to a better job market 10 miles in any direction.

The small towns are the worst (relative to the best) because there isn’t all that much opportunity in a 10,20,40 mile radius. Petersburg, Portsmouth and Newport News are near opportunity (and in NN’s case the opportunity is within the city limits).

BTW, Roanoke looks amazing. I’m surprised to see it on any “worst” list.

[Rickcin]

If Roanoke is such a bad area and one to avoid, why are there no houses for sale and the potential buyers are looking to move here for the abundance of outdoor activities and medical positions in this area that has been growing exponentially?

There are pockets of bad areas in all cities, areas that are poverty stricken and where you usually find crime and drugs. There is nowhere in the Roanoke area that I would feel unsafe during the day and that’s very different from sections in NY and NJ where I’ve lived and worked prior to moving to SW Virginia.

Just another attempt to pull things out of context for the sake of sensationalism, IMO!

[badger74]

1.5 stars

[Bigfoot424]

I am fairly certain his Roanoke feature is for the city and not the county. The city is of course older and has had its fair share of crime and issues. But many of the places he listed were spot on with the issues with their crime rates and schools. But he is an irritating type of guy.

[spencer114]

I agree. The stats don’t look good for any of these places... but there is other criteria by which some of these locations excel (Roanoke, Newport News, Portsmouth).

[YorktownGal]

Newport News may have its problems, but it has lots of big stores/malls. It has employment opportunities and amenities. From the surface, it looks like a more transient population - armed forces, students, recent college graduates, etc.

I don't think it's that bad. I lived in NYC so I know iffy neighborhoods and I've never felt afraid shopping there.