Questions about Moving to VA- location, jobs, etc. (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: apartment, rent)

[MovingForward13]

I have been seriously thinking about moving to Virginia. The problem is I have no idea where to start looking (as far as locations).

I have some college experience in pastry arts and cooking, so any place that has a lot of hotels or restaurants would be good for jobs.

I would be renting an apartment and I dont really want to spend more than $500 a month (though from what I have seen doing random searches, places arent very cheap.)

I don't have a car, so I would need to live somewhere that I can walk to work.

I can deal with a lot of noise at night, but I also don't want to live in the next crime scene. I also want to have some things around to do. I get bored easily and 'nature things' aren't really for me.

Any ideas of the perfect VA town that has all this?
or, Any tips in general for moving to Virgina?


Please and Thank You :)

[VRE332]

I think VA is out of the question , but consider NW DC.

[roanoker 4]

1. Definately NOT Northern Va. Lots of hotels, restaurants but living expenses there would be prohibitive.
2. Virginia Beach/Norfolk might work. Although heavy auto-oriented, there are still some places where rent price might work with no car.
3. Roanoke might be an option. Although very "nature oriented" there are lots of restaurants here, due to heavy retired population. Not a big parking lot like much larger cities and people here actually aren't afraid to walk.
4. Your rent requirement might not work for Charlottesville & Richmond is way too spread out and sprawling not to have a car.

To increase your options you may need to have a car in most places. Good Luck!