Anyone live in Portsmouth or Chesapeake, VA??

[Trinity721]

I found out that after we move to FL in Dec, DH will be stationed in Portsmouth, VA that following May 2005 until August 2006. I just wanted to get a feel for the area and find out what areas are nice to live in, since we plan on getting an apartment there. I know Norfolk is not that nice of an area. And we lived in VA Beach for a short time, but I don't really know anything about Chesapeake or Portsmouth and those parts. I only know where Chesapeake General Hospital is, since DD was born there

If anyone has any info, that would be so helpful to us Thank you!

 

[Pin Wizard]

I have a friend who was stationed in Chesapeake a couple years and loved it! Told me not to rule it out right away when I was looking to relocate to the area.

 

[Octoberbride03]

HI there

I'm here in Chesapeake. I don't know how much I can help you out since i have only been here since last October when i married DH. But, I'll try.

As far as Norfolk goes, from what I've seen its like any city really. It has its nice parts and its not so nice parts. And there are some nice Apartment/Condominium complexes on the the outskirts of the city.

Chesapeake, as you probably already know is huge. And there is also a building boom going on right now, with lots of housing development. The sad thing is most of the developments I've seen are of the mini-mansion type. bute there are quite a few apartment complexers in the area as well. And also homes for rent. DH and I are renting half of a small ranch style duplex right now.

I'll look around and check the papers for you and give you some names of apartment complexes in the area. I haven't been to Portsmouth very often, even though DH works there. But from what I've seen, Chesapeake is a bit nicer on avg. This is excepting the Olde Portsmouth section which is historical in nature and being restored. That part is really nice, and of course not cheap.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Yorktown is a nice area to live. I like the Wsmg. area. Housing can be a bit expensive there, though.

Newport News is also nice, and relatively inexpensive.

I like the waterfront area in Norfolk. They used to have a really nice indoor ice rink too. The botanical gardens are really beautiful too.


Good luck!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by minniepumpernickel
Yorktown is a nice area to live. I like the Wsmg. area. Housing can be a bit expensive there, though.

Newport News is also nice, and relatively inexpensive.

I like the waterfront area in Norfolk. They used to have a really nice indoor ice rink too. The botanical gardens are really beautiful too.


Good luck!

OT...The botanical gardens are beautiful? I've been on that exit off 64, but haven't been there yet. Now I'll have to go...thanks!

http://www.chesapeake.va.us/

http://www.ci.portsmouth.va.us/

I'm sure there's other sites out there. Just a couple here to start.

 

[rcyannacci]

I lived in Chesapeake a few years back and thought it was lovely. If you are looking to rent, there are some great homes for rent in nice neighborhoods.

I miss poping down to the beach on the evenings and weekends. So does our dog.

Some great cultural activities in the area. I worked at the Virginia Stage Company in Norfolk- they do a really great job as a regional theatre and offer some good kid's programing.

Best Pizza in Norfolk- Filini's!

Good luck with your move.

 

[nancycg56]

I'm in the Western Branch are of Chesapeake and love it! DH was stationed here 10 years ago and we never left

This area of Chesapeake is very close to Portsmouth and has alot less traffic than Greenbrier/Great Bridge area.

Here is the website for the local paper, The Virginian Pilot, and you can go through the classifieds ~ www.pilotonline.com ~ when we initially moved here, we wanted to rent but ended up buying and are so glad we did.

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions and I'll try to help

 

[Trinity721]

Thanks everyone for your help =) I know I still have quite a bit of time before we actually move to Virginia, but like to plan ahead. A lot, I guess!

For those of you who rent houses or know of houses that are for leasing, what is the usual price of rent? We are limited in that area since DH gets a certain amount of allowance per month for housing (we don't want to live in base housing). Also, could anyone give me specific streets, areas that are good neighborhoods for young families? DD will be 3 when we move there and we are thinking of putting her in preschool. How far is Newport News from Portsmouth?

Octoberbride03, my DH will be working in Portsmouth as well. I'd like to live somewhere close enough for his commute to be reasonable.

Thanks all!

 

[Cruise04]

Newport News is about 30 minutes (roughly) from Portsmouth depending on what time of day and how you get there. Early morning (from around 6 to 8) going to Portsmouth can be bad because of base traffic around the tunnel areas. From 3-5 going to Newport can be bad for the same reason.

Norfolk has some very nice areas but there are some bad areas too, just like any city. Hampton is also a nice place but also has some bad areas. I'd think you'd be best living in Portsmouth if that's where he's going to live.

And that link to the Pilot is a good idea - it's the best paper out there.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Trinity

My DH actually is a Navy Contractor for AMSEC. He works at the Annex in Porstmouth. I can't remeber te name of the Annex but I'll ask him when he gets home.

Right now we live a few minutes away from the Greenbrier section of Chesapeake. I think it takes takes Dh about 30 minutes to commute depending on traffic, which we get a lot of since we are literally 2 off of Military Highway(Rt 13 S.)

I will ask him for names of some good neighborhoods within a reasonable commuting distance. I alrready know that some of his frineds form work live in NC and actually like their commutes. We are thinking about moving down there to the Moyock area. I'll let you know what he says. It may be a few days b45 i post back here though cause my parents are coming for a visit today from DE. They'll be here this afternoon sometime and will go hom on thursday.

So if you don't see me b4 then, I haven't forgotten. I'm just entertaining.

 

[CindysGusGus]

Kempsville area of Va Beach would be my first choice! But im from there so my vote would be swayed. I left in 91 and havent been able to get back for the last couple of years. My has Chesapeake grown!!!! I can remember when Greenbriar Mall was the only thing out there and we were so excited when they built a blockbuster video there...lol...Im all for growth but WOW!!! If I couldnt go back to the Kempsville area Chesapeake would definately be my second choice!

 

[Trinity721]

Thank you all! We used to live in VA Beach, right by Independence Blvd and Virginia Beach Blvd, near Pembroke Mall. It was ok, but we didn't particularly like the apartments we lived in. I checked out those links that some of you gave me and they have been very helpful, thank you!

Looking forward to learning more about the area, it sounds like everyone enjoys it there so that's very encouraging I love being near the ocean...Sure we have Lake Michigan here in Chicago, but it's just not the same! I love it here, but hate winters here. I think I'm just ready to see what it's like in other places.