Cheasapeake, VA

[disneymomto5]

My husband might be relocated to Cheasapeake and was wondering if anyone has any ideas of areas for good schools, homes, etc. I have a high schooler (who's going to be upset), and 2 elementary kids. Thanks.

 

[kimmyann]

Hi, we live in Va Beach, which is a neighboring city to Chesapeake. There are several cities here that border each other and is known usually as Hampton Roads because they are all so close. I have lived here all of my life and so has my DH. Va Beach has some great schools and I assume Chesapeake does too, but I am not sure of which ones. Check out a website called greatschools.net. You can look up schools by city or name and get any and all info on them. Personnally, Va Beach & Chesapeake are the best two cities in this general area as far as crime and such. I would avoid Portsmouth and Norfolk if I were you, just alot goes on there. Hope this helps you.

Kim

 

[laurafergie]

Hickory and Great Bridge in Chesapeake have excellent reputations. Though depending on where your DH's job is, you can also consider Virginia Beach. Excellent schools - Cox and Kempsville come to mind.

Norfolk - the only public high school I would consider is Maury, and the only area I would live in would be Ghent. Very pricy.

Portsmouth (where I live) I have a DD at UVA, and a DD and DS at VCU - the two DD's went to Churchland High School. (Churchland is a very nice area to live in, the rest of Portsmouth...maybe not so much) They did quite well there, but there is the argument that there are better schools.

No matter where you decide - make sure your DH's commute is NOT through one of the tunnels. Traffic is a nightmare around here, especially in the summer season.

 

[vsimeone]

I don't know much about the area but one of my best friends lives there. Her kids used to go to Great Bridge but then got redistricted to a new school. It is Grass... something. Grasslands?

In any case, the school is at the end of their road and the facilities are AMAZING! My girlfriend rants and raves all the time about how wonderful it is.

I don't know what else is in the area but she loves this school district! Good luck!

 

[pixiepower1971]

Grassfield High School. Be very careful about where you move...they are drawing new boundaries for this school. I do not have kids there but have heard all positive comments concerning this school.

http://www.cpschools.com/Schools/GFH/

 

[Ephany]

No matter where you decide - make sure your DH's commute is NOT through one of the tunnels. Traffic is a nightmare around here, especially in the summer season.

This!

We used to live in Norfolk and Va Beach, and traffic can be a nightmare without the tunnels and bridges. Add them into the equation and it's .
My friend was trapped on the Monitor/Merrimack for something like 3 hours last year. My SIL still lives in Suffolk and I know they love it, but their kids are little and aren't in the school system yet. I'll ask her if she's heard any strong yay/nay's from the other moms in her area regarding schools.

 

[hollypt]

I grew up in Chesapeake, and I graduated from Great Bridge High School. The Great Bridge / Hickory area is very nice, and you will only be 25-30 minutes from the beach.

 

[Pooki]

Awe, I'm so homesick! I'm from Va Beach, and before we transferred to Japan DH and I lived in Chesapeake (on VB border) for 4 years. Our kids were really young and I had my DD go to school in VB, so I'm not sure about the Chesapeake schools. VA has very good school systems, though, and though it may not help you, I must agree with the fact that VB has excellent schools! I graduated from Princess Anne, another amazing school with great teachers, as well as a prestigious magnet program (International Baccalaureate). Hampton Roads is a great area, though many newcomers don't like it at first (most of these people say it grew on them and they loved it). I hope you enjoy...can't wait to get back!

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

You can read the local paper here:

www.pilotonline.com

We lived there years ago and visit once a year to see old friends and relatives.

 

[disneymomto5]

These suggestions have all been really helpful, thank you. We actually live in Northern VA, so it's not like moving across state lines, but we've been here for about 30 years so it is a big deal. All my family is here, and we really know very little about the Southern area. However, it might be one of those cases of move or lose your job, so it's looking more likely.

 

[ldrprn]

We have lived in Chesapeake for 18 years after relocating with 3 teenagers. We found the Great Bridge area to be Wonderful, althought getting a little on the expensive side. If you are transferring from Northern VA that should not be an issue. Our twins are seniors at Grassfield High School, brand new 3 years ago. I can't begin to say enough about, and Cedar Road Elementary is the best. One of my boys has some Special needs, And he has had so moch positive guidance it's amazing. He will be graduating with an advanced diploma and continuing on to become a teacher himself. The area is great, lots to do, and just far enough away from the beach to avoid the tourists.
Hope this helps. If you need any info just PM me I'll be glad to help
Valorie

 

[greens_in_WA]

scanning the subjects - I read "cheapskate" instead of Cheasapeake... lol I thought I found a kindred spirti!

 

[disneymomto5]

LOL I am a cheapskate too!!! In Chesapeake or anywhere else!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We actually live in Northern VA...

Then the traffic here will be nothing for you! My cousin lives in Hampton and commutes to D.C. every week. I don't know how she does it.

You've received some great advice on here! There's definitely the good and bad areas of every city/county in the Hampton Roads area.

 

[Kitikat]

When ppl think Chespeake most think Great Bridge. I know i do. We lived there for 12yrs. And my husband family grew up in southern Chesapeake. I have family there too. But don't forget Deep Creek, Oscar Smith & Western Branch. My kids went to B.M. Williams both Crestwoods (elementary & middle) and my daughter went 2yrs to Great Bridge High School. My husband & sister in law graduated from there. We liked the school but very big. But Hickory is huge, I mean over crowded. I have neices and nephews that go to the Hickorys.
One pp said she has family in Suffolk,we live west of Suffolk in Southampton County and love it. The school system is great and the class sizes aren't to big. In my daughter's graduating class of 150 in '09. My son graduates next yr with few.
HTH
Kathie

 

[luvmy3jewels]

Chesapeake is a great area and has a lot to offer. I don't have any advice for neighborhoods or schools, but I can recommend a really good children's dentist in Great Bridge. My kids have always gone to Dr. Gail Plauka and we have been really happy with her office.

 

[1bandaid]

My kids go to Grassfield Elementary and all the parents I know with high schoolers are thrilled with everything at the high school. I echo the comments about strange zoning and rezoning. We have lived in our neighborhood for 15 years and although our children are young we have been zoned in 3 different school systems since 1994. Two of those were to newly created school systems. Our kids have only been Grassfield Elementary, (oldest are 4th grade) Hickory Middle (I don't know where that school is) , and Grassfield High School. Yes, traffic can be a nightmare!