Moving to Langley AFB

[KerriSue]

Hey Everyone--We just found out that we are moving to Langley AFB. I need all the info I can possibly get. Please someone jump in and tell me about schools, housing, shopping, weather, EVERYTHING. This is fairly short notice and we will be there at the end of the month Yes, we are poor military and need to find affordable housing--HELP

Kerri

 

[grlpwrd]

Hey Everyone--We just found out that we are moving to Langley AFB. I need all the info I can possibly get. Please someone jump in and tell me about schools, housing, shopping, weather, EVERYTHING. This is fairly short notice and we will be there at the end of the month Yes, we are poor military and need to find affordable housing--HELP

Kerri

Just popping in to respond ...

I am 2 cities over now, but when I first moved here I used to live in an apartment in Hampton about 5 miles away from Langley AFB. That was in 1998.

Now I have a handful of students in our Girl Scout troop who have parents that are stationed at Langley, including the chaplain there. Many live on base - on the Bethel Manor side. They are fortunate (that is what the moms have said) to live on the side that is zoned for York County schools. I don't want to "down" on Hampton schools because there are good one's out there, but statistically York County schools are considered top notch. Be sure to check their website at http://www.yorkcountyschools.org

As for shopping, there is a BJ's in Hampton, Trader Joe's/Costco/Walmart/Sam's Club in Newport News, and a SuperWalmart in both Newport News and Yorktown. Lots of shopping malls, centers, thrift stores, etc., too.

Here is the website to our local paper: www.dailypress.com .

I am sure more folks will chime in, but that's a start. Hope it helps...

Feel free to PM me anytime, too.

 

[KerriSue]

GRLPWRD--Thank you so much for the info. I have read on line that the york schools are the best. So I would love to try to stay somewhere, if affordable, the the york school zone.

Base housing is an option for us, but since you cant guarantee which house is offered you never know where you will end up. Also, they have a huge waiting list to get into a base house so we will have to find something anyway.

If you can be brutally honest with me, is it possible to actually buy a home for $200K. I know it isnt much but since I am not working at the moment I would like to only go off of my husbands salary. What do you think?

 

[Sleepy]

I lived in Newport News for 10 years and York County for 2 before moving to Italy. Do yourself and especially your kids a favor and live in York County. They have excellent schools. That is why I sold my house and moved to York County. I won't even say how bad Hampton and Newport News schools are . I suggest looking around the Magruder Blvd area or Washington Hwy area going toward the Coleman Bridge.

 

[KerriSue]

I cant tell you how helpful all this is. I am so stressed about this move. From everything I see it is sooooooooo expensive to live in this area. Im willing to live in the gas station bathroom if need be to get my kids the best education they can get So is it to expensive to say to buy or even rent for about 1600 per month.

We have been in England so long, I forgot what it is like to live in America. It will be a culture shock I know. Im looking forward to drive thru windows on the left hand side

 

[Sleepy]

I cant tell you how helpful all this is. I am so stressed about this move. From everything I see it is sooooooooo expensive to live in this area. Im willing to live in the gas station bathroom if need be to get my kids the best education they can get So is it to expensive to say to buy or even rent for about 1600 per month.

We have been in England so long, I forgot what it is like to live in America. It will be a culture shock I know. Im looking forward to drive thru windows on the left hand side

You will be fine. Don't stress. I WISH I still lived in York County where my American dollar was equal. Here, I don't have the option of finding reasonably priced produce. I pay $3.50 for a head of lettuce as of last week in the commissary. I go off base and while the price seems cheaper, add 50% for the currency conversion. I was just in York County 2 weeks ago visiting family and I walked into a Farm Fresh supermarket and bought a head of lettuce for 88 cents. Wal-Mart was about the same price. Bananas here are $1.11 a pound. They were 3 pounds for a buck in America. It is nothing for us to buy a weeks worth of groceries and it costs us almost $300! I almost faint and wonder if the cashier made a mistake when I shop at Wal-Mart and it comes to half that much. WIth that amound saved, even if housing were unaffordable in Hampton Roads, the money I would save in groceries and not to mention gas, it would be affordable to me.

You can get a nice apt or even house (nothing elaborate like a $500,000 one mind you) for about $1,300-$1,600 a month. It really depends on the neighborhood. They all are nice as far as I am concerned. We did alot of searching through EVERY neighborhood with a map when we were thinking of buying a house in York County before moving here. We will probably be moving back there when we are done here.....or maybe we will end up in DC. Not sure.

There are limited apts in this area. Here is the list. Stay away from Pines of York and Four Seasons (going down hill). We stayed at Belmont at York 4 years ago. Not sure how it is now (it was really nice when we were there), but at least this will give you an idea of the expense of living here. We did find a few houses back then that were around $1,400-$1,600 a month. A few years ago, my parents lived in a duplex in a very nice neighborhood that was I think $1,200 a month. I would suggest contacting the local real estate agents for a rental house. That is how you will find most of them. I found having pets to be the greatest obstacle.

The York County YMCA is VERY nice. We also like the library next door....very tranquil. They are located on Magruder. Our favorite weekend thing was visiting the AMC 24 theater. It is about a 10 minute drive away. Fantastic stadium style seating. Sure beats the 1970's style one level seating we have on base here. You will have many military bases close by. Of course, Langley AFB, Ft Lee is in Hampton and Ft Eustis is on the far end of Newport News. Norfolk has the Naval base (and a really nice exchange and biggest commissary). My only complaint about Langley was the pharmacy. They tried so hard to stop people from using the pharmacy and utilize either a civilian pharmacy or that new mail order pharmacy that they made it nearly impossible to get a prescription on base. Walk in and take a number. Wait at least 30 minutes and show your ID. Go sit back down and wait for your name to be called. This could take up to another 1-1/2 hours. I don't know how it is now, but 4 years ago they really had people hating that place.

Just relax. The move will be fine. You will like living there. Lots for a family to do. Don't forget the zoo in Norfolk and the Living Museum in Newport News. Across from that is the SPCA which has a small petting zoo for a small fee. I think the Childrens Museum is either in Norfolk or Va Beach. We did not do too much traveling on that side of the water except for hubby to go to work on the base. We were pretty busy people as we are now.

Good luck!

 

[KerriSue]

Sleepy, Thank you so much

I do understand the shopping issue and conversion rate. Living in England the last six years really helps you understand and appreciate everything we take for granted in America. It has really been an eye opener. I am very sad to leave but as the military goes this is just the way it is.

As for housing in the York County school district I am willing to do whatever it takes. We got a real estate person today. So it begins As with all moves comes the stress. Why cant it just be easy

Thanks again!
Kerri

 

[bethie]

Hey there, York County person here, our schools are the best. Your kids if living in Bethel Manor would most likely go to Bethel Manor Elementary or Coventry Elemetary School, the Tabb Middle or Grafton Middle, then on to Tabb High or Grafton High School. Are you planning to live in base housing? There are lots of nice neighborhoods in the area. My neighbors are leaving in August and they are military stationed at LAFB. Their house is a rental and is back up for rent. They are headed to Germany.


The area is a great place to live with tons of history and things to do.

 

[Pin Wizard]

http://www.usnews.com/directories/h...name+/award+/school_name+/county+/detail+less

Here are the top winners from an article dated 5/10/08. Grafton is the only area high school to be on the Gold, Silver, Bronze list.

Like anywhere, you just need to watch your schools and neighborhoods. We're in NN over 4 years now and love WHERE WE ARE. Of course, we've got the York border at both ends of the development. And we're thrilled with the public high school DS is in. The realtor said...you're zoned for the high school "everyone wants their kids in." Can't complain with DS being on the honor roll all year, making good friends, and he LIKES GOING TO SCHOOL! A complete turn around from the catholic school he was in prior to this.

Good luck!

 

[GreatDaneMom]

...

 

[hiwaygal]

In the Hampton Roads area you are minutes away from Busch Gardens and Water Country, and Colonial Williamsburg. Virginia Beach is about an hour and a half (depending on how fast you drive and traffic).

I can't really comment on schools since I don't have kids but as a product of inner city schools in Cleveland Ohio I really think that a child gets just as much out of an education system as he puts in. There are good and bad teachers everywhere and I know some friends kids who have done quite well in Hampton schools.

I know of available housing in Hampton about 15 minutes from Langley. There are a lot of townhouse communities with rental units as well as units for sale.

You can get a townhouse for around $200k but finding a house for that price could be a challenge.

The area is great and I think you will love it here!

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I've lived here for 15 years and am fairly familiar with most areas.

 

[grlpwrd]

I am glad so many folks chimed in for you.

You will be fine. Don't stress. I WISH I still lived in York County where my American dollar was equal. Here, I don't have the option of finding reasonably priced produce. I pay $3.50 for a head of lettuce as of last week in the commissary. I go off base and while the price seems cheaper, add 50% for the currency conversion. I was just in York County 2 weeks ago visiting family and I walked into a Farm Fresh supermarket and bought a head of lettuce for 88 cents. Wal-Mart was about the same price. Bananas here are $1.11 a pound. They were 3 pounds for a buck in America. It is nothing for us to buy a weeks worth of groceries and it costs us almost $300! I almost faint and wonder if the cashier made a mistake when I shop at Wal-Mart and it comes to half that much. WIth that amound saved, even if housing were unaffordable in Hampton Roads, the money I would save in groceries and not to mention gas, it would be affordable to me.

You can get a nice apt or even house (nothing elaborate like a $500,000 one mind you) for about $1,300-$1,600 a month. It really depends on the neighborhood. They all are nice as far as I am concerned. We did alot of searching through EVERY neighborhood with a map when we were thinking of buying a house in York County before moving here. We will probably be moving back there when we are done here.....or maybe we will end up in DC. Not sure.

There are limited apts in this area. Here is the list. Stay away from Pines of York and Four Seasons (going down hill). We stayed at Belmont at York 4 years ago. Not sure how it is now (it was really nice when we were there), but at least this will give you an idea of the expense of living here. We did find a few houses back then that were around $1,400-$1,600 a month. A few years ago, my parents lived in a duplex in a very nice neighborhood that was I think $1,200 a month. I would suggest contacting the local real estate agents for a rental house. That is how you will find most of them. I found having pets to be the greatest obstacle.

The York County YMCA is VERY nice. We also like the library next door....very tranquil. They are located on Magruder. Our favorite weekend thing was visiting the AMC 24 theater. It is about a 10 minute drive away. Fantastic stadium style seating. Sure beats the 1970's style one level seating we have on base here. You will have many military bases close by. Of course, Langley AFB, Ft Lee is in Hampton and Ft Eustis is on the far end of Newport News. Norfolk has the Naval base (and a really nice exchange and biggest commissary). My only complaint about Langley was the pharmacy. They tried so hard to stop people from using the pharmacy and utilize either a civilian pharmacy or that new mail order pharmacy that they made it nearly impossible to get a prescription on base. Walk in and take a number. Wait at least 30 minutes and show your ID. Go sit back down and wait for your name to be called. This could take up to another 1-1/2 hours. I don't know how it is now, but 4 years ago they really had people hating that place.

Just relax. The move will be fine. You will like living there. Lots for a family to do. Don't forget the zoo in Norfolk and the Living Museum in Newport News. Across from that is the SPCA which has a small petting zoo for a small fee. I think the Childrens Museum is either in Norfolk or Va Beach. We did not do too much traveling on that side of the water except for hubby to go to work on the base. We were pretty busy people as we are now.

Good luck!

You pretty much summed it up.

I want to mention crime. Parts of Newport News are bad - like Denbigh and downtown Newport News near the Northrop Grumman shipyard. There is gang violence there and a crime element in the public schools. There have been a string of incidences where kids brought guns to school. I really don't hear this kind of stuff happening in York County. Of course, it doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but crime is more so a problem for other areas.

I still frequent Hampton plus I attend a community college there and I have friends that live there, too. The AMC theater had some shootings in the past so there are now guards and police officers that stick around. My oldest daughter goes there with her friends and I worry, but there hasn't been any incidences since they have the guards and police officers there, especially in the evening and at night.

Yes, welcome to Virginia! I think you will like it here. It is a family friendly place and so many new adventures are in store for you and your family. I think you will love it in Yorktown.

PS I am going to ask a mom in our Girl Scout troop if she can help you out or at least you can email her with questions because they are stationed at Langley and live in Bethel Manor. She is a doll.... I will be in touch.

GL!

 

[Pin Wizard]

"I want to mention crime. Parts of Newport News are bad - like Denbigh and downtown Newport News near the Northrop Grumman shipyard. There is gang violence there and a crime element in the public schools. There have been a string of incidences where kids brought guns to school. I really don't hear this kind of stuff happening in York County. Of course, it doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but crime is more so a problem for other areas."


Denbigh and downtown are areas I don't visit. I've know to stay away from there since the beginning. You also might want to avoid the mall area since the rif-raf from Hampton seems to hang out there since they closed their mall. Can't wait for the new mall to open so they can go back!!!!

I've heard more about gang related activity in Williamsburg than I have in NN. I work at a hospital in Hampton. Detectives in Hampton actually came in to train employees on what to watch for as far as colors, dress, tattoos, beads, etc., etc., etc. No, that North Carolina baseball hat isn't on because it's their favorite team. It's a gang's colors. Scary stuff out there, and it isn't just in one city. It's all of them.

 

[Pin Wizard]

P.S. Also attended a presentation at that nice library in York near the YMCA on gangs. Took DS with me so he can learn something. And their discussion was focused on what goes on in York and in Poquoson. Don't fool yourself into thinking there's no activity there. I even took someone's business card for future reference.

 

[grlpwrd]

"I want to mention crime. Parts of Newport News are bad - like Denbigh and downtown Newport News near the Northrop Grumman shipyard. There is gang violence there and a crime element in the public schools. There have been a string of incidences where kids brought guns to school. I really don't hear this kind of stuff happening in York County. Of course, it doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but crime is more so a problem for other areas."


Denbigh and downtown are areas I don't visit. I've know to stay away from there since the beginning. You also might want to avoid the mall area since the rif-raf from Hampton seems to hang out there since they closed their mall. Can't wait for the new mall to open so they can go back!!!!

I've heard more about gang related activity in Williamsburg than I have in NN. I work at a hospital in Hampton. Detectives in Hampton actually came in to train employees on what to watch for as far as colors, dress, tattoos, beads, etc., etc., etc. No, that North Carolina baseball hat isn't on because it's their favorite team. It's a gang's colors. Scary stuff out there, and it isn't just in one city. It's all of them.

I hear 'ya... I have teacher and police officer friends in the other cities and yes, I certainly understand how crime and gang activity is not centralized in one particular area. I think it's everywhere, really.

BTW I think if it's the hospital I think it is, my son was born there. I used to live next door when we first moved here. Small world.

Hmm, I am wondering if we all should make arrangements for a Hampton Roads meet.

 

[KerriSue]

Are you planning to live in base housing?

The waiting list for base housing is super long with no guarantee with where and what they offer. It looks like we would have to rent anyway. So, if we can buy instead of rent that would be great!

I just wanted to pop in and welcome you to the Hampton Roads community. I'm across the water (over the bridge and through the tunnel) but close enough to know you're moving to a nice area.

How ironic that you're moving from Norfolk, England to a city next to Norfolk, Virginia!! Welcome home to the USA!

Cheryl

My daughter thought that was funny too.

I know of available housing in Hampton about 15 minutes from Langley. There are a lot of townhouse communities with rental units as well as units for sale.

You can get a townhouse for around $200k but finding a house for that price could be a challenge.
.

I know that prices are crazy. I wish we had more of a budget but with just one income at the moment that is all we want to bank on.

Townhomes would be great too, since they offer things like pools, community centers and what not. But, I need to have a yard for my dog. I have a jack russell who is my sweet baby.

Hmm, I am wondering if we all should make arrangements for a Hampton Roads meet.

How much fun would that be. I could instantly make new friends! With every new post I get more excited about the move. It is hard to move somewhere sight unseen but with all the great posts here I am really excited.

Thanks everyone for all the great information. I will keep everyone posted on all the progress. The next three weeks will be a whirlwind

Kerri

 

[hiwaygal]

Townhomes would be great too, since they offer things like pools, community centers and what not. But, I need to have a yard for my dog. I have a jack russell who is my sweet baby.

I live in a townhouse with three dogs. My yard isn't big, but it would be big enough for your little guy. Just letting you know so you don't count them out!

 

[HamTown]

If you don't mind a commute, consider Isle of Wight county. I'm in Smithfield and although the real estate market here had been totally crazy, it's really starting to cool down quickly. There won't be many options under $200 here (or really anywhere else in Hampton Roads) but I'm sure you could find some rental properties, especially in the Eagle Harbour area. THere are lots of military families there and quite a few of them are renting only to military so the housing office at Langley might have some leads for you.

Our schools are good, crime is much lower on this side of the river and it's a slower pace of life. There are lots of Langley (and other military) families over here.

For peninsula living, you've gotten really great advice, just thought I'd add a plug for IOW.

 

[KerriSue]

I live in a townhouse with three dogs. My yard isn't big, but it would be big enough for your little guy. Just letting you know so you don't count them out!

Thanks At this point I am willing to look at anything.

If you don't mind a commute, consider Isle of Wight county. I'm in Smithfield and although the real estate market here had been totally crazy, it's really starting to cool down quickly. There won't be many options under $200 here (or really anywhere else in Hampton Roads) but I'm sure you could find some rental properties, especially in the Eagle Harbour area. THere are lots of military families there and quite a few of them are renting only to military so the housing office at Langley might have some leads for you.

Our schools are good, crime is much lower on this side of the river and it's a slower pace of life. There are lots of Langley (and other military) families over here.

For peninsula living, you've gotten really great advice, just thought I'd add a plug for IOW.

When you say commute, what does that mean exactly? I have read some things that scare me to death about the traffic especially if a bridge or tunnel is involved We have had it pretty good here in England. We are out in the country and rarely actually have to deal with traffic.

 

[HamTown]

From IOW to Langley you do indeed have to cross a bridge, the James River Bridge to be exact. It's about 4 miles across and has a drawbridge that has been known to get stuck on really really cold mornings. However, there are far fewer problems with the JRB than with the tunnels.

I've never driven the exact route from here to Langley but I would think with average traffic it would be about 35 minutes? I can probably find out at preschool pickup time today what the average commute time is.

Good luck with your move. Welcome to Hampton Roads.