OT:Moving to Virginia

[ThreeMusketeers]

Hi there! We found out a few days ago that in about 6 months we are going to be moving to the Virginia Beach, VA area. *My hubby took a better paying job as a CPA at a major bank down there* Was wondering if anyone out there is from this area..that could reccomend or point me in the right direction as far as schools go for my dd who will be starting Kindergarden soon after we move. As well as if its a nice area to live..things like that. We have not found a home there yet..will probobly apartment live for at least a year make sure we like it first..are there any quiet towns outside V.B. that would suit a family life? Have never been to the area before, and have lived in NY most my life..aside from a year living in KS when I was 17..so kind of nervous for the move!
Thanks to all...
If its easier you can email me at
SilkSunset07@aol.com if you want.

Thanks again.
Nicole

 

[debsway]

I sent you something to your email. If I can help my email address is Howerin5@yahoo.com

 

[grlpwrd]

I live in Hampton which is a bridge away. I'm not too familiar with the V B area, but I will give you some links that may be helpful.

Links to local newspapers:

www.pilotonline.com

www.dailypress.com



HTH

 

[polyfan]

The city of Chesapeake is a great place for a family and the schools are good. It is not as hectic as Va. Beach.

 

[vascubaguy]

We live in Norfolk, which isn't really as ideal for family life. Virginia Beach is pretty big and spread out, as well as Chesapeake. I'm not quite as familiar with all of the school systems, but I know people rave about the Chesapeake schools.

I don't consider VA Beach to be hectic at all (except for summers down at the oceanfront), especially compared to NY.

Just one suggestion... if you can find a place near work that avoids the interstates and tunnels, GO FOR IT. Avoid those headaches as much as possible. Our roads are pretty bad here. And if you have to go thru tunnels each day, you'll go crazy. I loved it when I was teaching up in hampton, but HATED having to go thru that tunnel at 5pm. I'm glad I'm only 10 minutes from work now and don't have to bother with the major roads.

Good luck and keep in the back of your mind ("I'm moving closer to WDW!" -only 14 hours away)

Edit: I just wanted to mention that there are good areas and some good schools in the Norfolk area too. I know many of the major banks are located in downtown Norfolk. There are also some bad areas. We have some private schools that are really good (Norfolk Collegiate) and there is an elementary school (Ghent Elementary I believe it's called) that is excellent. I've also heard that Lafayette Elementary is pretty good and they are building a new catholic school right behind that. I used to live in that area and its nice over there. The University I work at is in that area and thus they area continues to improve.

If you have some other specifics feel free to send me a note and I'll see what kind of info I can get for you.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Thanks so much to everyone for the advice. I am thinking Cheasapeake sounds ideal for us. I have heard it is pretty expensive to live here though..how bad is it?

 

[iheartdisney]

Howdy!
We just moved from Virginia Beach after 5 years. It s a pretty decent area. Apartment rent for a decent place will run from 700-1000 typically. The apartment Guides are avalible at most shopping centers, in newspaper-like dispesers, but they are free, and check out Rent.com- Virginia Beach has quite a few listings. Its a vey big area, so there are places that are good for families, as well as those that aren't.
And Lynnhaven Mall has a Disney Store and an awesome play area for little ones!

 

[vascubaguy]

The cost of living here is not that bad, especially compared to many other places. Additionally, our sales tax is only 5% so even that isn't bad.

Rent here is NOTHING like in NY though. I had a 2BR apartment that ran me about $575/mo including utilities, but that was a few years ago. I think that same apartment goes for around $650 now. In some areas of Chesapeake you can probably find really nice apartments for $700-1000/mo. There are also quite a few new housing developments and condo complexes being built in that area, so that could be an option.

You can go to apartment.com and check out listings in the area. If you are interested in some realtors I have some that I could recommend to maybe help if you are interested in condos or housing.

Take care!

 

[jckdisneybound]

I guess my question is what part of NY are you from, the city or Upstate? That makes a different. If you are from Upstate, the cost of living is now comparable, if your from LI or the city, it's cheaper. As for Chesapeake, we lived in Greenbrier for almost 6 years and LOVED it. They had some good elementary schools (Greenbrier, Butts Station, Cedar Road, and Deep Creek). As for Virginia Beach, the Princess Ann area, Kings Grant area are great areas w/ great schools. But you will deal with the jet noise there.

Just a word of caution, where ever you are considering living really look at the socioeconomic factors in that particular neighborhood, b/c unlike a lot of areas, a neighborhood can look beautiful during the day but you wouldn't feel safe stepping out of your home at night. Just a little tid bit.

 

[TMTIP]

Can't beat Yorktown. We were just voted the #33 Best Place To Live by Money Magazie. But if your husband will work in the beach area I would not want to cross the tunnel twice a day.

 

[KirstenB]

We used to live in Chesapeake. I always loved the Shore Drive (northend) of Va. Beach. If your dh has to commute to Norfolk, it's closer than most of the rest of Va. Beach. Plus it wasn't a touristy area. You'll love living in Tidewater, no matter what area you choose.

 

[StephMK]

Just wanted to say - I'm so jealous!!!! We love Sandbridge Beach down that way & just got back. Good luck w/your move & hope you like it!

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I am going to search some of these cities/towns you all gave me and see what I come up with.

I appreciate all the advice..thanks again to everyone!!

 

[stacy6552]

www.pen.k12.va.us should be able to help you with standardized test results. If you find a county you are interested all the school districts have the same format for the websites.....

www.(county name).k12.va.us

so you can check them out as well. You're probably in a great situation in terms of cost of living. We found in our relocation search that (sad but true) if you follow the money you will find hig performing schools. Also get down there and ask around. We got some great school info in a rsturaunt once, by talking to the young hostess and a parent sitting near-by. MOst telling conversation we had was when we asked this girl about a HS and she made a face and called it "rough."

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Harbour Breeze Lifestyle Apartments
3900 Breezeport Way
Suffolk, VA 23435


We found this apartment we liked..does anyone know of this city, or the quality of schools in it. The website says it is right near cheasapeake..just looking to see if anyone has a personal opinion.

Thanks again.
nicole

 

[vascubaguy]

Harbour Breeze Lifestyle Apartments
3900 Breezeport Way
Suffolk, VA 23435


We found this apartment we liked..does anyone know of this city, or the quality of schools in it. The website says it is right near cheasapeake..just looking to see if anyone has a personal opinion.

Thanks again.
nicole

I know that is near the Harbour View area which is pretty nice. Every year there's a big home show called Home-O-Rama and that area was featured a few years ago. I used to go over there to watch movies all the time... they have a nice little shopping center area and the theater gave student discounts.

If your husband has to go to Norfolk, just remember that living on that side of the water would require going thru a tunnel twice a day. Luckily there would be 2 tunnels to chose from... but 0 would be the best option.

Sorry I'm not that much help on the elementary schools. You could check the websites provided by stacy6552.

Suffolk and Chesapeake are pretty big and the lines are strange. So even though that area of Suffolk is pretty close to Chesapeake, it isn't close to the areas of Chesapeake with the schools mentioned earlier. It would be a bit of a commute.

 

[polyfan]

I emailed you at the address you PM'd me. I live very close to there.

 

[DZNYMGCFAM]

Suffolk is suppose to be a very good city. I hear the schools are nice there as well. I would pick Chespeake or Suffolk over Virginia Beach any day. I lived in Virginia Beach from the age of 11 yrs to 23. I am now 36, living in Williamsburg area and everytime I go down there to visit, I am reminded why I left. It is a nice area, but way too busy and too much congestion for my taste. It took my father-in-law 40 minutes, on a good day, to get home from work due to traffic when he technically lived 10-15 minutes away.

If you want more information or have other questions, please feel free to PM me.

Try this website for more information on Suffolk...

http://www.suffolk.va.us/home.html

Good Luck

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Hi everyone! Thanks so much. Processing all this info! lol Too bad hubby's work doesn't give us a relocation consultant..is there even such a thing??lol
I am am going to keep looking at all the links and apartment ideas everyone has shared. Thanks so much. I will check back with more ?'s...looking for advice..from our DIS friends!!

Thanks again.
Nicole

 

[pegster]

I live in Smithfied right outside of Suffolk. We moved here 2 years ago. Harbour View are is great. The commute to Norfolk is a good 30-40 mionutes from there. i have to go 2 times a week for job. Smithfield is a beautiful little town and the schools are good. Anyways if I can be of any help please email me. We moved here from N.C.
Good Luck!
d.daniels1@charter.net