Is Norfolk a nice place to live? (Virginia Beach, Chesapeake: low income, real estate)

[bigbioman23]

I am looking at Norfolk, Virginia as a possible place to live. Seems like a really cool area. Close to a lot of history and the beach, which is what I love. I want to live further south than where I'm coming from. Seems friendly. That drive over chesapeake bay to get there looks gorgeous! Overall, it seems like a really nice place to be. If any of you locals have any input on this, I would really appreciate to hear it.

[Spazkat9696]

Do you have a job here? Why Norfolk?

[hbcu]

Depends where you live - looks can be deceiving

[bigbioman23]

Originally Posted by Spazkat9696

Do you have a job here? Why Norfolk?

I may have a job lined up in Norfolk. In the process of trying to get one. And I like it because of all the history close by, the beach close by, and the area seems nice and friendly. And I like the idea of being in a smaller city instead of a bigger city.

[bigbioman23]

Originally Posted by hbcu

Depends where you live - looks can be deceiving

What are some good areas to live? And where should I avoid?

[JGDlife]

Norfolk in general is ghetto and run down. Many nicer options in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach which is a quick drive to Norfolk in most cases.

[webster]

When looking at a place to live, look into street flooding. In many places in the city, it is a regular occurrence and problem when there is a high tide.

[Lockdev]

Yes, no, and maybe.

Hampton Roads is like a sweepstakes: Many will enter, few will win.

I highly encourage you to visit this place first and spend a week here. Go out during rush hour. Go to the stores in the evening. Visit the different cities, because each brings its own pluses and minuses to the table.

It's really going to come down to what kind of salary you're pulling. Norfolk is typically very well off, or very not. There is not much middle class to speak of. The middle class typically lives in Virginia Beach or Chesapeake and commutes over.

Are you looking to rent or buy? Taxes are high on "nice" homes in Norfolk and you don't get much bang for your buck from that tax money. The schools are atrocious if that is important.

All that said, Norfolk has a magical feel to it and character that isn't matched in the surrounding cities. I truly love visiting Norfolk, but would never consider actually living there. The surrounding suburbs in VA Beach and Chesapeake are pretty generic and packed with overpriced apartments and sardine-can neighborhoods with worthless HOAs. You can always move a bit further out to the country, but house prices have skyrocketed in the past 10 years and considering the high real estate tax and fact that you're likely not using city water or sewer, you're not getting much for your money.

Not sure if you're from Virginia, but just remember that the Virginia of today is not the Virginia of yesteryear. We get taxed from every angle, from car tax to high real estate taxes in many areas to an ever-increasing income tax.

[rumi_thoughts]

I know this is a bit late... not sure if you've moved yet, but I like Norfolk a lot. As others have stated, there are parts that are ridiculously expensive, other parts that are low income with more crime, and areas that are in between. My mother purchased an older condo right in the heart of Ghent (which is a quaint area) for under $155k. Though there aren't many condos in Ghent for that price, every now and again you can find them and they're in solid condition (though older). I'm from Boston, MA and have lived in South Hampton Roads for 14 years. I've lived in Virginia Beach most of the time but lived in Norfolk for 2 years (near Granby High School). I've worked mostly in Norfolk. I find people are a bit more laid back and nicer overall compared to Virginia Beach. lol

Good Luck!

[leighland]

Originally Posted by rumi_thoughts

I know this is a bit late... not sure if you've moved yet, but I like Norfolk a lot. As others have stated, there are parts that are ridiculously expensive, other parts that are low income with more crime, and areas that are in between. My mother purchased an older condo right in the heart of Ghent (which is a quaint area) for under $155k. Though there aren't many condos in Ghent for that price, every now and again you can find them and they're in solid condition (though older). I'm from Boston, MA and have lived in South Hampton Roads for 14 years. I've lived in Virginia Beach most of the time but lived in Norfolk for 2 years (near Granby High School). I've worked mostly in Norfolk. I find people are a bit more laid back and nicer overall compared to Virginia Beach. lol

Good Luck!

Ive been looking at cottage homes on Granby. Oddly, its potentially the quietest area I will ever live in (Im currently in a big Townhome high density development in Dulles Intl flight paths). Im not interested in living in Ghent (neighbor /Stereo/Party noise at all hours) but like to be close to Ghent and OV Beaches.
Crime looks block by block.
How is daily living in Cromwell Farms/East Belvedere?