Virginia Beach, Virginia

wake2dream
Living in Virginia Beach
1y ago
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It’s a city, that functions like a suburb. Its not a traditional stacked, condensed city. It’s more spread out. You get a little of everything. There are built up, urban areas. Then drive 20 minutes out, and you can be in a rural, undeveloped, scenic area. LOTS of parks and free things to do. Not to mention the Beach. And choice of beaches. Lots of entertainment, restaurants, and lots of grocery stores to choose from. We have specialty grocery stores you won’t find anywhere else. From the big names, to the high end, mom and pop, and everything in between. A diamond in the rough. The cost of living is increasing quickly. But if you buy a home now, it is sure to appreciate in value.

It’s a great place to raise a family. I am personally grateful for the elite, gifted, art education that I received for free from Old Donation Center, as a kid. I feel privileged that I was accepted and to have had that opportunity.

Something that I personally love and no one else has mentioned, is that VA Beach has one of the most plentiful and diverse bird species in the country. We are a bird watchers dream destination. Especially for rare, Coastal birds. I love to wake up every morning to the sounds of birds chirping. And I have a Mockingbird who lives in my yard that sings to me daily. Sometimes even at night. Lots of mockingbirds

First Landing (old Seashore) State Park off shore drive is a sight to behold and rich with history. Native Americans originated here. There is a haunting, old cemetery here. This is as far North as Spanish Moss grows up the east coast. From Florida, to this tip. It hangs majestically from the Bald Cypress trees dotting the trails. Did you know the Cypress trees all share a one major root system?

For more reviews of what living in Virginia Beach is like from locals check out: The Reviews

baobaobooboo
Living in Virginia Beach
1y ago
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Having lived in Virginia Beach 50 years whilst visiting family and friends in Northern Virginia my entire life, I can say the following: traffic here is much better, the people here are nicer, the pace here is slower, it's generally safer here although there are very safe places up there, the schools are very good here just maybe not quite as shiny as those in Fairfax, there's plenty to do here for no or low cost and lots of natural beauty, the houses are probably less than half…. But there are pockets of Virginia Beach where the houses are more.. and many more where the houses are much less. Lots of recreational activities for kids, lots of rec league sports. You of course will be trading Big League amenities of the metro area up there for smaller yet nice amenities here and a more relaxed atmosphere. Over the years, I have known and worked with dozens of people who have moved here from New York, from New Jersey and metro DC,, and almost 100% of them were happier here.

DLHorses4Reps
Lived in Virginia Beach
1y ago
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Grew up and lived in Virginia Beach for 30+ years but moved elsewhere. That said, Virginia Beach is actually pretty great for some things:

Raising a family.

Retiring.

Low crime rate.

People are generally pleasant. The drivers are OK. There will be a rogue instance of bad manners or rude drivers but it shouldn't negatively color your outlook of the population there.

General stability. “Good” schools, predictable routine, slower paced. You can pretty much live out the rest of your days in relative peace and harmony.

Some honest negatives on why we kinda earned the awkward moniker of being “The Walmart of the Region:”

The monoculture. Or perhaps the lack of a culture. The population here is mostly fluid and transient because of the military and tourism. Thus, nothing new ever really sticks. The majority of people that DO make up the culture here are, well, people settling down and raising their families.

baobaobooboo
Living in Virginia Beach
10mo ago
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What industry are you in op? The pros would be family friendly, great outdoor activities and natural amenities, clean air and clean water, relatively inexpensive cost of living compared with major metropolitan areas, Great schools, short driving proximity to Washington and New York, a cruise terminal in norfolk, decent cultural arts for an area of this size, safe, friendly people for the most part. The cons would be slow economic growth, lower than average pay, you don't get a lot of the big league entertainment amenities of a major metropolitan area, traffic is bad at tunnels.

**PROS and CONS of Living in Virginia Beach **