SperlingViews - Norfolk, Virginia

I liked the living on the beach in Willoughby, but the cost of living sucks, if you're not in the military, then you're feeling the effects of the inflation. I was a nurse living up there, they don't pay the nurses well at all. the cost of living does not match the pay scale. [read more...]

Norfolk has a commitment to end homelessness, while at the same time they install benches isn public places which are designed so that no one can sleep on them. As the natives say, "It's much better than it used to be."[read more...]

i love my neighborhood in norfolk, va. it is called riverview and situated in a low traffic area bordered by a large city park and zoo, a river and a major street. these "borders" protect it somewhat from outsiders and drive through traffic. it is tucked back away from neighboring areas having considerably more crime. norfolk is a city of many small neighborhoods, varying between "good" and "bad". this is definitely a GOOD one. i have never lived in an area consisting of so many friendly people. it is so easy to meet people here. it is old fashioned that way. when we moved here we were greeted with cookies, hellos, and an invite to a now friend's "garage bar". within a week i was invited to the neighborhood bookclub. my only concern now is safety and the public school system. this was not a consideration when we moved here since we did not have children then. most of our neighbors have chosen montessori or private school. we also do not feel entirely comfortable with the overall safety of the city. the good neighborhoods are FANTASTIC. but the bad ones are pretty BAD as far as crime is concerned. unfortunately, now we are considering moving once i retire from the military so that we can raise our daughter in safe environment that encourages outdoor activities and bike riding (bike lanes) and has a public school system with a great reputation.[read more...]

I have been a Norfolk resident for close to 50 years. I have worked and retired here.I like our city even with it's problems. It has afforded me a living, and many activities to engage in if I wish. A problem that I do see daily as I drive or walk in most neighborhoods is LITTER. I believe this is a social problem. I have seen people "literly" throw trash from car windows, or dump thier ashtray in a parking lot of some business. I also see yards that apparently no one cares how awful their trash affects the neighborhood. I realize their are exceptions; but it is obvious that some just don't get it. This is about personal pride in our city, and the health of it's citizens. Thanks Brad[read more...]

Not only is norfolk filled to the brim and spilling out the sides with people on the workday, moving here is the worst thing a person can do to themselves. Everywhere you go is congested and dumpy, and there is no open space for miles. I feel like I'm living in a third world country with the crappy state of the roads and a bunch of construction junk sprawled out all over downtown. Traffic is the worst I've seen, and being from California that's saying a lot. I've never been so pissed off in my life at random idiots before I moved here. It seems like everyone is tired, stressed out and miserable. Don't come here unless you have to.[read more...]

Wanting to know the best places to live in Norfolk.[read more...]

Great town, inexpensive COL and close to great beaches. Four seasons are beautiful.[read more...]

Located in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk boasts a vibrant urban renaissance and takes pride in its military and American heritage. It has many miles of riverfront and bayfront property, and is linked with its neighbors through an extensive network of Interstate highways, bridges, tunnels, and bridge-tunnel complexes. A wonderful walking city, with a yearly average temperature of about 68 degrees, Norfolk is an appealing destination for visitors year-round to experience the city's diverse attractions, special events and festivities, cultural activities, waterside activities and eclectic dining. The Norfolk Tides, AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and the Norfolk Admirals, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, are based here.[read more...]

I moved to Norfolk over six years ago from the rat race of Northern Virginia/DC area. When I first moved here the cost of living was reasonable particularily in the housing. Unfortunately, the housing prices have significantly jumped up and unlike Northern VA, the real estate tax rate is high considering the home stock is mostly of old homes. The city is terrible about real estate assessments. Homes are way over assessed sometimes as much 40% from what owners end up selling the home for! To make it worse, there is a large population of low economic households, crime is high, and public schools rank low compared to the rest of VA.[read more...]

With the crime rate having dropped, and the housing market not in to bad of a shape living here is getting much better. Job market is ok due to the very large military bases. With the addition of many new entertainment venues even the night life is better. Not even mentioning the boating, fishing, and colleges here. All in all I like it.[read more...]

This is for anonymous, Portland another crappy city? Foreigners!? I get the impression that you are from the UK, isn't that a foreign country? I've been to Portland and I found it charming, cost of living, the same as any other city with easy access to the ocean and mountain ranges as well. Get a grip Brit, you obviously have crap for brains.[read more...]

I have lived in the Hampton Roads area for about 4 years. I seem to have allergic reactions to pollen, mold and everything else. The allergy season and peaks seem to come year round. I am looking for an area to live with less allergen. Terry [read more...]

Ranked #1 Urban School System 2 years in a row[read more...]

Tired of shoveling snow? Then this would be a wonderful place for you. Norfolk and Virginia Beach are only divided by a sign on the road as it is built up solid to become the tri-city area, usually called Hampton Roads. I have lived here for 11 years and there has only ever been a dusting of snow that quickly melted. We do have a high humidity being so close to the ocean. It has never been colder than about 19 degrees and that is rare. In the summer it hardly ever goes over 100 degrees. The gardening season is quite long due to the moderate climate here.[read more...]

Living in a military town gives the city a wide variety of people, but not always for the good. When the military receives raises, the cost of housing, groceries, and everyday expenses raise equally with it. Unfortunately, for those who are not military, do not have the luxury of receiving these raises, but end up paying for them. A pay increase for the military only increases the profits for local businesses, such as rent, groceries, and entertainment. You can expect your rent to increase every year at a minimum of 3% at the same time raises come out for the military. For the single female trying to support themselves on a single income with a civilian job is very difficult because employers base on a family with dual incomes; example: Military person with a spouse does not need to be paid a higher wage. Crime rate is high, higher than advertised. You can expect a shooting on a daily basis. Housing is way over priced. If you find anything under $200,000 it's in the hood. Weather and fishing is fair. Roads are in terrible condition, commuting is terrible with all the tunnels, and mass transit is non-existant. In Norfolk, you're either well off or dirt poor. There is no in between. Do I sound disgruntled? You bet![read more...]

Norfolk, Virginia, is a southeastern seaboard city with reliable lifelines and a very strong heart. Norfolk’s heritage is largely derived from the businesses of light agriculture, clean manufacturing, burgeoning maritime commerce, military affairs, and suburbia. Cultural diversity is legendary in the 400-year old city located on the southern shores of the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. I first saw the Bay area and the city of Norfolk in the early 1980s, courtesy of the US military; I moved to Virginia from bustling southern California. Norfolk is not my “hometown,” per se, I am a Midwesterner by birth and childrearing, but the city and region always feels comfortable and welcoming. I am impressed by eastern Virginia’s pleasant climate 10 months of the year, abundant bay and ocean activities, diverse foods, hospitable people, small colleges, plentiful media, clean neighborhoods, and contemporary lifestyle. I have owned local homes and rented condos since arriving to the area over two decades ago. I have been fortunate to own and rent homes in desirable locations, ergo, turning over in-demand real estate is profitable. I feel physically safe anywhere most of the time. A major high-rise building boom is underway in the downtowns of Norfolk and the adjacent city of Virginia Beach in 2007. By 2010-15 the two cities will have truly recognizable skylines complete with major business centers linked by light rail, first-class shopping experiences, and top-of-the-line dining and entertainment. Major downtown area investments are planned well into the future. However, as the downtown and regional population density increases, so do citizen’s demands for enhanced city services. Demands on services are on a steady rise. Service demands are rapidly pushing up a wide range of traditionally low taxes and fees. By the middle of the next decade, the area will be well above the average cost of living, taxing, and dying for the US. Here is my bottom line on Norfolk: (Lifestyle goods) easy ocean access, comfortable climate, sociable peoples, diverse food choices, plentiful mid-paying jobs, reasonably priced and good quality housing today, mid-range cost of living, easy-going lifestyles, respected higher education system, abundant medical care, caring neighbors, and the lightly used airport!; (Lifestyle others) crammed roadways and tunnels, under-funded public transportation, increasingly costly housing and higher property taxes / fees, pockets of very serious crime,[read more...]

lots of things to do[read more...]

We relocated to Norfolk from Northern Virginia a few years ago, and really love the area! We also love being so close to all beaches . The temperature is very moderate with little or no snow!!! Norfolk also has a lot to offer in regards to culture and recreation. The Va Symphony is exceptional, and the Va Stage Company puts on excellant musicals and other fine productions. In addition, Norfolk's downtown is going through a miraculous rejuvenation with upscale shopping, great local restaurants and other attractions. hope this helps![read more...]

Just want to know what the cost of living is compared to Charlotte NC[read more...]

If it weren't for these highways, it wouldn't be a bad place to live.[read more...]