SperlingViews - Virginia_Beach, Virginia

Having lived in Virginia Beach for 25+ years, I have watched the city grow in just about every area, i.e., schools, shopping, neighborhoods and transportation. Also, the growing Atlantic coast provides an affordable vacation spot and now finds visitors from all parts of the US and Canada. The cost of living is comparable to most cities of the same size. Entertainment is plentiful as Broadway shows tour through Norfolk, VA, a neighboring city. Concert venues are provided in several nearby cities. The number of military installations in Virginia Beach and other cities allows for many services which provide employment for just about every industry sector. As the population gets older, new hospitals and medical providers are rising as well, including 55+ only communities.[read more...]

I love the weather in Va Beach. Just enough cold to remind me of winters growing up in Pennsylvania (with an occasional snow flurry) and hot, steamy summers as the perfect counterpoint (great for the beach.) As for spring and autumn? They are fabulous![read more...]

I read these posts and I can't help but wonder what planet the parents are living on. Everyone is afraid to admit there is a racial problem at this school. I have had several daughters who have had the unfornuate experience of going to this school and the fear and harassment they have had to indure.I am not talking about how it use to be many years ago, or thats been gone since the new principal. Its the same now as it has ever been.The problem is that nobody in the governing body has the guts to tell the problem kids they are done. That it is a PRIVILAGE to go to school NOT A RIGHT no matter how loud some degenerate in her pajamas and curlers screams and shouts. All I hear is you are blowing this all out of proportion. NO I AM NOT!! My child should be afraid to go to school. She should not be afraid of reporting unsatisfactory conduct for fear of reprisal. The school authorities are powerless with the current status quo.The realiation moves of the school property. You say well call the police. You who say this never lived through the fear of being in the wrong place, caught alone with no where to run.You start to hope that they do find you and that it wont be so bad at least it will be over. I lived through just such a time.I could not go anywhere without being scare I would get beat on. I was fortunate enough to have been a male. Like they say you kick a dog long enough he will bite. But even then the kids were scared of their parents finding out, not now. There is no disciplinary solution for this problem that does not include permanent expulsion. Until then, same as it ever was. Anybody with the guts to admit it probaly has a child who has come to them scared praying for some king of adult intervention, but they all have their heads in the sand. signed:Fed Up[read more...]

Tourists rule in this town. The city is becoming overcrowded. Houses on top of each other in many of the suburban areas, unless you move to the further reaches toward Chesapeake. This is the only place in Virginia where I've seen single-car garages (vs. double-) in single-family homes. Property lines w/just a few ft. between neighbors predominate in many middle- to lower-middle-class housing areas, where most live. Mini-cities of apartment complexes have been popping up everywhere. Builders are obviously given far too much leeway by city officials in this town, w/ builders even claiming areas of land previously designated as untouchable "wetland." If you're wealthy, neighborhoods near the beach areas have some very distinctive and lovely homes. The oceanfront is overcrowded with skyscraper-ht. hotels and condos; has a large boardwalk, however. To access most of the beach requires traipsing across and through the paved streets and many hotels and businesses (presuming you found a place to park!), among the tourists, etc., dragging your beach gear and kids in-tow. Crime definitely has increased in the suburban areas especially - many burglaries and home-invasions of residences and businesses alike, plus robberies, but this situation is worse in nearby Norfolk. Having spoken w/a Beach policeman recently, "yes, many of the crimes here have gone/go "unreported" to the public. Police here are overwhelmed. Criminals seem to have the advantage. Health care is quite good here. Several very good hospitals. Schools are so-so, unless you can afford to attend a private school, or your child "qualifies" to attend a public "Academy" school. Virginia and the Beach don't give education nearly enough funding or importance. Northern Va. has best educators and is best bet in Virginia for education opportunities for families. Police force more adept there, too. Sorry for the criticism, but the Beach quality of living needs more consideration and improving for the residents who live here year-round.[read more...]

We're from a small town in IL and moved to Virginia Beach because of the Navy. We've been here for almost three years now and our favorite thing is definitely living close to the beach. We're only 15 minutes from the beach. We prefer Sandbridge to the Oceanfront though as Sandbridge doesn't have as many tourists. [read more...]

Great place to live over all. Lots to do, beautiful area. Tourist Town without feeling like one. Only down side is that it's getting too crowded. The roads are way too conjested.[read more...]

Virginia Beach has a great Ocean Front, plenty of good restaurants, lots of educational opportunities, a stable economic base with high,military and tourist concentrations. Weather is pleasant most of the year with few extremes. School system is good to great with a fair number of private alternatives that are good to great. In addition our emergency system of police, fire, and volunteer rescue is about as good as it gets.[read more...]

The personal property tax and insurance will drive me out when I retire. My federal retirement will be taxed by the state also. [read more...]

Great schools, clean beaches and tons of things to do... [read more...]

In 2010, Virginia beach endured a 12% dip in housing prices, and now talking heads are saying that they expect 2011 to be another poor year with a 10% or more drop in prices. Factor in foreclosure inventory lingering in the background, and the area's homeowners could be upside-down on their mortgages for some time to come. [read more...]

Overcrowded, over priced, angry, noisy, stressful and dirty. I have lived in VA Beach my entire life (41 years) and have seen a beautiful rural community develop into the hussle and bussle that destroys quality of life. Maybe it is just me, but I preferred a quiter VA Beach where you knew the police and they knew you (or at least your family). A place where people waved when you drove past their house. Those days are gone. Time to look elsewhere for me and my family to find peace.[read more...]

Hi, My name is Mark Dickenson. I am amazed at the cost of housing in the USA. I just saw that the median price of a home in Dickenson county Virginia is $US65,000. In Australia we are lucky to by a run down home on less than 1/4 of an acre of land for under $US440,000. I would suggest to Americans, that you start approaching Australians to look at purchasing Real Estate in the USA. Why ? 1) To start with, Australia is the only western country that has not been in recession. The latest figures show that the economy in Australia is still growing. 2) Australians have been ripped off with the cost of housing in Australia for the last twenty years. Even with the current AU$/US$ exchange rate, Australians can buy 6 of your houses for the cost of one of ours with a good deal of money left to renovate. 3) Australia has been allied with the USA since WW2. If you cant trust us, you can not trust anyone. Have a think about it. You guys need some sales and we need to reduce the cost of housing in Australia!!! Kind Regards Mark[read more...]

As a seasoned real estate agent,I have been all over the hampton roads area of Virginia. I can say with out a doubt I love all Virginia Beach has to offer. We have beautiful beaches, a water park (Ocean Breeze), aquarium, plenty of shopping and a new performing arts center (Sadler Center)in the heart of Virginia beach. Not to mention the beautiful homes and hidden mansions tucked away in the city. The children are not exposed to the crime of a urban city. Instead it is a mixure of country and a little city. This gives children a balanced exposure. The schools here are great as well as the people. Dont be surprised If you see several stickers saying "Virginia is for lovers"..its true.:) The housing market right now is excellent for buyers. Currently there are decent priced homes to choose from now if you are ready to enjoy the well desired beach life. Feel free to look at property at www.aqilarealestate.com See ya at the beach!!![read more...]

I chose the quality of life topic because the quality of life in Va. Beach is great. I have lived in Buffalo NY (once a great place to live) and in No. Virginia (to congested, to expensive, to many people who don't speak English). Virginia Beach is a great place to raise a family. I have been here 16 years and I love all the things there is to do here and within a few hours drive of here. I WOULDN'T live anywhere else!![read more...]

no comment[read more...]

Please make the login more prevalent on the web site[read more...]

I have been living in Virginia Beach now for about 3.5 years and unfortunately I do not like it. I find Virginia Beach and South Hampton Roads in general to be boring and lacking in true diversity (despite the military presence here). I also do not find the people here to be very friendly. People are pretty aggressive and not in a good way... and having been born and raised in the North East that's really saying something. This is definitely a military town and you will not fit in unless you are connected to the military or have close family that is. Unfortunately, I have also experienced what I feel is subtle prejudice. The good about Virginia Beach? This city has a lot of trees! Beautiful trees. Also, the beach is close by and while the abundance of mis-matched hotel chains screw up the natural beauty of the beach, it is still very nice to scroll down the Virginia Beach boardwalk during the off seasons.[read more...]

rent is expensive here[read more...]

I have been a resident of Virginia Beach for 3 years. I am newly married and my husband and I are contemplating a cross country trip that will take 2 years and visit a new place every couple of months to find where we would like to plant our roots.[read more...]

Virgina Beach is a great place to live with excellent weather year round. The city is busy with tourists for about 4 months every year and the the residents can enjoy the services and great places to eat without any crowds![read more...]