Living in Chesapeake
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10/21/2011
I decided to live in Chesapeake due to being stationed here back in 1995 and have called it home ever since. When I got out of the Navy in 1997 I had the choice of moving back to Philly (which I love dearly) or to my exhusbands small unevolving hometown outside of Houston. There wasn't any debate, Chesapeake is where we would raise our children and it was the best decision we made. Although it is considered a city, it is more like a large suburan area with access to any of the other 6 cities which are nearby. In as much as 15 minutes I can be in either Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk or even NC. Not to mention you are minutes away from the beach and Bush Gardens, Water Country, the Williamsburg outlet are 45 mins to an hour away. If you are looking for the feel of the city, Chesapeake in not the place you want to be but if you are looking for quality housing with yard space and not hear your neighbors kids run up the steps then this in your locality. Unlike Virginia Beach, many of the homes in Chesapeake are single family and have adaquate yard space with ample size rooms. Many of the communities are mix where you might find a $1M+ home development not far from low income housing,but low income housing does not look like what it sounds. Our police department is no-nosense and doesnt tolerate BS. I personnally believe that our school system is the best in the area and recently scored a 90% on-time graduation rate for those student who entered in the 9th grade (VA Pilot Online). Our Parks & Rec program is pretty good but could use some improvement but it is not something one would complain out.
Chesapeake is a very young city, less than 50 years old and has a lot of growing to do with its services for its residents. Meadian age of a residence is 30 - 45, people who work and want to raise their families some place nice. The only problem I have with the city is that there aren't enough sidewalks and poor bus service so you have to drive everywhere you need to go.
Kimberly | Chesapeake, VA