Life's a Beach for the Tourists in Virginia Beach
-
2/11/2012
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.
TerrAnn | Virginia Beach, VA