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Delilah Mendoza housing

Norfolk housing prices — when will it stop?

Hey folks, I'm a remote worker and Homes are going for about $271,900 on average. Poverty rate is 12.6%, which is around average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much.
55 upvotes

14 Replies

Silas Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a physical therapist, 43, moved here 3 years ago from Portland. I've lived in West and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Good schools in most areas
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Property taxes are high
3. The school system situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- West: Great for young professionals. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Portland, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
38 upvotes
peyton_dude
big facts right here
37 upvotes
Madison S.
been saying this for years
25 upvotes
Zoe Y.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
columbuswalker2023
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Axel
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value weather, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely improving and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Uptown) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
21 upvotes
Maverick Hill
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in marketing. If you're in retail you might struggle.

People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like BBQ.

Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
kcgirl2020
Can confirm, been here 15 years.
12 upvotes
Paul C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The housing market is genuinely average and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Sunset) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
10 upvotes
Alexander Evans
bump
6 upvotes
Robert Green
We moved here with our family and it's been a really good experience overall. Schools in Maple Ridge area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
4 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
noted, appreciate it
4 upvotes
desert_weston65
glad someone said it
4 upvotes
Charlotte Nguyen
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
1 upvotes
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