So, I relocated for work and Household incomes average around $90,685 in Virginia Beach. Homes are going for about $366,300 on average. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
44 upvotes
30 Replies
Michael Morris
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Highland area are improving. Kids love it here.
40 upvotes
Stella Kelly
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Seattle about 9 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is underrated.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Good luck with whatever you decide..
40 upvotes
Logan T.
I've been living here for 15 years and I'd say there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor recreation is better than expected compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
40 upvotes
Adrian Thomas
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Phoenix and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Riverside. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
37 upvotes
Quinn Stewart
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 40, moved here 6 years ago from Dallas. I've lived in Old Town and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Dating scene is rough
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The school system situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for singles. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Dallas, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
36 upvotes
Logan Flores
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are better than expected, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
34 upvotes
Levi
I work in government here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is solid. Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Jayden Martin
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely challenging and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (North) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Dating scene 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.
31 upvotes
Ezra Hill
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 8 years here, that's my honest assessment.
31 upvotes
Paisley M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 9 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the community vibe is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
26 upvotes
Zoey Roberts
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely better than expected and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (East) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
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.
24 upvotes
Jerry L.
following this thread
23 upvotes
Liam Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Springfield. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Dominic Young
This.
22 upvotes
Sofia Green
interesting, hadn't considered that
22 upvotes
Sofia Edwards
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Alice Reed
Moved here from Portland about 1 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to dating scene but Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
20 upvotes
Luke C.
bump
19 upvotes
Zoe Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely better than expected and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Sunset) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
18 upvotes
Gabriella Myers
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Chicago 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 Pine Hills. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Definitely worth checking out..
17 upvotes
Dennis A.
honestly same experience here
16 upvotes
Katherine M.
glad someone said it
13 upvotes
Ethan Cox
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
11 upvotes
Miles Price
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's been a really good experience overall.
11 upvotes
Scarlett Morgan
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Denver about 15 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are growing, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
lake_leah57
I've lived in South for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- The job market scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
7 upvotes
Aria R.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The weather is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
6 upvotes
Bella Gonzalez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 44, moved here 10 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Pine Hills and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Property taxes are high
3. The housing market situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for couples. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Chicago, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $90K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
4 upvotes
William Torres
Came here for a fresh start and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The pet-friendliness is honestly surprisingly good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
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, 45, moved here 3 years ago from Boston. I've lived in The Heights and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. improving vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Boston, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
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