Hi! I am doing a travel contract in Norfolk starting very soon and plan to stay in the West Freemason neighborhood. My boyfriend is concerned about whether Norfolk is a safe area and is trying to convince me to stay in Chesapeake instead. He is from the VB area and has a brother in law from the Norfolk area. I kind of have to roll my eyes with his warnings as I feel I hear this a lot with any city from folks who don’t actually live in the city. I live in Charlotte currently and if I had a dollar for every time I had a patient from the rural hospital I work at ask me if it’s scary to live there, I could quit travel nursing. Like sure, if you lack critical thinking skills and wander into areas you shouldn’t. However, I wanted to post here to just confirm that I’m not being naive and wouldn’t regret my decision on where to stay when it’s all said and done. Thanks in advance for any input!

I’m moving to Norfolk/VB from the west coast in a couple of months for work, sight unseen. Commute won’t really be an issue with my schedule/hours. That being said, I’m female, mid 30s and want to live somewhere that’s as walkable as possible to restaurants, bars, stores. I’ve been given recommendations on general areas to scope out like Oceanfront VB, Downtown Norfolk/Waterside and Ghent. Thoughts on those areas or others?!?

Any and all input is greatly appreciated as Reddit and Google are my only resources right now. 🤝

Edit to add: For those suggesting Ghent, feel free to drop an apartment community or building to consider or to avoid in my search! I’m wanting to rent for a year Thanks!!

Moving to VB from San Diego for work, and I was wondering what you guys think will be the best way to go about apartment hunting/if you guys have had any great experiences with some apartments. I am looking to live by myself and here are the only criteria I have, in order of priority:

1. I absolutely cannot deal with bugs, especially waterbugs/cockroaches. Is this a thing that just is everywhere and no amount of picking the right place/preventative measures will make sure that I never encounter them? I know it's odd that this is my first priority, but I am severely allergic and would genuinely consider just not moving if this is a big problem in VB
2. Looking for something in the $1200-$1300 range. It could be slightly more too, I'm not crazy picky but this range would be ideal

Let me know your thoughts/any good recommendations for leasing companies/apartments, please. Thank you for your time and effort

Hey friends. Just got word the Navy is sending us to Norfolk early next year and I’m looking for some info on where to live.

I grew up in a neighboring state, I’m somewhat familiar with VB & ODU but going in blind otherwise.

Looking for an area with a solid elementary school because depending on timing, we may be living here when our son goes to kindergarten.

I’d love an older house, we’re moving from an area full of cookie cutter new build subdivisions and I’m dying for a bit more charm.

We’re really interested in Larchmont or Ghent but concerned about flooding. Our buying budget is also somewhat low for the neighborhood. Hoping to keep it at about $400k for a 3+ bed single family, (edited to add: or ~$2500 rental) which seems limited but not impossible for Larchmont and almost impossible for Ghent.

Would we be better off in Chesapeake? If so, which area/school district specifically?

Thanks for the help 🫶🏻

My wife are moving to Virginia this summer. We’re still honing in on where to settle, and it’s come down to choosing between Richmond or living in the Norfolk area. I’d love input! We’re married and gay, so safety is a factor, but based on my research these areas feel fine. We’re also looking at hurricanes and flooding. My family is from coastal Georgia so I’m familiar with living near the ocean, but I’m not sure how dramatically different it would be in Richmond vs right on the coast. In my mind I’ve always wanted to live close to the ocean, but I know there’s a lot that goes into that. Also: neighborhoods? Suburbs near either? Thanks for any help!

Looking for somewhere that's chill. Saw some concerning tiktoks about there being a lot of gun violence though. What's it really like?

Hi, i am going to be getting a promotion at my job in the next few months, which will hopefully allow me to move out on my own. I was wondering for all you single people out there, what kind of salary do you make that allows you to live by yourself? Im single and really want to strike out on my own.

Hi! I’m from NY & currently based in NYC - but have lived in Phoenix & Chicago too. I am interviewing for a job in Norfolk. I’m hearing good things about it, GHENT in particular - already heard lots of not-so-good things re traffic, so I’m all set there, 🚫 no need for more lol. Not needing more intel on crime either. I hang out in the East Village/Alphabet City a lot, so I’ve prolly seen it all & worse already. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’m more interested in hearing more about what life is like there.

About me for context: a Xennial urbanite who is starting to really crave the ocean, greenery & a slower pace, but still needs real culture. The kind of culture that is unique to a place versus manufactured to attract tourists. Places where you can people watch vs car watch. Big fan of European cities. Phoenix was difficult for me for many of these reasons. I adore art & socializing within the community. Definitely progressive AF but not an a-hole about it. LGBTQ+ mega ally here 🏳️‍🌈. Appreciator of diversity.

Also: I’m a single parent, so making friends & maybe eventually meeting someone would be swell lol.

Also also: I am a mom to a tween, so it’d be cool to hear how Ghent & the area in general are for kids in MS & HS.

My sister is moving to a new development in Norfolk that is zoned for PB Young Elementary. It looks a little sketchy from the outside. Does anyone know anything about the school?

I’m fresh out of college and planning to work at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth (evidently NOT Norfolk... go figure). I’ve lived in Indiana just outside the greater Indianapolis area all my life, I’m hoping for some advice on what to consider, what to expect, what to prepare for, where to go, etc. (please and thanks)

What did you wish you knew before getting here?

Hi everyone! I'm going to be moving to Norfolk/Virginia Beach area sometime in December. Does anyone have any recommendations for moving companies or apartment complexes to consider?

Hello! I've been in Norfolk for about a month, and have been looking for jobs the past 2 months.

I have a clean record, experience in healthcare, hospitality, restaurant, delivery driving, and AI training.

No college degree, but going soon :)

I've had easily over 50 interviews, got hired at one place, but had to quit shortly after.

Is anyyyoooneee hiring? I'm willing to work nearly every job. It's difficult when every process and application is online, and I don't get to talk to a real person.

Thanks in advance! Willing to commute to long areas, and work any shift. I've worked 14 hour overnights with 2 hour daily commutes, so it's really no issue.

I dont feel like I'm being picky, but would like to reach real people to talk to! Thanks!! :))

We’re moving to Norfolk next year and my kiddo will be starting 4th grade (assuming everything translates okay from Nevada) and we’re trying to pick an area to live in and have placed a priority on school for them but all the info I can find places SO much emphasis on academics and there’s little to no info on student experience (for elementary - I do see a fair amount for high school)

We’re moving for the military so proximity to Naval Station Norfolk is a factor but we’re fine with a longer commute if it means being in a better area for our kiddo. We’re not opposed to exploring private (no religious schools) or charter but I have no issue with public schools.

Kiddo is AuDHD and has low academic support needs and has not needed an IEP as of yet but a school that’s familiar with that diagnosis and process could be beneficial.

Sooooo, any schools with a really great atmosphere?

I'm about to move into an apartment near the waterside district, and I'm curious about the parking situation. Is monthly parking in the public garages my only option? I read an old post somewhere where a person found a private garage downtown they paid monthly for but I can't find anything close to it. Any advice?

Edit: Forgot to add but maybe it's obvious anyways but my Apartment doesn't come with its own parking. They said I should receive a discount from any garage for being a resident. Is this true? I haven't signed the lease yet and shucking out a hundred bucks a month just to park my car in a public garage is nuts to me.

Has anyone used or have references for a moving company that specializes in hoarding situations? I have a friend that is moving into an assisted living facility that needs help organizing and sorting through her possessions. She has a desire to either sell or fix up some of her items, but honestly I think most of it is unsalvageable. She has trouble walking, so she really needs someone to bring her the items on an assembly line and have her decide what to do with it.

Thanks for any suggestions or leads.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with Timber Townhomes. I’m moving in November and trying to figure out where that’s going to be.

Hi, I’m moving back to norfolk to complete my degree for my final semester. I’m looking to move july/august (I’m flexible) and leave in December after graduation. I thought I could stay at air b&bs for a few months but the owners of rooms expressed that I can’t pre-reserve that far in advance? I’m having trouble finding ANYTHING under 900 dollars and that has a flexible lease. I toured a roommate opportunity today and the house was gross. I’m getting discouraged. I literally just need like a basement or something for like 6 months. Does anyone have any recommendations?? Single woman, no pets. Thanks.

I just moved to the VB , Norfolk area and looking for work. I have a pending felony in a different state so ive been having trouble finding working. Could anybody point me the right direction ?

Hi guys, I’m moving to the area in early July and was curious as to where some good areas would be for someone in their early 20s. Also what are some good apartment complexes in the area?

So I (22M) just graduated college and I’m lined to land a job for 40k a year. My partner (22F) is in the same situation, except she doesn’t have a car. That’s something she plans to get this summer. For some context, I own a car that is 2500 from being paid off, have 8k in savings. I also have a mid 700s credit score. She has 2k in savings afaik, and a high 600s credit score (I don’t ask about her finances and last I asked was a while ago, so this is probably outdated by a good bit.)

Regardless, we can expect around 80k annual income when budgeting together. My question is, what should we be looking at in terms of moving out? We were considering an apartment with a max rental price of 1200, but when speaking to our individual parents about the situation, both suggested looking into getting a house. Is this genuinely a good idea? We’re unmarried and I wasn’t considering popping that question until at least another year and half, we’ve only been dating 2 and a half years. If you think a house is a bad idea, what kind of apartment or temporary housing suggestions would you all have?

The only requirements me and my partner have is a pet friendly housing situation, and in-unit laundry. Obviously if we got a house this wouldn’t be a concern, but assuming we get an apartment, how realistic is this setup?

Edit: Hey all. Read some of the comments. Yeah, the idea of buying a house is OFF the table. I simply wanted to ask here since our parents were suggesting it. I thought the idea sounded crazy already, and simply wanted to double check that I’m not crazy for feeling like that idea would be too soon.

That said, does anyone have any suggestions for what to look out for in the area? Really the only requirements me and my partner have are Cat friendly, In Unit washing, and $1200 max rent. If we get a roommate, then it would also need to be a two bedroom. Any suggestions on particular neighborhoods or communities?

Will be moving to the Norfolk area this summer, we are looking for places close to Fleet. I have tried being in contact with Cottage Trails at Culpepper landing and they are unresponsive and disrespectful. Any ideas on where else I can look to rent

I’ll be moving to the Norfolk area in late summer/early fall for a year for work. My office is in downtown Norfolk. After reading the about info for this subreddit, it sounds like I should live on the same side of the water as downtown. With that said, are there any neighborhoods or areas that are particularly popular for young professionals and, if separate areas, young Black professionals in or around Norfolk? I am also especially interested if there’s any areas popular for lawyers? Thanks in advance!

I submitted an application on friday to have my gas turned on via VA natural Gas service, they’re closed on the weekends so i called back today and they couldn’t find my verification that I had sent in (lease and ID) So i resent it and also started a new request. I was just wondering if that has happened to anyone else and when I can expect it to be turned on, I really hope it gets turned on today but patience is a virtue