Pros and Cons of Living in Norfolk Virginia
Vložit
- čas přidán 25. 07. 2024
- Moving to Norfolk, Virginia? Or maybe thinking about it? Here are some things to know!
Do you live here and can relate to any of these things?
I've listed 5 Pros and 5 Cons of living in Norfolk, Virginia that will either help you transition to the city or rustle up nostalgia for the natives!
I'll also sprinkle in two of my favorite restaurant spots in Norfolk in the middle and end of the video!
(APOLOGIES FOR THE LOUD MUSIC, MY MISTAKE!)
Here are links mentioned in the video:
Elizabeth River Trail: elizabethrivertrail.org/
FEMA Flood map of 2014 to 2017 graphical changes: bit.ly/2IsKaNT
Norfolk on Niche.com: www.niche.com/places-to-live/...
Trulia Crime Map: www.trulia.com/real_estate/No...
HRPDC Navy Stats: bit.ly/2T3J5QN
-------------------------
New videos every WEDNESDAY - Subscribe here: goo.gl/KVJ4Km
Contact me here:
(757) 577-8764
sam@samsansalone.com
Have fun searching for homes on my website: www.samsansalone.com
You can also follow me here:
Facebook: samsansalonere
Instagram: samsansalone
Music by Joakim Karud / joakimkarud
My husband is in the Military and your videos helped us considerably. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Great!!! I love it - so glad. If you have any additional questions always feel free to ask.
Thank you Sam... I LEARN. LOTS FROM YOU. THE WAY YOU INTRODUCE EVERYTHING IS GREAT.... YOU ARE REALLY A PROFESSOR 👌GREETINGS FROM Egypt🙏
I'm very grateful/feel lucky to have seen this helpful youtube video link feature of the pros and cons of living in Norfolk Virginia. My husband and I have lived in this area before from part of 2008 and part of 2009 and with this youtube feature of the author Sam Sansalone taking the time to list the pros and caveats of living in Norfolk Virginia helps keep me better informed on the areas he covers with great detail.
Why thank you very much, Stella!
Great info Sam! Love the bloopers!
Houston Katy Homes Group thanks! I clearly showed that the only thing I juggle is my schedule.
I love those old theatres with independent films! Very informative video
I wish I loved beer!! Nice juggling skills 😂
The Naro is the bomb! They play most of the Oscar-winning movies after the awards, so looking forward to heading over there in March.
There is nothing better than getting information from someone with actual experience living in the area. Great vid!
Matt Rooney Real Estate Ontario thank you, sir!!
Yeah I live in norfolk crime is really the same only bad part on my side oh yeah some of the schools too
I LOVED living near Ocean View each it is more private
OMG I completely agree, the early end to the city transit makes things complex. Especially the light rail, which can make using it for weekends/baseball games sometimes tough.
Not to mention HRT misses many of the scheduled trips, is seriously short with the number of drivers, and the service generally sucks
I remembered Norfolk when, I lived in Portsmouth/Chesapeake area for 6 years before returning to Texas. And my last visit was in summer 1991.
A few people I’ve knew lived in Tidewater area. Very little of them is still there. Moved out or out of state too. And, my folks and, I didn’t have any best memories anyway.
Rb Smith thanks for watching and for sharing. I have distinct memories of watching the Norfolk Tides in 1991, who were called the Tidewater Tides back then. Lots has changed since then! Where in Portsmouth/Chesapeake did you live?
Great info Sam!!
Barbara Stephenson Realtor appreciate it much!
One thing my father, a cab driver, for Norfolk has stated many times. Trains. As a Con they have a way of coming to a complete stop and block roads for a period of time. The Pro would be that these same trains could help you tell the time if you don't have a clock.
LOL! This is so true! My wife drives across one of those every morning to work - she has personal experience.
It’s nice you can go only 15 minutes and have a different atmosphere. Something for everyone and depending what you feel like doing you have lots of options.
MyRealtorKerri yeah, when people say "I'm moving to Norfolk, I get completely feelings about it. And normally those feelings are predicated on which side they've heard about 😂
And crime to
Good information and you're extremely comfortable in front of the camera good job
Palm Beaches Paul thank you much!
Great vid, thanks!
Kate Smith thanks for watching!!
I love your videos. You convinced me to move back to Hampton Roads!!
CiCi Butler wow thank you!!! I’m glad I could be a positive influence 😃 if you have any specific questions as you decide to move back please let me know. In what city did you live the first time you were here?
good luck with that. I left that place REAL QUick
@@mikaelaton6769 where did you move to? and are you still there? just wondered
I moved to Italy and I am still there.
I’m moving from Michigan.. any recommendations on a good & expensive area to move to?
Great video! You’re a natural!
Trisha Lutteroty awesome!!! Thanks for this!
I like the way you added a map. Helps for us visual types!
Glad you liked it! That's my goal, to try and reach as many learning styles as I can.
Dumares is in Ghent, this ice cream shop has been run by the same family for over 100 years, they invented the sugar cone. I have great memories of my sister taking me here as a kid
I love Doumar's! I should make a video about that place, too! Thanks for the comment, Adam! And thanks for watching.
Not a problem, I am a VB native myself
adam perkins always love talking to one of us! 😂
They most certainly did not invent the sugar cone !
How did I not know that Old Dominion was there? Haha. Great job brother!
Thanks man! ODU owns the NW side of Norfolk with student housing and sports!😃
The area around ODU is filled with Crime and shit. Students are not safe out there for real.
As a real estate expert, what's your advice on getting an apartment? Also, how do you get the apartment management to agree to my price?
I love the history of the area.
Im moving there in June, but I need a rental. If you don't have rentals can you recommend anyone?
Thanks so much for this! I’m moving to Norfolk from Phoenix in the spring of 2021. Just got back from spending a week there. I’m planning on living in downtown either in one of the dozen buildings on Granby/Boche or The Icon.
Question: How necessary is it to have your own car there? It seemed like everyone I met who lived downtown walked or used transit. It seems like the grocery issue has been taken care of by delivery. For context I work from home.
Thanks again!
Awesome! Preliminary welcome to the area! So, you don't HAVE to get a car if you plan on staying around downtown. If you can do the grocery delivery then I think you would be fine if you're working from home. If you wanted to venture out of the immediate area then it might be frustrating not having a car as there's a large area around all around that would require an Uber (public transit definitely exists but I wouldn't rely on it to get you anywhere super quickly). But yeah, I would say give it a shot and maybe 20-30% chance you might like the idea of getting a car? Otherwise you could probably do just fine.
@@samsansalone Thanks Sam! I have a car...I just hate driving. Lol. Like...hate it enough that even though I live in Phoenix where you have to drive everywhere I still manage to have a 2016 Honda with about 30k miles total on it. 😂
It’s necessary! Lol I’ve lived here my entire life. Highly recommend for several reasons 🥴
I live in Riverview, right by the zoo (which I think u didn't mention), and there are alot of beautiful old homes there. And I can't believe you didn't mention Orapax!!! Best restaurant for Mediterranean cuisine!!
CON - When visiting Norfolk, my GPS just didn't work right. It kept turning me around and getting me in the wrong lane for where I was going.
Hey Sam if you plan on visiting NY check out The halal guys in Manhattan (lamb over rice white sauce and hot sauce). Tried Mr Schwarma and if you try The Halal guys you won't be able to go back.
BK Jani in Brooklyn NY rack of lamb.
I used to hangout mostly in the Military Circle/JANAF area as a teenager (extra local points if you know what JANAF means). Just realized my first job was near Military Circle and I lived in VB 😁
I think it has something to do with the military? You got me on that one!!!
@@samsansalone partial credit 😄 Joint Army Navy Air Force 😄 I remember learning that as a kid, wasn't until I was older and a Marine, I was like huh? I think the shopping center was formed by former WWII vets. Keep up the great vids. Hope you get lots more subscribers. You deserve it.
Joint Army Navy Air Force!
Used to love going to Military Circle many years ago ..Merry Go Road and Thalheimers my fave stores and Morrison’s cafe to eat
This was very useful for me as I will be moving there shortly. Anyone knows of good furnished or serviced single bedroom apartments or room shares?
I'm so glad this video helped you! Furnished can be difficult, especially in Norfolk. Where have you checked so far?
@@samsansalone No place in particular yet as I am not sure where my job site will be. Could very well be in Hampton roads but will let you know in a day or two when I am informed about it. Thanks.
@@einsaan where'd you end up
@@diamondsprince Still looking. Anything near Norfolk and Chesapeake will do.
In your videos I would love to hear comments on the quality of the public libraries in the community.
A con is that they have too many soccer fields and weather is inconsistent out here😔
Oh, man. I never knew that it flooded in Virginia beach and Norfolk. Smh. I really wanted to move there. Gotta talk to you more about which area to move to. Any weather issues to worry about before moving? Like hurricanes or tornadoes? Hope not.
Hurricanes are often a concern for a short window of time, but often with hurricanes if they come our direction they hit land well before coming to us. So that usually translates to just a lot of rain. It seems that on average by the time storms get to us, we see one that still qualifies as a hurricane about once every 7-10 years. I will say that I've mentioned flooding multiple times, and flooding is an issue in localized areas here. But it's definitely localized - something to consider when deciding where to move, but not a regular enough occurrence in most places where you're dealing with it on a regular basis.
Every year around hurricane season, we get at least one hurricane and it causes a lot of damage to a lot of homes. However, most homes in the areas that get hit the worst are equiped for it. Homes are even up on stilts so that they sway with the wind. It doesnt make to much sense, but it works as long as uou dont get seasick from your house swaying. As far as flooding, its horrible. I dont think i need to go into much description other than it is HORRIBLE
Thank you for this. My hubby and I are thinking about settling down in Norfolk after his military career.
Cindy Smith that’s great! Preliminary welcome to the area!! You been here before?
Having fun sleeping through gun shots every night and getting your shit broken into lol
You're so comfortable on camera!
Appreciate that! Sometimes it definitely doesn't feel that way, but the fact that it comes across naturally to you gives me much encouragement.
I live in Virginia As well its Awesome! and ive never seen anyone else in virginia -_-
Whoa! You've never seen anyone else in Virginia!? How is this happening?
Sam Sansalona, I don't know everyone I know is like across the country!
Flooding, no thanks.. lol! One thing I love about Vegas, is that it rarely rains. Great topic.
The O'Hare Team - Las Vegas Realtors yeeeeeah - I've gotten used to it, so I can't imagine living in a place where it's nothing to ever think about! Lol
WOW I left Vegas after being there 7 years in 2009 and came to Virginia for two years then back to Vegas in 2012 for two years and now Philippines. I MUST ADMIT I am torn between Las Vegas and Norfolk, I can assure you both have of their charm and the flooding TO ME was not that bad. Las Vegas has some bad flooding too, but Ii really love Vegas as well.
Lived in Vegas 17 years, we get tons of flooding every year, what are you even talking about? Yeah it barely rains, but when it does, people literally die in the floods
Afos Savage I’ve lived in Vegas for 30 years and you rarely hear about people dying in the floods. Only stupid people who drive through a large puddle that they have no business driving though.
@@favoritelasvegasrealtor oh so none of the homeless people in the tunnels under the strip ever die in the floods? We had 32 flood deaths in 2017. Trying to find an average yearly count but having trouble. Either way, people die from it every year. Even 1 is too many. Yeah stupid people die, but so do children, the elderly, and the impoverished living in our tunnels
Generally a good profile, but a reminder that the Ocean View beaches are still beautiful. Not as good or as crowded as VB or Sandbridge, but still convenient. Only problem is less surf than VB and more jellyfish. Many of the old established neighborhoods are as nice as those in VB and Chesapeake, like Larchmont and Willowwwood Granby near Wards Corner. There are still modest affordable neighborhoods in parts of the city that aren’t bad. The main drawback to Norfolk are the terrible public schools but as you say there are some excellent private schools
I say do one on pros and cons of living hampton
jarrid cockey funny you say that, Hampton is my video for this week!! 😂 Perfect timing. Thanks for the comment!
So what you saying is, Norfolk is like “Mayberry” a country town with dirt roads? The only thing there is “the naval base”?
+Corvus Glaive lol! Well actually when there wasn’t much between Larchmont and Downtown it was over 100 years ago, about 10 years before Norfolk NOB was even built. So that’s all a bit different now!
Sam Sansalone thanks for the fast response!😀. Oh, and your background music is cool! Keep posting these vids. I have a lot of family in Norfolk. Plan to retire in the tidewater area.
Wow, in 2010-2012 I was living in Oceanview right across from the ocean and I remember renting a truck driving to IKEA in Nottingham loading it up with furniture for every INCH of my new 1 bdrm apartment and remember VISUALIZING (lol) an IKEA coming to the Virginia Beach. Even signed a petition for it! I love IKEA. Well, now I live in the Philippines (4 years now) where the IKEA gods have followed me for the FIRST IKEA of South East Asia in 2020! Hahah. I love Ikea. and Yes I hated the stores and always did the 20 minute drive over to Trade Joe's. I hear NOW there is a Whole foods and Wegmans in VB. Thinking of heading back which is how I find you. Love your channel too. I too have a pretty good channel. (Shameless plug)
THE AMBITIOUS MIND NETWORK STUDIO I’m so sorry I didn’t respond sooner! I really appreciate your kind words and also your great story! I’m quite pleased an IKEA finally made it here. 😃
I’m from Norfolk Virginia but now looking into moving to buffalo New York!
Sorry that I didn't respond to your comment already! Do you still live in Norfolk now and plan to move to Buffalo? Is it because you're a Buffalo Bills fan? 😃
Sam Sansalone no I’m not in Norfolk and no I’m a redskins fan and New York has more opportunities than Virginia more stuff to do and much colder just go for it? I don’t know anybody in buffalo but it is good to start from scratch
L Thompson I hear that. I've been to Buffalo while I visited Niagara Falls one year, but was when I was a kid. Wish I could have stopped at Rich Stadium to see where the Bills played, but I guess I'll have to make another special trip for that. Go Skins, too! Am hoping we trade for Josh Rosen, personally.
Sam Sansalone go for it? And I will always love Virginia but buffalo will become my second hometown I’m getting a one way Amtrak or plane ticket want to leave by July 30th or August 10th
Sam Sansalone change of plans once again Virginia is not bad and it is home so I will move back there I never been to buffalo but I been back home to va twice it’ll make sense to move to a place you been to
I emailed you and you did not reply. :(
How does it compare to living in New Jersey?
There are some differences in style and pace based on where in NJ you live. The cost of living based on my experiences from working with many people from NJ is that it's significantly lower, mostly factoring in real estate prices and real estate taxes. Where in NJ do you live currently?
Sam Sansalone I live in Rahway. Right next to linden and Woodbridge
I live in Norfolk and these are all very true. With the school system the schools are great education wise, but the safety needs much improvement. When I was in elementry school alone, there were many fights and I was offered drugs all the time. When it comes to traffic, HORRIBLE you cannot drive somewhere without almost getting hit, and it takes like 10 minutes to drive like 1 mile. You mentioned ghent a lot and that is probably one of my favorite areas. I went to school there, and dispite what I said earlier, that is probably the best elementary and middle school in Norfolk. As far as high school, Norview high is probably the best. There are also many pros about living in norfolk. No matter where you are, you can drive 5 min or less and find a beach. There is so many things to do and places to eat. If you are concidering moving to norfolk, there are a few concerns. Safety is not great, depending on where you are. For example, there have been some bomb threats around where i live. Norview high school used to, and still might, have bomb threats about once a year where swat teams would come. If you want to visit norfolk, go ahead! There are many things to do and it can be really fun. But if you want to live in norfolk, do some research first.
Hi Ella! Very thoughtful feedback, appreciate your details. Great to hear from a Norfolk native! Specifically appreciate your comments about the elementary and middle schools in Ghent. People often associated an entire school district based on how the high school is, forgetting about the elementary and middle - I just had a conversation about this with someone yesterday! So thank you for mentioning it!
To Sam: what cities in Virginia do you like for affordability,and safe? and I haven't heard winter weather mentioned lol your thoughts are appreciated!
Nicholas Zoeller thanks for reaching out! I actually just recently did a video about weather in the area spanning all 4 seasons, will post the link - as far as affordable areas that honestly depends on your price range and what your needs are. Would you be able to send me an email? If so maybe we can get a little more into the details of what you need! Each city honestly has “affordable” areas, but there are pros and cons to all of them, just like any place. My email is samsansalone.realestate@gmail.com send me an email when you’re able, would love to be able to help you 😃
Nicholas Zoeller here’s the link to the video about the weather - czcams.com/video/F7ianmROBdU/video.html
@@samsansalone ah.ok.sent you an email.thanks!
Nicholas Zoeller just got it and replied!
@@samsansalone great!
What are the wealthy neighborhoods? I know this is old but hope you see this
Tiffany hi! Yep, I always do whatever I can to respond to anyone regardless of the video! For this type of question it can be a bit relative - everyone’s definitions of wealthy can be different. So that’s a tough one to answer and do so in a way that is respectful. If you have any other questions that you think might require please feel to email me! My contact info is in the top pinned comment underneath this video!
Ghent, Stockley Gardens
"Nice and creative Videos，I can see A lot of thought has been put into the content and editing of the video， This is really my favorite channel.:) .🌴🌴🌴excellent 👍👌👍👌👍 🌴🌴🌴 🌴🌴🌴 🌴🌴🌴 🌴🌴🌴 " , Norfolk , Virginia , 2021
Great info and you’re engaging but that horrible music ruins it entirely.
Garden Girl thank you so much for the feedback! I wish I had not put the music in this one, especially as loud as it is. By the time I realized the music was a problem it had been posted on CZcams it's hard to delete and start over after so long. Am doing my best to manage the levels and the style to make sure it's a positive part of the video and not a negative!
Appreciate you watching and glad you got value out of the video except for the music! Hope you like my other videos and will take your feedback to heart for the next ones I make!
What he basically said was that downtown and the Ghent area are okay, but the whole red outlined area (75%) is no bueno..
Actually, that wasn't my intention to convey that message. The goal was to show the difference between both sides and to show the reality that the rest of Norfolk isn't too terribly exciting, in my opinion. But I know plenty of people who live there and enjoy it for various reasons, just not my cup of tea.
I lived in Norfolk for a couple years while attending college. I almost exclusively stayed in the downtown and Ghent areas lol
cost of living?
+Cathy Reece in Norfolk? I’ll make a video about that! Interested to know anything specific about costs in Norfolk?
@@samsansalone Hi sure. Cost of apartments, grocery, public transportation. Also I know Norfolk isn't a huge city but do they get A list concerts? Thx
You also forgot about the Norfolk 17.
Oh wow! Great add! I did leave them out! Almost feel like they deserve an entire, separate video.
I grew up in Florida. Whenever the streets flooded we would just get out our pool rafts and act like we were in Venice. Lol! It was probably pretty nasty, now that I think about it. 😬
Harmony Realty that's an awesomely innovative/quite dangerous endeavor! I like it!! 😂😂😂
👍
RIDESHARE 757 thanks for watching!
Downtown Norfolk and Ghent is overpriced. Downtown Norfolk, ghent, and ocean view can get flooded. Park place, Lambert's Point, and Military Hwy seem to be bad parts. Not much in Military Circle Mall. Janaf Shopping Center had more stores than Military Circle Mall.
MacArthur Mall in Downtown Norfolk with parking garages.
Norfolk is mostly filled with military bases.
Norfolk has the outlet malls.
Two more cons. Too many 7-11's and not having any pro sports teams.
No sports teams!! YES!!!!
Having a pro team is the epitome of a con.
living in norfolk do you support the washington football team or the carolina panthers?
and the for the nba wizards or hornets
@@bobcrowley2472 I live in northern Virginia and I support the Washington Football Team
Norfolk VIrginia Flood so, bad that place turns into an Ocean...
In some spots in can get bad!
West side aint all that.. Its limited to people with money and the shops will get tired after a while. Ghent aint shit.. too many car break ins.. The Chelsea village ok but if you dont look like you got money people will peep at you ready to dial 911.
These videos are very insightful...if you are a white person. It's always interesting getting an "alternative" perspective on the city you live in. The author of these videos clearly LOVES Ghent. However, it is not a place that people of color would ever highlight as a very welcoming place.
There are other not so subtle clues in these videos that suggest they are not intended for people who look like me. Mentioning ODU sports as the premier ticket when NSU, right down the street, has an equally as prominent sports legacy and presence.
This isn't a hate comment. These videos are indeed very well put together. I'm just pointing out the obvious...that they are not intended for people of color as they are totally void of our history, culture and local presence.
Ghent is not the only interesting and inviting community in Norfolk, Virginia as these videos suggest. Don't be afraid to get out and explore the many ethnic areas of the city for great dining, entertainment and culture.
We see u but not city
Not sure what you mean?
Nah I think Virginia Tech is the best at football in my opinion
Lots of wonderful people and restaurants in Norfolk, TERRIBLE public transportation system.
+Gary dubour jr agreed with the people and restaurants!!! The public transportation isn’t that great in my opinion, I feel like they’re trying to improve it but I definitely don’t think it’s one of the city’s strengths
The soundtrack is obnoxious! I couldn't even watch the video for a minute. Hint. Unless you're posting a music youtube leave off the soundtrack. You want viewers to watch your video and hear your pitch, correct?
The fact that I lived here all my life ND I come across this video and the way u speak so highly upon us is funny asf Norfolk is not what u think it is 😂😂 but if u want your daughter getting a train ran on her in the school bathrooms go ahead if u want your soon in a gang or getting bitches in school go ahead and if u love on the wrong side off town ND h have nice things be prepared to have your door kicked in
Con: having to stop conversation periodically because government aircraft overhead is so loud that you cannot scream over them for the life of you
Are you referring to Oceana in Virginia Beach?
@@samsansalone No, northern residentials in Norfolk. It was awful when i first moved there, but after a while both me and my cat got used to it. Wish my dad had warned me before asking me to move into the apartments 3 minutes away from him there
@@NatreWitch Oh right right, near I-564?
Not a con...that's the sound of freedom! You'd be hard pressed to find an area in Hampton Roads without helo and jet sound. Va Beach has Oceana Naval Air Station, Chesapeake has Fentress Air Field, Norfolk has the Naval Base, and the Peninsula has Langley AFB. This is a military concentrated area so better to just embrace it.
Say what you want. I grew up in Norfolk and that city put me and my family through hell. I would never raise my family there.
Timothy Harrison I’m really sorry to hear that!
I do appreciate that you did mention the crime problem and the education. It’s a very serious problem that most out of towners don’t know about. So many people I grew up with can’t read and write til this day and I’m 30 years old.
@@timothyharrison2383 how bad is the crime there? I might be stationed in Norfolk VA
czcams.com/video/mIqLuw_jJTw/video.html
I really recommend y’all watch this whole documentary without being biased. Just listen to the stories
It's more poor and bad area than good area in Norfolk.
Flooding? I didn't know that was a problem in Norfolk before so I learned something new about the area. So climate change is occurring in Norfolk too, huh?
Oh really? It is in some spots, depends on where, but areas especially in the northwest/west have some issues.
Grew up in Norfolk. Gangs, drugs, loose women. Tons of shit. Glad I left.
Yea, this guy is a lying tool. Norfolk is pretty much a shithole unless you are wealthy, can afford to send your kids to Norfolk Collegiate, and live in Ghent. Hence his commentary about the eastern side of the city being "residential". It's rampant with crime and the public schools are a joke, some of the worst in the state. Just recently some woman got caught in a crossfire and was accidentally shot in the leg at macArthur center by rival gang members. Unless you can afford to live and work in Ghent/downtown, Norfolk is at best mediocre.
Really dude?????
Why not mention Norfolk State University? Trash video because you lack either the ability to account for everything important in Norfolk or you don't care to mention a University named affiliate the city because it's a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
Lots of crime in Norfolk.