Moving to Norfolk/ VA Beach...Help!

[DevynJ]

Hi :) I am graduating with my Bachelors in December, and hopefully (fingers crossed) will be moving to the Norfolk/VA Beach area for graduate school AND be with my boyfriend of 3.5 years :) We have been looking at apartments none stop, and even houses to rent. I have only visited him once since he has lived there, I liked parts of the area, but I have noticed like most people say there isn't much to choose from. If anyone has any suggestions for off base housing, like 2bed/2bath that allows pets, that would be amazing! Plus, I would like to meet some ladies so I won't be in the lonely boat by myself when he's off deploying! 

[Cnm4ever9]

Not sure if you have a Facebook but contact Amanda Durham - Martin
On Facebook she would be glad to help you in your needs for housing ;)

[DevynJ]

Thanks! 

[Lady24204]

Well I don't live in the Norfolk/VA area so I can't really help with that lol but I thought I would respond because your story is so similar to mine! I am graduating next May with my Bachelors and I am about to apply to grad school. Its tough though because, honestly I want to go where my boyfriend of 3.5 years will be stationed haha. Did you already know where your boyfriend was stationed when you were applying to grad school? Right now my boyfriend is in basic so I have no idea where he will be.

p.s. sorry I'm not any help with your questions/concerns! 

[DevynJ]

Yes, he's been out of boot camp since May 2011, so he's moved around for A-school/training twice now, but since he's actually doing his job now, he's pretty much stationary in Virginia. It's been tough, but grad school is only 2 years and once your boyfriend is done with basic he will be moving around a good bit until he's done with training, most likely. My guy was in FL for 7 months and Cali for 9 months before he got to VA. We decided to wait and do the long distance thing because he was going to be so busy with training and I had to finish school, or my family would have killed me lol...But, you just have to do what is right for you. If online grad school is an option for you and you absolutely cannot be away from him, go for it. But also keep in mind that until you guys are married, the military isn't going to help you any for living costs, like they would if yall were married. Thats also another reason I couldn't follow my boyfriend around every half year, I couldn't afford it :( 

[Lady24204]

That's a good point. I mean I definitely believe in making decisions based on what's best for you. I would only go to a grad school to be near him if I knew it was somewhere he was going to be stationed for an extended period of time. Unfortunately it looks like I am just going to have to apply to a few places and decide later where to go. I need to figure out my career and get myself settled before I get married lol. In the end it might end up being a long distance relationship, at least for awhile :( In that case, it'll be a lonng three years for me!

[meagan5220]

I would say join a facebook group called Spouses of Norfolk Naval Station to ask for apartment recommendations. Also have your sailor look on AHRN.com for house rentals, at this time of year there are tonsss of places to look for as far as housing goes, its just mostly things seem way too pricey for what you get. Which is true, most every landlord around here bases rent off BAH, and all of it which sucks! I personally live up in Hampton, VA which is through the tunnel so I don't get down to that side of the water much but I know there are many ladies on that fb group with suggestions. Since its "PCS season" especially for this area I would imagine a lot of places will start to pop up!

[Jeana]

On the same boat lol :) I'm moving to VA Beach with my fiance in May next year! I graduate in August with my associates, but in order to graduate we have to intern, so I thought why not move in earlier? So I'm hopefully going to find a place to intern in VA! I know it seems so far away but I've been looking at apartments too!

[rikki_100113]

WOW this sounds so familiar. My fiance is going to be stationed in Norfolk he graduates from A school in like 2 weeks and we are getting married when he comes home on leave but we plan on living off base in an apartment or house but I am having so much trouble just finding somewhere to move and looking from where I am at and not going there kinda sucks but if you have any advice on where to go or what apartments to look at shoot me a message.

[rlblank0]

Hello,
my husband is stationed at little creek base and we live in Virginia beach. We chose to stick with military housing since we are married and it is our first move away from home. I know personally, I like where we are located and I prefer this area much more than living in Norfolk. The little creek base is much smaller than Norfolk naval and its not in the city...we are within walking distance of "chicks beach" which is a lot nicer and not as crowded as the Virginia beach ocean front. It not all that far from Norfolk naval base either. I know there are several houses that rent monthly, or seasonally here...you may be able to search apartments for rent on shore drive / chicks beach...happy searching and best of luck!
-reyna