I've spoken with a couple folks on this matter, so forgive my life-spamming, but everything's set in stone now and I need as much advice as I can gather.

I am taking an engineering position at Newport News Shipbuilding but want to avoid living anywhere around NN or Hampton, basically the southern half of the peninsula, for reasons obvious to anyone who has been there. I'm prepared to commute up to 45-60min each way to work.

I'm looking into the Poquoson, Grafton, Yorktown, north/central-NN and southern Williamsburg areas of the peninsula as well as Carrollton, Smithfield, even Portsmouth of the mainland. Main thing I've heard is that traffic over the bridges to/from the mainland can be atrocious, but again I'm willing to commute time or distance for a nicer living area with better property values. Got a family to consider, y'heard?

I'll probably be staying in an extended-stay hotel for the first couple weeks after taking the job to scout out the region before moving the gf/pets and home to a short-term lease (single-family house, 1-2 yrs). But any and all experience and advice from people that know the area is very much appreciated. This won't be happening until mid-May so I have some time to decide.

1/17/2013 4:48:36 PM

I lived in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. I liked Chesapeake personally because you weren't in the middle of everything.

Since you don't mind the drive. try Suffolk also.

1/17/2013 4:53:16 PM

Did you have much cause to use the bridges to the peninsula? Was traffic a regular nightmare or just occasionally?

Actually, Chesapeake looks to be a nice location...not a bad drive to work for me and the gf would be closer to a better option for her as well

[Edited on January 17, 2013 at 5:41 PM. Reason : good look!]

1/17/2013 5:37:39 PM

My family and I lived in the Hampton Roads area on three separate occasions since 2005.

When I was on stationed on FLORIDA, she was in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth), and we lived in Chesapeake. Meh...

When I was stationed on NORTH CAROLINA, she was in Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard, and we lived in Portsmouth. The commute was not bad at all, as I used the MMMBT.

When I was stationed on ALBANY (for a week) and then Submarine Squadron Six, we lived in Newport News. The boat was originally in NGNN, and the plan was for us to rotate while she was back in NGNN. We moved from the area as of last August. The commute from NN to the Naval Base was atrocious.

I would HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Kiln Creek, in Newport News. The area is great. The commute to the SY is not bad at all. You don't have to worry about any bridge or tunnel. I actually have some friends who work in the SY. One is a Program Cost Control Analyst there. Another buddy of mine works as a systems engineer for NASA, and he lives in Hampton (not a bad area).

So again, I highly recommend Kiln Creek in Newport News.

1/17/2013 9:20:34 PM

awesome man thanks for the info. I may end up PMing you in a few months

1/17/2013 9:33:56 PM

sounds good. I hope all goes well.

1/17/2013 9:37:33 PM

I live in York County near Coventry and it's a great central location. Pretty much all of York County is just a bedroom community though, so there's not really any culture to it. Poquoson is an awesome small town community, but limited businesses in the city because they aren't tax friendly to businesses. If schools are a big concern, York, Poquoson, or Williamsburg/James City County are all good choices.

There are nice areas in both Newport News and Hampton, it's just more spotty. In Newport News, Kiln Creek, Hidenwood, and some of the areas that back up to the river are nice. In Hampton, Fox Hill, Willow Oaks, and parts of Northampton are nice.

When I first moved to the area I lived in Chesapeake and couldn't stand the commute, particularly in the afternoon. There are plenty of decent areas on the Peninsula itself, or if you want to be more rural Carrollton, Smithfield, and Gloucester are worth looking at.

I've lived here for 3 years and am an EMT in Hampton so I know the area fairly well. Feel free to PM me with more questions when you get closer to moving.

1/18/2013 10:06:00 AM

What will you be doing at NNSB? I visit them frequently for work.

1/19/2013 1:14:05 AM

^^ great info, I will certainly contact you in a few months when I'm casing the area!

^ Dept. E84, systems test engineer. I'll be in the field, either carrier or sub, overseeing the installation and testing of nuclear componentry. What do you do?

1/19/2013 4:38:28 AM

I work for Faro Technologies. Portable CMMs and Laser Scanners for quality control, machine alignment, CAD to part inspection and reverse engineering.

1/19/2013 3:06:07 PM

make sure to go to Geniusboy's pizza place and report back

1/19/2013 4:57:47 PM

My brother lives in Williamsburg. It's pretty chill compared to a lot of the area.

1/20/2013 9:32:55 AM

The Bier Garden for the win....tonight was awesome.

1/21/2013 9:59:35 PM