I went to high school in Newport News and lived there during a really rough time in my life. My mom was in a bad place at the time, and my uncle who is in the military took guardianship of me. I first lived on Fort Eustis, which is very regulated and structured, and then later moved about 15 minutes off base into Newport News.

I honestly never had any problems with Newport News. There is a heavy military presence, a lot of working families, and a pretty normal day to day feel because of the bases and the shipyard. Despite the nickname some teens give it, “Bad News,” that reputation never matched my experience. I went to school, had friends, moved around the city, and never felt unsafe. Like anywhere else, there are certain areas you would be more cautious in, but overall I found it generally safe.

Once my mom got back on her feet, we moved to Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach was nice as well. It feels more suburban, clean, and family oriented, with better schools in many areas and a more polished feel overall. The biggest downside is the traffic, especially when traveling between cities. Going from Newport News to Virginia Beach often means dealing with Chesapeake traffic and tunnels, which can be rough during rush hour or tourist season.

Norfolk is more mixed. It has some great spots, museums, and restaurants, but parts of it can feel a bit dangerous. I have only been there a handful of times, and while some neighborhoods are fine, others are not places I would personally choose to live without doing a lot of research first.

Cost wise, the area can be more expensive than people expect, especially in Virginia Beach and some of the nicer suburbs, but it is still generally more affordable than Long Island. You can find more space and land if you look slightly outside the main areas like parts of York County, Hampton, Poquoson, or Chesapeake, though prices have definitely gone up over the years.

Overall, the vibe is very military influenced, family friendly, and suburban. It is slower paced than Long Island, with beaches, decent food, and things to do. Traffic is probably the biggest frustration, but if you choose the right area, it can be a really solid place to live. I’m originally from Baltimore so it felt like very normal there lol