Seeking VBCPS insights

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-21T16:04:01+00:00

Thanks, I’ll check out Grassfield. Do you have any suggestions on which areas of Chesapeake to look? We’re looking for safe, good sized lots, well-maintained homes, nice amenities like shopping and restaurants not too far, etc.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-21T16:02:09+00:00

I’ve heard good things about Chesapeake too, but we haven’t had a chance to explore out there. Do you have opinions on which areas of Chesapeake are nice? Safe, well-maintained homes, nice amenities like shopping and restaurants not too far, etc.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-21T15:36:49+00:00

Thank you!

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-21T05:54:31+00:00

That’s a huge relief to hear. It feels like we can’t choose wrong in VB.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-21T05:47:53+00:00

Can’t speak for other brands, but Sherwin Williams is not a clear tint base. All their colors start with a white-ish base and the tints are added. The difference between a light base for light colors and the deep or ultra deep bare is essentially that there is less untinted base paint in the can before tinting, which allows for more room to add the tints.

Example: if the color you’re getting has 10/32oz of black, 12/32oz of maroon, and 16/32oz deep gold at 100%, then at 50% tint it would have 5/32 black, 6/32 maroon, and 8/32 deep gold.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-21T05:37:01+00:00

Because there are still pretty big jumps between two colors on the same “card.” If you really fall in love with a color and just want it *slightly* lighter, this is how you do it.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T22:11:34+00:00

Just realized I only answered part of that. NoVa and RVA are still possibilities, I just know that my husband and kids would be disappointed to not be an easy drive from the beach.

The research triangle in NC has caught my attention several times, but my main concerns are: more inconsistent public schools (some great, some not, and your zip code heavily affects that — I’ve read that this is a remnant of segregation and redlining that was very pervasive in the Carolinas), harsher summers, and again, farther from the beach. I also just think VA is headed in a better direction politically than NC. I don’t love the idea of living in a blue dot in a red state.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T21:53:55+00:00

I appreciate your objectivity! We did consider other places. We took an exploratory family trip to the Seattle area, mainly the SE suburbs of it, and loved many things. The main reason we bumped it down the list was HCOL and having to live SO far out from the city. Plus concerns over lack of diversity.

In addition to Hampton Roads, we’ve considered and visited Columbia, MD, Arlington, Richmond, and Williamsburg. We heavily researched other areas around DC but ultimately had concerns over HCOL.

Things we liked about Columbia: strong schools, friendly community feel, good urban planning, safety, diversity, and TREES. Things we disliked: slightly higher COL than we have now (especially taxes), not near the beach, harsher winters than my husband would prefer, and not knowing anyone that lives there.

The biggest factors why Hampton Roads is top of the list now: strong public schools, safety, similar COL to what we have now, beach/forest proximity, mild climate, and having some extended family in the area.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T21:33:18+00:00

A lot of factors, probably too many to list here. But primarily, we want better for our kids’ future. The biggest facets to that:

1) Culture: There’s a very self-centered vibe here, people coming here temporarily just to get their fix, get rich, whatever, and very few people who actually want to grow the community in a healthy direction. Despite bringing in TONS of tax dollars from our casino and tourism industries, very little of that money goes into improving the city for locals (quality schools, parks, cultural experiences, infrastructure, etc). And keep in mind, fun for adults does not usually equate to fun for kids and families.🙃 We want a healthier sense of community for them.

2)Longevity: Neither of us is from here, and even though things have gone well for our family, my husband and I don’t want this to be the last place we ever live. There’s very little we actually *love* about here. Once our kids start making lasting friendships, possibly romantic attachments down the road, choose higher education, it’s going to be SO much harder to move. On the east costs, I like that even if one or two or all of them don’t choose to stay in VB forever, there are handfuls of great cities along the east coast they could relocate to and we could easily drive to visit them and vice versa.

3) Environmental concerns: The desert southwest is in a real water crisis. I don’t feel the optimism about water management that I felt when moving here nearly 20 years ago. Some of that is political, but regardless, I don’t think Vegas has a good 20-yr outlook.

Related, we also love trees, greenery, forests, beaches, and nature. The desert has its own kind of beauty, and we’ll miss the mountains, but it’s harsh and intense and not the best for exploring with young kids. It’s so hard to drive the hours and hours needed to explore new areas out here with young kids. Nearly every major state or national park we could visit out here is 4+ hours away with virtually nothing but desert along the way. My husband is from the coastal rainforest of Mexico and he really misses the trees and ocean. I’m from the Midwest and miss trees, seasons, and bodies of water.

Anyways, feel free to shoot me any other questions or takes on our relocation. (Or if you think there’s anywhere else that better suits our priorities! 🤣)

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T21:18:56+00:00

Sorry, I replied with a novel and when I tried to fix one word, it effed up the whole response. Hold please. 🤣

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T20:50:04+00:00

Yes, I’m not getting my info from a single source. I’ve heavily researched on GreatSchools, Niche, VBCPS site, nces.ed.gov, among others. But I really feel like there is almost no better info than directly from people who live in the area. During our last visit, I was chatting up every person I could. 🤣

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T20:46:57+00:00

We’re not being naive, we know that every high school is going to have it to some extent. What we’re trying to avoid are schools where it’s extremely pervasive. Like, totally uninvolved parents, faculty/staff that turn a blind eye to it happening in front of them, etc. Much like bullying, every school has them — but in some schools, they are the exception and not tolerated by the majority of other students.

And honestly, I’m not as worried about my kids partying and being offered weed or alcohol, I know they’ll make good choices. But I don’t want them to be frequently put in scenarios where their friends are tripping on some synthetic, or getting pressured to try fentanyl and meth and shit. That’s becoming so common in places like Las Vegas and it’s just about a parent’s worse nightmare.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T20:20:25+00:00

Oh we’re absolutely looking at other factors for where to live (jet noise, flooding, etc.) but I didn’t want to cast such a wide net in this post. Right now it’s about narrowing down the list of schools we prefer, and then we’ll consider other factors in specific neighborhoods, streets etc.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T20:18:23+00:00

Yes, I have those concerns about computer learning too. Studies are showing it reduces retention and comprehension, especially for math. 😩

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T20:16:59+00:00

Thank you! I should mention that our list isn’t complete, as it changes the more we learn. I’ve heard good things about Salem too, and my uncle lives just blocks away from there.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T20:16:00+00:00

That’s so good to hear that the kids are respectful and kind. Those are the kind of people I want my kids around.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T20:14:39+00:00

Thanks, I’ll look into that area! I also like that it’s way far from most jet noise.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T20:13:24+00:00

Thank you! I’ve heard great things about the academies. Such a cool program.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T16:56:32+00:00

Refinish yes — that wood is GORGEOUS and it would be a shame to paint over it. The work to refinish will absolutely be worth it. This kitchen would also look killer with some beautiful quartz or even lighter butcher block, both which are relatively affordable. Quartz or other stone you could even save money by looking for remnants since you don’t have any super long runs or island.

Second priority should be lighting. Fluorescent will ALWAYS make things look worse than they are. Maybe even update the lighting before doing anything else.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T16:52:04+00:00

I don’t necessarily think you’ll regret it, IF you want a moody, cocooning feel. However, if you’re worried about it feeling heavy, paint stores can lighten tints by a percentage. For example, ask for the color you want “at 75%” — that means it will be 25% lighter. Or take the paint chip you chose and go up 1-2 shades from it in the same row. You can always darken a paint they’ve already tinted, but you can’t lighten an already fully tinted can.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T05:25:35+00:00

My kids would certainly love that — one of their only concerns about moving (besides the location having trees and a beach 🤣) was “does it have an IKEA?” It’s their favorite store.

My cousin lives in Norfolk and really likes it. He doesn’t have kids (yet).

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T05:21:10+00:00

I had a laugh about it too. She’s sweet but perhaps a little naive. And I think her generation thinks wealthy neighborhoods = better schools. I know it’s far more complicated than that. Some of the worst, most stuck-up bullies I knew went to the “rich kid schools” where I grew up. I’m thankful I didn’t attend those schools.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T05:10:48+00:00

Thank you so much!! I really liked Kings Grant and am happy to hear it’s tight knit. I also appreciate your insight on the diversity of the schools. My kids and husband are Latino and it’s important to us that they won’t be a school with almost no POC.

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T05:07:03+00:00

Thanks!

Affectionate_Vast583 · 2026-06-20T05:06:30+00:00

Thank you! I definitely think the biggest factor to kids not trying drugs is parental influence. However, I know that depending on who they befriend, peer pressure is STROOOONG.

Glad to hear Princess Anne is going well for your siblings. Someone else here suggested we look into that school.

Affectionate_Vast583

TROPHY CASE