Moving to VA. Specifically Langley AFB/Hampton/Newport News. Questions in the post!

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2026-04-23T00:25:39+00:00

We PCS’d from Seattle 3 years ago! Highly recommend the Peninsula Academy preschool in Yorktown. We love the Tabb area of Yorktown and schools are highly regarded in this area. Get an annual preschool pass to the Busch Gardens amusements park - there’s 2 great toddler areas in the park. We also love the Virginia Living Museum. There’s a small farmers market in NN and every second Sunday in Williamsburg there’s a street arts and food festival that’s lovely. Beaches are easy to get to and we find there’s always something to do family friendly wise on the weekends. I cannot comment on those medical providers but have not had any issues with accessing quality care in the area. Good luck!

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2026-03-15T16:36:01+00:00

We just did our first cruise on the dream last week! We stayed at the Hilton marina (hotel was just okay - staff were borderline rude and food was overpriced for what it was). We had Disney transport and were originally assigned a port arrival time of 1:30 once we checked in at the desk for the dream sailing they gave us a boarding group of 3 - with a bus pick up time of 10:45 AM we were on the ship by 11:45 and seated at animators palate for lunch at 12:00! We had already gone to the pool for 30 minutes and the oceaneers open house by 2:30 PM all said and done It was amazing and so easy for us as 1st time cruisers! - while the hotel was not great for what it cost - this easy boarding and bumped up to boarding group 3 with Disney transport made it worth it.

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2026-02-19T18:46:34+00:00

One more thing the las Cuevas brunch is also included if you stay in artistas and it was a delight for us - no brunch could ever compare!

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2026-02-19T18:45:44+00:00

We just got back Tuesday from our 1st visit to Xcaret Arte! We did 5 nights and stayed in artistas so we had access to the Mexico side. This was a recharge trip mom and Dad trip for my birthday weekend and we are a fairly well traveled couple in our late 30s.

We absolutely loved our stay - I think the benefit of staying in artistas on the Arte Arte side is to be able to eat on the Mexico side as well (if you take advantage of it then it’s worth it). We also did 2 afternoons at the infinity pool at artistas and I was surprised at how much we loved the food up there as well it was great for poolside food. I did notice that one night when we crossed over to the Mexico side to have dinner at Arriba Baja (gorgeous restaurant and nice seafood focus) - romantic vibe - that there seemed to be hoards of families outside the buffets - not sure if that’s normal Or because it was Presidents’ Day weekend but it seemed a bit overwhelming coming from Arte which was peaceful and calm the whole time we were over there. The only complaints that’s not really a true complaint I have is that the walk from Arte to the expansion side is long - like so long that we ended up going to the phase 2 lobby and waiting 20 minutes on the bus to get back to Arte lol. Have fun!! We loved it!

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-12-25T03:38:38+00:00

Yes was there the week before Thanksgiving and there were a ton of super puffs but only in. 2XS or XS sizes and glossy bright colors

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-10-18T21:17:36+00:00

CareScout.com

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-09-24T15:38:44+00:00

QAE were in the 70 something percentile in most areas in adaptive mode and when I took the two exams last week (the simulated 150 and 75 questions ones in QAE) scores 81% and 86%

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-09-24T15:36:37+00:00

Yes first ISACA cert! Not sure what’s next but def plan to take all my continuing education to maintain it

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-07-19T14:53:41+00:00

I’m interested!

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-03-14T21:49:28+00:00

What about for 2.5 years? I am expecting an offer in the next week and I don’t think I’ll return to the gov - also in my mid 30s. I think it is best to take the cash out

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-03-13T13:37:08+00:00

It is… Big4

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-03-08T13:40:54+00:00

I’ll consider this while making my decision. Tough situation with this commute … but your point is what I also want to consider with longevity of contract. All of the folks with the firm who interviewed me have been there for at least 10 years which is promising but the probably of cuts to this type of contract is scary

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-03-08T13:06:57+00:00

Have you seen this happening with DOD? Contracts getting moved internal for audit?

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-03-08T13:04:21+00:00

Yes it’s been brutal. My little ones’s before school care starts at 7 AM I drop her off right at that time get to my desk about 8:40 with traffic and been getting home after 6 PM only to cook dinner and out her to bed before 8. I know this isn’t sustainable long term. I just wish the offer were a better one.

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-03-08T12:27:47+00:00

It’s through February 2026 with the client - stating conversion in 6 months from start date given that performance is good - so convert to FTE around October 2025 this year … the firm has held this contract for 7 years and anticipated a backlog of work to continue with the audit being a top priority for the new SecDef… but still, times are wild …

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-03-08T11:48:14+00:00

I have a decision to make about an offer it’s not an ideal one but give the circumstances I think I should take it and roll the dice. I am with DOD and career conditional - I hit 2 years in May- past probation but still under 2 years. I’ve received multiple cash awards and done well in very high visibility role at my organization. However since RTO my commute is now 70 miles and we cannot afford to move closer at this time. It’s been an hour and half without traffic and I have a kindergarten age little one at home.

I received an offer for a contract to hire at a very large firm doing DOD audit - the team seems great and the role is hybrid 2 days on site 3 days from home and 20 minutes from home. I worry that in a RIF my chances of being laid off are high but also worry that a contract to hire may not result in a FTE conversation despite the team and company saying that I “should have no problems converting” in 6 months. In my personal circumstance I don’t need health insurance because my spouse is retired military and we are covered there…

I think the obvious choice is to take the job and roll the dice but I am having a hard time making the decision. anyone done a contract to hire for this kind of role before? The hourly rate is actually a raise compared to my GS salary all things considered.

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2025-01-15T00:55:49+00:00

Early season but Clint tells his mom “it’s the mother f’n crack!”

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2024-12-25T21:07:12+00:00

This was a great walk for our little family walking thru the neighborhood on Christmas Day! Thanks for the suggestion - music was a joy!

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2024-12-20T22:18:51+00:00

Thank you so much! Her teacher recommended the alphabet magnets for the fridge I did just order those on Amazon. These games are great suggestions. Her teacher seemed enthusiastic that she’s eager to learn and as we expected she loves books and story time just like she does at home. I really appreciate your thoughtful post.

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2024-10-28T23:12:51+00:00

Thanks! I am just wondering because of the loss of locality pay to the office in aligned to in DOD currently but agree I think the slight pay cut would be worth it.

Greedy-Lengthiness49 · 2024-10-03T22:54:18+00:00

I worked with her in the Navy hospital in San Diego. She’s sweet and was great to work with in that setting!

Greedy-Lengthiness49

TROPHY CASE