8 Pros And Cons Of Living In Norfolk, VA

Home to greater than 245,000 residents, this waterfront city is thought for being a cultural hub and for its diverse population.

The town is pivotal to people countrywide for its naval bases, beautiful sights, and thriving city arts. 

But is Norfolk place to live? 

While town’s lifestyle attracts people of all ages and ethnicities from all all over the world, town still has some shortcomings, making it necessary to have all of the facts before selecting to relocate. To assist you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled the professionals and cons of living in Norfolk, Virginia. 

So, with none further ado, let’s get going!

MORE: 7 Pros And Cons Of Living In Richmond

Pros of Living in Norfolk

Affordability

Norfolk, VA, is catching people’s attention countrywide for being a premier destination with low living costs. In response to Best Places, the fee of living in Norfolk is 91.8. The numbers are significantly lower in comparison with the national average of 100 and the state average of 104.2. 

Moving to Norfolk permits you to enjoy a superb quality of life without worrying an excessive amount of about expenses. Housing options listed here are also considerably cheaper, making it easy so that you can purchase your individual house. Renting options in Norfolk are also relatively cheaper than renting options in other cities in Virginia. 

Besides the lower housing cost, food and transportation options listed here are much lower than in the opposite cities. Hence, moving to Norfolk might be great for sustaining financial stability and having fun with a top-tier lifestyle at reasonably priced costs. 

Things to do

Norfolk is a full of life town with family-friendly activities to entertain the whole thing! 

Whether you should party out and revel in the nightlife or gain some knowledge about American roots, Norfolk has all of it. The town has many museums, distinctive art galleries, and upbeat nightclubs. With so many places to go to, it’s unattainable to experience a dull moment in Norfolk. 

Aside from town attractions, town has abundant waterfront sites, including many beaches. The easy accessibility to beaches permits you to partake in numerous recreational activities and revel in the serene views of the calm water flowing. 

As if town attractions and recreational sights weren’t enough, Norfolk can be famous for its thriving bird-watching scene! Living in Norfolk puts the unique elements of nature at an arm’s distance, allowing you to understand the true great thing about nature. 

In response to Virginia Travel Trips, a few of the most effective activities to do in Norfolk include: 

• Spirit of Norfolk Dinner Cruise
• Perusing the Norfolk Botanical Garden
• Visiting the Ocean View Beach

Job Opportunities

With the job market increasing by 1.3% over the previous few years, the economic conditions in Norfolk are improving significantly! In response to the Sperlings Best Places, the Norfolk Job Market is anticipated to grow by 31.2% in the subsequent ten years! 

The explanation behind the constant job market growth in Norfolk is the keen interest of many renowned firms. The placement and the expert people of Norfolk create a possible for these firms to profit, convincing them to establish shop in town. 

In response to SimplyHired, there are an estimated 24K job opportunities present in Norfolk throughout the high-paying job sectors, including: 

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Business and Management
• Healthcare
• Insurance 
• Maritime and Logistics 

Education

Because the Norfolk residents pride themselves on its well-developed educational system, moving here might be an amazing idea for pursuing education or for families with school-going kids. 

Many educational institutes are built around town, qualifying as a few of the most effective within the country. Education from these institutes is a sure way of fast-tracking your profession growth and learning precious skills that can can help you excel professionally. 

In response to Area of interest, the most effective educational Institutes in Norfolk include: 

• William & Mary 
• Regent University 
• Old Dominion University

Food Scene

Norfolk carries a longstanding status for having a few of the most effective restaurants and chefs with pride. The locals and tourists alike are in awe of the amazing restaurants offering a few of the most effective food delicacies within the country. 

Whether you fancy casual or nice dining, town has many options to satisfy your cravings. From food trucks, gold starts coffee shops, and quality restaurants, Norfolk is a foodie’s heaven on earth. With a few of the most effective restaurants built around twenty first Street, get able to benefit from the food delicacies worldwide! 

In response to Downtown Norfolk Council, the most effective restaurants to try in Norfolk include: 

• Famous Uncle Al’s 
• Freemason Abbey
• Gourmet Gang 

Cons of Living in Norfolk

Traffic Congestion

Although the long list of city attractions makes life on this city fun and upbeat, it brings along severe traffic congestion. Getting across the town is difficult for residents, especially through the peak hours. 

Attributable to many individuals visiting town’s cultural attractions and recreational areas, town’s traffic conditions often remain busy, making navigation from one place to a different a nightmare. If you could have to be somewhere on time, it’s best to go away at the least an hour early! 

Rough Weather Conditions

Norfolk is not any stranger to extreme weather conditions. Being a port city, Norfolk often experiences severe weather calamities, including hurricanes, flooding, and severe storms. 

In the event you are moving from somewhere with calmer weather conditions, you can see it very hard to get accustomed to those weather conditions. Moreover, living in Norfolk would require you to take obligatory precautions to stop yourself from financial or physical loss. 

Expect to spend sum of cash fortifying your own home against town’s extreme weather conditions. 

Crime Rate

The high crime rates in Norfolk mark the town as considered one of the worst cities within the US from the protection aspect. With crime rates higher than 57% of the national average, moving to Norfolk raises a serious safety concern. 

In the event you determine to maneuver to Norfolk, you need to all the time remain vigilant and avoid exploring town within the late hours of the night. Moreover, it’s best to avoid exploring town’s high-crime areas. 

Nevertheless, there remains to be a solution to relocate to Norfolk without having concerns on your safety. While town’s crime rate is high, many suburbs in town consist of protected housing options. 

In response to the NeighborhoodScout, the safest neighborhoods in Norfolk, VA, include: 

• Bel-Aire 
• Edgewater
• Lakewood
• Sewells Point 

Final Words

Whether or not it’s the historic Ghent district or the bustling Downtown area, the various city of Norfolk has something to supply everyone. Moving here permits you to explore the colourful arts and culture scene, the prestige, and the proximity to the beach areas. 

Alternatively, town has its shortcomings, including safety concerns, dangerous weather, and annoying traffic.