Norfolk,VA..Virginia Beach, VA
Jul 7th 2009, 6:18 pm
#31
gurt mint nit?
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: In my shed
Posts: 2,776
Re: Norfolk,VA..Virginia Beach, VA
Yeah, but the people's attitudes are different.
Of both colours.
The flavour here is a watered-down "redneck yee-ha & don't trust whitey" racism which is too typical of America's Southern states.
They are only one or two (at most) generations away from segregation after all.
Of both colours.
The flavour here is a watered-down "redneck yee-ha & don't trust whitey" racism which is too typical of America's Southern states.
They are only one or two (at most) generations away from segregation after all.
Jul 7th 2009, 6:35 pm
#32
Fancies a Brit
Joined: May 2009
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 16
Re: Norfolk,VA..Virginia Beach, VA
The Norfolk/VA Beach area is quite nice. Actually VA Beach proper is kind of touristy and I wouldn't necessarily want to send my kids to school in the city of Norfolk, but the Chesapeake area is super nice. I am an American and was born and raised in Richmond, VA (about an hour and 15 minutes north west of VA Beach).
You don't really have to worry so much about the whole religious zealot thing. The US (and the south especially) tend to be quite religious, but if you don't go out into the streets and shout that you're not, no one will bother you at all. If you manage to get into a religious discussion folks might want to debate with you, but that's about it.
In terms of patriotism, my boyfriend is British (came here in 2002) and his mother tells me quite frequently that it is refreshing to her to be in a place where the citizens are proud of their nation and its' ideals. She tells me that England is not like that and you are somewhat brought up to be fairly pessimistic about the nation. I have never been there myself, but you might enjoy the change of pace. We are very friendly for the most part and love to meet new people and ask them lots of questions. So prepare for that. If you ever need anything do not hesitate to ask an American. The majority of us are glad to help.
In general, the Hampton Roads/Chesapeake area is pretty average in terms of an American town/county. You could certainly pick a worse place to live!
You don't really have to worry so much about the whole religious zealot thing. The US (and the south especially) tend to be quite religious, but if you don't go out into the streets and shout that you're not, no one will bother you at all. If you manage to get into a religious discussion folks might want to debate with you, but that's about it.
In terms of patriotism, my boyfriend is British (came here in 2002) and his mother tells me quite frequently that it is refreshing to her to be in a place where the citizens are proud of their nation and its' ideals. She tells me that England is not like that and you are somewhat brought up to be fairly pessimistic about the nation. I have never been there myself, but you might enjoy the change of pace. We are very friendly for the most part and love to meet new people and ask them lots of questions. So prepare for that. If you ever need anything do not hesitate to ask an American. The majority of us are glad to help.
In general, the Hampton Roads/Chesapeake area is pretty average in terms of an American town/county. You could certainly pick a worse place to live!
Jul 7th 2009, 9:17 pm
#33
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Re: Norfolk,VA..Virginia Beach, VA
The Norfolk/VA Beach area is quite nice. Actually VA Beach proper is kind of touristy and I wouldn't necessarily want to send my kids to school in the city of Norfolk, but the Chesapeake area is super nice. I am an American and was born and raised in Richmond, VA (about an hour and 15 minutes north west of VA Beach).
You don't really have to worry so much about the whole religious zealot thing. The US (and the south especially) tend to be quite religious, but if you don't go out into the streets and shout that you're not, no one will bother you at all. If you manage to get into a religious discussion folks might want to debate with you, but that's about it.
In terms of patriotism, my boyfriend is British (came here in 2002) and his mother tells me quite frequently that it is refreshing to her to be in a place where the citizens are proud of their nation and its' ideals. She tells me that England is not like that and you are somewhat brought up to be fairly pessimistic about the nation. I have never been there myself, but you might enjoy the change of pace. We are very friendly for the most part and love to meet new people and ask them lots of questions. So prepare for that. If you ever need anything do not hesitate to ask an American. The majority of us are glad to help.
In general, the Hampton Roads/Chesapeake area is pretty average in terms of an American town/county. You could certainly pick a worse place to live!
You don't really have to worry so much about the whole religious zealot thing. The US (and the south especially) tend to be quite religious, but if you don't go out into the streets and shout that you're not, no one will bother you at all. If you manage to get into a religious discussion folks might want to debate with you, but that's about it.
In terms of patriotism, my boyfriend is British (came here in 2002) and his mother tells me quite frequently that it is refreshing to her to be in a place where the citizens are proud of their nation and its' ideals. She tells me that England is not like that and you are somewhat brought up to be fairly pessimistic about the nation. I have never been there myself, but you might enjoy the change of pace. We are very friendly for the most part and love to meet new people and ask them lots of questions. So prepare for that. If you ever need anything do not hesitate to ask an American. The majority of us are glad to help.
In general, the Hampton Roads/Chesapeake area is pretty average in terms of an American town/county. You could certainly pick a worse place to live!
I'm starting to defend the bloody place!
Time to drink.
Jul 7th 2009, 10:53 pm
#34
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Location: Middlesex
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Re: Norfolk,VA..Virginia Beach, VA
I've been in the US since 1981. I married a chap in the US Navy when I was 18 and came over here. Two children later got a divorce and could not leave with the children. Remarried and another child, it's not where I would like to live but I am resigned to it. So it is hard for me to say "it's wonderful here, come on over" because in my heart I don't want to be here. That said, you may well love it here, there are much worse places. I don't even like the heat! 
I was living in Harrow before I came here, first to Charleston SC, (too much religion down there), Cleveland, Ohio, (liked the greater Cleveland area and even liked the snow), Virginia Beach, Pascagoula Mississippi, (hated it) and back to Virginia Beach.
I was living in Harrow before I came here, first to Charleston SC, (too much religion down there), Cleveland, Ohio, (liked the greater Cleveland area and even liked the snow), Virginia Beach, Pascagoula Mississippi, (hated it) and back to Virginia Beach.
Would you rather come back and live in Harrow again?
Harrow is going downhill fast.
Jul 8th 2009, 12:29 am
#35
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Re: Norfolk,VA..Virginia Beach, VA
It seemed different last time I was there. I think if I went back I would want to live in the Windsor area which is where my mother's family is from. That would require winning the lottery though, if i do 36 Douglas Lane, Wraysbury here I come, at any price.
Jul 9th 2009, 1:06 pm
#36
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Re: Norfolk,VA..Virginia Beach, VA
I wonder if we helped the OP or confused her.
Jul 9th 2009, 9:07 pm
#37
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Re: Norfolk,VA..Virginia Beach, VA
For which visa would your US employer be applying?
Jul 10th 2009, 8:37 am
#39
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Re: Norfolk,VA..Virginia Beach, VA
That's the other thing which bugs me.
We would only be there because of hubby's job with Nato and since this would be a move "forever", because the kids would then grow up and go to Uni there..I would not be able to work and if something would happen to hubby I would have to leave the country.
Worse case scenario....we are in the US for the last 10 years..kids are finished education and settled down in the US...something happen to hubby..I would have to leave the country because I have no right to stay there..
I'm not even sure that the kids allowed to stay once they are finished education..
I'm more and more leaning towards Somerset
even thought it might would be an adventure living in the US..the lifestyle is properly better. I'm getting 50 next year and find it more and more difficult to move around different country's.
We would only be there because of hubby's job with Nato and since this would be a move "forever", because the kids would then grow up and go to Uni there..I would not be able to work and if something would happen to hubby I would have to leave the country.
Worse case scenario....we are in the US for the last 10 years..kids are finished education and settled down in the US...something happen to hubby..I would have to leave the country because I have no right to stay there..
I'm not even sure that the kids allowed to stay once they are finished education..
I'm more and more leaning towards Somerset
even thought it might would be an adventure living in the US..the lifestyle is properly better. I'm getting 50 next year and find it more and more difficult to move around different country's.
Jul 10th 2009, 8:38 am
#40
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Jul 10th 2009, 1:01 pm
#41
gurt mint nit?
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: In my shed
Posts: 2,776
Re: Norfolk,VA..Virginia Beach, VA
That's the other thing which bugs me.
We would only be there because of hubby's job with Nato and since this would be a move "forever", because the kids would then grow up and go to Uni there..I would not be able to work and if something would happen to hubby I would have to leave the country.
Worse case scenario....we are in the US for the last 10 years..kids are finished education and settled down in the US...something happen to hubby..I would have to leave the country because I have no right to stay there..
I'm not even sure that the kids allowed to stay once they are finished education..
I'm more and more leaning towards Somerset even thought it might would be an adventure living in the US..the lifestyle is properly better. I'm getting 50 next year and find it more and more difficult to move around different country's.
We would only be there because of hubby's job with Nato and since this would be a move "forever", because the kids would then grow up and go to Uni there..I would not be able to work and if something would happen to hubby I would have to leave the country.
Worse case scenario....we are in the US for the last 10 years..kids are finished education and settled down in the US...something happen to hubby..I would have to leave the country because I have no right to stay there..
I'm not even sure that the kids allowed to stay once they are finished education..
I'm more and more leaning towards Somerset
even thought it might would be an adventure living in the US..the lifestyle is properly better. I'm getting 50 next year and find it more and more difficult to move around different country's.Better off in Somerset for just living.
Wells, Glastonbury, Cheddar and an endless myriad of small villages and towns; much more choices and far more enjoyable way of life than the US.
Jul 10th 2009, 1:36 pm
#42
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Re: Norfolk,VA..Virginia Beach, VA
but looking at the other places the OP has lived I would say she would be happier anywhere in Europe than the US. If it was just for a 2 or 3 year tour of duty I'd say go for it.
Jul 11th 2009, 3:34 pm
#43
gurt mint nit?
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: In my shed
Posts: 2,776
Re: Norfolk,VA..Virginia Beach, VA
Substitute for adventurous:
morbid
aberrant
unstable
pathological
sado-masochistic
despondent
Slough
or any appropriate adjective.