Anonymous wrote:Norfolk and live in Ghent or Larchmont neighborhoods…or Va Beach.

Ghent and Larchmont are notorious for flooding. I lived in Colonial Place for three years while DH was stationed down there. Don’t live in Norfolk, live VA Beach if you choose that area. Personally, I’d choose Baltimore and live in Howard county and commute.

Look at Ellicott City and commute.

OP, you say you are from the Midwest. What’s your feeling on Chicago? Is that your idea of a big city and do you like it? If you really like the gritty parts of Chicago, choose Baltimore. If it’s no, choose Norfolk. I’m from NYC and I really like Baltimore - it feels like a city to me- but if you really aren’t used to that it’s an acquired taste. You would have to pay attention to where you lived. Virginia would seem more “normal” to someone from the Midwest.

For a family who enjoys a great city with lots of charm, history, fun things to do- but also needs good schools, Towson is where you need to be. While not directly in the city, it is about 20 min away. Towson is a nice college town with walkability and good public schools.

Anonymous wrote:OP, check voting patterns. Baltimore & Norfolk are opposite from each other. Live where you'll fit in.

What are you talking about? 2020 presidential election results: Biden got 87% in Baltimore, 71% in Norfolk.

If you plan to travel back to the Midwest frequently, Baltimore has much better flight options. The Norfolk airport is tiny.
If you do choose Norfolk, don't choose a suburb that requires commuting through the tunnels every day. They can get extremely congested.
I grew up in a Norfolk suburb and it was fine. Boring, but fine. Definitely a lot of urban sprawl and military presence.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd probably do Norfolk. I've done Baltimore, but only visited Norfolk. While Baltimore might be cool for Northeast city folk, I wouldn't recommend for someone from a flyover state. It's got a lot of violent crime, sky high murder rate. It's simply dangerous for people who aren't street savvy. I have heard Norfolk is no peach either, but I think it's better.

lol I know people from big cities who find Baltimore overwhelming. Baltimore can be a lot

Meh, I moved there at 18 for College from a NJ suburb and I found it quiet and pretty boring for the half decade I was there. Yes, the crime was always present but it was not overwhelming, just annoying. The city itself is very low energy.

Anonymous wrote:I'd probably do Norfolk. I've done Baltimore, but only visited Norfolk. While Baltimore might be cool for Northeast city folk, I wouldn't recommend for someone from a flyover state. It's got a lot of violent crime, sky high murder rate. It's simply dangerous for people who aren't street savvy. I have heard Norfolk is no peach either, but I think it's better.

lol I know people from big cities who find Baltimore overwhelming. Baltimore can be a lot

Anonymous wrote:You should move to Columbia or Ellicott City in Howard County and have him do the short commute into Baltimore.

+1

From the Midwest as well and lived in Columbia for 10+ years and loved it.

Baltimore for sure. If you stay in the nice parts it can be very nice. Norfolk is just a soulless dump.

OP, check voting patterns. Baltimore & Norfolk are opposite from each other. Live where you'll fit in.

Norfolk is great!

Anonymous wrote:OP, one thing about Virginia Beach: Military planes fly overhead regularly and they are incredibly loud. Enough that you have to plug your ears when they go by. Just something to consider.

This is true, but they have specific flight paths they follow. Any realtor can tell you if a home sits in the flight path. Otherwise, you will hear the jets rarely. Also, you get used to it. I grew up in Va Beach and loved it.

Anonymous wrote:OP, one thing about Virginia Beach: Military planes fly overhead regularly and they are incredibly loud. Enough that you have to plug your ears when they go by. Just something to consider.

I lived in a building in Baltimore where I couldn't control the heat, so kept my window open at night (top floor). I woke up at 1 or 2am every night. It wasn't until I was up late one night finishing work that I heard the gunshots that woke me up every night...I'll take planes any day.

Hahaha OMG how is this even a question? Have you never been to Baltimore. I lived there. No thank you again - the storiesI could tell you about 10 year old gangsters, homeless people in door entrances, gunshots in the middle of the night and I lived in the good part of town. Norfolk without question.