Norfolk became my city of choice when I moved here from NY 2003. I have no regrets…Let’s Turn a C+ Into an A.
INCLUDING: THE Good-Bad And Ugly, Just Like NY.
GMW of Norfolk: Here; I’m only speaking for myself; “I try to never point-fingers or complain about a situation, unless I’m willing to help do something about it.â€
Based on the Education C+ rating by Niche.Com and the Norfolk City C+ rating by CrimeGrade.org; and some quotes by writer: Eric Mees. The question becomes, Is Norfolk a safe place to live.
First, keep in mind that Virginia is one of the safest places in the country, ranked No. 7 in the Crime Index by USA.com. As with any major metropolitan area, there are areas of Norfolk considered more dangerous than others. Taking these areas into account, Norfolk itself is considered one of the more dangerous areas in Virginia.
CrimeGrade.org scores Norfolk a C+, ranking it in the 50th percentile for safety, meaning half the cities are more dangerous and the other half are less dangerous.
What are the bad parts of Norfolk?
There are several neighborhoods, primarily in the south part of Norfolk, that represent the greatest amount of crime. According to Roadsnacks.net, these include Roberts Village, Campostella, Grandy Village, Beacon Light and Coronado-Inglenook, all of which have some of the area’s highest unemployment, lowest median income, lowest population density and lowest home values.
What are the Pros and Cons of Living in Norfolk?
Pros
When considering “Is Norfolk a good place to live?†it’s good to know that there are many upsides to living in the Norfolk area. The cost of living is lower than the national average, as are housing costs in the area. The military and defense industry, as well as commercial shipping, help keep the local economy afloat even in the toughest times.
The area is also home to three public universities as well as a private one. Old Dominion University is a public research university, with approximately 20,000 under-grads and graduate students on campus. The school has eight colleges and offers more than 150 degree programs.
Norfolk State University, a historically black university, has just over 5,000 under-grads and graduate students. It is one of the state’s most affordable schools.
Eastern Virginia Medical School has less than 1,000 students, and the campus includes the 555-bed Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, a level 1 trauma medical care facility, and a 212-bed children’s hospital.
Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, liberal arts college. The student body consists of about 1,500 mostly under-grads.
Norfolk is also home to many performing arts complexes and hosts annual festivals and parades, mostly in Town Point Park. Revitalization efforts in downtown have brought a number of music clubs to the area, many in lower Granby Street. The Chrysler Museum of Art is considered to be the finest museum in the state, with a significant glass collection. The city’s naval presence is celebrated at Nauticus, which is also home to the battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin, which served in WWII, Korea, and the Gulf Wars. And, The Harrison Opera House, official home of the Virginia Opera in the Neon District of Downtown Norfolk.
Cons
The most significant con for the region centers around the higher crime rate than many of the neighboring communities. NeighborhoodScout.com rates a person’s chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime as 1 in 151, significantly higher than Virginia as a whole, which they rate at 1 in 482.
Public schools are not as highly rated as others in Virginia. Larchmont Elementary School, for example, is the top-rated public elementary in Norfolk, earning a B+ and a Virginia-wide ranking of 309th on Niche.com.
Turning Those C+ to A’s, GMW (Grandmother, mothers and women)of Norfolk, is our responsibility. We have the tools: Our Dollars and Vote, Our Power: Our God and Love.
GMW and We Matter, has join forced with the Stop The Violence coalition, in combine efforts of stopping the violence, and improving Norfolk’s C+ rating.
GMW and WE MATTER 2: Is adopting Southside Stem Academy, supporting parents with children in the beautiful underutilized school. For reasons listed by, Public Schools Review. Southside Stem Academy: Bd of Ed-Rep. Rodney Jordon: Superward 7: and Christine Smith, Ward 4. City Council Superward:7: Rep. Danica J. Royster, and Paul R. Riddick, City Council ward 4.