Norfolk Home Exchange Offer - Your Thoughts?
Dec 1st, 2011, 07:21 PM
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did check it out.
Too curious to wait. There's even one flight where I would not have to switch planes, just one stop on the way. Terrific. And it does not leave in the middle of the night!!! Thank you.
Too curious to wait. There's even one flight where I would not have to switch planes, just one stop on the way. Terrific. And it does not leave in the middle of the night!!! Thank you.
Dec 2nd, 2011, 04:52 PM
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Birdie and Judy,
Still thinking about Norfolk. I looked at the websites my prospective home exchanger provided, and though it sounds like there's enough to keep very slow travelers like us contented for a a week, or even 10 days since we move so slowly, I am concerned that we may spend too much time on the road taking hour long rides or even longer.
It would be great to see Williamsburg again through an adult's eyes, visit Jamestown, Richmond, Washington DC, etc, but it sounds like a lot of time on the road. Do you think we will be spending our days driving?
Also, what is the traffic like? We are from the LA metropolitan area and don't want to leave one gridlocked freeway for another.
Another problem, is that our home exchangers are leaning towards a Sept/Oct exchange, though I imagine we might be able to negotiate a spring exchange. I am concerned about hurricanes. I experienced two hurricanes in Maine and the Poconos as a child and while candles and fireplaces for light and heat and no running water was fun then, I did not realize the serious dangers of trees falling through houses and other damage from the storms. I would prefer to avoid them if possible. Of course, on their side here in Calif.,they always have the possibility of an earthquake at any time!!
Still thinking about Norfolk. I looked at the websites my prospective home exchanger provided, and though it sounds like there's enough to keep very slow travelers like us contented for a a week, or even 10 days since we move so slowly, I am concerned that we may spend too much time on the road taking hour long rides or even longer.
It would be great to see Williamsburg again through an adult's eyes, visit Jamestown, Richmond, Washington DC, etc, but it sounds like a lot of time on the road. Do you think we will be spending our days driving?
Also, what is the traffic like? We are from the LA metropolitan area and don't want to leave one gridlocked freeway for another.
Another problem, is that our home exchangers are leaning towards a Sept/Oct exchange, though I imagine we might be able to negotiate a spring exchange. I am concerned about hurricanes. I experienced two hurricanes in Maine and the Poconos as a child and while candles and fireplaces for light and heat and no running water was fun then, I did not realize the serious dangers of trees falling through houses and other damage from the storms. I would prefer to avoid them if possible. Of course, on their side here in Calif.,they always have the possibility of an earthquake at any time!!
Dec 2nd, 2011, 05:42 PM
#24
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
annetti, I have to agree that 10-14 days would allow you to see what Norfolk has to offer and, after that, you are looking at 30 minute to 2 hour drives to appreciate the area around us.
September is often as hot and humid as mid-summer here though can be beautiful. The possibility of a hurricane is really pretty remote (this from someone who had a tree fall on my house in Irene 3 days before trip to Paris!) and I would not discount an exchange based on that alone.
Traffic is not bad except when the military bases change shifts and the tunnels back-up on weekends. The area is surrounded by water so many routes include tunnel or bridge crossings which can back up during rush hours but most of the time, no problem.
I would think if you did your road trips interspersed with staying local it may seem like less road time. Good luck with whatever you decide!
September is often as hot and humid as mid-summer here though can be beautiful. The possibility of a hurricane is really pretty remote (this from someone who had a tree fall on my house in Irene 3 days before trip to Paris!) and I would not discount an exchange based on that alone.
Traffic is not bad except when the military bases change shifts and the tunnels back-up on weekends. The area is surrounded by water so many routes include tunnel or bridge crossings which can back up during rush hours but most of the time, no problem.
I would think if you did your road trips interspersed with staying local it may seem like less road time. Good luck with whatever you decide!
Dec 2nd, 2011, 07:14 PM
#25
Let me ask you how much you can experience in LA without driving 1/2 hour? Yes, Norfolk isn't NYC, Paris, or San Francisco but...
Tidewater Virginia is truly a beautiful and special area that is so very different from what you know in SoCal. From Norfolk you'll be able to see the beautiful farmland and small towns on the Eastern Shore, the watermen's villages of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, the Naval bases along the rivers, the Colonial Triangle,the Charles City County plantations, the Civil War sites of Richmond and Fredericksburg, etc etc.
I've lived in California, in big eastern cities, the south, and the north and I love it here. I can't guarantee that you'll be thrilled with your home exchange but I think you'll miss out on experiencing a really interesting area of the country if you don't come.
Tidewater Virginia is truly a beautiful and special area that is so very different from what you know in SoCal. From Norfolk you'll be able to see the beautiful farmland and small towns on the Eastern Shore, the watermen's villages of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, the Naval bases along the rivers, the Colonial Triangle,the Charles City County plantations, the Civil War sites of Richmond and Fredericksburg, etc etc.
I've lived in California, in big eastern cities, the south, and the north and I love it here. I can't guarantee that you'll be thrilled with your home exchange but I think you'll miss out on experiencing a really interesting area of the country if you don't come.
Dec 2nd, 2011, 07:48 PM
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You make some excellent points, Birdie.
You are right, we can't do much around here without spending time in a car, something we do all the time, that is ----drive a lot and sit in traffic a lot. Driving is no fun here.
Lately, our home exchanges have been in urban areas with terrific public transportation. It has been a wonderful respite from our cars. For this pair of Southern Californians, it is a real break not to drive. We recently returned from a home exchange to Toronto, where we relied on public transit and walking. We loved it. When we did rent a car to visit Niagara Falls, neither of us enjoyed the drive or the traffic.
We have to decide whether or not we want to spend time in a car on a holiday, though your description of what is available close to Norfolk is VERY convincing. Thank you for taking the time to write. It is much appreciated. I'll run it by my husband.
You are right, we can't do much around here without spending time in a car, something we do all the time, that is ----drive a lot and sit in traffic a lot. Driving is no fun here.
Lately, our home exchanges have been in urban areas with terrific public transportation. It has been a wonderful respite from our cars. For this pair of Southern Californians, it is a real break not to drive. We recently returned from a home exchange to Toronto, where we relied on public transit and walking. We loved it. When we did rent a car to visit Niagara Falls, neither of us enjoyed the drive or the traffic.
We have to decide whether or not we want to spend time in a car on a holiday, though your description of what is available close to Norfolk is VERY convincing. Thank you for taking the time to write. It is much appreciated. I'll run it by my husband.
Dec 3rd, 2011, 04:33 AM
#27
That is my dream, annetti, to be able to spend a chunk of time in a city where I could just walk and use public transport. I lived in the city of Philadelphia for a few years when I was younger and loved it.
I imagine you've been able to spend time in some pretty fantastic places. You know what you like and how you want to spend your vacation time. If you do decied to come, we'll do whatever we can to give you ideas.
I imagine you've been able to spend time in some pretty fantastic places. You know what you like and how you want to spend your vacation time. If you do decied to come, we'll do whatever we can to give you ideas.
Dec 3rd, 2011, 06:28 AM
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you, Birdie.
Is the local Norfolk traffic, that is, in-city traffic pretty comfortable? Can we drive to the market, local tourist sights, restaurants, etc easily? What about parking? Is that easily available and free or cheap?
Yes, we have been extremely lucky to visit a lot of wonderful places where we used public transit as our means of getting around. Toronto, San Francisco, Portland, Germany, Switzerland come quickly to mind.
We have also had a few driving vacations that worked. We did two to Brittany; driving was easy. The roads were relatively empty between small towns and villages. The Netherlands outside of Amsterdam has to be one of the easiest places to drive, too.
I have to say we're leaning towards accepting the exchange. I have a friend I'm seeing today who knows the area, I'll quiz her a bit. Of course, it works two ways, it is always possible the Norfolk people may have a change of heart, and decide that So Calif is not what they want. .
Thanks again for all your thoughtful replies. Really very much appreciated.
Is the local Norfolk traffic, that is, in-city traffic pretty comfortable? Can we drive to the market, local tourist sights, restaurants, etc easily? What about parking? Is that easily available and free or cheap?
Yes, we have been extremely lucky to visit a lot of wonderful places where we used public transit as our means of getting around. Toronto, San Francisco, Portland, Germany, Switzerland come quickly to mind.
We have also had a few driving vacations that worked. We did two to Brittany; driving was easy. The roads were relatively empty between small towns and villages. The Netherlands outside of Amsterdam has to be one of the easiest places to drive, too.
I have to say we're leaning towards accepting the exchange. I have a friend I'm seeing today who knows the area, I'll quiz her a bit. Of course, it works two ways, it is always possible the Norfolk people may have a change of heart, and decide that So Calif is not what they want. .
Thanks again for all your thoughtful replies. Really very much appreciated.
Dec 3rd, 2011, 10:33 AM
#29
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am not usually in "downtown" Norfolk during morning or evening commute times and for that reason haven't run into too many traffic back-ups. I assume while on vacation, your hours would also put you traveling outside of rush hour.
Larchmont is fairly close to a naval base so I imagine there can be more traffic around change of shift times, not in the neighborhood itself but on the main thoroughfare.
Most tourist attractions have free adequate parking. Downtown has several pay parking garages, some free and some metered on street parking. We usually use a pay garage or valet parking when dining out downtown.
Larchmont has easy access to an interstate highway for travel outside of the city.
The major traffic problems in this area occur at the bridges and/or tunnels as drivers seem to slow when entering the tunnels. The occasional accident in one of the tunnels can tie things up but you can always check the status of tunnel traffic before you get there.
Hope this helps. I'll be interested to hear what you friend has to say.
Larchmont is fairly close to a naval base so I imagine there can be more traffic around change of shift times, not in the neighborhood itself but on the main thoroughfare.
Most tourist attractions have free adequate parking. Downtown has several pay parking garages, some free and some metered on street parking. We usually use a pay garage or valet parking when dining out downtown.
Larchmont has easy access to an interstate highway for travel outside of the city.
The major traffic problems in this area occur at the bridges and/or tunnels as drivers seem to slow when entering the tunnels. The occasional accident in one of the tunnels can tie things up but you can always check the status of tunnel traffic before you get there.
Hope this helps. I'll be interested to hear what you friend has to say.
Dec 3rd, 2011, 07:37 PM
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you, Judy. My friend was encouraging, however my husband is dragging his feet. He's been doing some research and has seen some high crime statistics. I need to email our prospective exchangers and arrange a telephone meeting. Should know more then. See if we can work out travel times that suit us both. I'm leaning towards the spring. Weather pleasantner on both coasts. Sept here can be outrageously hot; sometime October is miserable, too.
Dec 3rd, 2011, 08:09 PM
#31
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Annetti,
I lived several years in Newport News. I love the area. There are many beautiful things to see. Besides Colonial Williamsburg, there are Busch Gardens and Water Country, if you like amusements parks. There is the wonderful Mariners' Museum in Newport News. There are a number of beautiful old plantation homes along the James River. Richmond is a fabulous city with good food and lovely old homes to visit. There are many historic homes, small towns and battlefields.
Truthfully and realistically, however, you will spend a good deal of time driving to various sights. Some of the drives are lovely. Example: we often drove up to Williamsburg, crossed the James river on the ferry, had dinner at a country restaurant and drove back on the other side of the river. The excursion itself was a driving trip. The thing is: DH loves driving.
From Norfolk, it will take you at least 1 to 1&1/2 hours to Williamsburg. It is an hour's drive to Newport News. It is a two hour drive to Richmond. It is 3 to 4 hours to DC, depending on traffic. A week or two would be fine, but if you don't like driving, you will find not much to do after that, unless you like just hanging out in a new neighborhood.
If you do go, Spring would be lovely.
I lived several years in Newport News. I love the area. There are many beautiful things to see. Besides Colonial Williamsburg, there are Busch Gardens and Water Country, if you like amusements parks. There is the wonderful Mariners' Museum in Newport News. There are a number of beautiful old plantation homes along the James River. Richmond is a fabulous city with good food and lovely old homes to visit. There are many historic homes, small towns and battlefields.
Truthfully and realistically, however, you will spend a good deal of time driving to various sights. Some of the drives are lovely. Example: we often drove up to Williamsburg, crossed the James river on the ferry, had dinner at a country restaurant and drove back on the other side of the river. The excursion itself was a driving trip. The thing is: DH loves driving.
From Norfolk, it will take you at least 1 to 1&1/2 hours to Williamsburg. It is an hour's drive to Newport News. It is a two hour drive to Richmond. It is 3 to 4 hours to DC, depending on traffic. A week or two would be fine, but if you don't like driving, you will find not much to do after that, unless you like just hanging out in a new neighborhood.
If you do go, Spring would be lovely.
Dec 4th, 2011, 09:20 AM
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you, Sassafras: This is a hard decision to make. Sometimes, I think, yes, sounds great. Very different scenery and world from LA, then I wonder about ALL the driving, most of which will fall on my husband since he knows I truly hate driving. And he's picked up my distate for it, too over the past few yrs! I have spent tons of hrs in a car commuting to work over the years, not to mention all the hours I spent driving on the job. And of course when you live in LA, you never give up on cars unless you plan to spend your time in your house!
Dec 4th, 2011, 01:42 PM
#34
annetti, a lot of that crime is ODU student crime. Unfortunately, they are often seen as easy pickings especially if they have been drinking and can be robbery or assault victims. Your home exchange hosts can tell you more about that particular neighborhood.
I have to disagree with the 1 1/2 hour travel time to Williamsburg and 1 hour to Newport News. I can get from Williamsburg to downtown Norfolk in just under an hour. DS tells me he gets to class at ODU in less than 45 minutes. I don't ask for details. I do want to mention that if you have any tunnel phobias, that neigborhood is not the best. Larchmont is situated in an area that offers a lot of options out of Norfolk but most of them involve a tunnel or two.
I have to disagree with the 1 1/2 hour travel time to Williamsburg and 1 hour to Newport News. I can get from Williamsburg to downtown Norfolk in just under an hour. DS tells me he gets to class at ODU in less than 45 minutes. I don't ask for details. I do want to mention that if you have any tunnel phobias, that neigborhood is not the best. Larchmont is situated in an area that offers a lot of options out of Norfolk but most of them involve a tunnel or two.
Dec 4th, 2011, 02:55 PM
#36
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,090
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used to live in Norfolk - yikes - almost 30 years ago! I loved it. I had friends in Larchmont and it is a nice area. That said, Norfolk does not offer a particularly intense urban environment, like SF, or even Portland OR. You would need to go in with the right attitude to enjoy it - decide you were going to learn about the community.
Norfolk is a really interesting place - a mix of Navy, eastern seaboard and the south. It has an excellent harbor and hosts the largest naval base in the world, as well as other military installations(think east coast San Diego). Before I moved there, I thought that would be negative, but it turned out to be a great positive - lots of interesting, well-traveled people, great fun watching the marines play beach volleyball, going to parties of figher pilots...well, I'll stop there and say I met my husband, who was a Naval officer at the time, in Norfolk.
Being surrounded by water, water activities abound, from sailing, to the beach, to crabbing and fishing.
Norfolk is large enough to have a good museum, symphony, some theater, and other cultural activities. There are a couple of universities. (As someone said, Old Dominion University is near Larchmont.)
Historically, it is a great place, but you'll want to get in your car to undertand Tidewater Virginia (the area that includes Norfolk). Jamestown is jsut up the river and is a "must see." Also Colonial Williamsburg is fantastic. Truly you could spend days visiting. Yorktown is also nearby and worth a visit. Richmond, capital of the Confederacy and now capital of Virginia, is less than 2 hrs away.
In sum, it's all about what you are looking for. If you are open to experience a unique part of the country and take it in, I think you'll find it really worthwhile. If you have a preconceived idea of what you are looking for - it would behoove you to make sure Norfolk fits.
Norfolk is a really interesting place - a mix of Navy, eastern seaboard and the south. It has an excellent harbor and hosts the largest naval base in the world, as well as other military installations(think east coast San Diego). Before I moved there, I thought that would be negative, but it turned out to be a great positive - lots of interesting, well-traveled people, great fun watching the marines play beach volleyball, going to parties of figher pilots...well, I'll stop there and say I met my husband, who was a Naval officer at the time, in Norfolk.
Being surrounded by water, water activities abound, from sailing, to the beach, to crabbing and fishing.
Norfolk is large enough to have a good museum, symphony, some theater, and other cultural activities. There are a couple of universities. (As someone said, Old Dominion University is near Larchmont.)
Historically, it is a great place, but you'll want to get in your car to undertand Tidewater Virginia (the area that includes Norfolk). Jamestown is jsut up the river and is a "must see." Also Colonial Williamsburg is fantastic. Truly you could spend days visiting. Yorktown is also nearby and worth a visit. Richmond, capital of the Confederacy and now capital of Virginia, is less than 2 hrs away.
In sum, it's all about what you are looking for. If you are open to experience a unique part of the country and take it in, I think you'll find it really worthwhile. If you have a preconceived idea of what you are looking for - it would behoove you to make sure Norfolk fits.
Dec 6th, 2011, 07:26 PM
#37
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A decision has been made. Finally. We have accepted the exchange for this spring. I am very excited and pleased; it is wonderful to know that we will see Virginia and a bit of the American South.
Dec 6th, 2011, 09:39 PM
#38
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,090
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good for you!
Let us know how you like it. You will love springtime in Norfolk. Don't miss the Azalea Gardens. It is world class.
Also, you may enjoy a visit to the Outer Banks of N. Carolina - a very beautiful area of seacoast.
Two more don't misses - the Virginia barbeque. All southern barbeque is delicious, but it varies from place to place. Also, try different types of Smithfield ham. There is one kind that is saltier that is more of an appetizer and super good, but you can't eat too much because of the salt.
There are fun places to eat in Williamsburg. We used to love Chownings - check this out:
http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/...ings/index.cfm
Let us know how you like it. You will love springtime in Norfolk. Don't miss the Azalea Gardens. It is world class.
Also, you may enjoy a visit to the Outer Banks of N. Carolina - a very beautiful area of seacoast.
Two more don't misses - the Virginia barbeque. All southern barbeque is delicious, but it varies from place to place. Also, try different types of Smithfield ham. There is one kind that is saltier that is more of an appetizer and super good, but you can't eat too much because of the salt.
There are fun places to eat in Williamsburg. We used to love Chownings - check this out:
http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/...ings/index.cfm
Dec 6th, 2011, 09:57 PM
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, Orcas. The Fodorites really helped us make a decision and now that I made it, I wonder why I hesitated.
Looking forward to seeing the azaleas. Hopefully, we'll see the famous cherry blossoms in Wash DC, too.
I'll probably miss out on a lot of the regional cooking; I'm pretty much a vegetarian, occasionally eating a little fish, but not very often. Looking forward to Williamsburg. Thanks for the link.
If we have a computer while we're there, I'll probably do an on-going trip report.
Looking forward to seeing the azaleas. Hopefully, we'll see the famous cherry blossoms in Wash DC, too.
I'll probably miss out on a lot of the regional cooking; I'm pretty much a vegetarian, occasionally eating a little fish, but not very often. Looking forward to Williamsburg. Thanks for the link.
If we have a computer while we're there, I'll probably do an on-going trip report.
