12 Pros and Cons of Living in Chesapeake, VA

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Chesapeake is an independent city and the second most populous city in Virginia.

According to the 2020 United States Census Bureau, the city has approximately 249,422 residents. 

But what makes this city so unique?

In 2011, Bloomberg Businessweek rated the city the 21st best city to live in in the United States.

It’s a moderately safe city for its size, has an excellent education system and beautiful scenery, and many athletes and celebrities call Chesapeake home. 

Pros of Living in Chesapeake, Virginia

All factors considered, Chesapeake, Virginia, is a great place to call home.

The city ranks high in several benefits.

It’s a city that appeals to all demographics.

1. Crime

The crime rate in Chesapeake is low to medium.

You should still take reasonable caution when living in this city.

Most crimes involve car theft, corruption, vandalism, and attacks. 

There are approximately 4.13 incidents of violent crime per 100,000 residents in Chesapeake.

On the other hand, property crime seems to be where the problem lies in Chesapeake.

There are approximately 17.75 incidents of property crime per 100,000 residents.

And, while it may not be the safest city in the US, it is still a relatively safe city if you take precautions. 

You have a one in 242 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime and a one in 56 chance of becoming a victim of property crime. 

The city has neighborhoods that are very safe and neighborhoods that should be avoided.

2. Education

Citystatistics.com has given Chesapeake a B- rating in its education system.

This is a relatively good score compared to the state and national averages.

According to the site, the city has a very good teacher-to-student ratio, good graduation and enrollment rates, and excellent extracurricular programs such as choir, drama, and art. 

The district places high importance on academics.

Students are required to take courses such as maths, English, and science, among others. 

There are a variety of aspects that make this school district stand out.

Students have a plethora of organizations that they can join, such as Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the National Honor Society (NHS).

Furthermore, a school lunch program determines a district’s quality because it directly influences achievement, attendance, and student behavior.

Chesapeake offers this program to students who qualify. 

3. Things to do

The city qualifies as a medium-sized city.

But it is by no means a boring city.

Chesapeake is a family-friendly city with something here for everyone to do.

Whether you are an indoor or outdoor person, you will find an activity to enjoy.

Let’s start with the outdoors.

If you enjoy camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, dolphin watching, or walking down a trail, this is the city that offers it all.

You can visit Virginia Beach and go for a kayak eco-tour.

It’s only a 27-minute drive away.

You could visit Oak Grove Lake Park and enjoy a lovely picnic.

Or, take the kids for a trip to Hickory Ridge Farm, where they can go for a hayride, enjoy the jump houses, or pet animals in the petting zoo. 

Alternatively, you could visit Greenbrier Mall, where you can enjoy the variety of stores and perhaps find a great deal.

If you are into making ceramics, Glazenfyre offers you the opportunity to express your creative self by painting ceramics.

Take the kids to Cloud9 Trampoline Park and sit and enjoy a nice meal while the kids release all that extra energy on the trampolines. 

If you’re a foodie, then you will love the international cuisine offered at some of the restaurants that call Chesapeake home.

Try the local beer at The Garage Brewery.

Or, for some tremendous Mexican food, try Abuelo’s Mexican Food.

Vino Italian Bistro offers out-of-this-world Italian pizza and pasta that transports you to the shores of Italy. 

The city features amazing Asian, Mediterranean, Korean, Latin, and many other types of cuisine. 

4. A great community 

One of the things that Chesapeake is most noted for is its diversity.

According to Dwellics.com, the city comprises 52% married couples and 47% singles.

The most considerable age demographic is the 25 to 44 category, at 27.7%.

The city comprises 61% white, 30% black, 6.2% Latino, and 3.2% Asian. 

But apart from the demographics and diversity, the community that calls this city home can simply be described as down-to-earth, wholesome people.

Neighbors are always friendly and ready to lend a helping hand.

It’s a medium-sized city with a small-town mentality.

People who live here are always happy and ready to welcome new people. 

When you move to Chesapeake, you will quickly feel at home.

5. Mild weather

You will undoubtedly see it every season in this city.

Some days get extremely cold, while others may get very hot and muggy.

But, for the most part, there are more mild days every season, and more extreme weather conditions are not always the norm. 

There is an average rainfall of approximately 47 inches each year.

This is sufficient to keep the grounds green but not so bad that you constantly need to carry an umbrella around. 

The winter climate ranges between 30°F and 42°F while the summer months range between 75°F and 85°F.

One thing about the summers here is that they can get boiling and humid sometimes.

However, cooler winds from the Atlantic Ocean break the hot spells from time to time.

As for the winter, there is rarely snow, and extreme conditions are almost non-existent in the city. 

6. Year-round festivals

What is more fun than a festival?

Chesapeake hosts annual and monthly festivals and events that attract people from all over the state.

The city hosts the annual oyster festival in March, and on the 4th of July each year, the city hosts the Annual South Norfolk Parade and Picnic. 

Each month there is a bluegrass concert.

There are a host of other festivals, including:

• Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Birding Festival
• Chesapeake Jubilee
• 4-H livestock Club Show & Sale
•  Virginia Arts Festival
• The Chesapeake Wine Festival

Many festivals in and around the city are family-friendly, and something happens nearly every month.

Cons of Living in Chesapeake, Virginia

We had to dig to find a few disadvantages of living in the city.

1. Jet noise

Jet noise may be a regular occurrence, depending on where you live in Chesapeake.

And, if you’ve ever experienced it, you’ll know how frustrating it becomes after a while. 

There are two air stations located in and near Chesapeake.

The first is Naval Air Station Oceana, located in Virginia Beach.

The second is Fentress Airfield, which is located in Fentress.

If you live near either of these two stations, you will frequently experience jet noise.

It may not be a significant disadvantage, but over time it becomes very annoying. 

2. Expensive highway tolls

The Chesapeake Expressway is a highway that charges users a fee per route they travel.

The price ranges between $4 and $10 per car.

Now that may not seem like a lot, but for drivers that need to use the road daily, that fee quickly adds up. 

3. Virginia has a high-income tax

Virginia charges personal income tax between 2% – 5.75%.

The rate is dependent on your salary bracket.

This federal obligation is not imposed on other states such as Florida, Nevada, or Texas.

That makes this additional tax burden a disadvantage of living in Chesapeake, Virginia. 

4. High cost of living

The cost of living in Chesapeake is higher than the national average.

You will need to fork out a pretty penny to live here.

The housing market is the first factor determining a city’s cost of living.

The housing market is compared to the national average to determine how expensive it is to live in a city. 

The reason, primarily, is that housing takes away a large portion of your income when factoring in expenses.

The average price per home in Chesapeake is $310,000.

It is above the national average.

Housing in Chesapeake is approximately 11% higher than the national average.

Over the last year, there has been an increase in transportation, housing, and food, compared to the national average.

In addition, purchasing a home is a complex and lengthy process in Virginia.

You will need to put down 15 to 20% of the home value in a down payment and fork out an additional amount for closing costs.

5. Mosquitos

Earlier, we mentioned all the beautiful things you can do and see in Chesapeake.

One of those wonderful sites that you can visit is the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. 

And that is where the problem lies.

Whenever you live near swamp land, you are bound to be hounded by mosquitos.

These mosquitos are rather large as well.

There have been complaints about their size and ruthlessness when attacking residents. 

6. No nightlife

We mentioned that one of the advantages of living in Chesapeake was that it was great for families and children.

We also noted that there were many things to do and see. 

Sadly, this city does not cater to young adults.

There is very little going on in Chesapeake regarding bars or nightclubs.

Those who want to experience a night out on the town must travel to nearby cities to experience this. 

Pros and Cons of Living in Chesapeake, VA – Summary Table

Chesapeake Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Chesapeake Safety Review

Safety Index:

69

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW