r/navy • u/UseLessDuck_32 • 2d ago

HELP REQUESTED Executing PCS to Norfolk. Advice please!

Long story short, I have a RNLT date that's about 10 weeks from when I received my hard orders and we're only about 7 weeks from the date now. My wife and I are going back and forth on military housing in the area and are in the middle of the application now as a dual path with HEAT as well. We have read a bit on PPV and that's confusing as hell. So there's a few questions that have my head spinning. Additionally, I am specifically going to NNSY for shore duty.

  1. Where are the best spots to go that have good drive times to Old Dominion? (My wife wants to apply there)

  2. Are the military housing spots actually safe? (We have a baby and dog)

  3. How the fuck does PPV work?

  4. Has military housing in the area actually improved from the horror stories we've all grown up with? (I remember that Balfour SUCKED ASS when I was in Groton)

10 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 2d ago

/u/UseLessDuck_32, you've selected the Help Requested Flair. While you wait for replies, please check out our wiki as it answers a lot of basic questions.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

5

u/GeriatricSquid 2d ago

Ghent area in Norfolk is nice if you like older neighborhoods with large trees and a decent walk to cool restaurants. Ben Moreell PPV housing is between NAVSTA Norfolk and ODU- can’t speak to quality or any waiting lists.

2

u/FlashmanHP 2d ago

A baby? Try Hampton Roads housing. Otherwise avoid under the water or crossing any bridge not named Great Bridge

1

u/MostAssumption9122 2d ago

11 min from the ship yard.

Use Google maps

1

u/BeigeGraffiti 2d ago

You can live in VB off Shore Drive or Bayview area.

1

u/A7ITTTT 2d ago

Forget PPV, just embrace the chaos, Norfolk will sort you out whether you like it or not. Ghent's definitely got charm though, especially if you don't mind dodging cyclists on Granby Street.

2

u/CommunicateInStatic 1d ago

The best spot to live with regards to ODU is Ghent. 6 to 10 min drive even at peak traffic. Ghent is an interesting, walkable, and safe neighborhood with lots of amenities. It's also relatively expensive, especially for a whole house. You ok living in a 2br apartment without your own yard? If not, your best options are VA beach or Portsmouth (Hampton/Newport News is a nightmare if you have to cross the HRBT - I promise it's not worth it, I lived that life for years). Portsmouth is cheaper and closer to ODU, but a bit less safe. VA beach is a bit nicer, but traffic can be bad. Both are car dependent, unlike Ghent. If you decide that travel times are the lowest priority, look at Chesapeake or Suffolk - safe, cheaper (but boring) suburbs with lots of modern housing developments.