Looking for questions about chesapeake,norfolk, an virginia beach va

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by goofy328

True. Hampton Roads doesn't have the name recognition Northern Virginia has outside of the state.

Totally agree. I was in Pittsburgh for a show over the weekend. Folks knew where I was talking about when I say I live in Arlington (didn't even say Northern VA or next to DC) but when I say I grew up in Hampton Roads, they were like where?

[lovnova]

Originally Posted by Poquoson7

I think the name holds us back, Hampton Roads doesn't ring a bell for people outside the area/state. The designation Norfolk/VA Beach instantly provides name recognition and geographic focus.

I thought this area was supposed to be called Coastal Virginia now? Does sound much better than Hampton Roads.

[UHgrad]

Originally Posted by The Dissenter

Totally agree. I was in Pittsburgh for a show over the weekend. Folks knew where I was talking about when I say I live in Arlington (didn't even say Northern VA or next to DC) but when I say I grew up in Hampton Roads, they were like where?

Everyone has heard of Arlington National Cemetery, so that really isn't surprising. And I would expect people to know D.C. better than here as it is the nations capital.

I would be shocked if you said Virginia Beach/Norfolk at an event in Pittsburgh and most people didn't know where that was. VB is a huge vacation spot and relocation spot for people in rust belt cities. When I worked at a hotel in high school at least 25% of our guests came from PA, OH, or WV and a lot of folks came down here to work at the shipyards and Ford plant after the steel industry collapsed in the 70's. It was always a place where "blue collar" folks could have a pretty good standard of living as far as I know. The "Hampton Roads" term is relatively new and hasn't really caught on even with the locals... I wouldn't read too much into it.

Aside from a few really famous cities known for specific industries or just the city itself being famous, most people's knowledge of cities and regions is based on professional sports teams, college sports teams, or TV shows that are set there. We really don't have any of the above that are noteworthy.

This whole "have people heard of your region?" thing seems overblown to me anyways. You really believe that more than 10% of the population could identify South Bend, Indiana on an unlabeled map? Tallahassee, Florida? Green Bay, Wisconsin? They wouldn't have a clue... but they have heard of them because of Notre Dame, Florida State, or the Packers. Do you think people would move there just because they have heard of the place? I doubt it.

It is about jobs, amenities, culture, and COL for most people. Virginia Beach grew at a 50% clip or better each decade from the 50s - 90's because it was very attractive in that regard with cheap housing, good blue collar/DOD/Tourism jobs, a moderate climate, and tremendous water access. It's in a lull now mostly because it got expensive to live here during the housing bubble, manufacturing has declined everywhere, and defense spending has stagnated. So now the area is adapting... trying to diversify the economy, fix some of the transportation issues, and increase density in some areas. Will it work? I dunno. Will sea level rise screw us eventually? Possibly. But I seriously doubt that recognition plays a big part in it like people say. My family moved here from Massachusetts in the 90's for cheap housing, good schools, and a decent job. We didn't care if the place had name recognition...

[Poquoson7]

Originally Posted by lovnova

I thought this area was supposed to be called Coastal Virginia now? Does sound much better than Hampton Roads.

I used to support the Coastal Virginia moniker but after thinking about it the name is kind of like "Hampton Roads" (where is it?!)
Norfolk/VA Beach pretty much lays it out there. Even though I live on the Peninsula I identify with the whole region and tell folks from out of town that I live halfway between Willamsburg and VA Beach, two cities that have lots of name recognition throughout the states.

[lovnova]

Originally Posted by Poquoson7

I used to support the Coastal Virginia moniker but after thinking about it the name is kind of like "Hampton Roads" (where is it?!)
Norfolk/VA Beach pretty much lays it out there. Even though I live on the Peninsula I identify with the whole region and tell folks from out of town that I live halfway between Willamsburg and VA Beach, two cities that have lots of name recognition throughout the states.

Thanks for your take on this. I do have to say though, someone from Colorado would be more likely to kind of get what Coastal Virginia is. If you were to say Hampton Roads, VA they would probably have no idea.

I used to live in Falls Church, VA. I would tell out of town folks I live 5 miles outside of Washington, DC. Guess its the same everywhere.