HOUSING in Virginia Beach

There are almost no high-rises in Virginia Beach—the kind you're used to seeing in New York, for example! It's a small and relatively quiet town of "one-story" America. The houses here are like the ones you see in the show Desperate Housewives :) or something similar.

So, you're lucky (?!)—you've been met at the bus stop, you're tired with your suitcase, and you're offered housing for $300 a month (which is basically the standard price). Naturally, you're unlikely to want to sit around waiting for a miracle when it's already almost in your hands. You agree (I agreed, for example), your luggage is put in the car, you hop in, and you're driven away. Hmm, a cute little house, lawns, nice two-story houses—it's actually a pretty decent neighborhood (you could think that about any corner of Virginia Beach).

Apartments rented out by our guys are almost always equipped—there's a fridge, furniture, a TV, and even internet. The only thing is, instead of a bed, there might be a mattress. But that doesn't seem like a problem.

The catch is how many people are going to live in what we call a 3-room apartment (2-bedroom apartment). There can be many options—from 3 people in a room to 8... it depends on how lucky you get with the landlord))

I advise you not to pay a deposit—usually, everyone asks for a $50 deposit, saying it's refundable and needed in case you break something in the apartment. It's better to try to get out of paying this deposit somehow... firstly, it's unlikely you'll break anything, do you really need that? And secondly, it's unlikely anyone will return it to you later... and in the beginning, even $50 plays a role.

Also, I advise you not to pay for the whole month at once; come up with anything, but it's better to pay for the first 2 weeks until you get settled.

Why? It's simple: you might actually have to live 8 to a room... meaning there will be 16 people in the apartment... just imagine the line for the bathroom!!! This isn't made up; unfortunately, it has happened, but fortunately not to me :)

You might get lucky and find cheaper options, but usually, $300 is the price everywhere. Maybe $280 if you arrive in July-August... and maybe even $250 in September (for a vacation, for example...)