Hi everyone,
So I am born and raised in Ca. I am seriously thinking about relocating to Virginia just have a few questions. Where is the best place to surf and work? Right now I am a computer technical support pro and a beginning machinist. I’d appreciate any info on what Virginia is like.
The good news is you would have a short drive to the Outer Banks. I’d be shooting for the Norfolk / Virginia Beach area.
Well, the Hampton Roads area should provide plenty of opportunity for your machinist skills; lots of military contractors prototyping and recreating parts. I know of some tool & die firms that are in desperate need for skilled machinists, but not in the VB area. Your IT technical support skills can be used anywhere. So you should be in good shape employment wise.
Virginia Beach can get very good surf, particularly in the late summer, fall, winter and spring. Be prepared to surf in 40 degree (F) water with 35 degree air and stiff off-shores in the winter time. I got one of those Patagucci 5.5/4.5 mm full winter suits and it’s awesome. Too warm this past weekend in NJ with water around 40 but air around 60. The Outer Banks is simply superb and anywhere from 2 hours to 4 hours away depending on traffic. And that’s only going to get you to Kitty Hawk. Another 1.5 to 2.5 hours down to Hatteras/Frisco. Consider the OBX more of a very long day or weekend trip. Plenty of camping options available. Also consider getting a good 4WD truck to access the many spots that are a long walk in (getting less so by the year).
Here’s the kicker: you’re going to miss California surf. The consistency is not to be beat. You’ll find Lake Atlantic for weeks at a time. If you kitesurf, the OBX is a spectacular place to do this.
With that said, I’m an east coast guy who worked in Silicon Valley for a few years in the late 80’s and early 90’s and one of my daughter’s is currently at UCSD. I could easily see myself moving back to California. I’ll be sure to bring plenty of bottle water.