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Moving. Simplified.
If you are serious about relocating somewhere that is amazingly splendid and equally livable with plenty of jobs and a smart lifestyle, Portsmouth is a city that you may consider. The waterfront city blends historic charm with modern living and stands out as a unique destination in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. The ninth most populous city in Virginia State is deeply rooted in US history and is located directly across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk.
Portsmouth presents a lifestyle that balances urban conveniences with small-town comfort. Over the years, the city has grown into a popular moving destination with its affordable living and quality of life.
Knowing the city in and out before you move there has got many benefits. And that’s our intention. To help you, we’ve got a perfect Portsmouth moving guide. We’ve prepared this after thorough research and it will help you.
Portsmouth has many factors that tempt you to relocate to the city. The city is cheaper and more affordable to own a house or even to rent one. In addition, it’s economically booming and even has a diverse population that contributes to the growing population.
The city is not just splendid with amazing and exotic surroundings but it is also one of the economically robust in the state. The abundance of jobs plus low living costs, low property tax, and low housing contribute to making Portsmouth a good place to raise a family. In addition, the population is also diverse. Naturally, Portsmouth becomes a great place to reside if your goal is to live in one of the best cities in the US.
Portsmouth is economically booming and has a diversity of jobs. Despite that, the city is affordable in terms of accommodation, healthcare, and entertainment. However, the city’s crime rate is one of the highest in Virginia and maybe that’s a major drawback. But you may seriously consider the waterfront city as your next moving destination.
The population of Portsmouth is 97,454 and the density is 2,856/sq mi. The city is the ninth-most populous in Virginia and is also racially diverse. The median age is 35.5 and the number of people per household is 2.5. About 16.7% of the population lives below the poverty line in Portsmouth.
While you’re in Portsmouth, you will find roads are less crowded and would be happy to reach the office and back home faster. The average one-sided commute time is 24.1 minutes, which is much lower than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Portsmouth has a humid subtropical climate with hot and humid summers with warm evenings. The winters are mild and wet. The city has four seasons. The seasonal temperatures in the city range from an average low of 34°F in winter to a high of 88°F in summer. Rainfall in Portsmouth is abundant throughout the year. Snowfall is very rare but can occur during winter months. July is the hottest month while January is the coldest in Portsmouth.
You may wonder why a large number of people move to Portsmouth every year. While it is true that the city is highly accommodating with a robust economy and good lifestyle, Portsmouth is also scenic and serene. To help you know more, here is a list of positive reasons why people choose Portsmouth.
The overall cost of living in Portsmouth, VA, is lower than the national average. Housing, groceries, transportation, and healthcare - everything is cheaper in Portsmouth. You can rent a studio for $701 and a 1-bedroom apartment for approximately $806. A 2-bedroom home would approximately cost $1,011 a month and the average rent for a 3-bedroom house in Portsmouth is $1,454.
The median home cost in Portsmouth is $249,300. This is about 18% lower than the national average. However, it needs to be noted that houses cost more in larger cities like Richmond and Virginia Beach.
The economy of Portsmouth is growing, and the job market is expanding. With a variety of industries booming in the area, finding a job is becoming easier for residents.
Portsmouth is home to several highly rated schools, making it a great place for families. The local education system provides strong academic programs and extracurricular activities for students.
Portsmouth offers beautiful outdoor scenery, with plenty of parks, rivers, and walking trails. You can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, from kayaking to hiking in nature reserves.
Portsmouth is a city known for its diverse population. People from different backgrounds and cultures live harmoniously in the city, making it a welcoming and inclusive place for newcomers.
The pros and cons of living in Portsmouth aren’t exactly the same for everyone. What seem to be pros for some will be cons for others.
Here are the key pros and cons of moving to Portsmouth.
If you're considering moving to Portsmouth, living in the best places in the city should be among your top priorities.
So, we've compiled relevant data about the best neighborhoods in Portsmouth to help you get started.
| Neighborhood | Home Value | Average Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Olde Towne / Swimming Point | $403,110 | $2,284 |
| River Pointe / West Norfolk | $400,622 | $2,937 |
| Waterview | $396,145 | $1,525 |
| Sterling Point | $390,045 | $2,183 |
| Merrifields / Twin Pines | $386,879 | $2,210 |
| Park View | $362,127 | $2,381 |
| Hodges Manor | $354,460 | $2,186 |
| Shea Terrace | $353,296 | $2,515 |
| Cavalier Manor | $322,514 | $2,490 |
| Edgefield | $316,502 | $2,789 |
A major attraction of moving to Portsmouth is the cost of living. The city is highly affordable in terms of accommodation, healthcare, education, and groceries. The city’s cost of living is 13.2% lower than the state average and 9.6% lower than the US average. In Portsmouth, housing costs are 32.0% lower than the national average and 33.0% lower than the state average.
As you’ve finalized moving to Portsmouth, here is a detailed table to explain how much each of them costs.
| Living Expense | Portsmouth | Virginia | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 91.1 | 104.2 | 100 |
| Grocery | 95.8 | 101.0 | 100 |
| Health | 90.1 | 103.1 | 100 |
| Housing | 70.4 | 98.1 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $229,900 | $343,400 | $338,100 |
| Utilities | 97.4 | 102.1 | 100 |
| Transportation | 89.1 | 99.4 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 101.4 | 103.5 | 100 |
If you are relocating to Portsmouth for job reasons, you have reasons to smile. The city’s job market is strong and also diverse. Experts predict the future job growth over the next ten years to be 11.8%. The unemployment rate is also lower than the US average. Maritime, healthcare, and defense are major industries in the city.
| Indicator | Portsmouth | United States |
|---|---|---|
| The income per Cap | $28,520 | $37,638 |
| Household Income | $54,020 | $69,021 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3 | 6 |
| Recent Job Growth | -5.8% | -6.2% |
| Future Job Growth | 11.8% | 33.5% |
When you have an idea about the jobs that are high in demand in Portsmouth, it becomes easier to take a call on moving here for a job that would be a worthy decision. Knowing this, we’ve filtered down the 10 fastest-growing jobs in Portsmouth.
| Rank | Job title | % Growth | Average salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Occupational therapy assistant | 141.8% | $60,130 |
| 2 | Nurse practitioner | 138.0% | $98,470 |
| 3 | Interpreter and translator | 132.6% | $76,670 |
| 4 | Statistician | 127.0% | $74,190 |
| 5 | Physical therapist | 126.8% | $84,290 |
| 6 | Operations analyst | 122.1% | $98,200 |
| 7 | Home health aid | 118.5% | $22,010 |
| 8 | Occupational therapist | 117.5% | $84,210 |
| 9 | Web developer | 114.1% | $76,360 |
| 10 | Personal care assistant | 111.5% | $21,980 |
We’ve got a list of the 10 best-paying jobs in Portsmouth. Here are the top 10 highest-paying jobs in Portsmouth:
| Rank | Job title | Average salary | Entry level salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief medical officer | $204,752 | $148,890 |
| 2 | Senior vice president, sales | $202,490 | $147,580 |
| 3 | Anesthesiologist, pain management specialist | $201,740 | $141,000 |
| 4 | President & chief operating officer | $197,270 | $140,580 |
| 5 | President of operations | $197,180 | $137,370 |
| 6 | Vice president, field operations | $189,800 | $131,350 |
| 7 | Marketing vice president | $184,530 | $130,470 |
| 8 | Vice president of national accounts | $183,530 | $129,470 |
| 9 | Pain management physician | $175,560 | $110,180 |
| 10 | Chief administrative officer | $171,220 | $116,320 |
Here are some of the major industries in Portsmouth:
Here are the top 10 companies to work for in Portsmouth:
Here are some facts about the average salary and income in Portsmouth:
Owning a house is cheaper in Portsmouth than in most major US cities as the home cost is much lower than the US average. About 39.7% of the population stays in rented homes while the rest own a house in the city. This means, a majority of the residents are homeowners and if you have a plan to own a house after moving to Portsmouth, it would be easier than most US cities.
Here are some of the latest housing stats in Portsmouth:
Tax can be a major concern when you plan to move to a new location as it may seriously impact what you take home as salary. And to help you, here are a few tax-related facts existing in Portsmouth:
The city is deeply rooted in American history and it is natural to have plenty of landmarks related to the country’s history. In addition, there are many outdoor recreation options as well to keep your holidays and weekends alive and engaged.
And here is a list of the 10 best things to do after moving to Portsmouth:
Safety is a major drawback of Portsmouth as the crime rate in the city is much higher than most neighboring cities. The violent crime rate is 35.7 and the property crime rate is 74.2. The city is safer than just 2% of US cities and your chance of being a crime victim is 1 in 121, while the chance of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 22. Only 46% of the population believes the city is safe to live in.
Portsmouth is home to many good-ranking schools, and if you are moving here with your family, finding a good institution for your child will not be an issue at all. Knowing the best schools in the city will help you in picking one after reaching here. We’ve filtered out the top-ranking schools and colleges in the city.
Churchland High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,435 students | Rating: 6/10
I C Norcom High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,043 students | Rating: 4/10
Manor High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,236 students | Rating: 3/10
Norfolk State University
Old Dominion University
Virginia Wesleyan University
Tidewater Community College
Churchland Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 767 students | Rating: 9/10
Simonsdale Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 612 students | Rating: 8/10
Churchland Primary and Intermediate School
Public, K-6 | 541 students | Rating: 7/10
Park View Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 463 students | Rating: 6/10
Victory Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 589 students | Rating: 7/10
Churchland Middle School
Public, 7-8 | 890 students | Rating: 7/10
Wm. E. Waters Middle School
Public, 7-8 | 534 students | Rating: 6/10
Cradock Middle School
Public, 7-8 | 533 students | Rating: 5/10
Churchland High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,435 students | Rating: 6/10
I C Norcom High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,043 students | Rating: 4/10
Manor High School
Public, 9-12 | 1,236 students | Rating: 3/10
Norfolk State University
Old Dominion University
Virginia Wesleyan University
Tidewater Community College
Churchland Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 767 students | Rating: 9/10
Simonsdale Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 612 students | Rating: 8/10
Churchland Primary and Intermediate School
Public, K-6 | 541 students | Rating: 7/10
Park View Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 463 students | Rating: 6/10
Victory Elementary School
Public, K-6 | 589 students | Rating: 7/10
Churchland Middle School
Public, 7-8 | 890 students | Rating: 7/10
Wm. E. Waters Middle School
Public, 7-8 | 534 students | Rating: 6/10
Cradock Middle School
Public, 7-8 | 533 students | Rating: 5/10
Which help you to make a Convenient Move
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