As a sailor of 8 years, i have been in norfolk for the whole time and ive known people to retire who have been here the 20 years. Its all about whether you get what you want when you choose orders. Now in Norfolk, its not hard to stay. Its actually leavin here thats hard. Especially if you have a family because they have to move the whole family and all your belongings. Inless of coarse he was an EOD or some rate that is less manned and they need to move around. If you are lookin to settle somewhere and not move, choose Norfolk. But remember, its a hard place to leave for a family man, so if you think that in the future you will want to be somewhere else, it will be hard.