Orders to Norfolk? We’ve done the research for you on pros and cons of the most popular places to live in the 757 area.
Norfolk: A diverse area that has everything from historic districts to beach living. Norfolk has a population of 244,601. Norfolk is in Norfolk City County. Living in Norfolk offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Norfolk there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
Pros:
- Close commute to Norfolk Naval Station and Base & Little Creek/Fort Story Joint Base
- Hip eateries and a bustling bar/brewery scene
- If you work in healthcare, Norfolk has several notable hospitals and hospital networks
Cons:
- Crime
- Flooding: Be sure to research your flood zone. This will largely affect your flood insurance rates.
- Poorly maintained infrastructure: Watch for potholes and poorly maintained roads.
Notable Neighborhoods:
- Ghent
- Larchmont
- East Beach
- West Freemason District
Virginia Beach: Virginia Beach is a city in Virginia with a population of 450,201. Virginia Beach is in Virginia Beach City County and is one of the best places to live in Virginia. Living in Virginia Beach offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Virginia Beach there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Virginia Beach. The public schools in Virginia Beach are highly rated.
Pros:
- Great school system
- Proximity to the Oceanfront, Virginia Beach
- Close commute for Oceana Naval Air Station, Dam Neck Base
- Convenience to shopping, food/beverages, and retail
Cons:
- Traffic and congestion on major roadways
- Commute times to base
- Tourism season influx
Notable Neighborhoods:
- Great Neck
- Princess Anne
Chesapeake: Chesapeake is a suburb of Norfolk with a population of 239,982. Chesapeake is in Chesapeake City County and is one of the best places to live in Virginia. Living in Chesapeake offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Chesapeake there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Chesapeake. The public schools in Chesapeake are highly rated.
Pros:
- Safer and cheaper than Norfolk
- Stable economy
- Parks and recreation are notable
Cons:
- Chesapeake is the epitome of suburban living, if you don’t want it, you won’t like it
- Rapid growth coupled with sprawl
- Bad commute times depending on how deep you live in Chesapeake
Notable Neighborhoods:
- Hickory
- Grassfield
- Great Bridge
Suffolk: Suffolk is a suburb of Norfolk with a population of 90,093. Suffolk is in Suffolk City County. Living in Suffolk offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Suffolk there are a lot of parks. Commute can range between 20-40 mins, depending on route. The toll routes are taking either the Downtown Tunnel or the Midtown Tunnel. The Midtown Tunnel is the one that would lead to base better. The long route, High Rise Bridge through Chesapeake, takes about 40 mins. Watch for bridge openings as this will affect your commute.
Pros:
- Close proximity to Norfolk without feeling trapped in a city environment
- Outdoors’s enthusiasts will find plenty to do
Cons:
- Commute involving tolls
- Steadily rise cost of living
Notable Neighborhoods: Western Branch
Portsmouth: Portsmouth is a town in Virginia with a population of 95,097. Portsmouth is in Portsmouth City County. Living in Portsmouth offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Located in Portsmouth is the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Portsmouth Naval Hospital which services many military members and their families.
Pros:
- Commute to Norfolk Naval Station is not bad
- Cost of living in Portsmouth is 4% lower than the Virginia average
Cons: Crime- this is perhaps the largest deterrent to living in Portsmouth
Notable Neighborhoods:
- Old Towne
- Churchland
Newport News: Newport News is a city in Virginia with a population of 179,673. Newport News is in Newport News City County. Living in Newport News offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Newport News there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Newport News. The public schools in Newport News are above average.
Pros:
- Proximity to Newport News Naval Shipyard: a lot of ships go to the yards or dry-dock
- Nightlife and Entertainment
- Home to Christopher Newport University
- Proximity to Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Richmond
Cons:
- Crime
- Commuting across the HRBT or the MMBT
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