Poplar Halls - Norfolk, VA

The Poplar Hills neighborhood takes its name from the poplar trees that were planted along the 200-acre waterfront homestead owned by the Hoggard family from 1799 to 1952. This expansive estate, which also hosted numerous residents during the 1854 yellow fever epidemic, now houses more than 1,000 residents in its handful of modern subdivisions that were built upon War of 1812 and Revolutionary War historical sites.

Learn more about the Poplar Halls community at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park. This converted 1800s-era house houses several local history collections, including those featuring Cherokee Native American, early clothing, historical homes and famous authors of southwest Virginia. This neighborhood gem also hosts the annual Gathering the Gap Music Festival, a celebration of the area's bluegrass musical roots.

The diverse population of Poplar Hills makes this area a foodie's paradise with a vast assortment of locally-owned eateries. While you find restaurants sprinkled throughout the community, a great majority of these unique food and beverage establishments sit along East Virginia Beach Boulevard, a central restaurant hub of the community.

Watch the friendly, knowledgeable wait staff at Sawasdee Thai Cuisine pick fresh herbs out of the patio garden while you wait for your highly anticipated lunch or dinner entrée to come out of the kitchen. This authentic, moderately priced Thai eatery's extensive menu includes the classic pad Thai, basil stir fry, and green, red, Panang and mango curry selections you'd expect from a Thai restaurant. Sawasdee's signature Drunken Noodles with sweet basil, zucchini, broccoli and onions in a surprisingly sweet housemade caramel sauce exists as one of the biggest hits in this house.

Awaken your senses at Cilantro Bangladeshi Bistro, a compact spot on Kempsville Road. Try the fragrant Shahi chicken, or go meat-free with butternut squash Bhaji. Expand your culinary horizons with spicy goat curry, or try a new take on comfort food with deep-fried, spiced mashed potato croquettes. Each dish is perfectly spiced in the authentic Bengali tradition and served in generous portions.

When you just need a quick fill up, head to the Hot Dog Cafe. Providing a wide variety of hot dog toppings, including mac and cheese, this neighborhood staple provides consistently good comfort food.

When you want a nightcap or to listen to one of the DJs feature a fusion of old and new tunes, go to the Aqua Lounge. This cigar bar and nightclub houses a non-smoking room to suit everyone in your party. In the mood for a live band? Venture out of the neighborhood to Hell's Kitchen on nearby Granby Street. This casual bar and grille hosts weekly local live music entertainment.

Encircled by Interstate 264, the Hampton Roads Beltway and U.S. Routes 13, 58 and 164, the Poplar Halls community provides quick, convenient access to and from the neighborhood. Uber rideshare service doesn't run here, but residents can reserve a cab by phone or hail a stray cab on the busier streets in the area. That being said, most of the area businesses provide free parking near or in front of their establishments.

Although residents can walk or bike the subdivisions in the neighborhood relatively safely, no dedicated walk or bike lanes exist anywhere in the neighborhood. If you don't have a car, take the Hampton Roads Transit 800 LRT TIDE MAIN LINE at the Military Highway stop to shop, dine and explore the neighborhood on foot.

Although Poplar Hills does not house a park, the exercise-centric Woodstock Park in nearby Kempsville has everything you need to stay in tip-top shape. The free park features a skate park, off-leash dog park, a sand volleyball court, a tennis court and a hike/bike trail. Although this family-friendly facility does not hold any annual events, it does provide picnic shelters with charcoal grills and a children's playground.

Residents in Poplar Hills enjoy a little lower-than-average cost of living compared to the rest of the Hampton Roads communities. For example, one-bedroom rental residences here run you about $773 a month, while taking the bus to the center of town costs you approximately $1.50. Gas prices usually sit right at 8 percent lower than the national average, while sipping on a beer at a local bar sets you back roughly $6.

The Town Center, the best and biggest local shopping mall, sits at the corner of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Independence Boulevard. Featuring a vast assortment of national brands such as Dick's Sporting Goods, Ann Taylor Loft, and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, this mall also houses numerous restaurants and a comedy club.

When you want something a little more unique, drive to North Witchduck Road until you see the Echoes of Time parking lot. Hosting the largest selection of costumes and period clothing in the area, this shop helps you nail your holiday look and add a few, well-chosen vintage-like clothes, shoes and accessories to your wardrobe.

Just down the street on South Witchduck Road lies 360 Vintage Designs. This massive, 10-floor vintage store houses an amazing selection of men's and women's clothing and hard-to-find items, home decor and furnishings.

The Poplar Hills neighborhood gives you convenient access to the Walmart Supercenter and the Farm Fresh supermarket on North Military Highway. However, when you need an exotic Asian ingredient, try Grand Market International Foods over on Newton Road. This local hotspot also sells fresh seafood and hard-to-find Mexican food items and has an on-site Korean restaurant.

Drive a few miles out of the neighborhood to the Farmer's Market at Olde Towne Portsmouth to have an unforgettable Saturday morning. Farm-fresh produce, home-baked goods and handmade soap and jewelry from local craftspeople make this market a welcome weekend ritual.