Greenbrier West - Chesapeake, VA

Greenbrier West developed in the late 1980s and 1990s as the shopping center became a more central part of people's lives. Because of its central location in Hampton Roads, and the shipping industry that exists, companies such as QVC and Dollar Tree have their operations centers located in Greenbrier, and even Subway has a corporate office here.

The Greenbrier West area is filled with chain restaurants, so if you're looking for something a little more unique, check out Pho Dalat, known for having the best Vietnamese food in the Hampton Roads area.

If you're not in the mood for Asian, try the Cutlass Grille. This locally owned Jamaican-Southern fusion restaurant is tucked in between a nail salon and a hair boutique, but don't let that fool you into thinking of driving by. Walk inside and be greeted by the bright cheerful colors of lime, green and yellow. Sit down in the booth and enjoy a pineapple Jamaican soda, straight from the glass bottle while you peruse the menu. Yes, there are some unusual items such as oxtail and curry goat, but there is also incredible pulled jerk chicken, curry shrimp and chopped beef brisket. Don't forget to try a side of Jamaican rice and beans. The food is flavorful without being too spicy. If you're feeling adventurous, try the fried plantains, but if cooked bananas aren't your thing, you might want to skip that one. All in all, Cutlass Grille is a deliciously unique restaurant that makes you feel as if you've landed in Jamaica, without the hefty price of the plane ticket For a night out, the 11th Street Taphouse Bar and Grille offers 31 craft beers and oceanfront views.

Positioned at the intersection of Interstate 64 and State Route 168, Greenbrier West has bus stops all along its major shopping sections. The Hampton Roads Transit serves the entire area, and hopping on the bus is easy and can get you all around town for only $1.75 a ride. The buses accept cash, coins or reusable fare cards.

If the bus isn't your thing, check out the different cab companies that run 24/7 throughout all of Hampton Roads, such as Norfolk Checker Taxi, Yellow Cab of Norfolk, Norfolk Black and White Cabs, or check out other options such as Lyft or Uber.

Because it's such a congested area, there are no bike lanes, but that doesn't stop the occasional brave soul from riding around with traffic. Some of the neighborhoods have partial sidewalks, but the community is based around driving, and the walkability score is 29, which is, unfortunately, low.

The city of Chesapeake does a good job maintaining its parks and making sure each section has a couple of parks for everyone to enjoy.

Enjoy the slice of nature tucked into the urban setting of Greenbriar West. Check out the Chesapeake Arboretum, which contains 48 acres of nature to experience. With themed and demonstration gardens, it's the perfect place to not only see plants and wildlife up close before deciding to plant them in your own gardens, but it makes an excellent setting for budding photographers to shoot portraits. There is also a registered nature trail that winds through the hardwood forests on the premises, and the volunteer-run facility is free and has plenty of free parking.

Just over 2 miles away sits the large Oak Grove Lake Park, which has 65 acres of forest, wetlands, and Oak Grove Lake. There are nature trails to walk on, and as you go around the lake on the concrete trail, the distance is marked out for you. The park features fishing and observation platforms, making it a gorgeous place to take some family pictures. Oak Grove also includes a playground and covered picnic tables, so it's the perfect place to visit year-round.

The cost of living in Greenbrier West is 3 percent higher than the average for the whole city of Chesapeake, and it is 6 percent higher than the state average. A one-bedroom apartment to rent will run you about $950. Two bedrooms are more common, probably so people can get a roommate to split the cost with.

Here in Greenbrier West you can get yourself a cup of coffee for about $4, which might seem high, but is actually 8 percent lower than the national average. A beer at a pub runs from $4 to $8. Another great price that is lower than the national average is the cost of gas, which runs about 7 percent lower than the rest of the country.

Because Greenbrier is such a congested shopping area, most of the stores are national chains, and finding that unique spot is a bit of a challenge. One of the niche stores in the neighborhood is Mercury Fine Violins. It repairs, sells and rents violins and other stringed instruments. The Hampton Roads area is home to many symphony and orchestra concerts and players, and so a violin store can come in handy. If you find yourself in need, check them out

If you find yourself in need of something more practical, such as food, you will not have to look too far. Farm Fresh, Food Lion, Walmart and Sam's Club are all the local places to pick up groceries.

The city of Chesapeake offers two farmer's markets if buying local is more important to you. Operating June through November, the locations are at Battlefield Park and Chesapeake City Park, and only growers of farm fresh products are allowed.

If you're looking for a unique store and experience, check out Carafe Wine Makers. The knowledgeable employees help you select a wine to make, you add the yeast and let it ferment, and then come back later on and pick up your ready-to-drink bottle In the meantime, you also get to create your own label. Bring a few friends, and make a night of it