Larchmont/Edgewater - Norfolk, VA

Founded in 1906, the Larchmont/Edgewater neighborhood was once entirely comprised of farmland. Over the years, this western Norfolk community grew to include more than 2,300 homes that feature colonial revival and Victorian architecture. Today, the neighborhood includes a mix of historical homes that are inhabited by established business executives and up-and-coming young professionals.

The Larchmont/Edgewater neighborhood does not house a museum, but you'll spend one whole day in amazement at the naval history you'll encounter at the nearby Nauticus museum and USS Wisconsin BB-64 ship tour. Take the guided tour to make the most of this unforgettable experience.

The community does not host any festivals, so check out the local flavor at the annual Stockley Gardens Arts Festival in neighboring Ghent. Featuring live music and a vast assortment of food vendors, this festival has rows and rows of jewelry, knickknacks, paintings and other types of artwork from local artists.

Although it lacks a central restaurant hub, the mainly residential neighborhood of Larchmont-Edgewater has a few casual restaurants. D'Egg West on Lexan Avenue serves large portions of classic American breakfast and lunch items. Grab a quick breakfast bagel sandwich filled with eggs any style and your choice of meat when you need to fill up fast before arriving at work. When you have a little more time to kill, dine in for house specialties such as the Greek omelette or the strawberry cheesecake French toast. At lunch, choose the award-winning meatloaf plate or the warm, filling black bean chili.

Find Taste Unlimited, a popular regional chain, along Hampton Boulevard. This lunchtime sandwich spot offers a wide variety of vegetarian and meat-filled choices served on housemade French bread. Grab a boxed lunch when you are on the go, or call and have the order delivered to your Larchmont-Edgewater home or work address when you can't get away.

Also on Hampton Boulevard, Small's Smokehouse and Oyster Bar's wood-accented decor makes you feel right at home. This eatery's extensive menu selection of burgers, sandwiches and substantial snacks makes this local hotspot perfect for impressing a lunch date or hosting an intimate dinner out.

Although the Larchmont-Edgewater neighborhood does not house any bars, the Wave night club along nearby Colley Street satisfies your urge to dance and meet new people. The club's two dance floors allow you room to party the night away with people from all walks of life. When you're more in the mood for a live acoustic band, check out Hell's Kitchen on nearby Granby Street or the Norva on Monticello Avenue.

The Larchmont/Edgewater neighborhood provides dedicated bike lanes on the eastern side of the neighborhood along Upper Brandon Place and Richmond Crescent. Monroe Place, along the western side of the neighborhood, hosts the safest, most bike-friendly lanes in the neighborhood.

Walking through the subdivisions in the neighborhood is a breeze; however, the mostly residential area provides limited shopping and dining resources. Therefore, take Virginia State Route 337 or U.S. Route 58 to get to neighboring towns and communities. If you don't have a car, reserve a cab by phone to avoid waiting long periods of time to hail a rare passing cab on the street. Unfortunately, the Uber ride-sharing service isn't an option in this area but you can hop on the Hampton Roads Transit Bus from the 800 LRT MAIN LINE just outside the neighborhood on Monticello to get where you need to go.

Bluestone Avenue Playground, a small, community park, houses a children's playground and numerous shaded sitting areas. The free park also welcomes on-leash dogs. The park's spacious, open areas allow you to bring your own Frisbee or sports equipment to have a more exercise-centric experience than just hanging out for the day. Bluestone Avenue Playground does not host any annual events.

Becoming a permanent resident of the Larchmont/Edgwater neighborhood provides you with a lower-than-average cost of living compared to the rest of the Hampton Roads area. Grabbing a pint at a local bar runs you about $5, and the price for one gallon of gas generally rests at approximately 8 percent below the national average. Renting a one-bedroom residence in the neighborhood sets you back about $710 a month, while taking a bus to the center of town costs roughly $1.50.

The Larchmont-Edgewater area does not house any shopping centers. However, the McArthur Center Mall along nearby Monticello Avenue provides you with all the national brands you need to remain on trend, including Forever 21, Clark's and Dilliard's.

Venture to West 22nd Street in neighboring Ghent to Baa Baa Sheep to find the perfect handmade gift for a beloved friend or family member, or make one yourself using some of the shop's abundance of yarn, needles and patterns. This shop also hosts trunk shows and crafting classes.

You'll also find the Vintage Rooster on West 21 Street in the Ghent neighborhood. This antique mall features numerous arts, crafts, clothing, furniture and jewelry collections from local artisans and vintage goods dealers. This street is also home to the Fresh Market and Farm Fresh, two grocery stores that provide all of the dry goods and meat and seafood products you need to feed your family all week.

Stock up on produce at the nearest farmers market on Colley Avenue in downtown Norfolk. Providing a wide range of locally sourced fruits and vegetables, this market also sells a vast assortment of craft beers, freshly baked goods, and homemade jams and jellies.