North Meadow Brook Norfolk, VA

Norfolk’s history dates back to 1635, but the North Meadow Brook community wasn’t part of the city until the Great Annexation of 1923. This expansion tripled the size of Norfolk and came shortly after the establishment of Naval Station Norfolk. Many original homes still stand in the community, with a large number of residences from the 1940s, 1960s and 1970s. Less than a mile away from North Meadow Brook, Hermitage Museum and Gardens invites you to explore the history and culture of this section of Norfolk. Hermitage was built in 1908 by the affluent Sloane family and expanded to a 42-room arts and crafts home by 1936. Today, the museum features over 5,000 years of artwork, along with working artist studios and 12 acres of semi-formal gardens and native wetlands.

Pizzerias, sub shops, and fast food favorites abound in the North Meadow Brook area, along with an assortment of Asian and Mexican restaurants. The busy intersection of Hampton and Terminal Boulevards hosts a handful of eateries. As you enter the base on Hampton Boulevard, Oro Azteca serves hearty portions of authentic Mexican food along with the neighborhood's best margaritas. Mike's Pizza satisfies your Greek and Italian cravings with traditional gyros, baked pasta, and made-from-scratch desserts. Try a homemade pizza, a fresh salad, or Mike's extraordinary cheeseburger sub with a slice of baklava cheesecake. North Meadow Brook residents frequently order delivery from Mike's. Golden City Chinese and pizza chains such as Chanello's and Domino's deliver to the neighborhood as well. In addition to Oro Azteca, residents can quench their thirsts at Ruby Tuesday or Dockside Bar & Grill. The patio at Nazef Hookah Lounge is a popular local hangout in warm weather. Indoors, patrons enjoy the area's best selection of tobacco and their favorite cocktails. South of North Meadow Brook on Hampton Boulevard, the Old Dominion University area hosts a lively party scene. Hot spots include the Edge nightclub, Monarch Recovery Sports Grill, and Mojo Bones, a local barbecue joint with a full bar and more than 50 craft beers.

Getting around North Meadow Brook proves simple, regardless of your mode of transport. Buses run every 30 minutes with two HRT routes serving the community, but services stop shortly after midnight. Residents turn to Uber, Yellow Cab or Checker Taxi for late-night rides and faster trip times. The area encourages bike and pedestrian traffic. Most roads around the neighborhood are bike-friendly, with dedicated bike lanes heading south into downtown Norfolk. Most residents still prefer driving over other methods of travel. Most local businesses and shopping centers provide plenty of free parking and it’s easy to get almost anywhere in Hampton Roads. The neighborhood offers easy access to West Little Creek Road and Hampton Boulevard, less than 10 minutes from the I-564 and I-64 interchange.

Residents can visit an excellent selection of parks in the nearby area, including some in walking or biking distance. The Hermitage Museum playground sits beneath a shady canopy of trees, providing relief from the heat in the summer. Titustown Park features a recreation center with indoor and outdoor basketball courts, football fields and volleyball, as well as a visual arts center with pottery kilns, a game room and a computer room. Gleneagle Dog Park, located at the intersection of Daniel Avenue and Hampton Boulevard, offers a convenient off-leash play area for North Meadow Brook dog owners. Visitors enjoy all the facilities without paying an admission fee. Town Point Park is about 15 minutes away, in downtown Norfolk, and hosts several events throughout the year, including the annual Virginia Beer Festival, Harborfest and the Waterfront Jazz Festival. Consider purchasing tickets in advance for most of these iconic festivals.

North Meadow Brook offers a moderate cost of living in comparison to other affluent communities in Hampton Roads, although home prices and rental rates are higher than many other areas of Norfolk. Renters pay an average of $858 for one-bedroom apartments, while other living expenses are in line with the rest of the city. Gas prices typically sit about 3 percent below the national average, but Norfolk residents usually spend a bit more than other Americans on entertainment. Most bars in the area charge $4 to $5 for a beer. Snack foods and movie tickets tend to be pricier here as well. Public transportation is quite affordable, with single ride tickets for $1.75 or an all-day pass for $4.

An assortment of convenience stores, a hardware store and a pawn shop sit within walking distance of North Meadow Brook. Most residents head to the intersection of Little Creek Road and Granby to take care of their daily errands. Harris Teeter, Farm Fresh, and Kroger serve the neighborhood with groceries from this location, along with pharmacies and specialty shops, such as Book Exchange and Health Food Center. Locals have visited Old Virginia Ham Shop since 1957 and always find delicious local meats that make wonderful gifts. Traveling south of North Meadow Brook toward Old Dominion University, residents find a diverse collection of boutiques and local shops along Colley Avenue, including Westside Produce and Provisions farmers' market. A. Dodson's has unique gifts and home decor as well as one-of-a-kind fashions. Head east to pamper yourself at Sunkizzed Boutique, a beauty supply store that specializes in hair extensions as well as health and wellness products for the mind, body, and soul.