Oakmont Norfolk, VA

Norfolk’s rich history began in the early 1600s, but the Oakmont area remained farmland for more than three centuries. When sailors and soldiers returned home to Norfolk after the end of WWII, it caused a major housing shortage across the region. In 1955, the city annexed more than 50 acres of outlying farmland to create suburban neighborhoods with low-cost housing and affordable apartments to accommodate military members and their families. The Oakmont neighborhood didn’t develop until the late 1960s. The community still features quite a few original homes, as well as several newly constructed. The neighborhood gives you convenient access to many of the area’s historical landmarks, museums and cultural attractions, including the Union Kempsville Museum and the Chrysler Museum of Art.

Fast-food joints, sports bars, and casual diners sit up and down East Little Creek Road, near the northern side of the Oakmont community. Golden Coach, which features an extensive menu of seafood, sandwiches, and chicken, delivers to Oakmont. The flounder family special for four makes an easy weeknight dinner. Served with fries, coleslaw, hushpuppies, and drinks for under $25, it’s also budget-friendly.

A bit further west, where Little Creek crosses Tidewater Drive, K&W Cafeteria serves home-style meats, vegetables, and salads, and Great Wall offers a typical Chinese take-out menu. Teppanyaki Grill and Buffet, a favorite lunch spot, has a huge buffet with a variety of Japanese, Chinese, and American dishes.

Some Oakmont residents head to Ruby Tuesday for drinks after work, while others take a break at Winners Sports Bar to watch the game or shoot pool. The Banque, the Oakmont area’s only established nightclub, attracts country music lovers from the entire region. Other dance clubs and party spots can be found in downtown Norfolk and near the oceanfront in Virginia Beach.

The Oakmont neighborhood sits near the intersection of Chesapeake Boulevard, East Little Creek Road and the northern end of Military Highway, just 1.3 miles from Interstate 64. Evening rush-hour traffic starts around 3 p.m., but traffic can be heavy at all times of the day. Most residents prefer driving as their primary mode of transportation, despite the heavy traffic. The congested roadways in and around Oakmont create unnecessary risks for cyclists and pedestrians, but Hampton Roads Transit serves the area with several bus stops and routes that run throughout the Tidewater region. Residents can also call a taxi cab or use Uber to get from one place to another.

Oakmont residents have easy access to a large community park with playgrounds, basketball courts and a walking trail. Just a 7-minute drive from Oakmont, Northside Park is slightly larger with similar amenities. Most of the city’s parks and recreation centers charge no admission fee and feature plenty of activities for children. The city also maintains several dog parks across the area, with the Maple Avenue facility sitting closest to the Oakmont neighborhood.

Oakmont began as a neighborhood with affordable housing options for young families and continues to fulfill that purpose. Rental rates are significantly lower than the Virginia state average, and less than many other Norfolk communities. Renters pay an average price of $685 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Residents also spend less than the rest of the nation on transportation. Gas stations in the Oakmont area charge about 2.5 percent less than the national average, and a one-day GoPass for the HRT bus lines costs just $4. Entertainment prices around Oakmont tend to be slightly higher than the national average, primarily because of the area’s strong military presence and its tourist appeal. Local bars usually price bottled beers at about $4, while $3 is typical in most of the nation.

Surrounded by bustling commercial districts, Oakmont residents can handle their daily shopping errands without driving too far. Heading west on Little Creek Road, a Walmart Supercenter sits near Food Lion, Peebles and a number of specialty shops, including beauty supply stores, clothing boutiques and Dollar Tree. Coulter Supplies specializes in upholstery supplies and designer fabrics for home decor projects. When locals need custom foam cushions for sofas, chairs or outdoor furniture, they visit Coulter.

East of the Oakmont community, auto parts suppliers, pharmacies and discount retailers, such as Big Lots and Citi Trends, serve the neighborhood, along with a Save-A-Lot grocery store, a large thrift shop and more specialty stores. Located in the Roosevelt Gardens Shopping Center, Kindred Spirit carries spiritual and inspirational merchandise, including candles, herbal teas and jewelry. The shop offers appointments for Reiki therapy, as well as spiritual readings, and it hosts a variety of workshops each week.

MacArthur Center houses the best selection of high-end stores in Norfolk. Located in the downtown Waterside district, it takes Oakmont residents about 15 minutes to get there by car in typical traffic. Dillard’s and Nordstrom anchor the shopping mall, with trendy brands such as Cream, Justice and Love Culture filling the spaces in between. Five Points Community Farm Market sits slightly north of MacArthur Center, about a 12-minute drive from the Oakmont neighborhood.