Park Crescent - Norfolk, VA

Norfolk began officially in 1682, established by a British act. The town suffered casualties during the American War of Independence, experienced combat leading to the War of 1812, witnessed one of the most famous naval battles in history – the battle of the ironclads boats – and was occupied by the Union during the Civil War.

Norfolk hosted the Jamestown Exposition in 1907, celebrating the 300th anniversary of America’s first permanent English settlement. The exposition grounds soon became the U.S. Naval Operating Base, bringing soldiers, support and families here during two world wars and doubling the city’s population.

Revitalization programs have brought rebuilding projects and cultural opportunities to Norfolk. To enjoy these opportunities, visit D’Art Center, Nauticus National Maritime Center and the USS Wisconsin, Generic Theater and the Chrysler Museum of Art.

Harborfest in downtown Norfolk entertains locals each year with First Friday and Norfolk Festevents.

Casual restaurants predominate in Park Crescent, including some with international flair and national recognition, such as Subway and Golden Corral. Sabor Caribeño caters especially to Dominican nationals, assuring you of its authenticity. Look for Latin dishes, including sancocho, empanadas, moro de guandules, tostones and mofongo, as well as plantains and oxtail.

Though a hole-in-the-wall at first glance, Franco's Italian-inspired restaurant serves cuisine that makes up for a humble appearance. The menu features pasta, pizza, subs and more. Locals recommend the calamari, chicken Marsala, chicken parmesan and pizza, especially the pizza topped with meatballs, eggplant and spinach. Desserts, including tiramisu and almond crème cake, rotate daily, but they all deserve a place in your meal.

When night falls and your appetite craves entertainment, you have plenty of choices. For the sports bar experience, choose from Azalea Inn Grill and Time Out Sports Bar or Winners Sports Bar. Both have TVs, pub grub, adult beverages, game rooms and pool tables. At Winners, you can also amuse yourself with darts and karaoke.

If you crave a nightclub vibe, check out the Banque restaurant and nightclub. Take your cowboy boots and a familiarity with line dancing, though, because that's the focus at this country bar. Fortunately, the Banque provides line-dancing lessons several nights a week as well as a Western store, so even a newbie can enjoy the evening.

Two of Virginia's craft breweries make their home in Norfolk. O'Connor Brewing Company and Smartmouth Brewing Company both open their tasting rooms to visitors and serve pints of their beer.

Music fans in Norfolk can rock to some of the nation's best music at The NorVA, dubbed the "Venue that Rocks" by Rolling Stone magazine. Housed in a historic 1917 theatre, this music venue has hosted some of the country's most popular music groups, including Riff Raff, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Government Mule, as well as Shaggy, Interpol, and Iron & Wine.

Residents can wander the immediate neighborhood by foot, but they use automobiles for errands and other entertainment outside of Park Crescent. The apartment complex and strip malls provide free parking. Drivers can access the region’s expressway system, Interstate 64/Hampton Roads Beltway, just around the corner from Park Crescent. Even Norfolk International Airport lies within close proximity.

Most, but not all, of the main roads around the community have sidewalks or paths and none have bike lanes. This road situation, as well as the few conveniences within easy walking distance, make the neighborhood low on the walkability scale.

Hampton Roads Transit provides public transportation for the region, connecting the cities of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton and Newport News, with convenient bus stops along North Military Highway in Park Crescent. A phone call hails a cab, while the handy Uber app summons an Uber driver.

Several diverse parks surround the neighborhood, all within easy driving distance. The Elizabeth River Trail near downtown Norfolk, built on an abandoned railroad, provides an off-road biking and pedestrian path. Feel free to take your kids and dog.

If you crave waterfront recreation – after all, the Hampton Roads lies along the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and James River – visit Ocean View Beach Park for fishing, swimming, windsurfing, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing and even wandering nature trails. The beach allows leashed dogs except during peak people use: no dogs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

At the closest park with plenty of provisions, Northside Park, you can make use of walking paths, playground, softball diamonds, picnic shelters, basketball court and tennis courts. Best of all, Northside Park provides a year-round indoor pool with sun patio. Leashed pets are welcome except at the pool.

Downtown, Town Point Park provides an urban oasis of green, showcasing fountains, lawns, trees and shrubs. Town Point Park hosts festivals and special events throughout the year. The park welcomes children but does not provide playgrounds. The park does not allow dogs, except service animals.

The city does not charge for access to and basic use of their parks, although some activities cost extra. These parks don’t provide exercise-centric equipment, but the activities and trails can give you the aerobic activity you need for fun and fitness.

The cost of living in Park Crescent is higher than the city average, with a median rental rate for a one-bedroom residence at $1,100. The average price of fuel is five percent less than the national average. The typical price for a beer at a local pub hovers around $2.50 for domestics and higher for quality craft beer.

Taking public transportation on Hampton Roads Transit downtown costs $1.75 for a single trip, while the one-day HRT GoPass costs $4. This fare takes passengers around the greater Hampton Roads region.

Park Crescent and the surrounding neighborhoods host two convenient shopping areas: Norview Center and Bromley shopping centers, with some basic, high-value retail and services such as Dollar Tree, Subway, pediatric services, fuel and groceries.

For boutique shopping, head to the Historic Ghent area. At The Bonbonnier, your mouth will water as you browse the decadent chocolates, caramels, home-style candies, old-time confections and ice cream.

Nearby Food Lion can provide most of the locals’ grocery needs, but Harris Teeter at Wards Corner, Kmart Supercenter and Walmart Supercenter provide nearby alternatives.

Two farmers’ markets service the area as well. Five Points Farm Market, open Thursday through Sunday, provides market shopping, a CSA (community-supported agriculture) and a café. This community-run non-profit shares fresh produce grown from small local farms with local consumers.

St. Paul’s Downtown Farm Market, sponsored by the church and by Five Points Farm Market, connects vendors and shoppers for fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers every Saturday from May through November.