Norfolk
Living in Norfolk combines coastal charm with maritime heritage. This historic port city offers housing options from row houses in the Freemason district to waterfront apartments in Ocean View, with current average rents ranging from $1,283 for one-bedroom units to $1,800 for three-bedroom homes. Downtown Norfolk features the Chrysler Museum of Art, the Waterside district, and Town Point Park, which hosts community events throughout the year. Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, serves as a cornerstone of the local economy. The 155-acre Norfolk Botanical Garden provides year-round natural beauty, while Community Beach, Ocean View Beach, and Sarah Constant Beach offer access to the Chesapeake Bay. The Elizabeth River Trail winds through the city, connecting neighborhoods and offering waterfront views. Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School anchor the education sector. The NEON (New Energy of Norfolk) district features public art installations and performance venues. Rent trends indicate stability with a 1.6% year-over-year change, comparing favorably with other coastal cities. Norfolk's central Hampton Roads location and cultural attractions preserve its appeal as a waterfront community.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is a large city of nearly half a million people, perched on the Atlantic coast between Chesapeake Bay and the North Carolina state line. Supporting a thriving local economy of its own, Virginia Beach is also a popular home base for folks who work in neighboring Norfolk and beyond, largely thanks to the incredible array of things to do in your down time. The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts attracts major national performers and Broadway musicals, as well as popular local and regional acts. Throughout the year, you can always catch live shows at Farm Bureau Live, the city's 20,000-seat outdoor concert amphitheater. During the summer, Atlantic Boulevard comes alive at night; family-friendly street performers line the street, and bands play at a number of stages set up on the beach, in parks, and on the boardwalk. Virginia Beach also has a wide array of exciting entertainment options for adults, including bars, nightclubs, and live music venues, especially in the Town Center neighborhood and along Atlantic Boulevard. Of course, the undisputed favorite attraction for most locals is still the beach itself, a gorgeous stretch of sand perfect for a relaxing day by the ocean.
Portsmouth
Located in southeastern Virginia, Portsmouth sits along the Elizabeth River as part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. The city's Olde Towne Historic District showcases period architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries, making it one of the largest collections of historic buildings between Alexandria and Charleston. The community's average rent ranges from $1,140 for studios to $1,472 for three-bedroom homes, with a moderate year-over-year increase of around 2.9% for one-bedroom units, making it more affordable than nearby Norfolk. Portsmouth's downtown area reflects its deep maritime heritage, anchored by the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, a cornerstone of the local economy. The tree-lined streets of Olde Towne invite exploration, while the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center serves as a prominent landmark. Rivers Casino Portsmouth provides entertainment options, and the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament brings excitement to the city each April. Established neighborhoods include Park View, with its historic architecture, and Cavalier Manor's residential streets. The 1752 Pass House, where Union forces issued travel permits during the Civil War, stands as one of many preserved historic sites throughout the city.
