What are the best neighborhoods near Naval Station Norfolk?

The first thing we are going to do is alter this question to "What are the best neighborhoods in Hampton Roads south of the tunnels?".

Norfolk

1. Downtown Norfolk: A mix of townhomes and apartments , downtown Norfolk is a great place to live if you want to be within walking distance of bars and restaurants. It's very close to where the ships go for dry dock (within 10 minutes). It's 15 minutes from NS Norfolk, but with gate traffic and parking it's closer to 30 minutes.

2. Ghent: Known for its historic homes, tree-lined streets, and an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. It's very close to downtown Norfolk, but has more of a neighborhood feel.

3. Larchmont: Considered one of the most family friendly neighborhoods in Norfolk, you have access to great schools and lots of other families. There's a nice mix of affordable smaller, but still nice homes, and larger homes at a reasonable price. A bit closer to NS Norfolk, but further from the yards.

4. Ocean View: Offers beachfront properties and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. There's extremely expensive homes in the area 1M+, but also some affordable options as well. This area is extremely close to Little Creek.

Virginia Beach:

1. Oceanfront: A popular tourist area with a bustling boardwalk, beachfront hotels, and numerous entertainment options.

2. Chesapeake Beach: A quieter residential area known for its scenic beauty.

Virginia Beach has a lot of nice neighborhoods and is the largest city in terms of square miles in Virginia. It's important to do your research as the drive to NS Norfolk can range from 25 minutes to 45+. Even if you're going to a VA Beach Naval Station, living in VA Beach doesn't mean you're close. Last thing, lots of people not from Hampton Roads view VA beach as this crazy tourist spot- that is only a very small part of the oceanfront area and a minuscule part of VA Beach overall.

Chesapeake

I like to call Chesapeake the worst kept secret of Hampton Roads. Everybody knows that "no body knows about Chesapeake". You can't get significantly more bang for your buck in terms of housing with great schools and a very suburban feel.

1. Greenbrier: A major commercial and retail district with shopping centers and dining options.

2. Great Bridge: Offers a suburban feel with historic charm and access to the Intracoastal Waterway

3. Deep Creek: Growing very quickly, lots of Ryan Homes.

30ish minutes from NS Norfolk, 30ish minutes from downtown, 30ish minutes from everywhere.

Suffolk:

1. Harbour View: A growing community with a mix of residential and commercial development, including shopping centers and golf courses. This area is actually the best kept secret in Hampton Roads if you don't mind a bit of a drive.

2. You can also get a home with a good bit of land in Suffolk. If that's your thing, then Suffolk is for you.

You will likely spend 45 minutes in the car for NS Norfolk.

Conclusion: Do your own research prior to speaking with realtors about where you want to live. There's a lot of below average realtors in the area who do it as a side hustle or who just aren't very competent. Inflated egos caused by the 2021 real estate frenzy leaves many of them thinking that they're much better than they are. The biggest questions you need to ask yourself are:

1. How long do I want my commute to be? (Add 10-15 minutes to what Google maps says, gate traffic and parking by the ships can be terrible)

2. How much do I want to spend and is getting more bang for my buck more important than location?

3. How important is the school system?

Best of luck- Hampton Roads is a great place to live!