Exmore is a small town between the bay and the ocean
With about 1,500 residents, Exmore, Virginia, is the largest town in Northampton County, situated on the Eastern Shore peninsula. Established in 1884 with the arrival of the New York, Pennsylvania and Norfolk Railroad, Exmore became a transportation and commercial hub in the region. Today, Exmore is known for its small-town charm and relaxed seaside location. “If you’re looking for laid-back, coastal living, this is the area you want to be in,” says Realtor Jessica Bernard with Weirchert Realtors Mason-Davis, who lives in the community. Located near both the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Exmore offers easy access to outdoor recreation like boating and fishing and homes that line quiet residential roads.
Exmore Town Park and waterfront escapes
At the center of town, Exmore Town Park spans 3 acres within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Open dawn to dusk, the park offers a playground, grassy green space and an event area for the various activities held here, including the Artisan’s Festival and the Music & Soul Food Festival. At the Exmore Townwide Yardsale, locals can sell their old items as live music floats through the air. Around the holidays, lighted floats travel down Main Street during the Christmas Parade, ending at Exmore Town Park, where Santa awaits.
Due to its location on the Eastern Shore, waterfront activities are common. “It’s the best of both worlds with the ocean and bay,” Bernard says. On the seaside, Willis Wharf is known for its clams and oysters, while Morley’s Wharf on the bayside is where folks can launch their boats and anglers can cast their lines from the wooden fishing pier.
Single-family homes and land available
Most homes in Exmore sit on flat, grassy lots with mature trees and spacious front and back yards. Common home styles include ranch-styles, Cape Cods and Colonial Revivals, and prices can range from about $100,000 to $300,000, depending on the size, age and condition of the property. Buyers can also find land available, with prices ranging from $20,000 to $40,000, depending on the parcel’s size.
Students zoned for Northampton County Public Schools
The Northampton County Public Schools district serves Exmore. Educating about 1,300 students, the district gets a C grade from Niche and has a student-teacher ratio of 11-to-1. Students can attend Occohannock Elementary School, which gets a C from Niche, before Northampton Middle and Northampton High, which both receive C-plus scores from Niche. Northampton High School also offers dual enrollment with nearby Eastern Shore Community College.
What's happening on Main Street
Although it’s a small town, Exmore has everything residents might need. At Shore Plaza, there’s a Food Lion grocery and Ace Hardware. Across the street, residents will find Walgreens and Dollar Tree. Downtown has a quaint Main Street lined with modest storefronts, sidewalks, vintage lampposts and established businesses. “A lot of the old staples have stayed,” Bernard says. She says that local favorites include Exmore Diner, an old railcar that’s been converted into a restaurant with a retro vibe and serves hearty portions of seafood, steak and sandwiches. Antiquing is also popular in the area, and locals can sift through piles of vintage treasures at Exmore’s Antique Emporium, Shore Antiques & More or Wachina Co. Antiques & Collectibles.
Getting around Exmore
Due to its more remote location, Exmore is car-dependent; however, there is limited bus service in the area. STAR Transit, operated by the Accomack-Northampton Transportation Department, provides fixed-route bus services connecting Exmore with neighboring towns, like Cape Charles and Onley. U.S. Route 13 travels north-south through the region, leading south to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which goes to Virginia Beach, and north toward the Maryland state line.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
