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Oakdale Farms

Oakdale Farms

Neighborhood Reviews
3.0
$287,351 Average Value
$230 Average Price per Sq Ft
7 Homes For Sale

Seabreeze and sunshine in a family-friendly Norfolk neighborhood

Just outside the heart of Norfolk, Virginia, Oakdale Farms is a testament to the city’s history and suburban development. Once sprawling farmland owned by the Langley family, the area was transformed in the mid-20th century when the neighborhood was constructed and fashioned after Levittown models of the modern, post-war American suburb. While long-standing residents and locals still remember this history, Oakdale Farms is continuing to change and grow into the same vision it was built with. Neighborhood kids walk to the bay to spend time outside in the summer and eclectic, diverse options for art, food and entertainment are just an easy car ride away. All ages can be seen out and about throughout the day, whether enjoying the skating area and other amenities at Northside Park or on their way back from catching an early morning sunrise. With an underlying sense of ease and comfort that comes from living near the ocean, Oakdale Farms is home to a caring, accepting community. The neighborhood is full of local businesses and other resources that take an active role to make sure "everyone who comes to the neighborhood is welcome," says Fran, manager at the local community coffee shop, Coaster Coffee. Just like the tide of the Chesapeake Bay, people are constantly coming into and traveling through Oakdale Farms. Tourists, residents and neighbors alike recognize Oakdale Farms for its calming, welcoming energy and the caring network of locals who do their best to keep the neighborhood growing in a healthy direction. So, breathe in the salty Atlantic breeze, grab something warm to eat and spend some leisurely time outdoors feeling what life is like in Oakdale Farms.

Relatively affordable homes close to the Chesapeake

Over time, Oakdale Farms has become an affordable neighborhood that pays homage to its past while breathing new life into the area. “My uncle helped build some of the neighborhood during the Second World War,” says Mick Shaw, a Realtor with Howard Hanna Real Estate, reflecting that, “He never dreamed that 70 years later, these homes would still be standing.” And they are standing, which is chiefly thanks to the care its residents give their homes. As a modern, vibrant neighborhood, Oakdale Farms combines a selection of newer construction with historically charming, vintage homes that have a distinct beachy character. Originally military housing, the developer used a mass-produced assembly line technique to manufacture uniform, one-story homes with two bedrooms and one bathroom. "The main feature on the homes was a central floor furnace that ran on gas that heated the entire house,” Shaw says (and many homes still feature these furnaces). As residents drive through the area, they'll notice a mix of historic, mass-produced properties and traditional houses featuring attached garages, vinyl siding and plenty of outdoor space to relax in. Additionally, homebuyers can also find beachy, Norfolk-style cottages and modest yet cozy ranch homes, all with expansive yards that are ideal for gardening. According to Shaw, “It’s very affordable to live here; original homes with newer additions are selling around $250,000 to $260,000,” while larger, more recently built homes featuring four to five bedrooms can sell for up to $400,000. And, with an average sales price of just $268,000, families from lots of backgrounds can afford to live in Oakdale Farms.

Oakdale Farms is home to over 3,000 residents in Norfolk.
Oakdale Farms is home to over 3,000 residents in Norfolk.
Large yards are common in Oakdale Farms.
Large yards are common in Oakdale Farms.
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Norfolk City public schools near the neighborhood

Neighborhood kids can attend Crossroads School, a kindergarten through eighth-grade school designed to emphasize leadership for the fields of energy and environment in children's educational journeys. The school receives an overall rating of C from Niche and offers a unique French and American fusion curriculum through its FASN program, which provides students with enriching educational experiences. For older students, Granby High School is right across the Hampton Roads Beltway from the neighborhood and offers a range of after-school activities, including clubs for cycling, engineering, and sailing. This school receives a B-minus rating on Niche.

Granby High School is located in Norfolk and has over 1,800 students.
Granby High School is located in Norfolk and has over 1,800 students.
The Crossroads School has been educating grades K-8 since 1946.
The Crossroads School has been educating grades K-8 since 1946.
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Heading outdoors in the Tidewater area

Steeped in the natural beauty of Virginia's Tidewater regions, locals and travelers alike enjoy having so much accessible outdoor space. Oakdale Farms has two nearby parks and Shaw notes that Monticello Village Park is a hidden treasure. Its circular field is shaded by towering trees and there's a small playscape for children. Northside Park spans over 62 acres and is the neighborhood’s true gem. Whether playing a round of tennis or having a picnic with family, Northside Park is a serene retreat from the bustle of the city.
From most of the neighborhood, residents can walk over Ocean View Beach Park to look out into the calm estuary, where the mouth of the Chesapeake opens to the ocean. Fondly reminiscing about her daughter's childhood, Fran says "Growing up, kids can walk to the beach at Ocean View Park and enjoy restful time with themselves or hang out with others and go on adventures together, especially during the summer, when it stays light till late." Whether just hanging out or going for a morning walk while watching the sun slowly come up, the water is always there for locals to enjoy being outdoors, getting some sun and listening to the waves. Other popular options include First Landing State Park" which takes 25, 30 minutes to get to depending on traffic," as well as all the beaches continuing south from there.

Ocean View Beach Park is one of three public beach parks in Norfolk.
Ocean View Beach Park is one of three public beach parks in Norfolk.
The Northside Skate Plaza is open to skaters and bikers.
The Northside Skate Plaza is open to skaters and bikers.
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Artsy, Norfolk-local options for shopping and dining

In Oakdale Farms, mornings often start off with a warm drink in hand at Coaster Coffee, a nonprofit cafe that serves delicious brews and directs its proceeds toward community revitalization projects. Started by a church looking to hold space for the local community, this shop is known throughout the area for its warm, friendly vibe. "It's definitely all about hospitality," says Fran, the manager at Coaster Coffee, which is right across the street from Northside Park. Fran continues to explain that she does her best to reflect the area's welcoming, creative vibes by creating space for people to sit, relax and take time for themselves. People from the park can come in for a free, cold glass of water or order a nice drink to sit down with for a bit, while cozy booths with electrical sockets nearby ensure that people have a settling, safe space to come to, whether working remotely or meeting with a friend.
A few blocks away, Siren Skate Shop offers bike repair services and sells skateboards, bikes and scooters for exploring the city’s streets. After a long day’s work, the Azalea Inn on East Little Creek Road beckons with its New York-style sandwiches and delectable Greek-inspired cuisine, inviting neighbors to unwind. "It's a local favorite. It’s probably as old as the neighborhood is,” Shaw says. For shopping, Oakdale Farms residents can rely on the nearby Little Creek Marketplace on East Little Creek Road. Grocery runs are a breeze with major retailers on-site, such as Walmart and Food Lion. Surrounding the marketplace are various restaurants, including Fuddruckers and KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, which is a great spot for dining out with family and friends.

Siren Skate Shop offers bike and skateboard repairs in Oakdale Farms.
Siren Skate Shop offers bike and skateboard repairs in Oakdale Farms.
Oakdale Farms sports fans can watch their favorite team at the Time Out Sports Bar.
Oakdale Farms sports fans can watch their favorite team at the Time Out Sports Bar.
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Getting around the greater Norfolk area

One of Oakdale Farms’ key features is its central location, conveniently situated for residents commuting to Norfolk Naval Station for work, less than 2 miles away. The neighborhood has a long history of being a popular choice for junior officers, with its original purpose as military housing in the 1940s. Today, Oakdale Farms continues to attract those seeking easy access to essential amenities. "It's smack dab in the middle of everything," says Fran, explaining that, in addition to being just 45 minutes from the Virginia Beach boardwalk and all its attractions, Oakdale Farms is less than 35 miles from Busch Gardens, a well-known Virginia amusement park that's just up Interstate 64 in Williamsburg. One unique feature of the area is the underwater tunnels along Interstate 64 that connect Hampton and Norfolk. "Some people get scared of them because you're driving underwater," says Fran, but she explains that they're actually really nice because "It gives you a straight shot to anywhere you want to go."

Family fun right in Oakdale Farms

For local community events, residents need go no further than Northside Park and Coaster Coffee, right across the road. The shop puts on an Annual Egg Hunt in commemoration of Easter that's free to the public. Right outside Coaster Coffee, there's a little free library community members can leave books in or borrow books from, just another example of how Oakdale Farms "Tries to be as smalltown as possible, even though it's in a big city," says Fran. Her shop also has a fun rock garden outside and painting groups that residents can join in on to create a little work of art to take with them, leave at the shop or bring from somewhere else. As Fran says, the community here is really all about "Loving on each other as much as we can," and, whether traveling through or a lifelong local, everyone who visits Oakdale Farms takes a piece of it home with them.

Coaster Coffee is non-profit coffee shop in Oakdale Farms.
Coaster Coffee is non-profit coffee shop in Oakdale Farms.
Coaster Coffee provides a quiet and relaxing atmospher in Oakdale Farms.
Coaster Coffee provides a quiet and relaxing atmospher in Oakdale Farms.
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Bayley Malo
Written By
Bayley Malo
Brian Ford
Photography Contributed By
Brian Ford
Ruo Zheng
Video By
Ruo Zheng

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cindy Caskey, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Norfolk International

10 min drive

Bus

Little Creek & West Glen

Bus

Little Creek & Vanpatten

Bus

Little Creek & Galveston

Bus

Taussig & Granby

Bus

Tidewater & Marvin

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.0 2 Reviews
3.0 Niche User
7/26/2016 Niche Review
Crime rate in nearby neighborhoods is high
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Oakdale Farms Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$297,000
Median Sale Price
$292,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$297,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
45
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-3%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$230

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
861
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Median Year Built
1942
Months of Supply
1.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,329
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,349
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cindy Caskey, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,640
Median Age
37
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.4%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$57,004
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$76,164

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
86.9%
College Graduates
13.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
2.9%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
72.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
45''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
7''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

42 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

41 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

44 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Oakdale Farms