Tucked up against the Nansemond River with Bennett Creek cutting through it and massive parks just a few minutes away, Sleepy Hole provides residents with proximity to a vast array of outdoor recreation and waterfront activities. “You still have a country, rustic atmosphere,” says Amy Thomas, a Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices with 25 years of experience selling in the area. “It’s just quiet and lovely. There’s wildlife out there. I think that’s one of the benefits, that Suffolk still offers that.” Despite this, Sleepy Hole doesn’t feel far removed from essentials. In fact, with its location just 11 miles from downtown Portsmouth and downtown Newport News as well as just 14 miles from downtown Norfolk, residents are usually only a few minutes away from practically anything they need. “I think a big part of the draw here is just the location,” Thomas says. “The close proximity to the naval bases, hospitals and all kinds of new restaurants and shopping.”
Sleepy Hole has beautiful views of the Nansemond River.
Private docks and boathouses connect to large waterfront homes in Sleepy Hole.
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Fishing and kayaking at Sleepy Hole and Bennet’s Creek parks
The waterfront, 73-acre Sleepy Hole Park features a long fishing pier that juts right out into the Nansemond River and is equipped with a canoe and kayak launch. On land, the little park has a playground, volleyball court, horseshoe pit and walking trails. Nearby, the 57-acre Bennett’s Creek Park also offers a fishing pier and three boat launches onto Bennett Creek alongside a playground, disc golf course, tennis courts and walking trails. Golfers enjoy heading to Sleepy Hole Golf Course, a waterfront championship golf course. When they want to really experience nature and don’t mind a bit of a drive, residents head to the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The heart of this 113,000-acre refuge is 25 miles away from Sleepy Hole, but it’s the largest intact remnant of a forested wetland and swamp that once covered more than 1 million acres. It’s home to a diverse ecosystem of wildlife, including bobcats, white-tailed deer, otters and one of the largest black bear populations on the East Coast. Over 200 species of birds also call the refuge home, making it a prime birding spot all year round. It’s also a popular destination for hiking as well as for fishing and boating on Lake Drummond.
Residents enjoy a challenging round of golf at Sleepy Hole Golf Course.
Explore nature and take a hike through the woods at Sleepy Hole Park.
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Waterfront homes, new constructions
Thanks to its river and creek, Sleepy Hole has collections of grand waterfront homes, often with private docks and boathouses. Landlocked homes tend toward large brick houses or Cape Cods, though recent influxes of home development have led to a lot of new construction homes built in contemporary styles with Craftsman or Modern Farmhouse influences. These homes start as low as $215,000 for a small three-bedroom that needs renovation and typically climb to about $700,000. This isn’t a hard cap, though, as a large four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath home on the water with a private pier and boat launch can climb as high as $1.3 million. It’s also possible to find condominium developments that offer amenities alongside turnkey homes. Thomas sells two- and three-story condominiums in one such development, called ARRAY at Bennett’s Creek Quarter. “We have a beautiful clubhouse, we have swimming pools, fitness areas, dog parks, all kinds of great amenities, so it’s resort-style living in northern Suffolk,” Thomas says. These condominiums start at just under $300,000 and can climb a little over $400,000. “We’ve been very busy,” Thomas says, adding that they’ve sold 40 units in 2023 just in ARRY at Bennett’s Creek alone. “It's a good problem to have.”
Riverfront views add to the beauty of Sleepy Hole.
Custom new construction homes are available in Sleepy Hole.
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Suffolk’s Festival of Lights
Every year, Suffolk’s Festival of Lights is held in Sleepy Hole Park, featuring festive lights, live music, food trucks and local vendors. There’s also a Military Day Horseshoe Tournament in the park in early May. At the edge of Sleepy Hole, the residential and storefront community of Bridgeport hosts a farmers market during the spring and summer as well as a yearly Holiday Market, which features food and drinks from local vendors, a live DJ and visits from Santa.
Sleepy Hole Park is a good place to relax and enjoy nature.
A pedestrian in the nearby Downtown Suffolk walks by a beautiful mural.
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Food Lion, Harris Teeter and dining a few miles away
Residents pick up groceries at Food Lion or Harris Teeter and often swing by A Dodson’s for home décor and gifts. Big box stores like Michaels and T.J. Maxx are just a few minutes outside Sleepy Hole. Right on the water of the Nansemond River, Decoy’s Seafood is a local favorite when it comes to treating themselves to a nice dinner out. It’s particularly well-known for its crab cakes and hush puppies. Souper Pho & Banh Mi is another go-to for its banh mi sandwiches and bubble tea. With major cities just a short drive away, other shopping and dining opportunities are never far away. “There’s lots of shopping, all the amenities that you’re going to want as far as restaurants and groceries,” Thomas says. “Everything is just right there within miles of the neighborhood.”
A. Dodson's in Sleepy Hole is a local favorite for home decor and gifts.
AJ Gator's in Sleepy Hole is the local Sports Bar and Grill.
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Engineering at Nansemond River High
Niche gives Suffolk City Public Schools a B-minus rating. Children can attend Creekside Elementary School, which has a C-plus, and John Yeats Middle School, which has a B-plus, before moving on to Nansemond River High School. Nansemond River High has a B rating and is a 2020 to 2021 Project Lead the Way Distinguished School with a focus on engineering. The school also has an active Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.
John Yeates Middle School has a B-plus on Niche.
Kids are challenged to excel at Nansemond River High School in Suffolk, Virginia.
At Creekside Elementary, students flourish amidst a vibrant, nurturing educational environment.
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Near Route 17 and I-664
Route 17, also known as Bridge Road, runs through Sleepy Hole, and hopping onto Interstate 664 takes only a few minutes. From there, residents can reach and cross the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel to downtown Newport News. Downtown Norfolk and downtown Portsmouth are likewise relatively short drives away. “It’s really a convenient location,” Thomas says. “When I started selling real estate 25 years ago, I never dreamed that Suffolk would be centrally located, but it totally is at this point with all the new roadways. It’s wild.”
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Sleepy Hole, Suffolk sell after 45 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Sleepy Hole, Suffolk over the last 12 months is $450,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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