Just off the intersection of Laskin Road and Atlantic Avenue, a towering statue of ocean ruler Neptune peers over Virginia Beach. It’s a profound symbol that helps represent this area. One of Roman mythology’s most powerful figures in Virginia’s largest city, a place that derives its strength from its seaside location. From its military bases to its multi-billion-dollar tourism industry, Virginia Beach’s culture has multi-faceted influences.
Settlers in the Jamestown colony, North America’s first permanent English settlement, first touched ground at Cape Henry. Virginia Beach’s modern history dates to the late 19th century when it sprouted as a resort area, in part because of the construction of the now-defunct Princess Anne Hotel and the establishment of a railroad system.
World War I and World War II influenced the development of Hampton Road’s military installations, which helped shape the region further. There are now four bases in Virginia Beach: Naval Air Station Oceana, Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek and Training Support Center Hampton Roads. JEB Little Creek is the city’s largest employer, and one of its major functions is serving as a site for the Navy Atlantic Fleet’s Amphibious Forces. Naval Station Norfolk is the world’s largest naval base. The Newport News Shipyard, the only location where US Navy aircraft carriers are built, has been operating since 1886. Sentara Health, which has two hospitals in the city, is another of Virginia Beach’s major employers.
The King Neptune Statue is located on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk at 31st St..
Virginia Beach is one of the top surfing destinations on the East Coast.
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Sprawling suburbs and vast, rural streetscapes
Virginia Beach features 38 miles of coastline but also sprawls across inland territory. The city’s roughly 460,000 people live in a diverse array of neighborhoods. Options include modern-home-filled suburban swaths like Princess Anne , waterside retreats like Chic's Beach and areas like Kempsville that are full of midcentury homes. “You also have Pungo , which is a little more rural,” says Cari Rausch, a Realtor with Iron Valley Real Estate, who’s been selling homes in the city for nearly five years. “They have anywhere from half an acre to 20 acre lots.”
Single-family home listings hover around a median price of $440,000, which is just above the state’s median of $425,000. There are options in the city that date back to the late 19th century as well as plenty of new construction. There are also condos and townhouses throughout the city, usually selling for a median price of $270,000. Listings that hit the market tend to be swiped up quickly, typically selling after an average of 23 days, which is about half the national average.
Homes in Pungo offer more rural living in Virginia Beach.
Princess Anne has newer construction homes available in Virginia Beach.
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Strolling on the boardwalk and hiking at First Landing State Park
In addition to relaxing on the sand and enjoying the ocean, beachgoers can also go for a stroll along the 3-mile Virginia Beach Boardwalk, which dates to 1888 and was named one of the 10 best boardwalks in the country. The city is known as the rockfish capital of the world as 70% to 90% of the globe’s rockfish population lives in Chesapeake Bay. Anglers can access bay waters or the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The Virginia Beach Fishing Pier is another option, open from late May to late October in the Oceanfront area.
The 2,888-acre First Landing State Park is Virginia’s most-visited state park. It features 20 miles of trails through dense forest, also running along both Long Creek and Broad Bay. Cycling is permitted on the Cape Henry Trail, the longest path in the park. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge has more than 8 miles of its own trails. The waters by First Landing, as well as those in Back Bay, are also open to kayaking. Those looking for a fully natural escape can drive 25 miles south to Chesapeake for the Great Dismal Swamp, one of the largest remaining swamplands in the country at 113,000 acres. The area offers over 40 miles of trails and is a popular spot for freshwater fishing.
Golfers can tackle public courses like the Red Wing Lake Golf Course, which stretches 7,124 yards and features bent grass greens. Virginia Beach National Golf Club, another well-liked public course, hosts multiple tournaments and other events each year.
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center features thousands of sea creatures. The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art includes exhibits such as “Mille Colori,” by Dale Chihuly, who is considered one of the most important 21st-century artists. “Mille Colori” is 14 feet long and includes 520 pieces of colorful blown glass. It’s the museum’s only permanent work.
In the neighboring city of Norfolk, residents can visit the Virginia Zoo, which features over 700 animals, and the Botanical Gardens, which is the largest in the state and offers 60 separately themed garden displays. In the spring and summer, Harbor Park Stadium hosts Norfolk’s minor league-affiliated baseball team, the Norfolk Tides. There’s also Norfolk Admirals hockey games in the fall and winter at the Scope Arena. Locals can also take Interstate 64 across the bay to Hampton for the Coliseum, which holds concerts and sports events.
The Adventure Park has zip lining for all ages in Virginia Beach.
Virginia Beach Fishing Pier in Virginia Beach is open seasonally from April through October.
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Popular seafood restaurants and shopping districts
With 500 million pounds of seafood harvested from Chesapeake Bay every year, it’s a key aspect of Virginia Beach’s dining culture. “The city is a truly melting pot of restaurants,” says Rausch. The area's AAA Four Diamond-rated seafood restaurants include Terrapin Restaurant and Zoës Steak & Seafood in the Oceanfront district. The ViBe Creative District, a bit farther inland from the boardwalk, is a cultural arts enclave full of its own share of restaurants. Those living farther west are close to the Great Neck area and The Shops at Hilltop. The retail hub includes respected New American restaurant Cobalt Grille, as well as retailers ranging from Office Depot to The Fresh Market. In Pembroke , shoppers can enjoy Virginia Beach’s Town Center, a 36-acre expanse with stores like Nike and Lululemon as well as restaurants, the Funny Bone Comedy Club and the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts.
Downtown Norfolk's MacArthur Center offers 1 million square feet of shopping and dining. Along the Elizabeth River, the Waterside District offers a collection of restaurants, late-night bars and events throughout the year. Next to Norfolk International Airport, the Norfolk Premium Outlets opened in 2017 with boutiques and a 331,000-square-foot IKEA.
Zoës Steak & Seafood is a Four Diamond-rated restaurant in Virginia Beach.
Terrapin Restaurant offers fine dining a few blocks from the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.
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Well-rated public schools and university options
The fourth-largest public school system in the state, the Virginia Beach City Public Schools district serves more than 65,000 students and earns an overall A rating on Niche. Various high schools offer specialized programs, from the Entrepreneurship and Business Academy at Kempsville High to the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Salem High.
There are plenty of higher education opportunities in Virginia Beach, including Regent University, a private school which has about 13,000 students and earns an A-plus rating from Niche. Virginia Wesleyan University is another private option with roughly 1,500 students. Residents are also close to Norfolk’s colleges, including Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University.
Thoroughgood Elementary School fosters a vibrant learning environment in Virginia Beach.
Students of Virginia Beach can thrive at Independence Middle School.
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Sand sculptures at the Neptune Festival
A home in Virginia Beach comes with quick access to Virginia Beach’s assortment of events, too. The city’s Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend has been in place for five decades, drawing an average of about 400,000 people each September. The event includes more than 20 live music performances, hundreds of artisan vendors and a showcase of more than 20 sand sculptures.
The Oceana Airshow is an annual event hosted by the Naval Air Station. The event features famous planes, including the Blue Angels, performing maneuvers and flying over the city. Residents are allowed onto the base and can enjoy live music, vendors and games. The airshow takes place in September and runs an entire weekend.
Something in the Water, a music festival organized by 13-time Grammy winner and Virginia Beach native Pharell Williams, has become a staple over the past few years. The Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater also hosts summer music festivals and big-name bands throughout the year.
Walk along the oceanfront in Virginia Beach and explore the COASTAL EDGE Surfing Champion.
Find fun, food and funk at Funk Fest in Virginia Beach on 26th St Oceanfront.
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Commuting via I-264
Those exploring the beachfront area can take advantage of the Wave Trolley, a service operated by the Hampton Roads Transit system that stops by a range of restaurants and other attractions in the area. HRT facilitates more than 21 bus routes around the city in total. The sections of the city close to the beach are also quite walkable.
Commuters can use Interstate 264 to get back and forth from the neighboring city of Norfolk. I-264 also connects with Interstate 64 for drives to nearby Hampton, about 20 miles away from the oceanfront, or to Virginia’s capital city, Richmond, just under 100 miles away. Norfolk International Airport, located about 15 miles west, sees over 3 million passengers each year. There are also several major hospitals throughout the city, including a Sentara in Princess Anne and a Sentara in Lynnhaven.
Falling violent crime rates, hurricane risks
According to FBI data, Virginia Beach's reported violent and property crime rates are generally on par with national and state figures. In 2023, statistics from the Virginia Beach Police Department reflected a more than 6% drop in violent crime rates and a 7% decrease in property crimes.
Hurricanes are a concern for coastal areas, with over a dozen named storms having affected the city since 2000. Major damage and flooding occurred in 2003 after Hurricane Isabel, causing over $600 million in damages. Despite the history of storms that have affected the area, Virginia Beach has never been directly hit by a hurricane, in part because of the geography of Chesapeake Bay affecting storm motion.
Since 1979, the periodic comprehensive plans that Virginia Beach uses to guide its development have recognized the so-called Green Line. The Green Line refers to Princess Anne and Sandbridge roads, and development in the city below that line is limited to preserve the rural character of that part of town. Spots like the Back Bay National Wildlife Reserve fall below the Green Line. The Green Line continues to be recognized through the current Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 2016, and upcoming planning is set to focus on redevelopment of already established areas of Virginia Beach rather than pushing development below the Green Line.
On average, homes in Virginia Beach, VA sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Virginia Beach, VA over the last 12 months is $396,000, down 16% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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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.
