Living in Hampton, VA: Your Insider’s City Guide
Four centuries of history surrounded by water: a stone fort guarding Old Point Comfort, NASA’s oldest field center, bay beaches and a walkable waterfront downtown. Here’s your insider’s look at living in Hampton, Virginia.
Four Centuries of History, Surrounded by Water
Hampton calls itself the oldest continuous English-speaking settlement in America. Today, it pairs that history with the space age, from Fort Monroe National Monument to NASA Langley Research Center and the Virginia Air & Space Science Center.
Downtown, Phoebus, Buckroe, Fox Hill and the Coliseum area each have a different rhythm, so Hampton rewards buyers who know how they want to live.
Market figures: Redfin, Hampton city data for the three months ending August 2026.
Flip Through the Hampton City Guide
This 25-page digital magazine is the companion to this page. Inside you’ll find Hampton’s history and fun facts, a perfect-day itinerary, local restaurants and coffee, Fort Monroe, a year of events, commute times and neighborhood spotlights on Downtown, Phoebus, Buckroe and Fox Hill, plus a new-resident checklist and my step-by-step plan for buying or selling.
Every gold and teal button in the guide is clickable, so you can search homes, check your home’s value or book time with me in one tap.
Four Centuries on the Water
- Long before English ships arrived, the Kecoughtan people lived along these shores.
- 1610 – The English settle at Kecoughtan, the beginning of today’s Hampton.
- 1619 – The first recorded Africans in English North America arrive at Point Comfort.
- 1861 – Fort Monroe becomes “Freedom’s Fortress” as freedom seekers reach Union lines.
- 1868 – Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, today’s Hampton University, is founded.
- 1917 – The laboratory that becomes NASA Langley Research Center opens.
Fun Facts About Hampton
- The Hampton Carousel was built in 1920 for Buckroe Beach and now turns downtown with 48 hand-carved horses.
- The Emancipation Oak at Hampton University shaded the first Southern reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
- NASA Langley is NASA’s oldest field center, and the first Mercury astronauts trained here.
- The Hampton Cup Regatta, billed as North America’s oldest continuously run hydroplane race, marked its 100th year in 2026.
Hampton Neighborhoods & Housing Styles
Hampton offers everything from downtown condos and Victorian homes to beach cottages on the Chesapeake Bay and waterfront homes along Back River.
Downtown
Condos, apartments and townhomes near the Hampton River waterfront and Queens Way.
Phoebus
Late-Victorian and early-1900s homes, cottages and bungalows near Mellen Street.
Wythe & Kecoughtan
Established early-1900s neighborhoods, including homes along Chesapeake Avenue’s waterfront.
Buckroe Beach
Beach cottages, bayfront homes, townhomes and condos near the public beach and pier.
Fox Hill & Grandview
Waterfront and water-access homes near Back River and the bay.
Coliseum & North Hampton
Apartments, townhomes, ranches and newer single-family homes.
“I don’t rank neighborhoods. I give you the facts and the tour.”
Every buyer weighs things differently: commute, lot size, water access, age of the home, HOA or no HOA. Tell me what matters to you and I’ll build a tour around the areas and homes that fit your life. Want to see what’s available right now?
Neighborhood notes describe housing styles and amenities only. Ask me for official resources on schools, zoning and more so you can research what matters to you.
Things to Do in Hampton
Fort Monroe National Monument
On Old Point Comfort, Fort Monroe’s 565 acres hold the largest fort by area ever built in the United States, ringed by a moat. The Army served here for 188 years, and it became a national monument in 2011.
See the moat and casemates, the Casemate Museum, the 1802 Old Point Comfort Lighthouse and Outlook Beach. It’s open to the public with no base pass needed; start at the Visitor & Education Center and plan two to four hours.
Parks & the Great Outdoors
- Grandview Nature Preserve – about 500 acres of marsh and a 2.5-mile bay beach
- Sandy Bottom Nature Park – 456 acres, lakes, trails and a nature center
- Buckroe Beach & Park – lifeguarded bay beach and fishing pier
- Fort Monroe – Outlook Beach and a bayfront boardwalk
- Bluebird Gap Farm – 60 acres and about 250 animals
Shop & Play
- Peninsula Town Center
- Phoebus shops on Mellen Street
- Downtown shops and dining on Queens Way
- Virginia Air & Space Science Center (look for the Apollo 12 command module)
- Hampton Carousel, since 1920
- Hampton Coliseum concerts
A Perfect Day in Hampton
- Morning: Coffee at Firehouse Coffee 1881, then walk Fort Monroe’s moat, the Casemate Museum and the bayfront.
- Midday: Lunch at The Deadrise on Old Point Comfort Marina, then the Virginia Air & Space Science Center downtown.
- Afternoon: Ride the 1920 Hampton Carousel and stroll the Hampton River waterfront and Queens Way.
- Evening: Oysters at Fuller’s Raw Bar in Phoebus, or dinner at Venture Kitchen & Bar downtown.
Local Favorites to Try
- The Deadrise – seafood at Fort Monroe
- Surf Rider Bluewater – marina seafood
- Fuller’s Raw Bar – Phoebus oysters
- The Grey Goose – Phoebus café and bakery
- Venture Kitchen & Bar – Queens Way
- Scratch Bakery – Phoebus cupcakes
- Oozlefinch Beers at Fort Monroe and Bull Island Brewing
Restaurants change often; call ahead to confirm hours.
A Year in Hampton: Annual Events & Festivals
Dates shift every year, so check visithampton.com before you go. House hunting from out of town? Plan your tour weekend around a festival and see Hampton at its liveliest.
Getting Around Hampton
Major routes include I-64, I-664, Mercury Blvd, LaSalle Ave, Magruder Blvd, Big Bethel Rd and Settlers Landing Rd. The I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel links Hampton to Norfolk, with its expansion expected to wrap up in 2027, and the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel crosses to the Southside.
Newport News/Williamsburg International (PHF) is about 15–20 minutes away. Major employers include Joint Base Langley-Eustis, NASA Langley, Hampton University and Howmet Aerospace, with Newport News Shipbuilding next door.
Military families: Hampton is home to Langley Air Force Base, part of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, and the Hampton VA Medical Center. Ask me about BAH, PCS timelines and my free Hampton Roads PCS guide.
Approximate Drive Times from Downtown Hampton
| Destination | Off-peak drive |
|---|---|
| JBLE–Langley (Langley AFB) | 10–15 min |
| NASA Langley Research Center | 15 min |
| Newport News Shipbuilding | 15–20 min |
| Naval Station Norfolk | 20–30 min |
| JBLE–Eustis (Fort Eustis) | 25–30 min |
| NWS Yorktown | 25–30 min |
| Newport News (PHF) | 15–20 min |
| Norfolk International (ORF) | 25–35 min |
Times are approximate off-peak estimates. Rush hour, bridges and tunnel traffic can double them, so test-drive your commute before you buy. I’ll map it with you.
Hampton Real Estate Market
Hampton offers a wide range, from downtown condos and Victorian homes in Phoebus to bayfront cottages in Buckroe and waterfront homes in Fox Hill, so “the market” can look very different street to street. Pricing depends on location, water access, lot size, age and condition, and I’ll pull the latest numbers for the exact areas and home types you’re considering.
Source: Redfin, Hampton city data for the three months ending August 2026 (median sale price $299,802). Figures are estimates, change monthly and are not a guarantee of value. Contact Tiffany for current REIN MLS data.
Thinking of Buying or Selling in Hampton?
Get numbers for your exact street, not just the city average.
New Resident Checklist
Within 30 days
- Title and register your vehicle with Virginia DMV
- Set up water with Newport News Waterworks (which also bills Hampton sewer and trash)
- Start electric service (usually Dominion Energy)
- Set up natural gas, if your home has it
- Confirm your trash & recycling day
Within 60 days
- Get your Virginia driver’s license
- Register to vote
- Get a Hampton Public Library card
- Enroll with Hampton City Schools, if needed
Military families: rules can differ for service members. Check the Virginia DMV military page. Need movers, inspectors, lenders or contractors? Ask me for my trusted local pros.
Your Hampton Move in 5 Steps
Tiffany Mosby, Realtor | Team Leader, Epique Realty
Military Trusted | Relocation Tested | Coast to Coast. I help families buy, sell and relocate across Hampton Roads with confidence. A move is one of life’s biggest decisions, so I stay responsive, anticipate challenges and use deep local knowledge to save you time and money.
Virginia is home. Florida is my happy place. If I’m not showing homes in Hampton Roads, I’m probably on I-95 headed south, and my team and I are still answering every call and email along the way.
Real Reviews from Families I’ve Helped Move
“If me and my family could give MORE than 5 stars we would. Finding a good realtor is important.”— Sasha J., bought in Virginia Beach
“Tiffany was a pleasure to deal with. She worked tirelessly to help us find our dream house.”— Zillow reviewer, bought in Chesapeake
“Tiffany went above and beyond to help us in the process of selling our home.”— Zillow reviewer, sold in Virginia Beach
“She was a delight to work with, very professional and knew her stuff!”— Dominique R., bought in Chesapeake
★★★★★ 5.0 on Zillow (6 reviews). Excerpts shown from verified Zillow reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Hampton, VA
What is the median home price in Hampton, VA?
According to Redfin, Hampton’s median sale price was about $300K ($299,802) for the three months ending August 2026, up about 3.4% year over year, with homes typically selling in about 28 days. Ask Tiffany for current REIN MLS data.
How far is Hampton from Langley Air Force Base?
Langley AFB (Joint Base Langley-Eustis) is in Hampton, roughly 10–15 minutes from downtown off-peak. NASA Langley is about 15 minutes and Newport News Shipbuilding about 15–20 minutes.
Does Hampton have beaches?
Yes. Buckroe Beach has a lifeguarded bay beach and fishing pier, Grandview Nature Preserve has a 2.5-mile bay beach, and Fort Monroe offers Outlook Beach.
Is Fort Monroe open to the public?
Yes. Fort Monroe National Monument is open to the public with no base pass needed. Start at the Visitor & Education Center.
What types of homes are in Hampton?
Hampton offers downtown condos and townhomes, late-Victorian and early-1900s homes in Phoebus, established neighborhoods in Wythe and Kecoughtan, beach cottages and condos in Buckroe, and waterfront homes in Fox Hill and Grandview.
Can I get a copy of the Hampton city guide?
Yes. Read the free 25-page Hampton guide in the flipbook on this page, or call Tiffany at 757-755-5625 for a personal copy and a custom tour plan.
More Hampton Roads City Guides
Comparing cities? Every guide in the collection follows the same format, so it’s easy to compare neighborhoods, commutes and prices side by side.
Looking at Portsmouth, Newport News or Williamsburg? Those guides are available by request. Tell me which city you’re considering and I’ll send your copy personally, along with the latest market numbers for the areas you like.
Ready to See Hampton in Person?
I’ll build a custom Hampton tour day around the areas, homes and lifestyle you’re looking for.
Tiffany Mosby, Realtor | Team Leader · 757-755-5625 · tiffanymosbyrealtor@gmail.com
Epique Realty · Office 888-893-3537 · VA License 0225251677 · Equal Housing Opportunity. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Business listings, events and figures change; verify details directly before relying on them.