Living in Virginia Beach, VA: Your Insider’s City Guide
A three-mile boardwalk, quiet bayfront neighborhoods, strawberry fields and protected wildlife refuges, all in Virginia’s most populous city. Here’s your insider’s look at living in Virginia Beach, from housing styles and commutes to the latest market numbers.
Oceanfront Energy, Bayside Calm, Country Quiet
Virginia Beach is where surf culture at the Oceanfront, city living at Town Center and farmland in Pungo all share one city. With the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, the Lynnhaven River and Back Bay all at its doorstep, water shapes daily life here in every direction.
The Oceanfront, Town Center, Kempsville and Pungo can feel like different towns, so the first step in any Virginia Beach move is deciding how you want to live.
Market figures: Redfin, Virginia Beach city data for the three months ending August 2026.
Flip Through the Virginia Beach City Guide
This 25-page digital magazine is the companion to this page. Inside you’ll find Virginia Beach history and fun facts, a perfect beach day, local restaurants and coffee shops, First Landing State Park, a year of events, commute times and neighborhood spotlights on the Oceanfront, North End, Sandbridge and Pungo, 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 Coast
- Long before colonists arrived, this coast was home to the Chesepian people.
- 1607 – English colonists make their first landing at Cape Henry before sailing on to Jamestown.
- 1691 – Princess Anne County is formed.
- 1792 – The Cape Henry Lighthouse becomes the first lighthouse authorized by the new U.S. government.
- 1883 – The railroad arrives and the seaside resort era begins; the Cavalier Hotel opens in 1927.
- 1963 – Princess Anne County and the resort city merge to form today’s City of Virginia Beach.
Fun Facts About Virginia Beach
- Virginia Beach is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest pleasure beach in the world.
- The Cape Henry Lighthouse (1792) was the first federal construction project under the new U.S. Constitution.
- Mount Trashmore Park opened in 1974 on a former landfill; its 165 acres now draw more than a million visitors a year.
- The Orange Crush cocktail traces back to Waterman’s Surfside Grille at the Oceanfront.
Virginia Beach Neighborhoods & Housing Styles
From high-rise condos steps from the sand to farmland and acreage in the south, Virginia Beach offers one of the widest ranges of housing styles in Hampton Roads.
Oceanfront & North End
High-rise condos, beach cottages and custom homes near the sand and the ViBe Creative District.
Shore Drive & Chic’s Beach
Bayfront condos, townhomes and cottages along the Chesapeake Bay.
Town Center & Central
Apartments, townhomes and established single-family homes near shopping and I-264.
Great Neck & Lynnhaven
Waterfront and wooded lots, many on inlets and creeks.
Kempsville & Princess Anne
Established and newer single-family homes.
Sandbridge & Pungo
Raised beach homes to the south, then farmland, acreage and custom homes beyond.
“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 Virginia Beach
First Landing State Park
Near where English colonists first came ashore in 1607, First Landing State Park protects 2,888 acres of bayfront beach, maritime forest and cypress lagoons. It’s Virginia’s most-visited state park.
Walk or bike 19+ miles of trails, including boardwalks through bald cypress, relax on 1.25 miles of Chesapeake Bay beach, or stay overnight at one of about 200 campsites or 20 year-round cabins. Go early on summer weekends; parking fills fast.
Parks & the Great Outdoors
- First Landing State Park – 19+ miles of trails and a bay beach
- False Cape State Park – 6 miles of wild beach, reached by foot, bike or boat
- Back Bay NWR – dunes, marsh and migrating birds
- Mount Trashmore – 165 acres, lakes and a skate park
- Sandbridge – a quieter beach down south
- The Boardwalk – three miles by the ocean
Shop & Play
- Town Center – shops, dining and events
- Lynnhaven Mall and Hilltop boutiques
- Atlantic Avenue beach shops at the Oceanfront
- Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
- Atlantic Park & The Dome for live concerts
- Pick-your-own strawberries in Pungo each spring
A Perfect Day in Virginia Beach
- Morning: Coffee at Three Ships near the boardwalk, then a bike ride along the three-mile boardwalk.
- Midday: Lunch on the water at Rockafeller’s on Rudee Inlet, then the Virginia Aquarium.
- Afternoon: Walk the cypress trails at First Landing State Park or dip your toes in the Chesapeake Bay.
- Evening: Dinner at Terrapin, then an Orange Crush at the Oceanfront as the sun goes down.
Local Favorites to Try
- Waterman’s Surfside Grille – home of the Orange Crush
- Terrapin – refined coastal Southern
- Commune – farm-to-table in the ViBe
- Rockafeller’s – seafood on Rudee Inlet
- Doc Taylor’s – beloved breakfast spot
- Chick’s Oyster Bar – bayside on Lynnhaven
- Forbes Candies – saltwater taffy since 1934
Restaurants change often; call ahead to confirm hours.
A Year in Virginia Beach: Annual Events & Festivals
Dates shift every year, so check visitvirginiabeach.com before you go. House hunting from out of town? Plan your tour weekend around a festival and see Virginia Beach at its liveliest.
Getting Around Virginia Beach
Major routes include I-264 (Virginia Beach Expressway), I-64, US-60 (Shore Drive), US-13, Independence Blvd, Princess Anne Rd, Nimmo Pkwy and General Booth Blvd. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel links Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore, and the I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion is still under construction.
Norfolk International (ORF) is about 20 minutes from Town Center. Major employers include NAS Oceana, GEICO, Stihl and the Navy Exchange Service Command, plus a year-round tourism economy.
Military families: Virginia Beach is home to NAS Oceana, Dam Neck and JEB Little Creek–Fort Story. Ask me about BAH, PCS timelines and my free Hampton Roads PCS guide.
Approximate Drive Times from Town Center
| Destination | Off-peak drive |
|---|---|
| NAS Oceana | 10–15 min |
| Dam Neck Annex | 15–20 min |
| JEB Little Creek–Fort Story | 15–25 min |
| Naval Station Norfolk | 25–35 min |
| Norfolk Naval Shipyard | 25–30 min |
| Joint Base Langley-Eustis | 35–45 min |
| Newport News Shipbuilding | 40–50 min |
| Norfolk International (ORF) | about 20 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.
Virginia Beach Real Estate Market
Virginia Beach offers a rare range, from oceanfront condos to bayside cottages to acreage in Pungo, 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, Virginia Beach city data for the three months ending August 2026. 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 Virginia Beach?
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 & sewer with the City of Virginia Beach
- 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 Virginia Beach Public Library card
- Enroll with Virginia Beach City Public 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, VA
What is the median home price in Virginia Beach?
According to Redfin, the median sale price in Virginia Beach was about $431K for the three months ending August 2026, up about 7.7% from a year earlier, with homes typically selling in about 25 days. Ask Tiffany for current REIN MLS data on the areas you like.
How far is Virginia Beach from Naval Station Norfolk?
From Town Center, Naval Station Norfolk is roughly 25–35 minutes off-peak. NAS Oceana is about 10–15 minutes and JEB Little Creek–Fort Story about 15–25 minutes.
What areas of Virginia Beach are near the water?
The Oceanfront and North End sit on the Atlantic, Shore Drive and Chic’s Beach sit on the Chesapeake Bay, Great Neck and Lynnhaven have homes on inlets and creeks, and Sandbridge offers raised beach homes to the south.
What is there to do in Virginia Beach?
Favorites include the three-mile boardwalk, First Landing State Park, the Virginia Aquarium, Mount Trashmore, False Cape State Park and events like the Neptune Festival and the Pungo Strawberry Festival.
Is Virginia Beach the largest city in Virginia?
Yes. With about 453,700 residents (2025 estimate), Virginia Beach is the most populous city in Virginia.
Can I get a copy of the Virginia Beach city guide?
Yes. Read the free 25-page Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach in Person?
I’ll build a custom Virginia Beach 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.