**The Best Thing About Virginia Beach?**  Sky Above, Sand Below, Peace!

There’s a lot more to Virginia Beach than the beach but you’ll never escape that this is first and foremost a beach town. For starters, it just so happens to be the longest pleasure beach in the world. It’s also a city from which the beach vibe and experiences are inescapable. Amazing seafood restaurants are everywhere, the dress code is all-year casual, and in addition to lounging on the beach, you and the family can also enjoy fishing, boating, and any number of beach and water sports. If you’d like your children to grow up experiencing a life outdoors in the sun and sand Virginia Beach is an ideal spot. 

**The Worst Thing About Virginia Beach?**  The Noise

The Oceana Naval Air Station is based in Virginia City and while the site of the F-18 Super Hornets overhead can be inspiring they make a serious racket. You get used to them but for newbies the 118 decibels, the equivalent of a Metallica concert at full blast, can distract from the beauty of the beach and the ocean. 

**How You Living?**  We Are Family!

While there are many beach cities that cater primarily to surfers and a party scene, Virginia Beach is not one of them. This is first and foremost a family-focused place. Even neighborhoods that line the long coastline are built for families: with beautiful old beach cottages, vacation homes, and newly built mansions. There are “downtown” places to live in areas like Pembroke  but for the most part if you’re moving to Virginia Beach you’re moving for a family friendly beach-centric or suburban neighborhood. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?**  Let’s Get Educated

Given the challenges of education during the pandemic families are hungry for great schools for their little ones. Virginia Beach is one of the best public school districts in the state and gets A ratings across many of the schools. If you’re looking to move the family to a beautiful city and get the kids into great schools at the same time consider Virginia Beach. 


Virginia Beach

Resort City

**The Best Thing About Chesapeake?**  Beach and coastal paradise.  

A natural harbor makes for one of the best ports on the East Coast, and shipping and shipbuilding activity along with fishing and seaport-related commerce. With this level of access to all types of water (ocean, bays, Inter-coastal, rivers, swamp) it could turn any landlubber into a water-lover overnight. The military plays a huge part in life here – It is the number 2 destination in the county for military retiree’s. Many places claim to be “a family” but Chesapeake might actually win the prize. Because of its maritime and military background – and location, generations run very deep in the area. 


**The Worst Thing About Chesapeake?**

Being coastal is both amazing and at times frustrating – navigating the streets, roads and highway in and around the area requires crossing several bridges and tunnels and without a metro rail and limited mass transit this makes for very unpredictable travel times. As the military decommissions base’s the former installations and surrounding neighborhoods in some situation have become neglected. 
Business opportunities are tilted heavily to government and related business. This could also be seen as a good thing if you like working for the government.  
Not much of a concert scene and limited nightlife. 


**How You Living?**

Chesapeake is broadly divided into 4 area’s – in 3 of the four, Western Branch, Deep Creek and  Greenbrier, single family homes, of varying lots sizes, dominate. Most have front and backyards which play a big part of living here.  The South Norfolk neighborhood (officially part of the city of Chesapeake) has been undergoing a transformation and is emerging as a more urban area featuring a mix of revitalized loft spaces, row houses and a few eclectic shops and cafés. This area is unique compared to other neighborhoods, which tend to have a feel of the suburbs.  Most of the city retail zones are mall-like/big box. The restaurants are a mix of fast-casual, national or regional chains. With entertainment and dining options somewhat limited you may need to be prepared to make your own fun and dinner.


**Why You Should Move Here Now?**  Discovery

Compared to many East Coast seaside cities Chesapeake remains relatively undiscovered. It is easily possible to find great real estate value pockets on classic southern homes. The sense of community is apparent in every nook and cranny of the area. People here are very friendly. And if you strike up a conversation about boating or the Navy you may be in for a nice long chat.  The pace is not brisk which suits the local’s just fine. 


Chesapeake

One Increasing Purpose

**The Best Thing About Richmond?** Let’s go…The food and brewery scene.

Interesting Richmond restaurants continue to pop up each year, making this Virginia city a growing foodie destination! Any day of the week, Richmonders love to experience the finer side of dining. Oysters on the Half Shell and Seafood Paella at Rappahannock. Chicken Schnitzel or Boar Shank at Metzger Bar & Butchery. Creative breakfast classics with the Wavy Gravy at The Fancy Biscuit. Lump Crab and Scrambled Egg Enchilada at Millie’s Diner.  We could go on and on.  After you’re done dining locals like to finish things off with a Pumpkin and Salted Caramel Pie from Proper Pie Company.

Also, Richmond = Breweries.  Richmonders can’t get enough of the 30 Breweries all with very diverse atmospheres.  Stopping in at just one or two is enough to see why Richmond is one of America’s top beer destinations. Grab a Bourbon Barrel GPS at Richmond Brew House & Tap Room or enjoy the diverse selection of IPAs, Hefeweissens, and more at The Veil Brewing Co. Sip on a Fresh Pair of Sambas or a Frozan Papaya Colada at The Answer Brewpub. Prefer hard ciders to beer? Sample varieties of apple ciders at Blue Bee Cider.

**The Worst Thing About Richmond?** The uneasy marriage of new liberalism and historic racism 

Virginia is home to America’s original contradiction – the peculiar juxtaposition of slavery and freedom.  As the former capital of the confederacy, Richmond has tried to move from its past, while still preserving its history. 2020 brought protests on Monument Avenue and the subsequent removal of confederate statues.  The city is embracing being the progressive leader on racial, social and economic issues.

**How You Living?** In the city’s historic districts or the far West End neighborhoods

Richmond ranked #5 in the US Hipster Index.  Hipsters are a subculture of 20- to 30-somethings who position themselves as non-mainstream pioneers; free-thinkers and non-conformist conformists.  The city districts that give off that vibe are Scott’s Edition, Shockoe Bottom, The Fan and Church Hill. Each have their own unique qualities that people are drawn to.  The Far West End the most suburban area of Richmond, and the farther west you go, sidewalks and tight neighborhoods give way to sprawling newer developments that require residents to drive rather than walk to neighborhood amenities.

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** The rising star of the south 

Richmond is known for a lot of things -- the amazing views of the city from the James River, the rich history, the local cuisine, and the growing job market.  The city was ranked at number 24 on the top 25 best places to live in the U.S., according to U.S. News and World Report.  Top employers in the area include Capital One Financial Corp., VCU Health System Authority and the HCA Virginia Health System
Richmond is a vibrant Southern city with a multitude of livable, walkable neighborhoods; a thriving foodie scene with amazing restaurants; an arts scene that will soon include a combination boutique hotel/art gallery; and a city landscape that includes numerous parks and locations for outdoor physical activities – hiking, biking, kayaking, paddle boarding, among others.


Richmond

Where Urban Edginess Meets Southern Charm

**The Best Thing About Alexandria?**  It’s not DC

As a bedroom community to the nation’s capital, Alexandria is steeped in history. In fact, no one will ever let you forget that it’s the home of Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home. But it’s also like a suburb, with a lot more green space than DC, fewer tourists and less crime. The historic Potomac River not only divides the community from DC, but it provides a fun and vibrant waterfront to visitors and residents alike.

**The Worst Thing About Alexandria?**  The traffic

It’s true that there isn’t as much traffic as in DC, but there’s still a lot. Many folks in Alexandria commute to other places to work and so traffic can get snarled during rush hour. There is a decent public transportation system, the Metrorail, that serves both the city and commutes out of the city, but driving in Alexandria can make you nuts.

**How You Living?**  Like you’re in the past and the present

Alexandria is definitely a modern city, but it is older than the United States and much of it has been meticulously preserved. The aptly named Old Town in particular is full of historical buildings that the founding fathers used to frequent such as Christ Church and Gadsby’s Tavern. King Street is a great place to walk around and indulge in some retail therapy. Dog-friendly Del Ray, just minutes from Old Town, is far more contemporary and is currently booming for families and young people.

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

Alexandria is a nice place to live and it’s increasingly attractive to young families. It’s very pro-community, safe and has a lot to do. You’ll enjoy good restaurants, parks and schools. There are recent improvements throughout the city, especially in the West End. And, of course, DC is only 20 minutes away. 


Alexandria

Old Town-ish

**The Best Thing About Norfolk?** 

Norfolk offers a lot of what bigger cities can while still feeling like a smaller town. People are friendly, but transitory due to so many being in the military - friends you make today may not live here next year. 
 
Norfolk is a fairly solid second tier for concert tours etc. No major league teams but you can see just about any sport if you don't mind minor league or college teams. Richmond, Washington DC, North Carolina's Triangle and the Outer Banks are all easily accessible.
 
There’s BBQ, homemade ice cream, she-crab soup, in-town breweries, an urban winery and The Hampton Roads Pridefest. And duck races!


**The Worst Thing About Norfolk?** 
All the bridges/tunnels can easily become bottlenecks and construction to relieve the problems have been funded with tolls. Summer means high humidity and temperatures. Minor rainstorms cause massive flooding and water levels are rising. 

**How You Living?** 
Military is really big here and a huge percentage of people here are either in the military or connected to it somehow. Military culture is pervasive.

Young professionals flock to and rave about the neighborhood called Ghent. It’s walkable (or bikeable) to Sentaro RMH Medical Center and great indie boutique shopping. Downtown is similar and the young professionals also like Chelsea.

Colonial Place has a similar feel from what you'll find in Ghent (slightly less expensive) but It is a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Lafayette River. It is a relatively racially mixed area that includes mostly single family homes and a few apartment buildings.

Other neighborhoods of note; The Larrymore Lawns neighborhood, parts of Ocean View (beware of flooding), North Meadowbrook and Larchmont (Both are close to Sentaro.) Camellia Gardens is safe, but you’re fewer apartments to rent (more homes to rent.) 

A less expensive alternative is Ward's Corner which is attempting a revitalization but it is going in fits and starts. 

Talbot Park is further from Downtown but  a nice, quiet neighborhood.

Old Towne Portsmouth is a ferry ride across the river.

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

Big skies, rolling hills, swathes of green fields, and plenty of wildlife to watch.

It’s great for military families, the cost of living is decent and the food is yummy. Lots of local businesses and pride. 


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