Map of Virginia Beach Area
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Home to one of the longest pleasure beaches in the world, Virginia Beach is part party spot for the local college students and part hassle-free family destination. A coastal city luring beachcombers from all over the East Coast to its revitalized stretch of boardwalk and sand, Virginia Beach has a lot to offer visitors looking for an unpretentious place to stay.
Where is Virginia Beach located?
Virginia Beach is located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, on the southeast coast of the U.S., right at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. With over 38 miles of Atlantic Ocean beach, the city encompasses 307 square miles and neighbors Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Hampton cities, among several others.
How Big is Virginia Beach
With just over 440,000 people, Virginia Beach is the most populous city in the State of Virginia and the 43rd most populous city in the United States. Its Metropolitan area is home to more than 1.8 million people and encompasses 16 cities and counties.
The Hampton Roads Alliance maintains information about industries and life in the Virginia Beach region.
What is Virginia Beach known for?
Initially founded in 1887 as a resort town, Virginia Beach is famous for its miles of beaches, as well as its oceanfront hotels and restaurants. Offering scenic views of the Atlantic coast and enough sun and sand to keep adults and kids alike entertained, Virginia Beach is known for its affordable diversions and its lively nightlife.
Some of the freshest seafood caught on the East Coast is from the Chesapeake Bay, so there is an overwhelming amount of fantastic food joints to choose from. Load up on regional staples like fried shrimp, crab cakes, she-crab soup, and raw oysters at the local restaurants along the oceanfront.
Playing host to several national and regional tournaments, Virginia Beach is a hub for surfing and sand soccer.
Now in its 58th year, the East Coast Surfing Championships and Surfing Carnival is held every summer and is the second longest-running surfing championship in the world. You can also visit the Surf and Rescue Museum to learn more about the area’s nautical history.
The North American Sand Soccer Championship is also hosted every summer on the sands of Virginia Beach by the Hampton Roads Soccer Council. Any team is free to register and snag a spot on the roster.
The area around Virginia Beach hosts a plethora of state parks and historic sites. On the northeast corner of Virginia beach is Cape Henry which served as the first landing site of the Jamestown settlers 13 years before the arrival of pilgrims at Plymouth Rock. Visit First Landing State Park and the Cape Henry Lighthouse to see two of the area’s notable sites.
Nature lovers will find plenty to explore in and around the city:
- Sandbridge Beach is a beautiful and secluded spot to spend the afternoon.
- The Oceanfront is right in the heart of the city and where all the action is. Don’t forget to take a stroll along the boardwalk.
- Back Bay National Wildlife will bring you up close with many of the area’s diverse native species.
- Nearby False Cape State Park contains one of the finest trail systems in the region: Fox Run Trail.
Is Virginia Beach a good place to live?
The economy is booming, the unemployment and the tax rate are low, and the culture is health-conscious and family-friendly. It’s no surprise then that many young professionals and families alike make their home in Virginia Beach.
The climate is pleasant and moderate, with warm summers and mild, not-too-long winters. It’s a great place to live if you enjoy nature as it’s home to many unique and preserved natural refuges ranging from salt marshes to woodlands.
Virginia Beach is also an incredibly pet-friendly city with tons of dog parks, pet-friendly patios and businesses, and an annual Woofstock festival.
Safety and the maintenance of a family-friendly feel is an absolute priority here. Lifeguards are abundant along its beaches, especially in zones known for choppy waters. There is also a curfew in place ensuring that children under 17 can’t hang out in public between 11 pm and 5 am, and law enforcement frequently patrols the streets and boardwalks.
What are the best neighborhoods in Virginia Beach?
There are plenty of neighborhoods in Virginia Beach, each catering to a wide variety of wants and needs. Whether you are just visiting or moving here to raise a family, there is something here for you.
Great Neck
If it’s close to the water you’re after, then this is the place for you. Home to the neighborhoods of Alanton, Brighton on the Bay, Baycliff, and Linkhorn Estates, this area is full of riverfront properties close to the Oceanfront. With easy access to the Hilltop shopping area and high-ranking schools, this is one of the most sought-after areas of Virginia Beach.
It can be a pricey place to stay, though, with homes and accommodations becoming cheaper the closer to the interior you get.
North End/Oceanfront
Oceanfront is where everyone wants to be, and the Northend, Liner, and Shadowlawn neighborhoods are all just a bike ride away from the Atlantic. This area is home to some of the most expensive properties available in Virginia Beach but is also among the most desirable places to visit and live in the Hampton Roads region due to its proximity to the famous beach and boardwalk.
Chic’s Beach/Shore Drive
Locals called the northern stretch of the beach Chic’s Beach, which is truly a locals-only area. The summer influx of tourists tends not to flock here, and it primarily contains condos and beach cottages. However, there are more traditional neighborhoods located in Church Point and Thoroughgood.
Little Neck
Located on a peninsula, this area has numerous desirable waterfront properties. The neighborhoods of Kings Grand, Thalia, and Middle Plantation surround Little Neck, where you can find a variety of price points and accommodations.
Kempsville
Kempsville and the neighborhoods of Fairfield and Bellamy Woods were among the original suburbs of Virginia Beach. It’s an area that’s further from the Oceanfront, but it offers some of the most affordable housing options in the region. Regent University and the Christian Broadcasting Network are both located in this area.
