Beaches and boardwalk
Miles of coastline and a lively boardwalk with entertainment, dining and sunrises over the Atlantic.
Living Like a Local
Living Like a Local in Virginia Beach
Your guide to making Virginia Beach home: neighborhoods, food, beaches and the local favorites beyond the tourist spots.
At a glance
Virginia Beach by the numbers
~455Kresidents, the most populous city in Virginia
3 mioceanfront boardwalk with a separate bike path
1 of 7cities in Hampton Roads
4seasons of outdoor living
Population rounded from U.S. Census estimates.
Why people love Virginia Beach
Food and culture
From the ViBe Creative District to waterfront seafood and a growing craft beer scene.
Military and jobs
Home to NAS Oceana and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story, plus defense contracting, healthcare, tourism and skilled trades.
Parks everywhere
Green space is sprinkled across the city, from First Landing State Park to Mount Trashmore and the Back Bay refuge.
Virginia Beach FAQs
What locals get asked
What is the cost of living in Virginia Beach?
Housing has risen, but Virginia Beach is still more affordable than metros like Washington, D.C., New York or Boston. Everyday costs like groceries and dining run close to national averages. Prices vary widely by neighborhood, from the Oceanfront to Pungo.
What is the job market like?
Many residents serve in the military or work for defense contractors. Healthcare (including Sentara), tourism and hospitality, skilled trades and a growing tech sector round it out.
How is traffic?
Interstate 64 and I-264 carry most commuters. Plan on 20 to 45 minutes for many commutes within the region, longer if you cross a bridge tunnel at rush hour. Living close to work makes a big difference.
How do people get involved in the community?
Civic leagues, HOAs, city advisory committees, beach cleanups, churches and other faith communities. Newcomers often say it is easy to make friends here.
Featured areas
Get to know the map
Each part of the city has its own character.
Oceanfront
The famous boardwalk, hotels, restaurants and beach access. Live steps from the sand.
ViBe Creative District
Murals, indie shops, galleries and craft breweries in a walkable pocket near the Oceanfront.
Town Center
The city's downtown: high rise living, dining, shopping and entertainment.
Lynnhaven Inlet
Boating, fishing, paddleboarding and waterfront dining with Chesapeake Bay access.
Sandbridge
A quieter beach community next to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Pungo
Rural farmland inside city limits: strawberry fields, farm stands and wide open space.
Neighborhoods
A few local favorites
Virginia Beach has neighborhoods for every budget and lifestyle, from waterfront communities to established suburbs and acreage.
Buckner Farm
A central, established neighborhood with tree lined streets, close to shopping, schools and NAS Oceana, with a mix of older homes and newer construction.
Glenwood
Quieter streets near Stumpy Lake, Sentara Princess Anne Hospital and North Landing, with larger lots than the urban core.
Landstown
Near Tidewater Community College's Virginia Beach campus and the Virginia Beach Farmers Market, with a quick commute to NAS Oceana and Dam Neck Annex.
Salem
Quiet, walkable streets near Stumpy Lake Natural Area, Sentara Princess Anne Hospital and Fentress Airfield.
All of these are served by Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Use the division's school locator with an exact address to confirm assignments. Prices change monthly, so ask Davina for current numbers in any neighborhood you like.
Eat and drink like a local
Where locals eat
Coffee and breakfast
- Three Ships Coffee
- Bee and The Biscuit
- Pocahontas Pancakes
- Doc Taylor's
- Commune
Lunch and casual
- Waterman's Surfside Grille
- Pelon's Baja Grill
- Chick's Oyster Bar
- Tautog's
- Harpoon Larry's
Date night
- Orion's Roof
- Terrapin
- Catch 31
- Il Giardino
- Steinhilber's
- Hunt Room at The Cavalier
Breweries and cocktails
- Commonwealth Brewing
- Back Bay Brewing
- Young Veterans Brewing
- Wasserhund Brewing
- New Realm
- The Raleigh Room
Sweet treats
- Lolly's Creamery
- Sugar Plum Bakery
- Belvedere Coffee and pastries
Things to do
Stay busy
Outdoors
- Bike or walk the 3 mile boardwalk
- Hike First Landing State Park
- Kayak Lynnhaven Inlet
- Mount Trashmore Park
- Hunt Club Farm in Pungo
- Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Indoors
- Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
- Military Aviation Museum
- Virginia MOCA
- iFLY Indoor Skydiving
- Topgolf
- Funny Bone Comedy Club
Events
- Holiday Lights at the Beach (drive the boardwalk)
- Virginia Beach Farmers Market, year round
- NAS Oceana Air Show, most Septembers
- Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
- East Coast Surfing Championships
Weekend ideas
Pick your weekend
The adventurer
Bike the boardwalk early, hike First Landing, then paddle out of Lynnhaven Inlet for sunset.
The leisure lover
A nature walk at Back Bay, coffee in the ViBe District, then an afternoon at the Virginia Aquarium.
The foodie
Biscuits at Bee and The Biscuit, a ViBe brewery walk, dinner at Town Center and a nightcap at The Raleigh Room.
The sports fan
Pickup beach volleyball at the Oceanfront, games at the Princess Anne Athletic Complex and the Virginia Beach Field House.
Why we love it
Living where others vacation
Living in Virginia Beach means you want to be close to the sights and sounds: the comfort of the beach, plus music, art, food and fun. There is always something going on, and many Oceanfront concerts and festivals are free or low cost for locals.
Start with breakfast at Bee and The Biscuit, spend the afternoon on the sand, and close the night with drinks at The Raleigh Room. In VB, the world is your oyster.
Keep exploring
The rest of Hampton Roads
All seven cities
Which Hampton Roads city is right for you? Start with the side by side comparison.
Compare cities →Norfolk
Ghent, Ocean View, downtown and the waterfront
Living in Norfolk →Chesapeake
Great Bridge, Greenbrier, Hickory and Western Branch
Living in Chesapeake →Suffolk
Harbour View, Downtown and country living
Living in Suffolk →Portsmouth
Olde Towne, Churchland and the Elizabeth River
Living in Portsmouth →Hampton
Fox Hill, Phoebus, Buckroe and Fort Monroe
Living in Hampton →Newport News
City Center, Kiln Creek, Denbigh and the James River
Living in Newport News →Your local resource
Let's find your spot in Virginia Beach
Questions about a neighborhood, a commute, or a restaurant worth the drive? Reach out any time. Davina helps buyers, sellers, renters, military relocations and investors across all seven cities.
Follow @dominatehomes on Instagram for local spots, events and market updates.