11 Best Neighborhoods to Live in Norfolk VA

Norfolk, Virginia, is a great place for those looking to live near water without the high prices. The city is home to more than 125 miles of navigable waterways, making it a beautiful place to live. For job seekers, find many employment opportunities and ways for you to succeed as a new resident here. USA Today listed Norfolk on its Top 10 booming downtowns and also recognized its decades-long housing, retail and financial boom.

If you’re moving to Norfolk, you likely want to know where to live. Here are some of the best neighborhoods to live in Norfolk to start your home search.

Ghent

What makes Ghent so great? For starters, this downtown neighborhood is overflowing with character. You’ll find everything from quaint mom-and-pop shops to delicious restaurants. The Chrysler Hall and Chrysler Museum of Art are top Norfolk attractions. Plus, it’s one of the safest neighborhoods around.

Ghent is a busy place to live, with three major hospitals near the southeast end along the Elizabeth River. It represents a melting pot community where artists rub up against bankers. Funky indie shops are matched by large chains. Residents truly have ample selection for dining, retail, and entertainment. It’s perfect for families with plenty of trees, green space, and outdoor areas for your pup.

Find all kinds of historic homes and styles in Ghent. There are Colonial revival homes from Spanish haciendas to the ultra-modernist. The listing prices in this neighborhood ranged from $150,000 to $1.5 million in August 2022.

Downtown

If you’re looking for entertainment, dining, and retail options all within walking distance, downtown living might be right for you. Downtown Norfolk is a popular area for young professionals who want to live in an accessible and convenient location.

Town Point Park is a seven-acre city park located on the Elizabeth River. It stays busy all year, hosting festivals like Norfolk Harborfest, Bayou Boogaloo, and 4th of July celebrations. Catch a Norfolk Admirals hockey game at the 11,000-seat Norfolk Scope Arena. If baseball is more your thing, head to Harbor Park to check out the minor league team, the Tides. Next to the park is Nauticus, a historical Navy ship that you can tour.

Downtown Norfolk has a robust nightlife, with plenty of bars along Granby Street. Select from sports bars to martini bars, craft breweries, and bistros. The NorVa was voted Best Live Music Venue in the country in 2013 by Rolling Stone. Selden Market features local small businesses, while other big names and eclectic boutiques have set up shop downtown.

Many of the neighborhood homes are small apartments and condominiums because of their location. The condos in this area generally have a modern mixed industrial design, and their windows provide spectacular views of the city. The Freemason neighborhood is located just outside downtown Norfolk, a cobblestone street condo and townhome community. If you want to be in the city but not in a high-rise or four-story building, this is where you should go.

There are some single-family or townhomes spread along smaller streets. The median listing price in Downtown Norfolk was $250,000 in August 2022, with 19 listings.

Larchmont-Edgewater

This family-friendly community is located on a peninsula formed y the confluence of the Elizabeth River and Lafayette River. Neighbors include Old Dominion University and the Norfolk Navy Base. Residents live only five minutes away from downtown.

With its many trees and proximity to the water, this area has a calming atmosphere–definitely somewhere many people could call home. Besides fishing or boating in the nearby rivers, Larchmont-Edgewater has a Civic Association promoting neighborhood activities.

The homes here include several historic homes dating from the late 1800s. The 2,000+ homes in the neighborhood display a wide range of styles, from tiny bungalows to large six-bedroom waterfront houses. Colonial Revival and Victorian do seem to be the predominant style, but you’ll find craftsman and new construction.

There were 15 homes for sale in August 2022, ranging from $134.9K to $1.4M.

Colonial Place/Riverview

Many individuals choose to live in Colonial Place and Riverview, a historic waterfront district with low-cost housing options, due to its accessibility and crime rate. These neighborhoods are on two peninsulas, formed by Knitting Mill Creek and the Lafayette River. They are beside the Highland Park and Riverview areas. Many college students call this place home, but it is also popular among families.

The Colonial Place Greenway is a long, thin park with a dog run at one end. You can catch residents going for runs or walking their dogs in this neighborhood. Residents of Riverview live near the Lafayette River, which empties into the Elizabeth River. Granby Street brings residents to Lafayette Park and the Virginia Zoo. It’s not quite close enough to downtown or Ghent to be able to walk for shopping and restaurants, but it’s only a short commute away from some of the places you’ll want to go.

The median home price was about $369,000 in August 2022.

Lochhaven

Lochhaven is on the other side of the water from Larchmont- Edgewater, directly on the Lafayette River. Lochhaven is comparable to Larchmont and Edgewater in many ways. One of the primary distinctions between these two areas is that Lochhaven is adjacent to the Hermitage Museum and Gardens.

The Hermitage Museum and Gardens is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Norfolk. The gardens are lovely for walking, host many exciting events throughout the year, and have fantastic city views over the river.

The average size of houses you’ll come across are considerably larger than most, with many exceeding 3,000 square feet. The price point in this neighborhood varies depending on waterfront access, but most homes sell for over $500,000. The median list price in August 2022 was $614,900, with four homes on the market.

South Bayview

This inland neighborhood is ideal for families and young professionals searching for a safe and affordable place to call home. The crime rate in this area is low. This neighborhood lacks many services, but you may dine locally at some fantastic restaurants. Residents say one of the best things about South Bayview is how dog-friendly it is.

Its north-central location makes getting around Norfolk to its amenities much easier. I-64 is to the south and west. Cone’s Beach and Grove Beach are to the north by about a mile. The nearby Ocean View Municipal Golf Course offers golfers oak-lined fairways with an 18-hole course just a few miles away from the neighborhood.

It’s one of the most affordable neighborhoods, with the median list price at about $283,800, with eight listings in August 2022.

Talbot Park

Talbot Park is on a peninsula in the Lafayette River conveniently south of the I-64 and I-264 interchange. Although most places will require a short car ride, it’s still easy to get around the neighborhood. Nearby schools, churches, and retail shopping make this a convenient location for families. You’ll often see people exercising or playing with their kids in this family-friendly area.

The waterfront location makes it ideal for water activities like kayaking, canoeing, or boating.

Families are attracted to Granby Elementary and High School, listed on Newsweek’s top 1300 of “America’s Top Public High Schools.”

The median home price in this neighborhood was $425,000, with ten homes on the market.

North Shore

If you’re moving to Norfolk because of a Naval Station Norfolk transfer, the North Shore neighborhood may be for you. It’s conveniently located on the Lafayette River near I-64. The North Shore is family-friendly and popular among young professionals. Many residents who live here work on the Naval base. There are also several small restaurants and local shops within the neighborhood.

Nearby is the Hermitage Museum and Gardens, a historic home with beautiful gardens that offers an art collection, professional programming, and classes. At Sewells Point Golf Course, picturesque views meet thrilling gameplay, catering to golfers of all levels.

The median home price is $244,000 with 14 homes listed in August 2022.

Waters Edge and Larrymore Lawns

The two communities of Waters Edge and Larrymore Lawns are part of a suburban area with family-oriented neighborhoods. If you work in one of the Hampton Roads cities, it’s no problem commute-wise either, as these locations sit right by the interstate. Additionally, whether you’re headed to Ocean View or downtown Norfolk – both places aren’t far from Waters Edge and Larrymore Lawns.

Across Lake Whitehurst awaits the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. These gardens boast beautiful scenery and plenty of space compared to other gardens in the area. If you’re interested in some events, the botanical gardens host annual parties, including drive-through Christmas lights!

Most of the homes are one-story, three or four-bedroom ranches. The August 2022 list prices ranged from $225,000 to $635,000, with six homes on the market.

Living in Norfolk

With its convenient location in the Hampton Roads region, Norfolk offers residents the best of both worlds by providing access to the amenities of a big city while still maintaining that small-town feel. Residents have many employment opportunities, excellent schools, and multiple housing options. Norfolk is also a great place to retire, offering plenty of activities for seniors.

If you’re looking for a safe and affordable place to live with easy access to the beach, Norfolk is a perfect choice! Use this list of neighborhoods to start your home search. If Norfolk doesn’t sound right, explore more about Virginia.