Best 12 Neighborhoods in Virginia Beach

Virginia is for lovers, and there’s no place more romantic than the beach. Maybe that’s why Virginia Beach is a top place to live in Virginia, as it has over 30 miles of coastline. The four-season weather is perfect for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The significant military presence provides a stable economy, and the cost of living is relatively affordable.

Virginia Beach is home to some of the best neighborhoods in the state. The city has something for everyone, from family-friendly communities to bustling Downtown districts. Here are just a few of the best places to call home in Virginia Beach:

Alanton

Alanton is a neighborhood full of character on the Broad Bay waterfront in Virginia Beach. Located in the Great Neck region, Alanton has around 400 homes developed mostly in the 1960s on winding streets. Some sections have mature trees and wooded lots.

Local amenities include a community pool, which is not part of an HOA association. Membership is open to all. A boat ramp is available in North Alanton for access to Broad Bay.

August 2022 home prices were a median $1.8 million with four listings.

Ashville Park

If you’re looking for a spacious and luxurious master-planned neighborhood in Virginia Beach, look no further than Ashville Park. In addition to stunning new construction homes, it’s only a short drive from Landstown Commons Shopping Center and Sandbridge Beach.

Asheville Park strives for a natural feeling. There are 15 lakes inside the community and 30 acres of preserved, wooded spaces. Residents of Ashville Park have exclusive access to the Lake House, which includes a fitness center, event space with a kitchen, and salt-water pool with cabanas. A basketball court, dog park, open common spaces, and a kid’s adventure park will allow you to enjoy the outdoors.

August 2022 pricing for new construction started at $804,900.

Bay Colony

Bay Colony is one of the few areas close to the beach that still has a residential feel, as it’s located only a bike ride from the ocean.

Beside Bay Colony is the Cavalier and the Princess Anne Country Club. The facilities act like a gathering place for community residents. Amenities include a pool, tennis courts, and dining.

The 600 residences in this neighborhood are predominantly Cape Cod-type beach bungalows and contemporary single-family homes. Winding streets and private driveways create a quiet, suburban feel. Most lots are wooded, at least half an acre in size, and some are more than an acre. Some of the houses date back to the mid-1900s.

This neighborhood had three listings in August 2022 for a median price of $1.4 million.

Chic’s Beach

Chic’s Beach, also called Chick’s Beach or Chesapeake Beach, is a beautiful community located along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay at the top of Virginia Beach. You won’t find the tourists here, but the area is full of seafood restaurants, marinas, and some of the best local beaches. The western border runs along the Joint Expeditionary Little Creek-Fort Story Base. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel crosses here.

The relaxed and laid-back vibe makes it a great place to call home. Many residents can walk to the end of their streets or communities and find access to the water. Across Highway 60 are Bayville Golf Club and Bayville Farms Park.

The neighborhood offers a great selection of single-family homes and condos. August 2022 had ten homes for sale, with a median list price of $500,000. Sub-neighborhoods and surrounding areas include Lynnhaven Colony, Ocean Park, Marina Shores, and Cape Story by the Sea.

Christopher Farms

This development in southern Virginia Beach was built in the 1990s with 300 homes. It’s between Holland Road and Princess Anne Road. The developers aimed to preserve some mature trees to maintain the ambiance while including wide streets and sidewalks.

There is a neighborhood park with play equipment, an open-air theater, picnic areas, and miles of recreational trails. Christopher Lakes are a series of man-made lakes scattered through the neighborhood.

Christopher Farms Elementary School is in the middle of the neighborhood, making it easy for kids to walk to. Residents can jump on Princess Road to visit the farmers’ market, Landstown Commons with its 65 stores, local sports, and grocery stores.

Most of the homes were built between 1988 and 1998 and are from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet. No homes were for sale in August 2022, but past median prices have been around $550,000.

Croatan

Croatan is a quiet beachfront community with breathtaking views of the ocean, beautiful waterfront homes, and award-winning restaurants. This tiny neighborhood has its entrance hidden south of Rudee Inlet. It lacks the through-traffic of the North End, creating a private beachfront sanctuary feeling.

With spacious single-family homes, safe, walkable streets, and easy access to the downtown, Croatan is understandably a hugely popular beachfront living option. August 2022 had five homes for sale, with a median list price of $1.3 million. Home prices increase the closer the house is to the beach.

Dam Neck

Are you a service member looking to live near Naval Air Station Oceana? The military-friendly neighborhood of Dam Neck is just 15 minutes south of Downtown Virginia Beach and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. It is between the Air Station and Dam Neck Naval Base.

A bonus of living in Dam Neck is the opportunity to explore Croatan Beach and the beautiful gardens at Red Wing Park. Golfers enjoy proximity to the Red Wing Lake Golf Course and its lake views. Families have many activities nearby, from the Virginia Aquarium to Motor World.

Housing in Dam Neck primarily is Craftsman and Colonial-style homes of all sizes often with generous green space for outdoor activities.

Great Neck

For a neighborhood with high safety ratings, Great Neck delivers. Just 15 minutes from downtown, this North Virginia Beach enclave has wooded areas sidling up to Broad Bay and Lynnhaven Bay. Residents can connect to the area through the Virginia Beach Expressway and Great Neck Rd.

Life here has many recreation choices. At Lynnhaven Park, residents can play tennis. The Great Neck Recreation Center offers swimming, group fitness classes, and sports courts. Great Neck Park has even more outdoor recreation options. Broad Bay Country Club has an outstanding golf course, Olympic-sized pool, and excellent dining for its members.

Greater Great Neck had 54 homes for sale in August 2022, ranging from $159.9K to $11.9M with a median list price of $399,900. It features diverse housing styles—from brick Colonials to sprawling ranches.

Little Neck

Little Neck is a secluded community with only one street in and out. Little Neck can also refer to the larger surrounding area north of I-264 and bordered by the western and eastern branches of the Lynnhaven River. Virginia Beach Expressway runs through Little Neck, taking you nearly anywhere else in Virginia Beach or Norfolk as an alternative to I-264.

The Little Neck Swim and Racket Club is a neighborhood treasure. Kingstown Elementary is the local school in this area.

You’ll find the most budget-friendly homes near Virginia Beach Expressway. Sub-communities included in the Little Neck region are Lynnwood and North Central. Slightly North are Kings Grant and Middle Plantation, two desirable neighborhoods in Virginia Beach.

Median list prices in the greater Little Neck area were $420,000 in August 2022. The prices ranged from $219,000 to $4.5 million.

North End

If you’re looking for a more relaxed, residential lifestyle near the beach, look no further than North End. Stretching from Atlantic Avenue north of 38th Street down to Shore Drive, this neighborhood is a short walk from the beach. Imagine strolling down to catch a sunrise and running along the boardwalk before starting your daily routine.

While it’s not super touristy, you’ll still be able to find everything you need within ten minutes of home, like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Fresh Market. Atlantic Avenue is the main thorough way and pretty busy. Homes on the west side are less expensive for that reason.

Residents also get a membership to the Marriott Beach Club as part of their homeowner association dues. The club features one of the only high-rise rooftop restaurants in the region.

Being this close to the beach, the housing prices are naturally higher than in other areas of Virginia Beach. August 2022 had 21 listings, with a median price of $1.5 million. Styles range, as there are newly constructed homes and duplexes even though the neighborhood was built decades ago. Developers are often buying older beach cottages and tearing them down to rebuild.

Pungo

Prefer to live away from the city and the beach? Pungo is a great place to live for those who love the country lifestyle. With 8,000 acres of farmland, you’ll have plenty of space for your family.

Nearby Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect place to get some fresh air and exercise. With 8,000 acres bordering the Atlantic Ocean, this reserve has bike and marsh trails, a boardwalk, and beach access.

Pungo is also home to the Strawberry Festival, an annual Memorial Day event celebrating the area’s farming tradition.

The Red Mill, Strawbridge, and Damn Neck/Oceana areas are the best options for residents to find shops and restaurants. However, Pungo has many roadside farm stands when in season. Sandbridge Beach is minutes away when you want to visit a beach.

Pungo had 26 listings in August 2022, with a median list price of $588,500.

Seatack

Seatack is one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Virginia Beach, as it is beside the ViBe Creative District. Situated in Downtown Virginia Beach, you’ll find everything you need within walking distance, from shopping and entertainment to the beach.

As the center for the arts scene, historic Seatack has everything you’d expect from an arts district: murals, public art installations, galleries, and eclectic shops. Participate in hands-on activities at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Ride the Ferris wheel at Virginia Beach, or enjoy a day on the shore.

When residents need to head west, the Norfolk Virginia Beach Expressway provides easy access to all parts of the city.

The Seatack Civic Association details the community’s African-American roots and hosts local events.

This oceanfront neighborhood is filled with apartments, townhomes, and homes of all sizes and budgets.

Living in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a great place to live for those who love the outdoors and being near the water. Many residents enjoy spending their weekends relaxing on the shore or fishing with easy access to the beach. For those who want more of an urban feel, Virginia Beach also offers plenty of shopping and dining options, as well as a vibrant arts scene.

No matter what you’re looking for, Virginia Beach has something for everyone! Use our top 12 neighborhood picks to start your home search in Virginia Beach. Explore what else you need to know about moving to Virginia.