Relocating to Chesapeake, VA?
As one of the best places to live in Virginia, Chesapeake has lots to offer.
Chesapeake, VA is the second most populated city in Virginia. Why you ask? Great schools, beautiful homes, robust career opportunities, pleasant weather and low crime rates are just a few of the reasons many are drawn to buy a home in Chesapeake, VA.
Things to know before you begin your Chesapeake, VA Home Search
Chesapeake, Virginia is located along the Intracoastal Waterway in South Hampton Roads. Offering something for everyone, homeowner’s can choose between urban and rural living based on their desired lifestyles. Living in Chesapeake also gives residents the opportunity to live in close proximity to several beautiful beaches. In just a short drive, residents can enjoy a day at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront or drive to the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a last minute weekend getaway! For someone that loves the salt and the sand, you can’t beat it.
Fun Facts:
Along the Virginia and North Carolina Border in Chesapeake, there is a 4,550-acre Wildlife Management Area that preserves habitats for black bear, canebrake rattlesnakes, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys.
Areas of Chesapeake
Chesapeake, Va is a very large city. So large, that you will find many “smaller cities” within it. When looking to live in Chesapeake, make sure you are familiar with the various areas. Western Branch, Deep Creek, Grassfield, Great Bridge, South Norfolk and Greenbrier are just a few of the featured areas we often refer to when talking about Chesapeake.
Southern Chesapeake encompasses the areas of Great Bridge, Hickory and Grassfield. Much of the southern region of Chesapeake is rural with some suburban neighborhoods mixed in. Over the last few years, there has been substantial development in the southern region of Chesapeake with many developers buying farmland and planning large neighborhoods. We expect this trend to continue.
In the middle of Chesapeake, you will find Greenbrier. Much of this area is densely populated with homes mixed with some medical offices, retail establishments and parks. Greenbrier’s population density is higher than the other areas of Chesapeake but much lower than some of the surrounding cities.
Bordering Norfolk, you will find the South Norfolk area of Chesapeake. This area is more urban and located very close to Downtown Norfolk. The Gateway at SoNO was part of the city’s first major redevelopment projects under the South Norfolk Revitalization Plan.
Western Branch is similar to southern Chesapeake but is located much further away from the rest of the city and is located between Portsmouth, Va and Suffolk, Va.
Top Schools in Chesapeake
Chesapeake draws a lot of families because of the quality choices when it comes to school for their children. Many of the schools are ranked a 9 out of 10 according to publicschoolreview.com, which is based on each schools math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Some areas of Chesapeake do not have as high of rankings as others. However, South Chesapeake, and parts of Western Branch do have highly ranked schools. Grassfield and Hickory High School are the top ranked schools in Chesapeake. With that said, the real estate in these areas reflect the high demand for the schools, as the home prices are higher compared to other areas in Chesapeake.
We Love Jet Noise
Hampton Roads is world renowned for its military presence. With that said, you will often see bumper stickers that proudly say, “I Love Jet Noise”. Military Jets often fly over much of Hampton Roads, going and coming from their military bases. Some areas of Chesapeake have higher levels of jet noise than others. Fentress Airfield is part of Chesapeake that has an air station with regular jet noise.
Pleasant Weather
Chesapeake has mild weather for most of the year. It is rare to see snow in the winter months and the summer months average below 90 degrees. Cool winds off of the Atlantic Ocean often interrupt hot period of weather by bringing pleasant breezes. Rain storms come and go, keeping the gardens watered but do not create a feeling that you need an umbrella everywhere you go.
Nature Explorers Delight
With more than 20 parks, including trails, playgrounds, sports courts, and more than 26 miles of trails for hiking, biking and jogging, Chesapeake is a nature lovers delight.
Northwest River in Southern Chesapeake
Fun Forest is the perfect place to hear the joyful shouts of children playing on the ultimate adventure park for children. From fossil digging to an underground telephone tunnel, the kids won’t ever get tired of exploring.
Deep Creek Park is one of the newest parks in the city. The destination playground was designed to be inclusive for children with special needs and has unique features to include all children. Just down the street, you will find the Great Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. This old highway 17, is blocked off from cars and visitors can enjoy the treelined, scenic intracoastal waterway by foot or bike.
These are just a few of the parks to enjoy in Chesapeake.
Whether you are moving to Chesapeake for the schools, close proximity to the beaches or looking for great employment opportunities, Chesapeake is a fabulous place to call home!
Looking to sell your home in South Hampton Roads? Sell Made Simple Real Estate is grateful to serve all of South Hampton Roads, including Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Moyock in North Carolina!
