Living in Hampton, VA
The Hampton, Virginia, metropolitan area is a unique combination of tourist destination, beach culture, rural living, and urban vibe. Seven cities make up Hampton Roads, Virginia, each with its own distinct style and flavor. Neighboring city Virginia Beach brings in thousands of summer tourists, while Hampton is home to a large number of science professionals because who work at NASA's Langley Research Center, Jefferson Lab, and others. There's also a large military workforce in Hampton, with more than 20 military facilities located nearby. Hampton has something to offer everyone, so a move to this area includes a lot of diverse options.
Fun in the Sun
Bayside Buckroe Beach Park sits on the western edge of the Hampton neighborhood, right at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. It has a beach that extends for nearly a mile, picnic shelters, and a playground, as well as watercraft available for rent. Four nearby state parks give locals plenty of options for biking, hiking, camping, water sports, and more outdoor fun. False Cape State Park sits between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean on one of the last undeveloped stretches on the Atlantic Coast. False Cape features year-round camping and allows both fresh and saltwater fishing with a state license.
Out for the Day
Hampton, Virginia, has plenty of shopping at the Peninsula Town Center or in the Phoebus Historic District. Small boutiques offer locally crafted merchandise, and farmers markets spring up everywhere in warmer weather, featuring fresh produce and artisan-baked goods.
Grabbing a meal after a long day is no trouble. Local restaurants plate some of the freshest Atlantic seafood and quick-serve favorites. Diners can reserve a spot at a fine-dining establishment or find a drive-thru for a quick bite. It's all available in Hampton, VA.
Homes in Hampton
Hampton real estate is very diverse. Most of the homes for sale in Hampton are single-family structures, but there are recent town home additions in neighborhoods like Hampton Woods. Check in Newmarket for colonial and bungalow-style homes with a front driveway, whereas housing in Fox Hill is mainly condominiums and apartments.
Getting Around in Hampton
Hampton, Virginia, surrounds the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, giving locals plenty of water access. Travel distances to other cities are relatively short, with Newport News sharing the Peninsula with Hampton. Virginia Beach is about 30 miles to the South. Locals can usually get anywhere in the Hampton Roads area in less than an hour, although traffic can be slow-going through one of two bridge-tunnels connecting the Peninsula with South Hampton Roads.