Considering living in Virginia Beach? This stunning Hampton Roads locale is one of the best beach cities in America, one of the best big cities, and home to a large military presence with a coastal lifestyle for any budget. Here are five safe, affordable Virginia Beach neighborhoods that may be right for you!
Alanton
- Home Price: $651,506 median purchase price; $1,521 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 35% of Virginia cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Want a quiet, suburban neighborhood with mature trees lining winding, charming roads? Alanton is perfect for those looking for peaceful living, and it has plenty of real estate to choose from, including Colonial and Bungalow-style waterfront properties along with townhomes. Mostly a residential Virginia Beach neighborhood, people take walks, push strollers, and pause to chat with neighbors while their children run around and play. Parents can send their kids to great schools in this well-maintained neighborhood, including Alanton Elementary School, First Colonial High School, and Cape Henry Collegiate. And with Broad Bay to the north, The Narrows in the northeast, and Deary Cove to the southeast, water surrounds Alanton and provides beautiful views and docks for water activities!
Things to Do in Alanton
Swim in the pool, host a barbecue, and attend monthly parties at the Alanton-Baycliff Recreation Center. Bring your kids to the playground, have a picnic, and throw a frisbee around at the inclusive Brighton on the Bay Park. Run errands at stores such as Harris Teeter or browse interesting shops like Barritts Books at Great Neck Square. Go bowling, join a league, and attend Comedy Nights at nearby Pinboy’s at the Beach. Wake up to fresh-baked Blueberry or Onion Bagels with Cream Cheese and a Times Square Breakfast Sandwich at The Bagel Baker. Make a reservation for Italian dishes such as Garlic Rolls, the Pizza Steak Sandwich, Eggplant Parmigiana, and more at Ynot Italian. Give vegan food a try like the Greek Burger or Caesar Chickun Wrap with a Lavender Lemonade at Honest Pastures. Or get a table by the fireplace and enjoy a Crab Cake Sandwich, Sea Stack, Bone-In Cowboy Ribeye, and more at nearby The Butcher’s Son.
Bayside
- Home Price: $337,775 median purchase price; $1,625 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 38% of Virginia cities
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
With Northampton Boulevard running through this vibrant neighborhood and Norfolk International Airport just outside it, residents can easily get to the rest of Virginia Beach and beyond! A mix of residential and commercial areas perfect for everyone, Bayside’s outdoor recreation options like Witchduck Lake and Williams Farm Park will appeal to nature lovers. And the affordable apartments, townhomes, and Colonial-style lakefront homes near schools like Shelton Park Elementary and Chesapeake Bay Academy are great for families! For young adults, Virginia Wesleyan University offers convenient college education opportunities on top of entertainment, shopping, and restaurants, all shaded by large, leafy trees lining clean streets.
Things to Do in Bayside
Take a nature walk, get out on the water in your boat, and go fishing at Lake Smith/Lake Lawson Natural Area. Splash into the pool via the waterslide, play basketball, or work out in the gym at Williams Farm Recreation Center. Skate around the roller rink, play duckpin bowling, and tackle the arcade games at Haygood Skating Center. Run an 18-hole game of golf, take lessons, and relax in the pool at Cypress Point Country Club. Indulge in Sunny’s Steamed Shrimp, a Charcoal Broiled Delmonico, or Petite Filet Mignon at Aberdeen Barn Steakhouse. Taste something you’ve never tried before like Shrimp Toast, a Kingdom Pork Chop, or the Mixed Seafood Hot Pot at Jade Villa Chinese Restaurant. Fill up on authentic Fried Dumplings, Beef Bulgogi, Honey Seasoned Pork, and more at 757 Korean BBQ. Or sink your teeth into Mediterranean dishes including the Chicken Shish Kebab Platter, Veggie Gyro, Beef Wrap, and more at Mazari Kebab.
Dam Neck
- Home Price: $392,359 median purchase price; $1,708 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 49% of Virginia cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Moving to one of the best places to live on the East Coast for the beaches? Dam Neck is bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, so it has easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway and water-based recreation! And deciding on buying property to settle into or investing in an Airbnb here is easy when you see the affordable waterfront Craftsman and Colonial-style homes for sale. Locals here enjoy outdoor fun like Pickleball Virginia Beach and nearby Red Wing Park—which offers access to athletic courts, a dog park, and lovely gardens. And Croatan Beach and Lake Redwing create great opportunities to enjoy the sun and sand! Beyond its affordability, one of the best perks of living in Dam Neck is its proximity to Naval Air Station Oceana, making it perfect for military families and base personnel.
Things to Do in Dam Neck
Spend an afternoon on the waterslides, float down the Adventure River, or relax in Runaway Bay at Ocean Breeze Waterpark. Race go-karts, play Shipwreck Mini Golf, or explore Kiddie City at Motor World. See marine animals like sea turtles and sharks or attend family-friendly events like Toddler Trek, Sensory-Friendly Mornings, and Whale Watching Boat Tours at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. Enjoy a 9 or 18-hole game on a newly designed golf course in Virginia Beach, followed by a meal in the lovely restaurant at Red Wing Lake Golf Course. Sit down to a brunch of the Big Al, a Quattro Frommage Omelette, or the Oyster Rock Burger at Bay Local Eatery. Try the Cheese Steak Pizza, Shrimp Parmigiana, or Gino’s Specialty Stromboli at Gino’s Pizzeria By Maurizio. Dig in to fresh Virginia Beach seafood like Carolina Steamed Shrimp, Rudee’s Crabcake Dinner, and Barroll’s Point Lobster Roll on the sundeck at Rudee’s Restaurant & Cabana Bar. Or grab off-the-boat cuisine for dinner with dishes like Hatteras Clam Chowder, Calamari Croatan, or K-38 Fajitas at Big Sam’s Cafe & Raw Bar.
Great Neck
- Home Price: $500,520 median purchase price; $1,521 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 35% of Virginia cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Great Neck is a top neighborhood in Virginia Beach—and it’s an especially good place for families to settle down because of its safe streets and close-knit community. Residents can find housing options ranging from brick Colonial-style homes to charming ranches, surrounded by waterways like Broad Bay and Lynnhaven Bay. You’ll be near some of the best elementary schools in Virginia Beach, such as John B. Dey Elementary and Trantwood Elementary. Plus, this North Virginia Beach neighborhood is only about 15 minutes away from the downtown area, giving residents easy access to job opportunities, local restaurants, and outdoor recreation.
Things to Do in Great Neck
Check out a book from the Great Neck Area Library and attend events like Bricks at the Beach and Pawsitive Reading with your kids, or check out adult events like Crafternoons and Books & (Coffee) Brews. Swim a few laps, take a group fitness class, or shoot some hoops at the Great Neck Recreation Center. Have a picnic, play a game of volleyball, or relax in the gazebo at the 70-acre Great Neck Park. Take advantage of a championship golf course, Junior Olympic-sized pool, and fine dining when you become a member at Broad Bay Country Club. Stop by for Music Bingo every Wednesday and enjoy a Shrimp Quesadilla, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog, Brisket Philly, and more at Scotty Quixx West. Watch the game while munching on Chicken Bites or the Ghent Original Burger with Battered Fries at Kelly’s Tavern. Relish Italian classics like Shrimp Gorgonzola and Pappardelle Bolognese, or create your own pizza with toppings like sausage, goat cheese, and pine nuts at Aldo’s Ristorante. And sip fresh brews such as the German Shepheweizen, Pick of the Litter, or a Featured Flight at Wasserhund Brewing Company.
Kempsville
- Home Price: $336,341 median purchase price; $1,649 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 73% of Virginia cities
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals, families, retirees
If you’re looking for a historical, family-friendly neighborhood in Virginia Beach, look no further than Kempsville! Encompassing the areas of Kempsville Gardens, Avalon, and Fairfield, this neighborhood offers plenty of amenities. Ample green spaces in and around the neighborhood like City View Park and Woodstock Park are common spots for outdoor recreation, while the area’s shopping malls make it easy to pick up essentials or get in some retail therapy. To top it off, Kempsville offers excellent schooling through institutions like Kempsville Elementary School, Kempsville Middle School, and Kempsville High School.
Things to Do in Kempsville
Challenge your friends to a round of golf at Kempsville Greens Golf Course. Stroll the walking paths and pedestrian bridge or check out the “Good Game” statue—honoring Kempsville Pony Baseball—at Kempes Landing Park. Go canoeing or walk along the scenic half-mile Elizabeth River Virginia Beach Trail. Kayak around Lake Windsor, do some freshwater fishing, or climb the two man-made mountains of Mount Trashmore Park. Munch delicious pub food including the Spud Mountain, Bacon Cheddar Melt Burger, and Chicken & Shrimp Alfredo at AJ Gator’s Sports Bar. Sample Japanese classics like Chicken Hibachi, Shrimp Tempura Rolls, and California Rolls at Yomi Japanese Hibachi & Sushi. Get a plate of authentic Hawaiian creations like the Chicken Katsu, Kalbi Short Ribs, and Kalua Pork at Aloha Hawaiian BBQ. Or try traditional Ethiopian cuisine with Kitfo, Siga Wot, or Mesob Special Tibs at Mesob Cafe.
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Housing data from Zillow and RentCafe. Crime rates from AreaVibes.
