Virginia Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Population: 393,069

Located in Independent Cities - East County

Stretching all the way from the Chesapeake Bay to the North Carolina border, Virginia Beach is a water lover's paradise. With the Chesapeake Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, the city is a perfect home for people who enjoy sunshine, sand and plenty of aquatic activity.

The beach is clean and wide, and regularly groomed. Bordering the sand is a wide concrete boardwalk with regular public accesses arid separate bike lanes. This combination serves as a magnet for pedestrians, bikers and roller bladers alike. The oceanfront street, Atlantic Avenue, has been given an overhaul of signs, sidewalks, storefronts and landscaping - and the improvements to Pacific Avenue will soon follow.

Not far from Virginia Beach's bustling oceanfront area lie two lovely ecological treasures: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. Nestled between the Virginia Beach cottage community of Sandbridge and the Outer Banks in North Carolina, these ocean-to-freshwater bay habitats contain one of the few remaining undeveloped areas along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean with 10 miles of undisturbed coastline and a maritime forest sanctuary.

Despite its name, there is more to Virginia Beach than just the beach. The military plays a crucial role in this city. Oceana Naval Air Station is one of the U.S. Navy's four master jet bases, and is home to the Navy's F-18 Super Hornets. The Naval Amphibious Base at Little Creek is also located in Virginia Beach and is home to the Navy Seals operating with the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

With all of the history and natural environment surrounding it, many residents will tell you that Virginia Beach is the perfect place to raise a family. There are parks, museums and aquariums galore for kids of all ages to enjoy. Your kids will feel right at home on top of Mount Trashmore ? a unique city park that was once a landfill, but is now a favorite play spot among local children. Here you'll find a 68-foot mountain perfect for flying kites, a community-built playground, a lake and picnic areas.

Virginia Beach may appear to be a large, bustling city full of activity, but there's still a small-town charm.