Norfolk’s neighborhoods are as diverse as its populace. From cobblestone streets to low-rent housing to riverfront properties to old beach communities, Norfolk has got it all.
If you’re looking for the creative class, however, look no further than Ghent. On Colley Avenue (our little Haight) you’ll find hipsters, artists, musicians, and most of the coolest people you’ll meet in Norfolk. Its adjacent neighborhoods–West Ghent and Mowbray, though more family-oriented–add to Ghent’s beauty.
The other main ‘hood that any Norfologist would love is the obvious one: Downtown. At the moment, Granby (Downtown’s main drag) is a bit more Restaurant Row (and even a little more Bourbon Street) than it is a real residential district. However, it’s fast growing and a number of planned developments spurred by light rail will make it much more mixed-use. Plus, there’s Freemason, a beautiful cobblestone neighborhood right nearby.
And then there’s Ocean View, a historic community right on the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay; a place where the locals are fiercely loyal. And Park Place, an up-and-comer that’s got the young up-and-comers moving to the “other side of the tracks.” And Colonial Place, where Old Dominion students and professors live alongside the Lafayette River, and where you have to brake for geese and ducks. And a host of other neighborhoods that make for a great home.
But the best way to find out about them is by hearing from the residents themselves. Here’s what Norfolkians have to say about their ‘hoods:
Downtown
I love being able to walk and explore so many different venues. Ghent is only a mile away, West Freemason and the Pagoda Gardens are a couple blocks away, the mall is a block away. All the best restaurants are either Downtown or next door in Ghent. Plus all the buildings are amazing… Everything from historic brownstones to glass-encased office buildings. –Lisa Kendrick
Everything we need within a block or three. MacArthur Mall, The Market at Harbor Heights, Wells Theatre, Norva, Town Point Park, great restaurants (Byrd & Baldwin, Big Easy, Granby Street Pizza, The 219). I use a power wheelchair to get around, so living here has been amazing. –Greg Harris
Freemason
Sits right between Downtown and Ghent, easy walking to either one. –Michael Howland
Ghent
I love Ghent because it’s home. All of my favorite nouns are here. Also because I don’t even care that I don’t have a garden, because I can love the whole neighborhood’s vicariously. –Elizabeth Gordon
A fantastic place to live. Walkable, friendly, progressive. Doesn’t get any better in Hampton Roads than right here. –Sean Sutherland
A walker’s paradise; all other neighborhoods should take lessons from Ghent! –Jenifer Rutter
The walkability is incredibly important to me. Everyone loves their dogs, their plants and their neighborhood. People are polite, more than polite, they’re friendly. –Elizabeth Virginia Levesque
When I was a kid, you didn’t go near Downtown or Ghent, and now they are both the places to be. When I found out I’d be able to move out here, I jumped on the chance. I love the dog park, Colley Ave, the closeness to downtown without being downtown (even though I’m there every day), the abundance of restaurants and locally-owned businesses, the architecture, the history, the walkability, Cogan’s, Stockley Gardens Art Fest, and the people are more than fantastic. –Kristen Yocum
Ghent because I love our pedestrian lifestyle, filling up my gas tank only once a month, supporting local business, and all the wonderful movie recommendations from Tim, Eric and William at Naro Video. –Barb Hickman Frith
LOVE the historic houses and the fact that we can walk to dinner up on Colley… I’ve lived in Ghent for most of my life. LOVE it! –Kelly McMahon Willette
Ghent/Mowbray Arch
Walking distance to downtown, YMCA, Town Point Park, Colley Ave, schools. Short bike ride to the ferry and the Zoo. And great neighbors. –Kate Hofheimer Wilson
I’m with Kate – Ghent/Mowbray Arch – Equidistant walk to Empire (downtown) or Sam’s (Ghent Proper). –Patrick Mullins
West Ghent
We love the pool in the summertime, the Naro in the nighttime, and Fair Grounds anytime! –Kathleen Kelly Sharp
Great people, quiet streets for dog walking, close to Colley Ave. Basically everything. –Zach Keen
Pretty much anywhere I care to go is within safe walking/biking distance! –Melanie Epperson Cramer
Living close to a pool and the bike path, which we ride/run/walk daily. –Kim Thomas Miller
Colonial Place
I love how diverse of a neighborhood it is. There is no one economic bracket represented. You’ve got apartments next to huge houses next to one-story single family flats… I grew up there. I will always love it. –Skye Zentz
It saves on vacation money by using money on repairs of 75+ year old homes. –Archie R. Whitehill
I love the beautiful houses and landscaping. The dog park on Deleware St. is really convenient as I am a Hound owner. The most attractive thing for me is that I feel safe walking around my neighborhood at night. –Sam Shinault
Great walks and bike rides. Walkable/bikeable to ODU Village and Taphouse/Boot/Naro. Kids skateboard and have lemonade stands. There’s the Art Walk and community garden. F Scott Fitzgerald used to stay here…I could go on and on. –Jesi Owens
Colonial Place, for all the reasons mentioned above–it is beautiful, close to everything and full of all different kinds of wonderful people. –Ute Heidenreich
I love the old houses and the fact that it’s diverse racially, economically, and even age-wise. Being able to walk down to the water is really great and being really close to Ghent and downtown is a huge plus! –Leslye Reaves
Riverview
CP/RV is where it’s at. Great people, dog park, walking paths, Riverview businesses, Annual Art Walk, active civic league, listserve… –Stephanie Nicholson Hale
The Lafayette River, the Zoo, the restaurants, the diversity, and the old-fashioned neighborhood atmosphere. Everyone knows everyone else, or at least their dogs, we have great parties, love to sit out on our front porches. And of course, the Front Porch Art Walk that we share with Colonial Place, the Riverview alternative. –Sheila Hughes Robinson
Park Place
Revitalization is progressing. Safety is nowhere near the issue it was once upon a crime.. Great neighbors around where I live and generally friendly people walking around (some of you will think I’m crazy but trust me, I talk to nearly everyone crossing my path). Inexpensive homes with lots of history and character. I have high hopes for this area and with Downtown booming, I’m certain we will reap some of those rewards a little later down the road. –Allison Jarvis
We can walk to ODU/ The Ted, Fellinis, Enricos, the dog park in CP. Our neighbors are friendly, the housing is affordable. Minutes to Naro, Fair Grounds, Downtown, etc. We have a large enough yard for a bountiful garden. I can watch the kids in the neighborhood play ball from my back porch. Last year someone did steal hanging baskets off our front porch, but this years are still there so I’m calling that a fluke. –Andrea Bourguignon
Larchmont
My kids have the same freedom to be kids that I did. ‘Cause the neighbors all have keys to each other’s houses. ‘Cause I will never go without an egg, a cup of sugar or a lime. –Ginger Graham White
I love it because its very family-oriented and everyone takes care of their surroundings. There is little to no trash around here, very green, everyone around us is nice and happy, easy to travel through, and it’s generally just a laidback wonderful area of town! –Holly Dharani Hill
Great schools, D’Egg West, Taste Unlimited (very soon), plenty of riverfront and green space. Close to (but not in the middle of) Ghent, Downtown, Freemason. GREAT PEOPLE! –Terry Parker
Lafayette/Winona
The best-kept secret in Norfolk (doh, I guess I just blew it). Well, I might as well tell you about the quiet neighborhood, eclectic old houses, friendly neighbors, dog park(s), kids playground. And you’re either on the water, or close enough it’s a block away and you can walk to it. A short bike ride in one direction to Five Points Farm Market and the other to Naas Bakery. Love this place. Moved away and missed it so much we moved back. –Ed Gartin
Lots of old houses with character, the Zoo and Farm Market are within biking distance, the playground and dog park are great places to meet neighbors, the beautiful river views and watching the wildlife. The first week I lived here I saw a fox, a raccoon, herons and cardinals. We have a pair of ducks that comes and hangs out on front yards when the river is high. Five minutes to Ghent or downtown and close to Ward’s corner, equidistant to 64 or 264. –Patty Ruska
Ocean View
OV!!!! Our own history, our own beach, Davenport’s barbershop, Mona Lisa Pizza, and Hayne Photography. How could it get better than all that?? –Nathaniel Douthit
I love the beach and the community down there, the Pier restaurant, and the lovely people at Mona Lisa Pizza. You know they keep toys around to give to kids? They gave my niece a Barbie. That is customer service. –Lizzie Gordon
OV represent!! Where else can you farm close to a beach and still be to the taphouse in ten minutes? …And don’t forget the down-home good people and the blessed fruit trees. –Chloe Steinberg
OV, babycakes! Nothing like spontaneous beach volleyball games, walks, parties, entertainment! Ghent just a Vespa ride away. –Nicole Bernadette Carry
Maple Hall
I love it because almost everyone on my street has an acre of land. My side of the street has a lot of old growth trees. The neighborhood was originally a farm (Norfolk County) that was bought by two WWII buddies and cut up into acre lots. I live in one of the first two houses, built in 1950. –Dave Hinde
Norview/5 Points
Specifically Esta Brook Park (represent!). What I love about it? It’s pretty much in the center of everything so you can get anywhere in Norfolk in less than 15 minutes….if there’s no traffic, of course. Other than the gentle sound of trains in the distance at night, that’s about it. –David Thibault
Easy access to everywhere else, lots of back streets for avoiding traffic, and it stays pretty quiet on this block… And it has trees, and space between houses. –Sandi Barrett
We have an AWESOME community garden, and we are close to everything. –Amy Taylor
Belvedere
A quiet neighborhood on the river; beautifully shaded winding roads and old houses, many built in the 1930′s. –Marissa White DiGirolamo
Sewells Gardens
Cheap housing/quiet streets, close to a Walmart & Botanical Gardens/the airport. Also less than 10 minutes drive to OV, Military Circle Mall, Downtown, or either base. –Sam Anthony
Lambert’s Point
I like how close it is to ODU and how cheap the rent is. –Michael Mangino
Little Creek
It is a good bridge to almost all locations in Hampton Roads… –Mia Maya
Wards Corner
I live within biking distance of a hospital, the beach, a methadone clinic, and a home brewery store. –Shannon Perry
I love the Book Exchange, the owner is the nicest guy ever and you can bring all your old books at sell them and get new ones. And we’re close to the Botanical Gardens. –Karen Dugas
Riverpoint
There are 10+ churches within a mile radius (the novelty is what I like) and I’m somehow 20 minutes from everything in probably the most economically diverse area of Norfolk, if not all of Tidewater. –D’Ann Grumbach