Beachfront Estates & Started Home Communities
Virginia Beach is a lot bigger and more varied than its name suggests. Yes, there is a boardwalk and 38 miles of coastline, but the city stretches well past the Oceanfront into quiet suburbs, waterfront enclaves, and family neighborhoods that most visitors never see. If you are relocating here, picking the right neighborhood matters just as much as picking the right house, since Virginia Beach covers everything from million dollar beachfront estates to affordable starter home communities inland. Here is a breakdown of the areas worth knowing before you sign a lease or make an offer.
North End
North End sits right on the oceanfront, just north of the busy resort strip, and it is one of the most sought after addresses in the city. Homes here range from older beach cottages to newer architectural builds, and almost everything comes with direct or near direct beach access. Residents get the quiet of a residential neighborhood along with quick access to First Landing State Park and the restaurants near Chic’s Beach. It is a smaller market with higher prices, so it tends to attract buyers who want beachfront living without the tourist crowds of the main Oceanfront.
Great Neck
Great Neck is a peninsula bordered by the Chesapeake Bay, Broad Bay, and Lynnhaven River, and it holds some of the most established family neighborhoods in the city. Alanton is probably the best known community within Great Neck, with tree lined streets, a strong civic league, and homes that range from modest to expansive. Bay Colony sits nearby and leans more upscale, with gated entries and larger waterfront lots. The whole corridor is popular with families thanks to strong schools and easy access to boating and water recreation right from the backyard.
If you are comparing Virginia Beach against other cities in the region before settling on a neighborhood, it can help to look at how the cost of living in Virginia Beach stacks up against nearby areas, since housing costs vary quite a bit depending on which part of the city you choose.
Kempsville
Kempsville is one of the more centrally located and affordable areas in Virginia Beach, which makes it a common choice for families and first time buyers. Housing prices here run noticeably lower than the waterfront neighborhoods, and residents still get access to good schools, community centers, and a wide range of restaurants and shopping along the main corridors. It is a practical pick for anyone who wants a shorter commute to Norfolk or Chesapeake without paying oceanfront prices.
Sandbridge
Sandbridge is often described as Virginia Beach’s answer to the Outer Banks. It sits south of the main resort area along a quieter stretch of coastline, bordered by the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The pace here is slower, the crowds are smaller, and many of the homes were originally built as vacation properties before turning into full time residences. Kayaking, fishing, and bird watching are part of daily life for people who choose Sandbridge, and it remains one of the best options for anyone who wants beach living without the density of the Oceanfront strip.
Lago Mar and the Southern Neighborhoods
Lago Mar sits in the southern part of the city and has grown into one of the more upscale residential areas outside of the immediate waterfront. Homes here tend to be newer, lots are larger, and the neighborhood has a more suburban, master planned feel compared to the older established communities closer to the water. It works well for buyers who want space and modern construction without giving up proximity to good schools and shopping.
Families moving with kids already enrolled in school often have timing questions on top of neighborhood questions. Our guide on moving during the school year in Virginia covers how to plan the move itself around the academic calendar, which pairs well with picking a neighborhood zoned for the right schools.
Town Center and the ViBe Creative District
For people who want walkability and a more urban feel, Town Center is the closest thing Virginia Beach has to a downtown. High rise condos sit above shops, restaurants, and office space, and residents can walk to dinner, a show, or work without needing a car for every errand. Nearby, the ViBe Creative District has become known for its murals, breweries, and small businesses, giving the area a distinct creative energy that stands apart from the beach town image most people associate with Virginia Beach. According to Visit Virginia Beach, the city’s official tourism organization, the ViBe district has become one of the fastest growing arts and entertainment areas in the region.
Hilltop and Chic's Beach
Hilltop sits just south of North End and has become one of the busiest commercial corridors in the city, with shopping centers, restaurants, and grocery stores within a short drive of nearly every home in the area. It works well for people who want to be close to the water without paying North End prices, since Hilltop still puts you within a few minutes of the beach. Chic’s Beach, a smaller neighborhood just north of Hilltop, has a laid back, almost small town feel with local seafood spots and a public beach access point that residents treat like their own backyard. Both areas give you beach adjacent living at a more reasonable price point than the true oceanfront communities.
Renting Versus Buying
Not everyone relocating to Virginia Beach is ready to buy right away, and that is worth factoring into your neighborhood search too. Town Center and the areas near the ViBe Creative District tend to have the most rental inventory, including apartments and condos aimed at people who want walkability without a long term commitment. Neighborhoods like Kempsville and parts of Great Neck also have a solid mix of rental homes, which makes them a reasonable place to start if you want to live in an area for a few months before deciding whether to put down permanent roots.
Comparing Virginia Beach to Nearby Cities
Some newcomers land on Virginia Beach right away, while others spend time weighing it against Norfolk, Chesapeake, or Williamsburg before deciding. If you are still exploring your options, our post on the best neighborhoods in Norfolk gives a useful side by side comparison, since the two cities sit right next to each other but offer a fairly different pace and price point depending on the neighborhood.
According to the City of Virginia Beach, the city is the most populous in the state, and that size is exactly why the neighborhoods vary so much from one part of town to another. A street a few miles from the water can feel like a completely different city than one right on the Oceanfront, so visiting in person before committing to an area is always worth the extra time.
Choosing the Right Fit
Budget, commute, and lifestyle usually drive the decision more than any single factor. Waterfront neighborhoods like North End, Bay Colony, and Sandbridge carry a premium for the access they provide, while Kempsville and Lago Mar offer more house for the money without sacrificing school quality. Town Center suits people who want walkability over yard space, and Great Neck strikes a middle ground with strong schools and water access without the highest price tags in the city. According to Niche, Virginia Beach consistently ranks among the best places to live in the state, largely because of this range of neighborhood options.
Once you have a neighborhood in mind, the next step is planning the move itself. Our guide to long distance moving costs can help you budget for the move, whether you are coming from across the state or across the country, so the only thing left to figure out is which street you want to call home.
Virginia Beach has a neighborhood for nearly every lifestyle, from quiet beach cottages to walkable urban blocks to family friendly suburbs with excellent schools. Spend a weekend driving through a few of these areas before you commit, since the right fit usually becomes obvious once you see it in person.
FAQs About Neighborhoods in Virginia Beach, VA
1
What is the most expensive neighborhood in Virginia Beach?
North End is generally considered the most expensive neighborhood in Virginia Beach, thanks to its direct oceanfront access and limited housing inventory. Bay Colony in the Great Neck area is another high-end option with gated streets and waterfront lots.
2
What is the most affordable area to live in Virginia Beach?
Kempsville is one of the most affordable and centrally located areas in Virginia Beach, offering lower housing costs while still providing access to good schools and a shorter commute to neighboring cities.
3
Is Virginia Beach a good place to raise a family?
Yes, Virginia Beach has several family-friendly neighborhoods, including Alanton, Kempsville, and Lago Mar, which offer strong schools, community events, and access to parks and recreational facilities.
4
What neighborhood is best for beach access without high oceanfront prices?
Hilltop and Chic’s Beach offer a good balance, providing close proximity to the water at a more reasonable price point than the true oceanfront neighborhoods like North End.
5
Is Sandbridge a good option for full-time residents, not just vacationers?
Yes, while Sandbridge was originally known for vacation homes, many residents now live there full-time, drawn to its quieter pace, coastal setting, and proximity to the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
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