Norfolk, Virginia

What It Is Like to Retire in Norfolk

Norfolk is a port city on the coast of Virginia, the second largest city in the state.  The population is almost 250,000. It is considered the cultural and commercial center of the region.  It is a major port and the Norfolk Naval Station is a big part of the economy and the largest naval base in the world. NATO's defense headquarters are here.  The city has had its share of urban blight although there are efforts to resuscitate that.  It is close to the wonderful beaches on Virginia's coast, including Cape Hatteras. View of downtown Norfolk from Portsmouth courtesy of Wikipedia and GoUrban.

Where to Retire in Norfolk and Home Prices

The median cost of a home was just over $290,000 during the 2nd quarter in 2021.  There are active communities in the area.

What Is Special about Norfolk

In 1983 the city and The Rouse Company developed the Waterside festival marketplace to attract people back to the waterfront and catalyze further downtown redevelopment.[30] Waterside was redeveloped in 2017. Additionally the waterfront area hosts the Nauticus maritime museum and the USS Wisconsin. Other facilities opened in the ensuing years, including the Harbor Park baseball stadium, home of the Norfolk Tides Triple-A minor league baseball team.

What Is Not Special about Norfolk

There is still urban blight and inner city crime.

Who Will Like Retirement in Norfolk

Local Economy Is Driven by

Climate and Physical Environment

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Norfolk is the cultural heart of the Hampton Roads region. In addition to its museums, Norfolk is the principal home for several major performing arts companies. Norfolk also plays host to numerous yearly festivals and parades, mostly at Town Point Park in downtown. The Chrysler Museum of Art, located in the Ghent district, is the region's foremost art museum and is considered by The New York Times to be the finest in the state. Nauticus the National Maritime Center, opened on the downtown waterfront in 1994. It features hands-on exhibits, interactive theaters, aquaria, digital high-definition films and an extensive variety of educational programs. The Hermitage Foundation Museum, located in an early 20th-century Tudor-style home on a 12-acre (49,000 m2) estate fronting the Lafayette River, features an eclectic collection of Asian and Western art, including Chinese bronze and ceramics, Persian rugs, and ivory carvings

Crime

Norfolk's crime rate is above the national average.

Medical facilities

Transportation