If your family just received PCS relocation orders to the Hampton Roads area, you’re in luck! This area of coastal Virginia is perfect for raising a family. For a few reasons why Hampton Roads is a great place to live, read our short guide below!
1. Large Military Population
If you’re relocating to Hampton Roads as a military family, you’ll have no problem joining a close-knit community, no matter which city you choose to call home. Whether it’s Newport News, Portsmouth, Norfolk, or Virginia Beach, you’ll find the highest density of military folks anywhere in Virginia thanks to the numerous nearby military bases. Additionally, many ex-military families choose to retire in Hampton Roads, which means you’ll likely have neighbors who empathize with the demands and sacrifices of military life. With the wisdom of those who’ve faced military deployment before, along with younger families experiencing it for the first time, Hampton Roads is an ideal place to find support and encouragement.
2. Great Educational Opportunities
If you’re looking to enroll your children in school, you’ll find that the Hampton Roads area has some of the highest rated public schools in the state. The area also boasts several excellent private academies, religion-based establishments, and opportunities for students diagnosed with learning disabilities. For those who prefer to homeschool, the homeschooling community in Hampton Roads is made up of a vast and diverse network of families and offers a broad range of activities and competitive sports for students to join. Check out VAHomeschoolers to find homeschool support groups in your area.
3. Famous Historical Sites
Originally colonized by the English in the early 1600s, the Hampton Roads area has a rich history with several famous historical sites. A short road trip will take you to the fascinating Historical Triangle, which is composed of Jamestown (where you can see the first permanent English settlement in the New World), Yorktown (where America won Revolutionary War), and Williamsburg (a completely restored colonial town). You can also visit Fort Monroe, which was a key focal point in the Civil War, the renowned United States Naval Ship the Battleship Wisconsin docked in Norfolk and dozens of other sites that are all within a couple of hours. When you live in Hampton Roads, there’s no shortage of places to see!
4. Moderate Climate
Hampton Roads sits in Virginia’s Tidewater Climate Region, and its coastal proximity means a relatively mild climate year round. Though the region does experience four distinct seasons, winters typically see fewer than five inches of snowfall, while summer temperatures rarely creep out of the 80s. Additionally, Hampton Roads experiences approximately 212 sunny days a year, and about 30 fewer precipitous days than the average U.S. city. The lovely weather means residents get lots of opportunities to be outside.
5. Beach Proximity
Living on the coast means plenty of easily accessible beaches for outdoor fun and recreation. A popular vacation destination, Virginia Beach has 12 miles of beautiful sandy beaches and a 3-mile boardwalk brimming with boutiques and restaurants. Just north of Virginia Beach, you’ll First Landing State Park, an expansive 2288-acre park on Cape Henry that boasts over a mile of beachfront, plus 19 miles of inland hiking trails, campsites and cabins, and a boat launch. Up in Norfolk, you’ll find three beautifully maintained city beaches along the Chesapeake Bay, replete with miles of sandy frontage, calm waters, and a large fishing pier. In Newport News, nestled along the James River, the 60-acre Huntington Park has a beach, tennis facility, impressive rose garden, and an expansive playground called Fort Fun that provides youngsters hours of entertainment.
With a large, supportive military community and excellent schools, Hampton Roads is a great place for any military family to live. Plus, the temperate climate, beach access, and endless list of attractions make this a fun place to call home. If you’re moving to the Hampton Roads area, we’d love to help you make the transition. Apple Moving offers military and residential moving services and has two convenient locations in Hampton Roads, one in Norfolk and the other in Newport News. Give us a call or fill out the quote form to get a free moving estimate for your upcoming Virginia relocation.