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2021 Best Suburbs to Live in the Norfolk Area

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Best Places to Live
14 results

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  1. Williamsburg

    • Suburb of Newport News, VA
    • 118 reviews
    #1 Best Suburbs to Live in Norfolk Area

    Nearby Resident: Williamsburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. At least as far as I’m concerned. I love all of the history. Williamsburg is clean and well cared for. It has the small Town feel with so much to offer. Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown settlement, and Yorktown or just a few wonderful places to visit. You never see dogs running around unattended or large amounts of debris or trash left on the road. Everyone is so friendly and willing to help. Williamsburg has a huge retirement community I have learned so much living here. Colonial Williamsburg it’s one of my favorite places. If you come to Williamsburg I would highly recommend the Cheese shop. They have the best sandwiches. Moving from Springfield Missouri to Williamsburg Virginia was one of the best decisions my mother ever made. I love it here. Probably one of the reasons I am pursuing it the college of William and Mary it is a beautiful campus and of course close to home. I love Williamsburg!...Read 118 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A minus
      Public Schools
    • 14,927 Population
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  2. Virginia Beach

    • City in Virginia
    • 1,784 reviews
    #2 Best Suburbs to Live in Norfolk Area

    Current Resident: Lots of great dinning options. Local gems like Citrus that was featured on diners drive ins and dives. A diverse population. Strong military presence, visit the Wisconsin for some military history and a sense of national pride! Be aware that there will be rush hour traffic and bridge opening you should plan your traveling around. Of course the local beaches are amazing but visit when it’s not the peak of summer! Unless you want to come for something in the water, it was canceled because of the pandemic but the previous year was amazing. A lot of big name performers have concerts at Veterans United. There is a lot of outdoor fun to be had too! Rent paddle boards or kayaks for a fun day on the water. Or experience whale watching and dolphin tours, and my favorite the pirate ship tour!...Read 1,784 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A minus
      Public Schools
    • 450,201 Population
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  3. Chesapeake

    • Suburb of Norfolk, VA
    • 694 reviews
    #3 Best Suburbs to Live in Norfolk Area

    Current Resident: I live in the South Norfolk part of Chesapeake it is truly a sweet area to live. My family and I moved here last April and we can all agree that it has been splendid. My neighbors are extremely friendly and it's a nice environment to have a family. There's various parks around, it's relatively quiet all the time and it's central to two shopping centers. Right off the interstate in one direction is downtown norfolk and in the other direction is Greenbrier mall and other surrounding shopping centers around there. There's a couple grocery stores and dollar stores in locality for minor store runs and plenty of jobs available nearby with an easy commute!...Read 694 Reviews

    • A minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 239,982 Population
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  4. Poquoson

    • Suburb of Hampton, VA
    • 25 reviews
    #4 Best Suburbs to Live in Norfolk Area

    Current Resident: Bought a home here last August. Friendly Food Lion employees, clean store, and plenty of buggy’s. We do our best to support all the businesses in Poquoson: Philly Cheesesteak, The 185, LaBella Salon, Poquoson auto shop, Metro gas station, Rite Aid, Poquoson Gifts, car wash, Surf’s Up, Bean’s Ice Cream, Mama Mia Pizza, Anna’s, etc. My husband loves watching the jets, and I love the small town feel, and the water way down Messick. We might be “Move-In’s, according to other reviewers, but I’d feel the same I bet, to see a lot of newbies in my town. It’s expected, and I respect them for caring that much about their beloved town. I’m hoping the new builds don’t take away that feeling. We love it here...Read 25 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • 12,090 Population
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  5. Carrollton

    • Suburb of Hampton, VA
    • 27 reviews
    #5 Best Suburbs to Live in Norfolk Area

    Current Resident: I love how close it is to everything, but yet a quiet and peaceful area. There are so many things to do, as it is only 15 minutes from the beautiful downtown Smithfield.Read 27 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • 6,442 Population
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  6. Newport News

    • City in Virginia
    • 365 reviews
    #6 Best Suburbs to Live in Norfolk Area

    Current Resident: The experience of Newport News was extremely wholesome. There are all walks of life here: creative writers, painters, gardener, nurses, teachers, preachers, and political activist. The most exciting part about Newport News to me is attending Open Mic Nights at the train station in downtown Newport News; Denbigh Day Parade for the students, and also being apart of a marching step team with my church House of Refuge Worship Center. People down here showcase their individuality. With the world being filled with hate and discrimination, Virginia is truly a place for lovers...Read 365 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B minus
      Public Schools
    • 179,673 Population
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  9. Smithfield

    • Town in Virginia
    • 35 reviews
    #7 Best Suburbs to Live in Norfolk Area

    Current Resident: Smithfield is a small, cute town that is pretty rural. The type of rural town where you see pig trucks go to the packing plant. The schools are pretty average when it comes to education, the only real plus is that they have college classes you can take for free. The schools are overpopulated though...Read 35 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • 8,367 Population
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  10. Hampton

    • City in Virginia
    • 275 reviews
    #8 Best Suburbs to Live in Norfolk Area

    Current Resident: Hampton is a small city in the Tidewater area. Hampton is mostly known for the Hampton Coliseum, Convention Center, and its beaches. I've lived here my whole life and appreciate this city. Hampton is always improving each year from public education, public events, and public relations! Of course, there are still many down sides to Hampton. Like most cities, it's not safe at night and traffic can be heavy...Read 275 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C+
      Public Schools
    • 135,041 Population
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  11. Suffolk

    • Suburb of Norfolk, VA
    • 259 reviews
    #9 Best Suburbs to Live in Norfolk Area

    Current Resident: Suffolk is a very small part of Virginia. Due to being a very small community, you are like family. My dad is a pastor at Crosspointe Free Will Baptist Church so we know many people from the community from church and witnessing. Some things that would be nice to have because it is so small is shopping places. There are not many shopping stores available so a Target would be used very often. Overall it's a very nice, small community that is welcome to anyone who visits!...Read 259 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C
      Public Schools
    • 90,093 Population
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  12. Gloucester Point

    • Suburb of Newport News, VA
    • 15 reviews

    Current Resident: Gloucester Point is a waterside community that still manages to be diverse. You have the convenience of nearby grocery stores, hair salons, etc. all being a short drive away. The community strives to incorporate new, young families and provides public schools to do so...Read 15 Reviews

    • B minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B minus
      Public Schools
    • 9,854 Population
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  13. Gloucester Courthouse

    • Town in Virginia
    • 2 reviews

    Current Resident: Gloucester Courthouse has a quaint small town Main Street full of activity for all ages. Enjoy concerts on the lawn, jogging with your fellow community members, parades throughout the year, safe trick or treating, and the well known Daffodil Festival. It’s enjoyable to either walk or drive Main Street to see community members out walking, with or without their dog. Teens enjoy taking to a bicycle ride to get a local treat at the cafe. Several local restaurants bring fabulous cuisine to life. Local artists paint murals and adorn the streets with spectacular statues. Many local businesses line the area to offer community members with the expert services they desire. There’s a little something for everyone in the family at Gloucester Courthouse...Read 2 Reviews

    • B minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B minus
      Public Schools
    • 2,466 Population
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  14. Portsmouth

    • Town in Virginia
    • 163 reviews

    Current Resident: I like Portsmouth. Portsmouth has a historical feel that makes locals and tourists have plenty of fun in the city. However, I would like to see the city public schools in Portsmouth have more STEAM programs, Reading Literacy programs, and music programs for students to succeed in their curriculum. Portsmouth Public Schools is the lowest, as far as SOL Test scores, in Hampton Roads. There has to be a change ASAP...Read 163 Reviews

    • B minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C
      Public Schools
    • 95,097 Population
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  15. Yorktown

    • Suburb of Newport News, VA
    • 50 reviews

    Current Resident: I moved here recently(within the last two years), and I have loved it. The neighbors are nice enough, but I also live in a fairly secluded area, so your mileage may vary if your neighbors are closer. The schools are great, stores are relatively close, and you can always find a decent slice of pizza. I wish they would shovel during the winter! Throwing sand(not salt) down and it takes about 2 days for the plows to come around. Means that having an AWD truck is pretty much a pre-requisite to living here. All in all, a nice place...Read 50 Reviews

    • A minus
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 317 Population
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  16. Benns Church

    • Town in Virginia
    • 6 reviews

    Niche User: Smithfield has a low crime rate. Crimes do not happen a lot.Read 6 Reviews

    • unavailable
      Overall Niche Grade
    • unavailable
      Public Schools
    • 551 Population
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  17. Sponsored

    Commonwealth Academy

    • Private School
    • ALEXANDRIA, VA
    • 3-12
    • 12 reviews

    Parent: Commonwealth Academy is above and beyond what anyone could possibly imagine for their child. We needed to find a small, specialized school so that our daughter could thrive and succeed. It was a thrill to find such an inclusive atmosphere filled with dedicated administrators and teachers. My daughter has an anxiety disorder and OCD. Every single teacher CARES. The combination of education, creativity and fun that they have created is unmatched. The classrooms are small and kids with every learning difference are treated with respect and patience. Without the chaos and fear of a big school, our daughter got past the nerves that held her back and learned to speak to adults and advocate for herself. She had warm and nurturing advisors who saw her potential and appreciated her strengths - they gave her CONFIDENCE. The education and unparalleled college prep she received from C/A is why she's thriving in college today, and why our younger daughter is now a C/A student...Read 12 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 150 Students
    • 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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