Norfolk, Virginia
If the prospect of urban waterfront living appeals to you, consider moving to Norfolk, Virginia. Norfolk is an independent city located in southeastern Virginia on the Elizabeth River and on the southern side of Hampton Roads. As one of the world’s oldest and busiest ports, Norfolk is a major industrial, commercial, shipping and distribution center for the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. The waterfront homes, retail shops, and entertainment venues exemplify the tranquil, unhurried pace of beach city living while offering the modern conveniences of big-city life. Norfolk has a rich maritime and naval heritage, which reflects the pivotal role that water has played in the city’s past and present and will continue to play in its future.
Economy:
As a major seaport, Norfolk has an economy that is largely sustained by the U.S. naval base located in the city and the shipping and shipbuilding sectors. Norfolk is the site of Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval station, which employs thousands of navy personnel and civilian workers. The city’s cargo ports are the second most important drivers of the Norfolk economy. Each year, millions of tons of cargo pass through Norfolk’s port, carrying a wide variety of commodities including tobacco, timber, coal, cotton and grain. A little farther from the water, economic growth is proceeding at an even keel.
The city’s urban renewal program has expanded office, retail, entertainment and hotel space downtown while promoting new residential construction along the rivers and bay front. Similarly, neighborhood revitalization has people in nearby cities moving to Norfolk like never before. Norfolk is ranked as one of the 10 markets for business relocation and expansion by Expansion Management magazine. It’s no surprise that businesses are moving to Norfolk to take advantage of the harbor city’s strategic location, pro-business regulatory climate, deep talent pool and comparably low cost of doing business.
History:
The Chesipean Indians were the first to occupy the land that is now Norfolk on the Elizabeth River near Chesapeake Bay. They had long deserted the place by the time the first English settlers arrived in 1585 on North Carolina’s Roanoke Island. As a planned city, Norfolk was laid out in 1682 and eventually became an independent city from Norfolk County in 1871. In 1776, British ships shelled the town of Norfolk upon orders by Lord Dunmore, Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia. The attack, which nearly razed the whole town and destroyed over 800 building, was an attempt to quell rebellion in the colony during the American Revolutionary War. The incident came to be known as the Burning of Norfolk.
In 1855, a yellow fever epidemic claimed the lives of around 2,000 people in Norfolk. In The Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad was completed in 1858 and played a major role in the American Civil War. In 1917, Naval Station Norfolk was established. The naval station has become one of the largest in the world and houses the largest concentration of U.S. Navy forces. An urban renewal program in the 1970s transformed a run-down harbor area into a premiere leisure destination with exciting recreational and cultural attractions.
Tourism:
Now that you’re moving to Norfolk, get ready to show some Navy love! Start with a guided tour of Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval base. The 45-minute bus tour will take you past aircraft carriers, submarines, frigates and amphibious assault ships, as well as drive by historic homes from the 1907 Jamestown Exposition. Next, head on to Nauticus, a sprawling maritime complex where you can tour the Battleship Wisconsin, learn about naval history at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, or take the kids to a maritime-themed science center. If all that water starts making you seasick, check out some of Norfolk’s attractions on dry land. There’s the Chrysler Museum of Art, which houses a permanent collection of 30,000 objects representing Western and non-Western art from the medieval period to the early 20th century. Another recommended stop for landlubbers is the Norfolk Botanical Garden, where you can explore more than 30 themed gardens, permanent plant collections and elegant water features and fountains.
Colleges/Universities:
• Norfolk State University
• Virginia Wesleyan College
• Old Dominion University
Interesting Facts:
• Occupying 4,631 acres of land in the northwest area of the city, Naval Station Norfolk is the world’s largest naval base.
• Hampton Roads in Norfolk is widely regarded as one of the biggest and deepest natural harbors in the world.
• Norfolk has been recognized as a “Tree City” by the National Arbor Day Foundation because of the extensive trees and flowers found in the city’s neighborhoods.
• Norfolk is home to the USS Wisconsin, the mighty U.S. Navy Battleship that earned six battle stars for service in World War II and Korea.
Helpful Links:
• Norfolk Real Estate
• Norfolk Storage Facility
• Norfolk Insurance
• Norfolk Dental Offices
• Norfolk Moving Guide