Norfolk, Virginia
Military Relocation Guide
Norfolk, Virginia is the city that the world's most powerful naval force calls home. Naval Station Norfolk — the largest naval installation in the world — anchors a city of 250,000 that has built its identity around naval service, maritime heritage, and the extraordinary community of families who support those who deploy from its piers. While Virginia Beach (covered separately) shares the NAVSTA Norfolk mission, Norfolk proper offers a distinct urban experience that many Navy families prefer.
At WeVett Realty, we help Navy families who want to live in the city itself — walkable neighborhoods, urban amenities, and shorter commutes to the base — rather than in Virginia Beach's suburbs. With median home prices around $270,000, Norfolk is actually more affordable than Virginia Beach, and neighborhoods like Ghent, Larchmont, Park Place, and Wards Corner offer urban character and historic architecture at prices that make strong financial sense with a VA loan.
Norfolk's cultural infrastructure is impressive for a city of its size: the Chrysler Museum of Art, a vibrant Granby Street entertainment corridor, the MacArthur Memorial, and a waterfront district that hosts the annual NATO Festival. Old Dominion University brings collegiate energy, and the Elizabeth River waterway creates a nautical backdrop that feels authentically Navy throughout every neighborhood.
Norfolk is undergoing significant urban revitalization, and buyers who purchase in emerging neighborhoods today are positioned to benefit from the city's growing investment in infrastructure, amenities, and economic development. WeVett Realty's Norfolk specialists know every block of this city and will help you find its best value.
Military Installations Served
Naval Station Norfolk
navy
The world's largest naval station, home to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and dozens of ships, submarines, and aviation squadrons. Naval Station Norfolk is the operational center of American naval power projection and the homeport of multiple carrier strike groups.
Local Market Trends
Median Home Price
$272,000
Average Days on Market
25 days
List-to-Sale Price Ratio
98.7%
Active Listings
620
Data represents recent market activity. Contact a local agent for current conditions.
Local FAQs
What are Norfolk's BAH rates, and how do they compare to Virginia Beach?
Norfolk and Virginia Beach share the same BAH rate as part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan statistical area. O-3 with dependents receives approximately $2,430/month and E-6 with dependents around $2,070/month as of 2024. Norfolk's lower median home price ($270k vs. $332k in Virginia Beach) means this BAH goes considerably further in Norfolk, often allowing military buyers to purchase a well-located home with a VA loan payment within or near their housing allowance.
Is Norfolk's real estate a good investment compared to Virginia Beach?
Norfolk offers different investment characteristics than Virginia Beach. The city's revitalization trajectory, lower entry price, and urban rental demand can produce strong returns for buyers who select well-located properties in improving neighborhoods. Virginia Beach has more predictable suburban appreciation. Norfolk's Ghent and Larchmont neighborhoods have seen consistent appreciation and strong rental demand. The right answer depends on your investment horizon and lifestyle preferences — our agents will walk through both markets with you.
What are the best Norfolk neighborhoods for Navy families?
Ghent is Norfolk's most desirable walkable neighborhood, with tree-lined streets, excellent restaurants, and proximity to downtown — popular with officers and senior enlisted. Larchmont offers established single-family homes near Little Creek Amphibious Base at more accessible prices. Park Place and Park Terrace provide solid urban neighborhoods with good school access. For families seeking the best NAVSTA Norfolk commute, the neighborhoods along Hampton Boulevard offer proximity with reasonable price points.
How does flooding and sea level rise affect Norfolk real estate?
Norfolk is one of the U.S. cities most affected by sea level rise, and flooding in low-lying areas is a real consideration for buyers. WeVett Realty strongly recommends reviewing FEMA flood maps for any Norfolk property and requesting flood history disclosures. Homes above the 10-foot elevation line in neighborhoods like Larchmont, Ghent, and Park Place have excellent flood profiles. The city's resilience investments are improving flood infrastructure, and elevation-aware buying is the foundation of a smart Norfolk real estate strategy.
Things to Do
Chrysler Museum of Art
Cultural
One of the finest regional art museums in America, housing an exceptional glass collection and works spanning 5,000 years of human creativity — and it's free to visit.
Naval Station Norfolk Tours
Military Heritage
Public bus tours of the world's largest naval station, offering a rare look at active carrier berths, historic buildings, and the operational heartbeat of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
Norfolk Botanical Garden
Outdoor Recreation
A stunning 175-acre garden featuring one of the largest collections of azaleas, roses, and camellias in the Mid-Atlantic — a beloved outdoor escape for Norfolk military families.
MacArthur Memorial
Military Heritage
The museum and memorial honoring General Douglas MacArthur, set in Norfolk's historic city hall and containing his personal archives, medals, and the story of his extraordinary military career.
Where to Eat
The Cure
$$$American
Norfolk's acclaimed farm-to-table restaurant in the NEON arts district, featuring inventive American small plates and an outstanding cocktail program in a stylish industrial setting.
Il Porto Ristorante
$$$Italian
A waterfront Italian restaurant at the Waterside District serving classic Roman and Tuscan dishes with views of the Elizabeth River — a favorite for Navy officer celebrations.
Colley Cantina
$$Mexican
A lively Ghent neighborhood taqueria with excellent street tacos, inventive margaritas, and an outdoor patio popular with the young Navy and ODU community.
Doumar's Cones & BBQ
$American
A Norfolk institution since 1904, Doumar's invented the waffle cone and has been serving burgers, BBQ, and limeades from its original carhop drive-in to generations of Navy families.
Relocation Resources
Naval Station Norfolk Housing Service Center
Manages on-base housing and provides off-base housing referral assistance, neighborhood guides, and flood zone information for incoming Navy families.
Norfolk Public Schools
Serves Norfolk's urban neighborhoods with a School Liaison Officer dedicated to military family enrollment support and school selection guidance.
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
The primary military treatment facility for the Hampton Roads area, providing comprehensive medical care to Navy and joint-force beneficiaries.
Fleet and Family Support Center Norfolk
Provides relocation assistance, financial counseling, and employment support to Navy families at Naval Station Norfolk.
Ready to Make Norfolk Your New Home?
Let us connect you with a local agent who knows Norfolk and understands military families.