Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is Virginia's second-largest incorporated city, with a population of 234,403 as of the 2000 Census. Norfolk is also one of the few urban areas in Virginia showing resurgence in population, with an estimated population of 238,832 in 2006.
The city is bordered to the west by the Elizabeth River and to the north by the Chesapeake Bay. It also shares land borders with the cities of Chesapeake to its south and Virginia Beach to its east. As it is surrounded by multiple bodies of water, Norfolk has many miles of riverfront and bay front property, and is linked with its neighbors by an extensive network of Interstate highways, bridges, tunnels, and bridge-tunnel complexes. Norfolk is also easily accessible from all corners of the world, thanks to the Norfolk International Airport. Avid travelers can even depart on various cruise lines from the Norfolk Cruise Ship Terminal, opened in 2007 and located conveniently in the heart of the downtown waterfront area.
One of the oldest cities in the Hampton Roads area, Norfolk is considered to be the historic, urban, financial, and cultural center of the region. Norfolk is home to both the Norfolk Naval Base, the world's largest naval base, and corporate headquarters of the Norfolk Southern Railway, one of North America's principal Class I railroads.
First settled in 1622 by Adam Thoroughgood, Norfolk had developed into what many believe was the most prosperous city in Virginia by 1775. It was a major shipbuilding center and an important trans-shipment point for the export of goods. Norfolk was officially incorporated as a city in 1845, with a population of about 14,000, and by 1950, it was the fifth fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States.
Norfolk has a newly revitalized downtown area, home to the MacArthur Center mall, Chrysler Hall Performing Arts Center, Scope Arena, and several other shopping and cultural arts venues. Fans of the performing arts can enjoy Broadway shows at Chrysler Hall, opera at the Harrison Opera House, and top-notch regional theater at the Wells Theater. Sports fanatics enjoy rooting for the hometown triple-A baseball team, the Norfolk Tides (an affiliate of the Orioles) at Harbor Park, and the Norfolk Admirals ice hockey team at Scope Arena. Families enjoying a day in downtown Norfolk can dine at world-class restaurants or explore the Nauticus National Maritime Center, the Virginia Zoo, or the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Being a waterfront city, the best way to see Norfolk is aboard one of the Norfolk harbor cruises. Choose from lunch cruises, dinner cruises (including the Spirit of Norfolk dinner show cruise), sailboats, paddlewheel ships, or a Naval Base cruise.
Norfolk's efforts to revitalize its downtown have attracted acclaim in economic development and urban planning circles throughout the country, with Money Magazine proclaiming it as the number one city in which to live in the South in 1999. Located just northwest of downtown, the Ghent district of Norfolk is one of the Hampton Roads region's premier urban residential communities. With abundant nightlife options and a wide variety of restaurants, Norfolk also plays host to numerous yearly festivals and parades, mostly at Town Pointe Park in downtown.
Norfolk City Public Schools is made up of 5 high schools, 8 middle schools, 34 elementary schools, and 9 special-purpose/preschools. In 2005, Norfolk Public Schools won the $1 million Broad Prize for Urban Education award for having demonstrated "the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps for poor and minority students". There are several private schools in the city, and Norfolk is also home to four major universities: Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Virginia Wesleyan College.
Norfolk, like most of the Hampton Roads area, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with moderate changes of seasons. In addition to the urban residential areas, there are also miles of bayfront resort property and beaches in the Willoughby Spit and Ocean View communities. Home prices vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, but Norfolk is generally considered to be moderately priced, and an excellent value for property near the sea.
Norfolk VA Homes For Sale
What's My Norfolk Home Worth
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by: Dave.Macklin on May 16, 2008 @ 10:11 am Leave a comment »
Norfolk Downtown living may mean less square footage and lack of a private garage, but it also means great restaurants, shopping and entertainment are all within walking distance.
Downtown Norfolk council wants to show off what all the hype is about with a daylong Open House on Saturday, May 17 from 10AM to 6PM. "It's an effort on our part to highlight the ease and attractiveness of the downtown urban lifestyle," said Stephen Fuschetti, DNC chairman. "We want to help people visualize what the downtown lifestyle really looks like." The event, Downtown Lifestyle - A Taste of Downtown Living, features tours of 18 homes plus free classes and demonstrations. Tickets cost $8 in advance and $12 on Saturday. 
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More and more people, from young professionals to retirees, are becoming enamored with Downtown living. The number of Norfolk downtown residents has grown to 3,800...1,000 more than in 2000.|
by: Dave.Macklin on Apr 24, 2008 @ 10:16 am Leave a comment »
Norfolk Real Estate Market Report - March 2008 Little change is expected in Norfolk real estate sales of existing homes over the next few months, before notably improving during the second half of the year, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors. Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, said the market will come into clearer focus this summer. Existing home sales could start to show a sustained increase within a few months, unless there are some additional economic problems or excessive inflationary pressure, he said. The wider access to affordable credit should increase sales activity notably this summer as pent-up demand begins to be met. Lets take a look at the Norfolk real estate market activity for this March to see how the spring is looking so far:
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by: Dave.Macklin on Apr 04, 2008 @ 10:55 am Leave a comment »
The centerpiece of Congress' recent $170 billion economic stimulus plan is tax rebates, but few Virginia Beach & Hampton Roads real estate owners and taxpayers actually understand what the rebates mean or how they'll benefit. The details of the plan are still being worked out, but below are some of the facts:
If you make the IRS deadline and file your taxes by April 15, you can expect to receive a check sometime between May and July. Why not put your 2007 tax rebate toward the purchase of Virginia Beach or Hampton Raods real estate? To learn more about Hampton roads real estate, please visit ButlerTeamHomes.com or begin searching for Hampton Roads real estate. For more personalized service, please call me at 866-222-0158 #550.
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by: Dave.Macklin on Mar 25, 2008 @ 10:00 am Leave a comment »
Schools are important when buying Virginia Beach real estate - even if you don't have kids! Most families with children are concerned about schools, whether public or private, making the school district a Virginia Beach home is in one of their top priorities. But even families without children need to be concerned with the area schools. Virginia Beachproperty values are influenced be the school system that services your neighborhood. You can take the same house and put it in two different locations with two different schools and the house feeding into the better school system will appreciate faster. The resale value of your home will definitely be influenced by the schools in the area.
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by: Dave.Macklin on Mar 24, 2008 @ 7:27 pm 1 comment »
627 W 34th Street, Norfolk VA 23508 - Norfolk Va real estate for sale!
Great property for the owner occupant; rent one unit and live in the other. This three bedroom over/under duplex in Park Place has been completely renovated including newer furnaces, air conditioning, appliances, kitchen cabinets, flooring, windows and doors. Looking to enter the real estate market? This turn key property is just the place. Looking for a hassle-free investment property where your 'Return On Investment' is in the black? This duplex is the perfect opportunity for either the first time buyer or the experienced investor.Each unit is three bedrooms and 1 bath. Each unit has a private front and rear entry. The front entry (keyed) has one exterior door that then allows entry to a small lobby area where each unit has it's private, keyed entry.
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To begin your search for the perfect home or to sell your home in the Virginia Beach area,
call Dave Macklin and The Butler Team at 866-222-0158 #550.
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