The first time you visit Norfolk, VA, you may find yourself wondering how to squeeze in all of the things you want to do in just a few short days. From the beautiful coastline and many outdoor trails, parks, playgrounds and activities, to the exciting nightlife, dining, shopping an entertainment venues, your list of places to experience may run longer than the minutes in your day.

Norfolk’s rich history, charming neighborhoods and vibrant downtown make it one of the country’s favorite cities, according to Travel + Leisure. From festivals and sporting events to quaint coffee shops, reputable universities and water activities galore, our residents never run out of ways to work or play. If you’re considering a move to our area, here are five reasons to help you make your choice.

A move to Norfolk brings with it employment opportunities, exciting activities and beautiful landscapes. Start packing, and plan your move to Norfolk, VA today! 

Shopping
Norfolk’s central location in the heart of Hampton Roads and Coastal Virginia makes it the perfect place for small and big retailers to call home. MacArthur Center Mall in downtown Norfolk features some of your favorite big name retailers, like J. Crew, Banana Republic, Apple, Nordstrom, H&M, Dillards, Sephora, Aldos and Gymboree. Wards Corner Shopping District is filled with your favorite grocery stores (Harris Teeter, Kroger and Farm Fresh), book stores, mattress stores and other home shopping goods. Zip over to Military Highway when you need to visit Target, Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, Office Max and Party City. 

Dining
No matter how you slice it, Norfolk has a longstanding reputation for having some of the region’s best chefs and restaurants. Whether you prefer fine dining, casual dining, food trucks or gold star coffee shops, in Norfolk, we’ve got them. Check out Ghent’s Colley Avenue and 21st street for some of the area’s best local restaurants serving a variety of styles of your favorite foods, from Italian (La Bella) and Mexican (Luna Maya), to southern comfort (Supper) and sushi (Kotobuki). When you want to grab a hearty breakfast or lunch, you can visit Taste Unlimited, Handsome Biscuit, Charlie’s Cafe, D’Egg Diner or Cafe Stella. Coffee shops abound in Norfolk, from A Latte Cafe and Cure Coffee Shop downtown, to Borjo by ODU and Elliot’s Fair Grounds in Ghent.

Entertainment
You never run out of things to do when you live in the center of everything. Norfolk’s bustling arts, culture and entertainment scene gives our residents the choices they want when it comes to enjoying leisure time. Listen to live music at the Norva, Chrysler Hall, Attucks Theater, the live stage at Ocean View or at nearby Verison Ampitheater in Portsmouth. Catch up on cultural affairs by strolling the downtown Norfolk Arts District, before stopping by the Chrysler Museum. Cozy in for a movie at local theater, Naro Cinema, or at Regal Cinemas inside MacArthur Center Mall. Downtown’s Town Point Park is the place ot go for festivals, all year round, and while you’re there, you can explore Granby Street and the soon-to-be-completed Waterside District.

Sports
Sports fans can enjoy tail-gating and live sports year round in Norfolk. The Norfolk Tides play a full season of minor league baseball at Harbor Park, downtown. ODU football games in fall and basketball games in winter are action packed and filled with alumni and local pride. Grab a glimpse of the Norfolk Admirals hockey team at Scope Plaza in the winter, and watch sailboat racing on the Lafayette River every wednesday night in Summer. Cheer for the local team, make new friends and get your game fix on all year with Norfolk’s exciting sports teams.

Employment
Norfolk is a historic, port city that has thrived as a hub for employers of big and small business for hundreds of years. Downtown employers include commercial real estate corporations, attorneys, bankers and city officials. Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, CHKD and Bon Secours’ DePaul Hospital employ the area’s finest medical practitioners. From the Port of Norfolk and the Norfolk Naval Base to Old Dominion University, Virginia Wesleyan University and Norfolk State, our city houses universities and government and military employers just minutes away from our charming neighborhood and our beautiful coastline.