Hampton Roads Is Military Country
This region has 15 military installations and more than 80,000 active duty service members. Virginia holds 26% of all active duty Navy personnel, more than any other state. If you got orders here, you're joining the biggest military community in the country.
15
Military installations across Hampton Roads
80,000+
Active duty service members in the region
#1
Naval Station Norfolk: world's largest naval station
NAS Oceana (Virginia Beach)
The Navy's East Coast Master Jet Base, home to the F/A-18 Super Hornet squadrons. About 10,500 active duty sailors plus roughly 10,000 family members and 4,500 civilians work here (Navy CNIC figures). It's the second largest employer in Virginia Beach.
Naval Station Norfolk (Norfolk)
The world's largest naval station, sitting on the Sewells Point peninsula. Around 46,000 active duty and 21,000 civilians work on the installation (Hampton Roads Chamber figures). If your ship is homeported here, this is your base.
Other Major Commands
Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (Virginia Beach), Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth), Joint Base Langley-Eustis (Hampton/Newport News), and Coast Guard Base Portsmouth. Tell me your command and I'll tell you exactly which neighborhoods make sense.
Where Military Families Actually Live
Near NAS Oceana
The most popular areas for Oceana families: Salem, Red Mill, Kempsville, and Lynnhaven in Virginia Beach. Neighborhoods in the 23456 zip like Castleton and Lago Mar are favorites because the commute skips the tunnels entirely. Families attached to Dam Neck Annex often look toward Sandbridge and Pungo for a quieter feel.
Near Naval Station Norfolk
On the Norfolk side, military families cluster in Larchmont, Ghent, Colonial Place, East Beach, and Ocean View. A lot of Norfolk-based families also buy in Chesapeake or Virginia Beach and commute about 30 minutes. That trade works if you want newer construction or specific school zones.
Watch-Outs I'll Flag For You
- Aircraft noise near Oceana flight paths. Some streets hear the jets, some don't. I'll tell you which is which.
- Flood zones in low lying and tidal areas. Flood insurance is a real budget line here, not an afterthought.
- Summer tourist traffic around the Virginia Beach oceanfront. Great if you're buying a second home, worth knowing if you're commuting through it.
Rent vs. Buy on a PCS Move
Here's my honest take as someone who's been the one unpacking boxes: if your orders are 3+ years and the numbers work, buying in Hampton Roads has built real wealth for a lot of military families. The VA loan with zero down means you can buy without draining savings, and this market has steady military-driven demand behind it.
If your orders are under 2 years or you're unsure about the area, renting first is the smart play. There's no shame in it. I'd rather you rent for a year and buy right than buy fast and regret it.
Your PCS Buying Timeline
- As soon as you have orders: call me. We talk neighborhoods, budget, and timeline. I send listings before you ever get on a plane.
- 60 to 90 days out: get pre-approved with a VA-savvy lender. I have names if you need one.
- 30 days out: house hunting trip or virtual tours. I walk homes on video for my out of state buyers all the time.
- After closing: I stay your resource. Contractors, schools, the best taco truck near base, all of it.
