Hampton Roads – What You Need To Know

Written by AHRN Team Updated on March 10, 2020
Photo by Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock

At AHRN.com, we want to offer our readers a place to turn to when facing the challenge of a PCS. You know how it is when you get orders. You go to your Facebook friends list, find someone who is there or has been recently and get all the details! We are sharing the little things that help you to make a home Hampton Roads!

The Hampton Roads area is a concentration of military installations including Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake. With representation by all of the branches, it is a wonderfully military friendly place to live!

What are the best neighborhoods?

Kiln Creek, Coventry, Running Man, Hilton Village, Salt Ponds, Tabb area

What schools are considered the best?

York Country School District are highly regarded and sought after. Check out more specific school data at greatschools.org.

How is traffic?

If you need to travel I-64 through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel to commute to work the traffic is horrible! I would not recommend this if you can avoid it. Other than that, there is traffic on many of the area roads but many offer a different route that can be easier with less traffic. The big one is avoiding the HRBT.

Can I get off post for lunch?
Yes, it is not an issue. Traffic is not bad during these hours.
Where do you like to do your grocery shopping? Where is the best produce? The best prices?

The commissaries are wonderful. We have two located on the “peninsula area” one located on Langley and another on Fort Eustis. Other than that, Trader Joes offers great prices and organic food. We have all the warehouse stores (Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s). Sam’s Club and Bj’s offers great military offers. Farm Fresh is a big chain in Hampton Roads. They are more expensive in my opinion however they do offer a 10% military discount off their brand products. Fresh Market has excellent produce and meats. It’s a higher end grocery store, more expensive but good quality. Many people like Kroger and Harris Teeter, good produce and prices.

Where do you like to do your clothes/home shopping?

Williamsburg Prime Outlets are amazing!! Get your Coupon Book FREE for military at the food court. Peninsula Town Center is a great new outdoor mall in Hampton near Langley.

What are your favorite local restaurants?

Riverwalk Restaurant in Yorktown, Yorktown Pub, County Grill, Fin Seafood

Where do you go if you want to grab a coffee with friends and relax?
Yorktown
Best spot for a date night?

Busch Gardens (great military offers), Paragon Theaters, Restaurants

What do you LOVE about Hampton Roads?

Hampton Roads has a lot to offer from the Ocean to the Mountains (3 hours away). Great seafood. This is a Military Community! There are so many military installations in Hampton Roads and there is a great pride here locally. Many great places to visit while you’re here close by such as The Outer Banks, Washington DC, Wintergreen Resort, Charlottesville, and more! Plus, the history here is amazing. This is where it all began which is pretty incredible.

What would you tell a friend who just got orders to Hampton Roads?

o get out and enjoy Hampton Roads, it really has so much to offer from history, to the ocean, to great nearby travel destination.

We Want To Know:

Have you lived in Hampton Roads? What would you add to these answers?

Article written by

AHRN Team

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