Why Peninsula living might be Just Right for You

Do you ever feel like Goldilocks, looking for that just-right fit? When looking for a place to call home, you don't want the area to be too much or not enough. Too big or too small. Fast paced or country slow. So many characteristics that can disqualify a city or neighborhood and take it off your list of options. If you're on the home search and Hampton Roads has hit your radar, you might want to take a look at the Peninsula. Newport News and Hampton are the two larger cities on that side of the water, with Williamsburg, Yorktown and Poquoson skirting the edges. The Peninsula has many qualities to draw you in and you may find that the Peninsula is just right for you.

Northern Location

The first thing that gives the Peninsula a competitive edge is its location. On the north side of the James River which feeds into the Chesapeake Bay, residents of the Peninsula cities don't have to cross a bridge or go through a tunnel to head north to DC and the many other cities that make up NOVA or Northern Virginia. For the beach lover, there's no need to traverse the bridges and tunnels to go south to that "famous" beach. The Peninsula enjoys its own sandy beaches. Buckroe Beach and Outlook Beach overlook the beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay. The James River offers more beach combing opportunities like Huntington Beach near the James River Bridge. Sitting on this shore, you can enjoy warm summer evenings watching the sun go down over the river. If you're more of a mountain lover, the Blue Ridge Mountains are just a few hours' drive away. You are less than 400 miles from many major cities including Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. Living on the Peninsula puts you in the heart of coastal Virginia and its central location is a bonus.

History in your backyard

Every year visitors make their way to Virginia to relive the past. This area of coastal Virginia is rich with history dating back to the birth of our nation. Living here, battle fields, historic buildings, and museums filled with treasures of old would be in your backyard. The possibilities of things to see and places to explore is nearly endless. Williamsburg, Historic Yorktown battlefields, Jamestown settlement, African American heritage; the list goes on. For history lovers, there's no better place.

Military Friendly

The Peninsula is home to multiple military installations. Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Yorktown naval Weapons Station, Camp Peary Coast Guard Training Center as well as the large military contractor Newport News Shipbuilding. Because of the large military presence, the area is very military friendly with many businesses offering military discounts and military appreciation days. For those who are planning on PCSing to the area with the military, the many communities that make up the Peninsula are great options for purchasing a home. Many of the areas have great schools with competitive ratings.

Nature Lovers

The Peninsula is surrounded by water on three sides, there are also lakes and rivers inland, so those looking for some nature to explore, the Peninsula has you covered. It is home to Newport News Park, a nearly 8,000-acre park filled with tree-lined pathways, archery range, 18-hole golf course and a beautiful reservoir for fishing and boating. There's also a 5-mile bike trail that passes George Washington's former headquarters. The Virginia Living Museum is another place to take in the wonders of nature. Mammals, reptiles, sea life and amphibians are observable in their natural habitats. Kids will love the new Dinosaur Discover Trail with four fossil digging areas. Multiple campgrounds are available for those who like to get out and commune with nature. The possibilities are there for those who find them.

Shopping and Eating Galore

Most often when researching possible home locations, knowing that you have access to the things you need to live life the way you want to is an important feature. The Peninsula is rife with shopping and dining and the options have been growing in appeal and abundance. Peninsula Town Center is a great place to start with 70 specialty retailers and restaurants. The shopping area is designed like a quaint downtown with the shops and restaurants lining the streets. There's a splash pad for hot summer days and regular community events to bring people together. Because the Peninsula is made up of multiple cities, each of them have shopping areas to enjoy. Newport News also has shopping areas with major retailers like Costco and World Market and Fresh Market. No matter what area of the Peninsula you choose to live, there's plenty of shopping and eating nearby.

Entertainment

The larger Hampton Roads area is a popular vacation destination, so for locals, the options for fun and relaxation are abundant. Living on the Peninsula, you are right down the road from Busch Gardens. Many locals get annual passes so they can take advantage of the park as often as they like. Water Country USA is also in the neighborhood and offers great activities to get relief from hot summer days. The popular escape rooms have caught on in the Peninsula and you can join friends and family in many different types of rooms to try to escape from. Hampton is also home to one of only 170 working vintage carousels in the US. You can find it at the Hampton Arts district near the downtown waterfront. And don't forget the water. Surrounded by water, the Peninsula has many water related activities like deep sea fishing, whale watching and dolphin sighting.

With so many communities to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one is the right fit for your family. It is good to research all the areas for the qualities that are most important to you. Each community has a unique personality and only you can decide which one is best for you. The Peninsula has a lot to offer. One of these neighborhoods might be just right for you.