Reasons for Living in Hampton Roads

Hampton Roads is the world's largest naval facility.originated when the region was still a struggling British
Regardless of where you live in Hampton Roads, yououtpost. Roads is actually a nautical term that means
are only minutes from a naval base. The Navy owns"a place less sheltered than a harbor where ships may
36,000 acres of land and more than 6,750 buildings inride at anchor." Today, Hampton Roads refers to both
Hampton Roads. There are approximately 108,000the water and the land in the area.
Navy and Marine Corps personnel stationed in thisHampton Roads is a natural tidal basin that is formed
area and the Navy employees more than 41,000by the confluence of the Elizabeth and the James
civilians. Between dependents, retirees and employees,Rivers. The Port of Hampton Roads is known as the
318,000 people make up the Hampton Roads Navyworld's greatest natural harbor. The port is only 18
community. This large military presence adds about 11miles from the open Atlantic Ocean and one of the
billion dollars to the local economy every year.world's deepest, naturally ice-fee harbors.
In 1983, Hampton Roads became the official name forBecause Hampton Roads is a water area, many
the region. The southeastern part of the state ispeople choose to make there home here. Boating,
known as Hampton Roads and encompasses thefishing, water sports or just living on the water are
towns of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake,great reasons to live in this area.
and Portsmouth on the Southside. The peninsula hasThe region is served by two major airports, several
Newport News and Hampton.universities, including Old Dominion and the College of
Hampton Roads began its history in 1607 when theWilliam and Mary, which is ranked the second oldest
Discovery, Godspeed and the Susan Constant landeduniversity in the United States.
on the south shore of Chesapeake Bay. Later thatThe area has mild weather all year long, with a long
same year, Jamestown was established by Captainspring and a long fall, museums, art galleries, theaters,
John Smith and became the first permanent Englishall the shopping you would expect in a metropolitan
settlement in the United States.area, restaurants, historical sites, and much more. You
The term Hampton Roads is a reference thatwill never want for something to do in this area.