Healthcare in Hampton Roads is anchored by the world-class facility at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. But while Portsmouth houses terrific specialists, many families opt for the smaller, more intimate clinics where you can really get to know your doctor. If you choose a clinic, be sure to obtain the local clinic phone number for future appointments so you don't have to go through the Tricare appointments line. The clinics sometimes can schedule you at the last minute.

TriCare Mid Atlantic Region
888-777-8343
http://www.tricare.mil

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth
http://www.med.navy.mil/SITES/NMCP/Pages/default.aspx

Comments

"Portsmouth Naval Hospital was very good when my husband cut his hand open. There is a Prime Clinic in Virginia Beach that my best friend says is very organized, clean and the doctors are nice." -- ChristinaRush

"Dr. Madren in Virginia Beach specializes in autistic children but is wonderful for all kids! Dr. Brown (dentist) for children in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach." -- NDwife

"Peds at NMCP" -- bandh3300

Recommend a healthcare provider (including dentists and mental health specialists)

The real goal for housing is finding a place that is close to your base, and you can expect to spend about 30 minutes driving everywhere. Traffic is bad, so it dominates your housing choices. At most times of the day, the tunnels and bridges are backed up for miles. That means that everyone stationed at NB Norfolk or Little Creek tend ot live in Norfolk, Virginia Beach or Chesapeake (the Greenbrier area). Oceana folks live in Virginia Beach, while Portsmouth folks live in Portsmouth (which has higher crime) or Suffolk. If you're stationed north of the Chesapeake, then live on that side as well; the same principal applies to the southside.  Newport News has a terrible crime rate, and most people live as far north as they can afford or tolerate.

The question of on- or off-base housing is made simple:  The waiting list for on-base housing is four months to two years. Waiting times vary according to the size unit you need so it is best to contact housing directly to find out the wait times as they change constantly.

Lincoln Military Housing - including application to apply for privatized on-base housing
Housing Waiting List Search
Navy/Marine Corps Housing One Stop -- includes wait list status, photos and floor plans

The good news is that housing is quite reasonable and the area is military-friendly.  You should have no trouble getting military-related clauses in leasing contracts and so on.  The somewhat-bad news is that the area is very industrial, especially to the north.  Crime statistics may be found at Crime and Safety Search. The schools are excellent in Virginia, Chesapeake and Suffolk - truly world-class. Overall, it's a very family-friendly place to live.

Comments

"Choose off-Base Housing. My husband and I grew up in the area and knew where to look. We live in an area of Norfolk called "Historic Ghent". It's a nice walk to coffee shops, restaurants, antique stores, etc and a quick drive to the huge shopping mall and downtown life and entertainment. You can avoid heavy traffic but still be near to the Norfolk Naval Base. Anything between Ghent & Lafayette or Colonial Place (21st Street thru North Carolina Avenue)." -- Jiza316

"Avoid all areas west of Independence Blvd and South of Virginia Beach Blvd in Virginia Beach.  Avoid all of Norfolk except Ghent." -- NDwife

"Base housing community is great. Safe clean schools. Little creek housing, especially." -- bandh3300

"I live off base in Hampton, Va because my husband's ship is in Newport News shipyards and we didn't want to have to fight with tunnel traffic every day. Most areas in Newport News have a bad reputation and I hear about a lot of crimes in that area as well." -- ChristinaRush

Got more info on Hampton Roads Housing? Give us the scoop below!

 

Hampton Roads is a major metropolitan city which incorporates 7 major military bases of three military services: NS Norfolk, NAB Little Creek, NAS Oceana, Fort Eustis, Langley AFB, Portsmouth Naval Medical Center and Norfolk Naval Shipyard. (Click map to see larger view)

The first permanent English settlement was located in Jamestown.  There is also Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown and many other battlefields and museums within driving distance.  The area is not just rich with early American history, but you will find plenty of Civil War sites along the way.  You may also find plenty of historical churches throughout the area. 

One of the biggest attraction to the area is the ocean, of course.  Miles of beautiful beaches to walk or you may want to rent a boat for some deep water fishing.  As well as the ocean you will find a myriad of lakes and rivers for a quieter time if you wish.  You can also take a trip to see dolphins and whales with the boats running out of Virginia Beach.  Just in case you want something for the winter why not check out the Ice Sports Complex in Chesapeake.  Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg has an indoor water park if you get the itch to swim in the winter.

The area is filled with museums, locations for concerts, ballet and stage shows.  There are plenty of free concerts at parks during the summers, so don't feel like you can't afford to see some shows.  If you want an night out without the kids there are plenty of places to go out for a drink and dancing or some live music if you prefer.

Take advantage of your time in the Hampton Roads area to see the sites and history around you.  Your kids will be having so much fun they won't realize they are learning while at the sites.  Look around and make a list of what you would like to see and do while stationed here and go for it!

Comments

"This area is very spotty, meaning some places are really nice and some are really bad, they are often pretty close together.  If a house or apartment is inexpensive, there is a reason.  In this area, you get what you pay for.  The nicer areas in Virginia are mostly clustered in the Northeast corner.  There are other nice areas south of here (Chesapeake) or along the peninsula but they are a far drive to Norfolk and Little Creek and the traffic can be awful here.  A good portion of the traffic in this area is military related." -- NDwife

"It's a safe area but it can be somewhat pricey. With plenty of research, you will be able to find a place! It's close to everything and away from traffic. Just watch out for some floods when it rains!" -- Jiza316