Chesapeake

About Chesapeake

Located in southern Virginia on the banks of the scenic Interacoastal Waterway, Chesapeake is a large city that covers over 350 square miles and is most famous for its many protected farmlands, forests and nature reserves. Chesapeake is a beautiful green city that provides a country lifestyle that's also within easy reach of convenient amenities.

Living in Chesapeake

Chesapeake is best known for having a number of scenic locations, including Oak Grove Lane Park and the Northwest River Park and Campground. The Chesapeake Arboretum offers walking trails, demonstration gardens and a large, mature hardwood forest. The Great Dismal Swamp is a large natural swamp preserve, home to the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, which was surveyed by George Washington himself. It's also reportedly where author Edgar Allan Poe wrote portions of his poem "The Raven."

Fishing, bird watching, golf and outdoor recreation are all popular activities in Chesapeake. The city is also home to many community events, ranging from bluegrass concerts to amateur astronomer meetings. The annual Chesapeake Jubilee kicks off the summer in the city and features carnival rides, fireworks and a shrimp feast.

Chesapeake Jobs

Chesapeake's well-connected transportation infrastructure has helped to attract a number of businesses, and many large companies have headquarters in the city. The largest employers are Chesapeake Public Schools, the City of Chesapeake and Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. If you're planning to begin your job search in Chesapeake, you can expect to find a variety of jobs in the health care, hospitality, finance and retail sectors. There are also two U.S. Navy bases in the city.

Chesapeake Neighborhoods

Here are a few Chesapeake neighborhoods you'll want to explore:

Great Bridge

The Great Bridge neighborhood was the site of an important Revolutionary War battle, and one of the fired cannonballs is now on display at the local library. This suburb has produced many famous athletes, including professional baseball players, Olympic athletes and NFL stars.

Deep Creek

The neighborhood of Deep Creek was originally a small settlement of its own, serving as a bustling stage-coach stop in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was also an important part of the Underground Railroad, with the nearby Great Dismal Swamp serving as a place of refuge for escaped slaves. Today, the suburb is home to many families and is bordered by wetlands and forest.

Greenbrier

The Greenbrier area dates back to the 1600s, when it was home to the English colonist John Rolfe. Present-day Greenbrier is a mix of residential and commercial districts, and it's the site of the Dollar Tree headquarters.

South Norfolk

South Norfolk was originally a streetcar suburb, but it grew very quickly after World War II. Recently, revitalization efforts have brought about the development of The Gateway at SoNo, a modern live-work space that combines loft apartments and offices.

Chesapeake Schools

Most schools in the city fall within the Chesapeake City Public Schools division, and many of Chesapeake's schools receive high scores for academic performance. There are also a few private schools in the area, most of them faith-based.

Chesapeake has a few local colleges, most of them small private schools like Centura College Chesapeake.

Resources for Moving to Chesapeake

Here are a few quick resources to help make your move to Chesapeake as easy as possible:

• Utilities: Dominion Power provides electricity, while the city’s utilities department manages water and sewer services
• Garbage and Recycling: The city provides curbside collection of trash and recyclables in residential areas. If you live in a multi-family community that does not facilitate recycling, you have the option of bringing your items to the city's drop-off site.
• Transportation: The main form of public transit in Chesapeake is bus, with routes in and round the city.

Chesapeake Housing

From large suburban homes to trendy loft apartments in the heart of the city, Chesapeake has a large selection of homes and neighborhoods. The median home price is slightly lower than the average in Virginia but higher than the national average.