Portsmouth, VA

Even though the name might fool you, Norfolk Naval Shipyard is actually located right in Portsmouth. That quirk confuses plenty of newcomers, but the yard is central to the city's identity. As the country's oldest naval shipyard, it has anchored Portsmouth along the Elizabeth River for more than two centuries. Today, thousands of skilled workers maintain aircraft carriers and submarines along the same waterfront where some of the nation's earliest naval vessels were built. The water has shaped daily life here from the very beginning.

ATTRBruce Emmerling / CC BY-SA 4.0

If you appreciate historic character, Olde Towne is often the first stop for house hunters. Its pedestrian-friendly streets feature one of the largest collections of preserved 18th and 19th-century homes in the region, complete with welcoming front porches, brick sidewalks, and cozy local spots along High Street. Nearby neighborhoods like Park View and Port Norfolk offer additional waterfront charm, while areas like Cradock and Truxtun carry a rich history as early planned communities for shipyard families. Each pocket of town offers its own distinct personality and a strong neighborhood feel.

ATTRJERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. / CC BY-SA 4.0

Portsmouth's local economy revolves around major maritime and government employers situated right along the river. In addition to the shipyard, the city is home to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, a massive military hospital and teaching facility that supports thousands of healthcare workers and service members. Further up the river, shipping terminals handle cargo traffic from around the world. These major hubs give Portsmouth a grounded, hard-working atmosphere with steady jobs in defense, healthcare, and logistics.

ATTRJ.O. Montalant / Public domain

Getting across the Elizabeth River comes with a scenic perk thanks to the pedestrian ferry. Running regularly between Portsmouth's docks and downtown Norfolk's Waterside district, it turns a morning commute or a trip to a Norfolk Tides baseball game into a pleasant five-minute boat ride. On the Portsmouth side, the waterfront is walkable and family-friendly, home to popular spots like the Children’s Museum of Virginia, the Naval Shipyard Museum, and the historic Lightship Portsmouth. Catching the breeze at the High Street landing offers a classic local view: historic brick streets on one side, the downtown Norfolk skyline across the river, and tugboats gliding across the harbor.