Prior to 1962 the city of “Chesapeake”, consisted of a city named South Norfolk and Norfolk County, which contained numerous towns and villages, whose names you will hear almost as frequently as “Chesapeake”. In 1962, after years of negotiating, a merger of the two was unanimously approved by the citizens and became the city of “Chesapeake”. Today this large and very friendly city often has identity problems due to the use of these village and town names which include, but are not limited to, such as Great Bridge, Deep Creek and Fentress. These communities all are part of Chesapeake but retain much of a “village” atmosphere with their own unique characteristics and history.
Chesapeake is a thriving, rapidly growing city offering quality of life, excellent schools, many job opportunities, low crime rate, places of worship for all denominations and much more. Chesapeake also provides access to Virginia's fabulous waterways via the Intercoastal Waterway and Elizabeth River. The city offers two large shopping malls plus numerous satellite shopping centers that are home to many retailers and restaurants, many city parks and good access to the Interstate highways and the many major military bases throughout the Hampton Roads area.
The opportunity for city and country life all within the city limits of Chesapeake is due, in no small part, to the fact that Chesapeake, as are all the other cities of South Hampton Roads, is its own county. The City of Chesapeake covers 353 square miles and is the second largest city in Virginia and thirteenth largest in the country – area wise.
The community known as Great Bridge is the heart of Chesapeake city government and where the city municipal buildings and courthouses are located. Great Bridge has experienced phenomenal growth since the mid 1980’s and continues to grow! Much of what was considered small town and “country” just 20 years ago is now populated by subdivisions ranging from 4000 sq. ft. homes to 900 sq. ft. townhomes and condominiums plus many shopping areas and two first-rate golf courses. Fortunate and consistent oversight by the Chesapeake Planning Council and City Council has maintained the Great Bridge area's beauty and its designation as a wonderful area in which to live in. Several new schools have been built and the older schools have undergone expansions and modern renovations. A new fire station and a library expansion were also completed in the past couple of years.
The southeastern part of Chesapeake that borders North Carolina is a lovely country area commonly known as “Hickory”. Consisting mostly of farms and small subdivisions where most homes are built on 3+ acres, mini estates and horse properties. This area is much sought after by prospective homebuyers due to the larger lots and country atmosphere.
In Hickory you will also discover small waterways that provide fishing and small boating recreation, many wooded areas, protected wetlands and a fabulous nature park, Northwest River Park. Horses and other farm animals are a common sight in this part of the city. If you keep your eyes open you'll even see some lamas!
A new expansive, well planned upscale community is presently being constructed and is changing a small part of Hickory into a new area called “Edinburgh”. Edinburgh will feature custom built homes ranging in price from $600,000 to over $1,000,000 on ½ to ¾ acre lots with small lakes, generous green space and plans for a future golf course.
If Chesapeake has a “downtown” it must be the Greenbrier area. Greenbrier was in the planning stages for several years before its approval in the 1970’s as a PUD (planned urban development) and was built over a period of approximately 25 years. Very little vacant land remains to be built on due to the overwhelming amount of commercial land. Bordering Interstate 64 to the north and the city of Virginia Beach to the east, Greenbrier was the perfect location for the planned combination of housing, retail (including the very popular Greenbrier Mall), light industrial and green space - which includes a private golf course and country club. Built primarily on the site of a former tree and plant farm known as Greenbrier Nursery the area justly deserves the “green” in its name! Jogging trails, small lakes and parks are abundant throughout including the commercial and industrial areas. Greenbrier has earned National recognition and has been used as a model for Planned Urban Developments in many parts of the country. Greenbrier is a popular place to live, work and play.
The Chesapeake communities north of Interstate 64 are the most populated of any other area in Chesapeake. The oldest part of Chesapeake is known as South Norfolk (yes, it is Chesapeake) has one of the few designated historic homes district in Chesapeake. Lovely turn of the century homes are common in South Norfolk and the historical society is diligently working with present homeowners to maintain and preserve these gracious homes. Please see this National Register of Historic Places for more information on South Norfolk - its origins, architecture and boundaries!
Located in the western portion of Chesapeake is the community of Deep Creek that has also kept its name from pre-city days. Deep Creek, too, has experienced rapid growth since the early 1990’s. Large lots averaging a minimum of ¼ acre are the norm in this lovely community. Narrow, winding country roads and huge trees remind you of the sleepy little village that it was prior to becoming part of the city of Chesapeake. Many subdivisions with moderate to higher priced homes are located off George Washington Highway (route 17), the main street off Cedar Road, which is presently being widened and rerouted. Again, as you will find in most of Chesapeake, there are lots of green spaces and good neighbors!
When looking at a map of Chesapeake you will notice in the northwestern corner of the city a community that almost looks as though it is part of a different city! Western Branch is home to Chesapeake's other mall, Chesapeake Square. In the 1990’s the completion of Interstate 664 and a second bridge tunnel connector, the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel joined the cities on the Peninsula side of Hampton Roads to the Southside. This new, convenient connection created a great demand for homes and retail in the Western Branch community. Another quiet, laid back Chesapeake village has become a thriving community offering excellent schools, community center, parks, wide choice of home styles and great commuting to all of the Hampton Roads cities.
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
