Living in Hampton Roads - Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), Norfolk, Hampton Roads

Centrally located on the East Coast, EVMS serves the southeastern region of Virginia known as Hampton Roads. The region comprises seven cities: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News.‌

Hampton Roads is the 33rd largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the nation and eighth largest metro area in the Southeast. It is located 200 miles south of Washington, D.C., and 100 miles south of Richmond, the capital of Virginia. The region’s estimated population is 1.7 million.

Consistently earning high ranks in quality-of-life surveys, the region offers an affordable cost of living and abounds in cultural, educational and economic opportunities. Nine colleges and universities provide ample educational resources. International trade, shipbuilding, healthcare, tourism, the military and agriculture create a diverse economic base with a wide range of employment possibilities.

Hampton Roads, also known as Coastal Virginia, boasts mild winters and pleasant autumn and spring seasons. Summers are warm yet tempered by breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and neighboring waterways.

Our Seven Cities

Norfolk

Considered the region's cultural, historical, financial, and medical centerpiece, Norfolk is home to the world's largest naval base and one of the busiest international ports in the country. Its vibrant downtown is just one of its many character-filled neighborhoods. Bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and Elizabeth River, Norfolk abounds with waterfront views. Among its accolades is being named America's Favorite City in 2017 by Travel & Leisure and ranking sixth as a Best Job Growth Area for college graduates and seasoned workers. EVMS is situated in Norfolk's charming historic district.

Virginia Beach

Located along the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach epitomizes coastal living. As Virginia’s largest city, it couples a distinctive blend of a beach atmosphere with the amenities of big-city living. Life here includes miles of boardwalk and beach access, a vibrant financial and retail district, one of the best public school systems in the nation and distinctive cultural attractions and entertainment options. The Today Show ranked Virginia Beach as #2 in its list of “100 Best Places to Raise a Family,” and the city was listed by areavibes.com as one of the “Top 10 Cities with the Lowest Crime in America.”

Chesapeake

Set along the Intracoastal Waterway, Chesapeake is nature lover's paradise, rich with lush woodlands and wetlands, sparkling waterways and ample farmland. Several urban areas offer family-friendly neighborhoods and a range of shopping and dining amenities. Chesapeake has been ranked one of the “Top 100 Best Cities for Families” by Parenting magazine, one of the “Six Best Places in America to Live” by Money magazine, and one of “America's Best Cities” by Bloomberg Businessweek. A central location and gives Chesapeake residents easy access to the rest of Hampton Roads.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a historic seaport community best known for its centuries-old neighborhoods, miles of waterfront and walkable downtown. The city's Olde Towne Business and Historical District features a mix of renovated and historic facades that house an array of antique shops, art galleries, restaurants and specialty shops. Portsmouth is home to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, the oldest continuously running hospital in the Navy medical system and one of EVMS' clinical training sites. Portsmouth is centrally located in Hampton Roads, just a short ferry ride or a quick trip through one of two tunnels to Norfolk.

Suffolk

The largest city (by area) in Virginia, Suffolk still teems with small-town charm. Downtown Suffolk's historic North Main Street offers specialty shops, antique stores and unique dining options. Home to two national wildlife refuges, Suffolk boasts an abundance of farmland, parks, campgrounds and boat ramps, as well as 8,000 acres of lakes and miles of riverfront. The area's rich history, dating back to Colonial times, is alive and well among the historic landmarks that pepper the city. In recent years, Suffolk’s high-tech economy has flourished, mainly due to the region's significant defense-industry presence.

Hampton

One of the nation’s oldest cities, modern-day Hampton is a waterfront community bustling with retail, dining and entertainment amenities. Industry ranges from aerospace and defense to major medical centers and higher education. The city's diverse neighborhoods are an amalgam of scenic waterfront properties, turn-of-the-century Victorian homes and sparkling new condominiums. Hampton maintains a thriving arts community and offers myriad world-class cultural attractions and amenities. Positioned at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Hampton is centrally located, with easy access to all coastal Virginia locales.

Newport News

Newport News is a maritime community rooted in history and anchored by shipbuilding, medical centers and defense. City Center at Oyster Point comprises a broad mix of retail, dining, residential and business amenities. The city's thriving cultural corridor boasts world-class performing arts centers and museums. Recreation lovers here rejoice over the city’s 30-plus parks, including the 8,000-acre Newport News Park, the largest municipal park east of the Mississippi River. Newport News is about a 30-minute drive to Norfolk through the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel and easily accessible via I-64.

Getting Around

Bus

Hampton Roads Transit provides bus transportation in all seven cities, with park-and-rides and regularly scheduled routes.

Ferry Transit

The Elizabeth River Ferry offers fast and affordable travel between downtown Portsmouth and the Waterside District in Norfolk.

The Tide

The region's first light-rail line extends 7.4 miles from Eastern Virginia Medical Center to the Norfolk-Virginia Beach border.

Attractions

Amusement Parks

Splash around in the sun or take a thrilling roller-coaster ride for a family-friendly outing.

Family-friendly fun abounds in the region.

Find your favorite roller coaster at Busch Gardens, where you might also see your favorite recording artist perform.

Make a splash at Water Country USA or Ocean Breeze Waterpark, or a race around the track at Go-Karts Plus.

Cultural Arts

Arts lovers have no shortage of options in Hampton Roads, from galleries and museums to a variety of performance venues.

Whether your passion is music, comedy, live theater or visual arts, you'll find it thriving all around Hampton Roads.

Only minutes from EVMS are The Virginia Symphony, Chrysler Museum for the Arts, and Virginia Stage Company, to name just a few options.

At the region's westernmost end, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts offers a diverse slate of concerts and performances all year long.

Nature and Wildlife

Wildlife and nature lovers have plenty to explore right around the corner.

See wild animals in roaming around replicas of their natural habitats at The Virginia Zoo.

Spend the day hiking inside The Great Dismal Swamp or Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Don't miss the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Museum and the Virginia Living Museum for even nature-based fun.