Downtown Norfolk Apartment Living and Neighborhoods

Norfolk is located in the heart of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. The city is famous for the large natural harbor, which is located at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. The city is bordered with Elizabeth River to its west and Chesapeake Bay to its north. It also shares the border with Chesapeake city to its south and Virginia Beach city to its east. This is one of the oldest cities in the metropolitan area and is considered to be a historic, urban, financial and cultural center in the Hampton Roads area. The city hosts the world's largest naval base and the only international airport serving the area. It is also the one of the busiest ports located on the East Coast of the United States. Norfolk city has more than 100 diverse neighborhoods, which provide one with numerous options to choose the right neighborhood and community for any lifestyle.

Norfolk city is undergoing a successful renewal and revival, including new office, retail, entertainment and hotel construction in the downtown area. The region also is witnessing new residential development along the rivers and waterfront, and renewal of many projects in various neighborhoods of the area. Thousands of new residents have recently shifted to the downtown area, turning it to be a more vibrant and lively place to live, visit and work in this metropolitan area. The traditional boundaries of downtown enclose different neighborhoods, each having their own character and each with their unique attributes. Keeping this in mind, various builders in the area have developed various downtown Norfolk apartments to cater the needs of more and more new residents in the city. A light rail route through the heart of downtown is scheduled to open in 2011 and will help fulfill the public transportation needs for fast, safe and convenient commuting.

One of the various neighborhoods that are present in the Downtown District is the Freemason Historic District. It is located on the Elizabeth River just to the west of the Central Business District. This is the oldest and longest standing neighborhood in the region with cobblestone streets and mature trees. It is also the city's only neighborhood that presents a visible chronology of three centuries of architectural styles. Converted centuries old warehouses boast trendy loft-style housing while mansion-like homes built by some of the city's earliest residents are just footsteps away from recently built contemporary, state-of-the art condominiums and apartments. One can find some of the best local restaurants, bars and nightclubs right around the corner. The area also has a world-class shopping center, an 18-screen movie theater, and designer and high fashion stores. If you're moving to the area or looking for a new place, check out the variety of available apartments in Norfolk, VA. Living in one of the apartments in downtown Norfolk, you can enjoy an urban lifestyle with luxurious amenities within walking distance.

The writer of this article is an adviser at Belmont at Free Mason Apartment Homes and provides free of cost consultations to clients regarding apartments in Norfolk, VA. The company has developed a number of downtown Norfolk apartments to cater the needs of residents with their home at the forefront of urban living. Spacious floor plans of these apartments feature large windows with dynamic city views, designer finishes, and contemporary kitchens.