Life on the Peninsula: Hampton's Pros and Cons Explored
Many people nowadays are looking to move to a city where they can find their forever home in. You might consider moving to Hampton, Virginia. However, is Hampton, Virginia an excellent place to live?
Hampton, Virginia is considered a good place to live. There are great beaches and plenty of activities to do in the area. The city is relatively affordable and the schools receive high remarks. However, driving around town can be a challenge and some parts of the city have higher than average crime.
Keep reading to learn about the crime rate, traffic, housing costs and entertainment for families in Hampton.
Crime Rate in Hampton, Virginia
Hampton, Virginia received a crime grade of a D+ by the website Crimegrade.org. This means that it is considered a moderately dangerous city, as 71% of the cities in the United States are considered safer. The violent and property-related crime rates support this belief.
The violent crime rate in Hampton is 1.85 per 1,000 residents. This means that there is about a 1.85 in 1,000 chance that you will be the victim of a violent crime while in Hampton. Crimegarde.org gave Hampton a grade of a C+ for violent crime. The violent crime rate is lower than the national median and the violent crime rate in the state of Virginia. Virginia has a violent crime rate of 2.27 per 1,000 residents. Robbery and assault are the most common violent crimes. The likelihood that you will be a victim of crime while in Hampton is 1 in 19 around the central part of the city. The likelihood that you will be assaulted in Hampton is 1.1 per 1,000 residents.
The property crime rate in Hampton, Virginia is 14.76 per 1,000 residents. The property crime rate of Hampton is higher than the property crime rate of the state of Virginia, as Virginia has a property crime rate of 14.78 per 1,000 residents. However, it is lower than the national median property crime rate of 19 per every 1,000 residents.
Hampton, Virginia Traffic
Traffic in Hampton, Virginia, and other cities throughout Hampton Roads can be challenging. One of the major traffic issues in Hampton would be located at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. This bridge and tunnel is located on Interstate 64 and connects the Penisula to the Southside.
The bridge is being expanded as the lanes will be increased from 4 to 8. In doing this, another tunnel will be added so each direction will have a single tunnel. This $4 billion expansion project is operating behind schedule, now slated to be completed in late 2025. This expansion is much needed. However, with the construction, traffic jams on this stretch of highway have been increasing.
Regardless of the time of day, you will most likely experience traffic when traveling on this bridge. In a recent study published by the National Transportation Research Nonprofit, the Hampton Roads area has some of the worst traffic in the region. This report claims that the average commuter in Hampton Roads spends 41 hours annually stuck in traffic! While traffic is challenging throughout Hampton Roads, with the HRBT, Hampton, in my opinion, is one of the worst cities for traffic.
Hampton, Virginia Housing Costs
At this time, housing costs are very challenging for potential homeowners nationwide. Interest rates are at levels that we haven't seen for over 15 years. While the rates are starting to decrease, housing prices have not followed suit. This is very true for the city of Hampton as well.
However, housing costs in Hampton, Virginia, aren't all bad, especially compared to other cities in Hampton Roads. Looking at data from our local MLS, the Real Estate Information Network, we can better understand the housing costs in Hampton.
During November 2023, the median sales price for a home in Hampton, Virginia, is $270,000. This sales price is up 11.6% versus last year. Additionally, the median price per square foot is $172, an increase of 6.2% from last year. However, the price of a house in Hampton is one of the cheaper options in Hampton Roads, as only Portsmouth is lower in median sales price.
Regarding renting in Hampton, according to RentCafe.com, the average rent cost is $1,435. While this data is an average and will vary by house and apartment size, this price is lower than most Hampton Roads cities except for Portsmouth and Norfolk.
Hampton, Virginia Family Entertainment
Hampton, Virginia, has many great options for families looking for fun things to do. One of the great things about Hampton Roads is that it's located along the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. With these bodies of water comes the opportunity to enjoy time at the beach. Hampton has a very well-known beach area called Buckroe Beach & Park. This area is very popular with families of small children, as the Chesapeake Bay has very minimal waves.
In addition to the fun that can be had on the water, Hampton also has fun for those who like science and history. The Virginia Air and Space Museum is located in downtown Hampton. This museum showcases information on space exploration throughout the years. Make sure you check out the moon rock while you're there!
I enjoy doing these things with my family the most when visiting Hampton, Virginia. However, this certainly isn't the only entertainment option in the city. Once you visit, you will find many different activities for the family.
The Locals Opinions
Most people enjoy living in Hampton, Virginia as there are plenty of Pros but some Cons. The beach is one of the things that is mentioned the most when discussing Hampton, Virginia activities. However, because no city is perfect, there are some things that residents don't like about living in Hampton.
Many residents have found that there are many bad drivers in Hampton and the overall Hampton Roads area. Traffic is often mentioned as a huge con of the city, especially when traveling on the HRBT. For more information on the city, take a look at our Pros and Cons of Living in Hampton Virginia.
Overall, Hampton, Virginia is a good place to live. There are plenty of things to do year-round, and you will almost always be close to the beach. Additionally, the weather is pleasant for most of the year, although it can get a bit cold during the winter and muggy in the summer. If you are considering moving to Hampton, Virginia, you should research the area to help in finding a home that suits your needs and budget.
If there is anything you think I missed or you have any questions about the city, please comment below or reach out to me here.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article. If you didn’t get a chance to watch the video, then you may have missed out on some of the Best Schools in Virginia Beach. Check out the video, and for more content, head over to our YouTube Channel, “LIFE IN HAMPTON ROADS”. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE!
CLICK ANY OF THE BUTTONS BELOW TO SHARE THIS ARTICLE TO YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA OR PRINT IT OUT IF YOU NEED TO.
YOUR LOCAL REALTOR
DJ Parker is your local Realtor and guide to Hampton Roads, Virginia. As a native of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, Virginia for over 30 years, he has the local knowledge you need. He has helped clients with Real Estate throughout Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk and all of Hampton Roads Virginia.
