PCS orders in hand and a Virginia Beach map open? You are not alone. Many military families face the same question: which neighborhood balances commute, cost, and day-to-day life. You want a smooth landing, not guesswork. In this guide, you will quickly size up four proven picks for military relocation in Virginia Beach: Great Neck, Little Neck, Chic’s Beach, and Kings Grant. You will learn typical commutes to nearby bases, housing patterns, and what to double-check before you buy. Let’s dive in.
How to frame your search
Before you pick a neighborhood, anchor your plan to where you will report. Virginia Beach serves multiple installations with different commute patterns: Naval Station Norfolk (NAVSTA Norfolk), Naval Air Station Oceana and Dam Neck Annex, and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story. Because traffic swings with shift times and incidents, treat every commute as a range, not a single number. Local guides offer solid benchmarks, and you can review realistic ranges in this commute overview for Naval Station Norfolk. Always test-drive your exact route at your report times.
If you are considering on-base options, contact the installation housing office early. Oceana, Dam Neck, and JEB Little Creek–Fort Story have on-base family housing and Navy lodging. Policies and waitlists vary by base and provider, so confirm details through the housing office and Navy lodging and housing guidance for Dam Neck/Oceana.
Neighborhood snapshots
Below are practical, boots-on-the-ground summaries for four Virginia Beach neighborhoods that military families often choose. Use these as a first filter, then verify everything at the street level.
Great Neck
Great Neck stretches across a scenic peninsula between Broad Bay, the Lynnhaven River, and the Oceanfront. The vibe is established and coastal with tree-lined streets, parks, and quick access to Laskin Road amenities and First Landing State Park. You will find brick ranches, split-levels, renovated Colonials, condos and townhomes, plus higher-end waterfront estates.
Families often look at Great Neck for its neighborhood feel and access to nearby schools. To review data for a local campus, check the Virginia School Quality Profile for Great Neck Middle. Always confirm the school assignment for the exact address with Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Commute tradeoffs off-peak, with more time during rush periods:
- NAS Oceana and Dam Neck Annex: about 10 to 25 minutes depending on gate and traffic.
- JEB Little Creek–Fort Story: roughly 15 to 30 minutes based on your exact street and gate.
- NAVSTA Norfolk: typically 20 to 35 minutes off-peak, with rush hour on I-264 and I-564 often adding 10 to 30 or more.
Pros to weigh: coastal lifestyle, established neighborhoods, and varied housing stock. Considerations: some waterfront and low-lying blocks may require flood insurance; verify elevation and flood zone. If aircraft noise matters to you, check Oceana’s noise and AICUZ contours for the exact property.
Little Neck
Little Neck sits just north of I-264, known for quiet, established streets and convenient access to the Expressway that makes cross-city travel realistic. Homes range from mid-century single-family houses to updated properties on larger lots in some sub-neighborhoods.
Nearby school assignments vary by block. Many homes in the broader Little Neck and Kings Grant area map to elementary schools such as Kingston Elementary; confirm your address with VBCPS. The division maintains supports for military-connected students, and many schools in the area hold the Purple Star designation that recognizes a strong commitment to military families. You can learn more from this VBCPS Purple Star schools announcement.
Commute tradeoffs off-peak, with variability during peak times:
- NAS Oceana and Dam Neck Annex: often 15 to 30 minutes via I-264 or connecting arterials.
- JEB Little Creek–Fort Story: usually 20 to 30 minutes depending on route and gate.
- NAVSTA Norfolk: plan on 25 to 45 minutes in typical conditions; routing can vary with incidents.
Pros to weigh: central location for multiple bases, neighborhood clubs and recreation, and a quiet residential feel. Considerations: many homes are older and may need modernization; seclusion in some pockets creates a single main entry and exit feel.
Chic’s Beach
Chic’s Beach lines the Chesapeake Bay along Shore Drive and leans into a true coastal lifestyle. It is popular with buyers who want sandy beaches, bike paths, boating, and local waterfront dining close by. Housing is eclectic: older cottages and condos, updated duplexes and single-family homes, and new construction near the water, with premium prices for waterfront.
School assignments vary by street, with nearby options that may include Hermitage Elementary, Great Neck Middle, and area high schools. Verify the assignment for the exact address through VBCPS before you make a decision.
Commute tradeoffs off-peak, with extra time during summer weekends and rush hours:
- JEB Little Creek–Fort Story: shortest of the four neighborhoods, commonly 5 to 15 minutes to many gates.
- NAS Oceana and Dam Neck Annex: often 15 to 30 or more depending on Shore Drive traffic and route.
- NAVSTA Norfolk: plan on roughly 20 to 45 minutes; tunnel and corridor traffic can be a factor.
Pros to weigh: bayfront access and an active outdoor lifestyle. Considerations: smaller year-round inventory, potential for seasonal traffic, and flood and insurance checks near the water. Confirm elevation and flood zone early in your search.
Kings Grant
Kings Grant is an inland, centrally located neighborhood often grouped with the Little Neck area. The feel is neighborly with many mid-century single-family homes, modest yards, and parks. Buyers often describe it as practical and convenient to multiple bases.
Nearby schools include King’s Grant Elementary and other VBCPS campuses. Confirm every assignment at the address level with the district before you decide.
Commute tradeoffs off-peak, with variability at rush:
- NAS Oceana and Dam Neck Annex: roughly 15 to 30 minutes depending on your exact location and gate.
- JEB Little Creek–Fort Story: commonly 15 to 30 minutes.
- NAVSTA Norfolk: often 25 to 40 minutes, longer in peak traffic.
Pros to weigh: central location, neighborhood feel, and value for many buyers. Considerations: homes are often smaller or older, but many have been updated. Watch for faster turnover during peak PCS months.
Quick compare cheat sheet
Use these one-liners to narrow your list fast:
- Great Neck: established coastal neighborhoods with bay and park access. Tradeoff: flood and aircraft noise checks on select streets.
- Little Neck: quiet, central, Expressway access. Tradeoff: many mid-century homes may need updates.
- Chic’s Beach: true bayfront lifestyle and local dining. Tradeoff: higher flood and insurance sensitivity near water, limited inventory.
- Kings Grant: central, family-friendly vibe and value. Tradeoff: older housing stock in many sections.
Commute snapshot (off-peak ranges, confirm at your shift time):
- NAVSTA Norfolk: about 20 to 35 minutes from Great Neck; 25 to 45 from Little Neck; 20 to 45 from Chic’s Beach; 25 to 40 from Kings Grant.
- NAS Oceana/Dam Neck Annex: about 10 to 25 from Great Neck; 15 to 30 from Little Neck; 15 to 30 or more from Chic’s Beach; 15 to 30 from Kings Grant.
- JEB Little Creek–Fort Story: about 15 to 30 from Great Neck; 20 to 30 from Little Neck; 5 to 15 from Chic’s Beach; 15 to 30 from Kings Grant.
Remember: these are reliable ranges, not guarantees. For a confident choice, run your exact route during your actual report windows and consult a local guide like this NAVSTA Norfolk commute overview.
Due diligence for military buyers
A few checks up front will save you time and stress later:
- Confirm base logistics. Identify your primary gate, building, and parking area, then test your morning and afternoon routes at report times. It is the best way to validate a neighborhood’s fit.
- Call the housing office early. On-base family housing and lodging differ by installation and waitlist. Start with the official pages and Navy housing and lodging information for Dam Neck/Oceana.
- Check flood and insurance. If you are considering waterfront or low-lying blocks in Chic’s Beach or Great Neck, pull FEMA maps and get quotes early. This local overview of Hampton Roads flood zones and insurance basics explains common terms to discuss with your insurer.
- Verify aircraft noise and planning contours. NAS Oceana is an active Master Jet Base. Review the installation’s planning resources and AICUZ and compatibility maps on the NAS Oceana site for any property you are considering.
- Confirm schools by address. School boundaries can change and may not follow informal neighborhood lines. Review state-reported data for local campuses such as Great Neck Middle and contact VBCPS to confirm the assignment for your exact street. Many campuses in the division are Purple Star schools that support military-connected students, as noted in this VBCPS announcement.
- Align home budget with BAH and comps. Neighborhood medians vary by source and change often. Have your agent pull current MLS comparables for your target streets and match them to your BAH and loan scenario.
- Consider a phased move. If timing is tight, a short-term rental near your base lets you test commutes and schools while you shop. Inventory often rises during PCS seasons.
Final word
You have solid options in Virginia Beach whether you want an easy walk to the bay, a quick hop to Oceana, or a central address that balances multiple commutes. Great Neck, Little Neck, Chic’s Beach, and Kings Grant each offer a clear set of tradeoffs you can weigh against your duty station, budget, and lifestyle.
If you would like a street-level shortlist tailored to your report time, BAH, and preferred schools, connect with Robert Ramey. As a lifelong Virginia Beach resident with decades of relocation experience, Robert can help you compare routes, pull precise comps, and move confidently. Request a Free Home Valuation and Local Market Review.
FAQs
Which Virginia Beach neighborhoods are closest to JEB Little Creek for daily commuting?
- Chic’s Beach sits adjacent to JEB Little Creek–Fort Story and commonly offers the shortest off-peak drives in the 5 to 15 minute range, while Great Neck and Kings Grant are usually 15 to 30 minutes and Little Neck 20 to 30 minutes; always test at your report time.
What should I know about aircraft noise near NAS Oceana when buying a home?
- NAS Oceana is an active Master Jet Base, so verify if a property falls within AICUZ noise or planning contours by reviewing the NAS Oceana installation maps and discuss sound and insurance considerations with your agent and lender.
How do flood zones affect homes in Chic’s Beach or Great Neck?
- Waterfront and low-lying properties can require flood insurance and may have elevation concerns; pull FEMA maps and get early quotes, and review this local primer on Hampton Roads flood zones to frame questions for your insurer.
Are Virginia Beach schools supportive of military-connected students?
- Virginia Beach City Public Schools offers supports for military families, and many campuses are designated Purple Star schools; see this division announcement and confirm individual school assignments by address with VBCPS.
Is on-base housing available at Oceana and JEB Little Creek–Fort Story?
- Yes, on-base family housing and Navy lodging options exist at NAS Oceana, Dam Neck Annex, and JEB Little Creek–Fort Story; waitlists and policies vary, so start with the housing office and official Navy lodging and housing guidance.
