Norfolk VA Moving Companies

Norfolk, Virginia

Nestled between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Norfolk is the entertainment and cultural heart of the Virginia waterfront. The city is in experiencing a successful renewal, including new office, retail, entertainment and revitalization projects in many of its neighborhoods. As thousands of new residents are moving to Norfolk, the city is transforming into a vibrant and welcoming place to live, visit and work.

History:
On New Year's Day, 1776, the British rocked Norfolk, destroying almost two-thirds of the city. Soon after,the fleeing colonists completed the job, burning the rest of Norfolk to the ground to keep any of it from falling into British hands. Today, Norfolk is the only US city to be destroyed and rebuilt. Because of its prosperous waterways and fertile farmland, Norfolk was able to recover quickly from the devastation. The war years saw a rapid increase in individual residences, and the city struggled to solve overcrowding challenges. In the early 1940, the city’s population nearly doubled. This period also saw the expansion of furniture manufacturing and other industries. Virginia's third medical college, the Eastern Virginia Medical School, was built in Norfolk in 1973. During the following decade, old buildings were razed and the Waterside Festival Marketplace, Town Point Park and a number of condominiums were built along Norfolk's waterfront. Between 1950 and 1980, the city experienced another population boom. Moreover, in the 1980s Norfolk saw development in the city that included the National Maritime Center and the construction of the Ghent Square neighborhood, which offered restored upscale housing.

Economy:
Norfolk, Virginia serves as the business and financial hub of the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Shipbuilding and shipping play a critical part in the local economy. As a major seaport through which millions of tons of cargo pass annually, the city handles such commodities as tobacco, cotton, coal and grain. With an ideal harbor and waterways, the city is the site of the Naval Base Norfolk, the largest naval base in the world. It also serves as home to the headquarters of the Fifth Naval District of the Atlantic Fleet and the Second Fleet, and it houses the district headquarters of the Coast Guard. In addition to the thousands of US Navy personnel stationed in Norfolk, many local citizens are employed in naval operations. Local industries include ship and light truck manufacturing, plastic production and communications. With the rich local history and the presence of numerous beautiful seaside resorts, Norfolk moving companies are busy than ever bringing in new residents.

Tourism:
Norfolk is the home of the world's largest naval base, sandy Chesapeake Bay beaches, a historic downtown district, waterfront shops and restaurants and an excellent selection of museums. Norfolk's downtown waterfront area is located on the banks of the Elizabeth River and offers plenty of outdoor entertainment. The Norfolk Waterside Marketplace, the pride and joy of the waterfront district, offers scrumptious dining and quaint shopping. If the timing is right, special events, such as the annual Norfolk Harborfest, are held next to Waterside at the waterfront Town Point Park. Or, head over to the Nauticus, the National Maritime Center. The Nauticus museum complex is located on the Norfolk downtown waterfront, neighboring Waterside and Town Point Park. Nauticus includes the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration exhibits and the historic Battleship Wisconsin. Finally, the Harrison Opera House, located in the Ghent area of Norfolk, is the home of the Virginia Opera and other engaging live performances.

Colleges/Universities:

• Norfolk State University
• Virginia Wesleyan College
• Old Dominion University

Interesting Facts:

• The world's largest naval base and North American headquarters of NATO are located in Norfolk.
• The city is considered a "Tree City" due to the extensive quantity of trees and flowers in the area.
• The largest inter-model center in the US will be completed by 2010, the Norfolk International Terminal.