Apartments for Rent in Norfolk, VA(991 Rentals)

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Norfolk, VA Local Guide

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Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

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Norfolk Overview

Norfolk is a lively city that sits at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in the southeast corner of Virginia. It is the second-most populated city in the state, just behind its coastal neighbor, Virginia Beach. One of nine cities that make up the Hampton Roads metropolitan area on the border of Virginia and North Carolina, it is considered the cultural center of that region. Part college town and part military hub, there is a broad range of apartments in Norfolk with varying prices to choose from. Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, and the U.S. Department of Defense attract students, government workers, and military members from around the world. This makes Norfolk a vibrant, diverse, and dynamic city to live.

What is the history of Norfolk?

During the American Revolution, Norfolk was a strong base for Loyalist supporters of the British Empire due to the numerous trading ties local merchants had across the sea. On January 1, 1776, eight hours of shelling from a British naval fleet destroyed 800 buildings, leveling two-thirds of the city. The area struggled to rebuild after the attack, and it wasn’t until the early 20th century when plans to build the world’s largest naval base began.

How is the weather in Norfolk?

Norfolk experiences moderate season changes and has a humid subtropical climate. The summers are hot, but the breeze from the Atlantic Ocean makes the days cooler and the nights warmer. In July, temperatures can climb past 90 degrees F, and frequent thunderstorms make August the wettest month of the year. Tropical storms and hurricanes are common through September, but few make landfall. Winters are mild with little snow accumulation and average temperatures well above freezing.

How do I get around town?

Norfolk has a vast network of interstate highways, bridges, and tunnels. It also has the country’s only bridge-tunnel complexes that cross the harbor at Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay through a unique system of underwater tunnels and island bridges. These were built to keep the waterways open to the Navy in the event of war. An HOV express bus transports workers to the Norfolk Naval Base and the Norfolk Electric Trolley services the downtown area. There is a convenient city bus system, light rail service, and ferry that connects to Portsmouth, as well as the Norfolk International Airport.

What is the Norfolk commute like?

Interstates 64 and 664 loop around the Norfolk city center, both crossing over the Bay to Hampton and continuing to Newport News. I-264 passes through Portsmouth, Norfolk, and continues straight out to Virginia Beach. There is considerable congestion for the densely populated area, so choosing apartments in Norfolk that are close to work is preferable. The Tide light rail service runs from Eastern Virginia Medical Center, through downtown, and out to Virginia Beach.

What are the local media outlets?

The Virginian-Pilot is Norfolk’s daily newspaper, with universities and military installations publishing their own newspapers. Coastal Virginia Magazine covers lifestyle, entertainment, and local events. There are multiple radio stations that cater to every interest, including talk, news, and sports. All the major TV networks are in Norfolk, along with independent WSKY.

Why live in Norfolk, VA?

Norfolk is a wonderful place to live, especially if you are a student, government worker, or military member. Its mild climate and proximity to coastal areas make it the ideal location for people who enjoy boating, beach activities, and other watersports. Norfolk has a lot of amenities, such as good food, fun entertainment, and plentiful shopping, which will appeal to most residents. There are numerous sporting events throughout the year, including Norfolk Tides minor league baseball, Norfolk Admirals professional ice hockey, and many university football and basketball games. A rich cultural environment makes it perfect for students, professionals, and families.

What Norfolk landmarks should I see?

Due to its rich naval history, Norfolk offers plenty of interesting landmarks for history buffs. The USS Wisconsin, the last battleship built in the U.S., is permanently docked with exhibits and daily tours. MacArthur Memorial is a museum dedicated to preserving WWI, WWII, and Korean War history. The Moses Myers House, a colonial style home-turned-museum, was one of the first homes built after Norfolk was leveled during the Revolutionary War.

What is there to do around Norfolk?

Being on the water, there are endless outdoor and water-related activities or events to attend. Sailing, kayaking, hiking, and golfing locations are just minutes from anywhere in the downtown area. Whether you are cruising the beautiful harbor on a boat, fishing off the two piers, or exploring the city by bike, there is always a reason to be outside. There are also delicious restaurants, world-class museums, exciting nightlife, and family-friendly events to keep everyone active.

Any annual festivals or Norfolk events to know?

Norfolk plays host to many premier festivals from spring through fall. Favorite events include the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March, the Virginia Arts Festival in April, the Virginia Beer Festival in May, the Bayou Boogaloo Cajun Food Festival in June, the Waterfront Jazz Festival in July, and the Latino Music Festival in August. Most events take place on or near the historic waterfront area, bringing the community together for fun, food, and friendship.

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

Norfolk sits in the middle of the eastern seaboard. This makes it the perfect location to travel outside of the city for a change of scenery. Just a short three-hour drive can take you north to visit the Washington DC area or south to the Raleigh, NC area.

Where is the best place to move in Norfolk?

There are Norfolk apartments throughout the metropolitan area with varying landscapes and amenities. Downtown has a vibrant city atmosphere with luxury apartments, nearby dining, and plenty of exciting nightlife and cultural events. For a more laid back lifestyle, the Ocean Air neighborhood is half a mile from the busy waterfront area, but with easy access to the Ocean View Fishing Pier and the beachfront. A little further out from town is Lake Taylor, a family-friendly area that is affordable and conveniently located near the local military bases. No matter what part of the city you choose to call home, you are sure to find all the beach activities, entertainment options, and shopping facilities you need within a few miles from the many Norfolk apartments in the area.

Second in size only to Virginia Beach, Norfolk apartments for rent offer residents all of the amenities of a large city combined with the small town charm befitting such a welcoming waterfront locale. Brimming with historical relevance as well as numerous amenities, Norfolk's unique ambiance will be hard to forget.

Gothic and Italian influences can be seen in the architecture of Norfolk apartments to this day, with much of the city featuring an eclectic assortment of pointed arches and lead-etched windows. The Douglas Macarthur statue is a must-see piece of art, and the National Maritime Center houses several battleships used in WWII. Be sure and visit the gift shop so you can take home a piece of history to your new Norfolk, VA apartment!

Eager to check out the nightlife surrounding your new Norfolk apartment for rent? You certainly won't have far to travel. Take in a Broadway-worthy production at the Attucks Theater, catch a classic film at the Naro Expanded Cinema, or boogie down for some boot-stompin' fun at the Banque Country Western Night. Dance the night away at the Techno haven Bugatti's, yet another nighttime hot spot conveniently located near many Norfolk apartments.

So regardless of whether you're considering a move to Virginia for work, school or simply a change of scenery, why on give Norfolk apartments for rent a try? Varied and sure to please, the popularity of a new Norfolk apartment is sure to last, so start your search for a huge assortment of listings today!

So renting your Norfolk apartment offers you the things necessary for an unrivaled life of freedom and fun, but what else? I'll tell you what else! You can make your place your own! Although you may be renting, an apartment gives you a blank canvas to express yourself to all your guests. Whether it's bold colors or fancy furnishings and decor, you have the option of making your place look anyway possible. Then, when you get tired of how your place looks, you have the freedom to try something else. Whether you like bold and risky or tame and conservative, your apartment can easily become a reflection of you all at the simple cost of a little of the tons of extra time and money you'll save by renting.

With all of that money and time you'll be saving by renting apartments in Norfolk, you'll free up more money than just for your apartment decor. You'll be able to splurge a little on that special someone, get a boat load of gifts to give your family the best Christmas ever, or take that excursion to see the Great Barrier reef that you've been dreaming about. All while the non-renters are trying to pay all their bills!

And all of this is just the tip of the iceberg on how awesome your life can be in Norfolk apartments. Finding your fun new place is easy, so hop to it by taking a look at my top picks in Norfolk apartments for rent and discover just how amazing Apartment Home Living can truly be.

Norfolk, VA
Population: 244,076

Ranked #91

in US Census Population by City

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Norfolk, VA

Ranked #11

Among cities in Virginia for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

3.5
Pet Friendly

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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Norfolk, VA Rentals by Map

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Getting Around Norfolk, VA

Walk Score®

62 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

50 / 100

Bikeable

Some bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

50 / 100

Good Transit

Many nearby public transportation options

Frequently Asked Questions about Norfolk

How much are Studio apartments in Norfolk?

There are currently 59 Studio Apartments in Norfolk with rent ranges from $700 to $2,231 with an average price of $1,385.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom Norfolk Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Norfolk ranges from $647 to $4,108 with an average monthly rent of $1,568.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Norfolk cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Norfolk range from $767 to $6,433. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $1,812.

How expensive are Norfolk Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 232 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Norfolk on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $883 to $4,939 - averaging $2,159 for the location.

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