Virginia Beach Apartments and Rentals

Virginia Beach's version of the classic sun and sand scene deserves high marks. Known for being a family-friendly resort area, this city manages to keep both costs down and spirits up-not an easy task. It's not just families who head here, either. You'll find an active college-age crowd residing in Virginia Beach apartments, too. So if an unpretentious seaside community sounds good to you, we'll expect to see you soon in Virginia Beach.

All the way back in 1607, three ships of English colonists landed just north of here, on Cape Henry. The passengers were among the first Europeans to travel to the New World. Under orders to settle inland, they built the colony at Jamestown. Coastal Virginia Beach didn't really begin to grow until in the late 19th century. That's when rail service and electricity arrived. The boulevard connecting Norfolk with the seashore opened in 1922 and that gave another boost to this resort area. By 1952, Virginia Beach was an independent city and primed to receive a steady stream of vacationers and residents. Perhaps you could be among them?

If you don't know your way around Virginia Beach, you'll want to start on the boardwalk. This three-mile long concrete strip divides the shore on one side from hotels, shops, bars, and restaurants on the other. As you head south, you'll run across more nightclubs, too. Sandbridge, farther south, connects the city with North Carolina and the Outer Banks. You'll find a cottage community there, as well as excellent views. The northern section of the city stays quieter and remains less developed.

The main business in Virginia Beach is keeping tourists eager to return. You'll also find significant work here in agribusiness and in the military. Naval Air Station Oceana is actually the city's largest employer. Amerigroup, Christian Broadcasting Network, GEICO, and other major firms operate headquarters or branches in Virginia Beach.

If you're coming to Virginia Beach to study, there are two universities in town. Regent University is a private school founded by evangelist Pat Robertson. Atlantic University is connected with the Association for Research and Enlightenment and it focuses on New Age subjects.

You can expect to rent a two-bedroom Virginia Beach apartment for around $1,083 a month. That cost of living is a bit higher than the national average, but it's not bad for a resort area. While many of the properties here are set up as vacation rentals, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a place to call home longer-term. The vacancy rate in the city is about average at six percent.

Most folks who live in Virginia Beach aren't confused about where to find the city's main attractions-the boardwalk and beyond. Unroll your beach towel and settle into the sand. If you want to learn about the area's history, First Landing State Park marks where the Jamestown settlers came ashore. It's also a great place to hike and camp. There's the Old Coast Guard Station and the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse to visit, as well. For a deeper view of the sea, swing through the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. If you want to stay outdoors, Virginia Beach has plenty of opportunities to golf, surf, kayak, fish, or spot whales, dolphins, and migrant birds.

Many of the special events in Virginia Beach center around the seashore. The East Coast Surfing Championship and the North American Sand Soccer Championship are two prime examples. The Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival celebrates the city's military roots with concerts and displays. You can attend the Symphony by the Sea Series, Harborfest, or Sandstock if you want to bliss out to some music. For your creative fix, hit the Boardwalk Art Show and Festival in June.

Finding a Virginia Beach apartment is easy with Rent.com®. Just take a look through our listings and you'll already be halfway home.