Hunter's Square - Norfolk, VA

Norfolk was the product of a British law mandating the creation of a port town for every Virginia county. Norfolk was inaugurated in 1682 and achieved borough status by 1736. The American revolution all but demolished the fledgling town, but post-war rebuilding efforts were successful, and by 1800, the town had 7,000 residents. Disruption came again during the War of 1812, when an embargo stifled economic production. Order slowly returned thereafter, and the town was officially incorporated in 1845. The massive Naval Station Norfolk was created in 1917, establishing the area as an naval/military hub. During the first half of the 20th century, the city's population doubled. The 20th century also brought a commercial core and educational institutions to the area.

Nearby museums include the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Norfolk History Museum. The Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival has been hosting local and national musicians for over 30 years.

Hunter's Square is a small, residential neighborhood -- but it is less than a mile to a terrific selection of restaurants that includes everything from vegetarian to Greek and Italian cuisine.

Luna Maya offers mouth-watering vegetarian and meat versions of Latin American favorites in a hip and relaxing setting. The restaurant prides itself on serving tried-and-true family recipes without preservatives or highly processed ingredients. To experience authentic flavors, try the pique a lo macho, a Bolivian specialty with your choice of beef, chicken, or shrimp served with habanero onions, spicy potatoes, and cabbage slaw. Luna Maya offers three levels of spiciness, from chipotle powder and habanero oil to the spiciest: raw habaneros. Try a flavorful house-made cocktail, such as the Luna passion, with Svedka Clementine, passion fruit, and grenadine.

For inventive, Asian-inspired tapas and world-renowned cocktails, swing on over to Bardo Edibles & Elixirs on nearby West 21st Street. Try the filling and dazzling wagyu beef carpaccio drizzled with chile and truffle oils and served with a Japanese cooking stone. For a sweet and savory delight, order the intriguing potato-wrapped salmon. The restaurant features a dozen specialty cocktails, so the hardest choice you have to make at Bardo is what to drink.

If you still want more drinks after Bardo's, head to the Public House, which features craft beers and tasty gastropub snacks.

Common ways to get around the neighborhood include driving, walking, public transit, and biking. Hailing a cab can be difficult, but local companies provide pickups in the area via telephone. Uber does not cover the area.

Access to Highway 460 provides a path to the Interstate and other highways for easy commutes to the city center and surrounding neighborhoods. Hunter's Square proves very walkable, so you can accomplish the majority of your errands on foot. Bike commuting also provides a good mode of transportation here, with some bike lanes and flat terrain. Public buses serve the area as well.

Huntersville Park has a large football field, two tennis courts, and a playground area for kids. Nearby Barraud Park provides a baseball diamond, tennis courts, boxing facilities, and an open field along the Lafayette River.

Head up Church Street to Lafayette Park, located along the Lafayette River. This terrific park is home to the Virginia Zoo, ball fields, a boat ramp, picnic areas, and a playground. The park covers nearly 33 acres.

The annual Summer BrewFest at Town Point Park along the downtown riverfront showcases local and national beers, live music, and more.

The cost of living remains comparable to the city average but is still somewhat higher than the state average. Trips to the downtown core from the neighborhood run $1.75. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Hunter's Square is $1,157. The typical price of a beer at a local pub ranges from $2 to $5. Gas costs slightly less than the national average.

Nearby Ghent is a terrific shopping destination, featuring boutiques, specialty stores, cafes, and more situated along pedestrian-friendly streets in the downtown area.

Fans of vinyl and alternative music should make a bee line to Skinnies Records, purveyor of alternative sounds and culture since 1987. Come in to buy, sell, or trade vinyl records, peruse the extensive CD collection, check out some fashionable band merchandise and patches, or pick up musical equipment including guitar strings and drum sticks. Skinnies serves as a neighborhood nexus for all things musical, so stop in and chat up the locals.

The nearby Organic Food Depot provides access to organic produce, supplements, vegan options, and more. Food Lion Grocery Store and the Fresh Market can also be found in the Ghent area, with conventional grocery selections.