It is one of the southernmost points of the state, and home to one of the longest pleasure beaches in the United States. Virginia Beach is a veritable melting pot of cultures, color, and lifestyles. Though it has grown exponentially over the past decade or so, it still retains a small beach town charm that attracts thousands of tourists annually. The beach is wonderful, but it is just one of many reasons to enjoy the area.

Why live near Virginia Beach? Here are just a few reasons:

1) Chesapeake Beach - In Virginia Beach, there are two distinct shorelines for year-round enjoyment. The busy Oceanfront attracts vacationers with its lively boardwalk, shops, and amusements. Chesapeake Beach, known to the locals as "Chick's Beach," represents a quieter side of town. Here one can watch distant cars crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and watch the Navy ships float slowly toward base. The dunes are steep and the sand is cool and clean, making it a perfect destination for a backyard mini-vacation. Chick's Beach is just a short drive from Norfolk, so you have the added convenience of the beach without the tourist traffic.

2) The Neptune Festival - Defined by a series of fun events and concerts held throughout the Oceanfront, The Neptune Festival embodies the spirit of Virginia Beach. Wine tastings and parades, big-name concerts and Elvis impersonators fill the streets as visitors and locals alike revel in surf and sand. The majestic sand sculptures created each year are also a sight to behold, and enhance the shore with a decidedly pop cultural look.

3) First Landing State Park - Acres of unspoiled forest and trails allow joggers and bikers to enjoy the majesty of Virginia wildlife. Here you might some of Virginia Beach's oldest residents in their natural habitat. On the beach side, night sessions in the park offer unobstructed views of a starlit sky. This is the perfect place to watch a comet shower or eclipse, and if you live in Norfolk you're just a short drive away to nature.

4) Town Center - There's more to the beach in this town! Town Center is the keystone to a growing downtown presence in Virginia Beach, with four-star restaurants and elegant boutiques lining blocks of the renovated Pembroke Area. The coming of the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts is sure to enhance the cultural vibe of the city.

5) Virginia Beach Amphitheater - In the summertime, nothing beats a concert under the stars. Each year the Amphitheater hosts numerous popular music acts and festivals, from rock to country to jazz. VIP patrons have the added bonus of a special lounge to relax and enjoy gourmet snacks between sets. This is the place to be for all music lovers.

Music, sun, sand, and nature...Virginia Beach has it all. To get away from the drudge of the nine-to-five grind, one needs only to escape to a backyard kissing the Chesapeake Bay.

Kathryn Lively