SSpringer

Utah Ave is part of the riverwalk community. It is a small tucked away little gem in Norfolk. There are some houses on neighboring streets that are on the Elizabeth River. It is close to shopping, the Interstate and downtown Norfolk. It is very quiet because it is a short dead end street. The property values have gone up over the last several years, but it is still affordable for such a nice neighborhood. In 2010 the light rail system in Norfolk is going to be complete and there will be a station just a block away. This has caused an uproar in the neighborhood, as they do not know how much traffic this will cause. But if you work downtown and love light rail, my guess would be that it would be about 10-15 minute trip and it would be a great place to live.

Oklahoma Ave is in a residential area of Norfolk. The area is very diverse and has a mix of older homes and newly built or renovated homes. This street connects Tait Terrace and Robin Hood road so it is busy with traffic. Other than the traffic it is nice and the neighbors are great. There is also a brand new elementary school- Coleman Place- just a few blocks away. This is a great area for less expensive homes without it feeling like the ghetto. There is also a low crime rate on this street.

Granby Street really gives anyone visiting Norfolk a little bit of everything. When you are downtown during the week, you totally get the hustle and bustle of everyone going to work. At night there are as many bars and restaurants as you could hope for- whatever your taste is. The Granby Theater is also downtown. This amazing building was built in the early 1900's and has recently been restored. There are different theme nights for this New York style dance club such as alternative and Euro. Sunday mornings you can check out the theater and a Wave Church service at 11 am. If you like to spend a quiet time to stroll and check out the architecture, then the weekend mornings allow you to walk around, take in the sights, and sip your cup of joe. Further up Granby Street is the Virginia Zoo. It is a wonderful family outing and great animal habitats.

Monticello Avenue has a little bit of everything. If you are the cruise around the mall type, you will find MacArthur Center. It is the nicest, cleanest mall in Hampton Roads. The mall has a great mix of stores and if you have a little one, they have a great play area in the food court. Now if you are the type that likes to just walk down a street to take in the views- this will not be your street. Of course you can't talk about Monticello Ave. without mentioning The Norva. They have an amazing mix of local and national bands that come through all year long. There is plenty of room to dance, grab a beer and have a bite to eat. The shows sell out fast, so get your tickets early. Finally, I am a thrift shopper and Monticello has some great shops. These shops are further north of the mall area around 18th street. Go check out the Hope House Foundation if you want the true thrift store feel and check out Savvy Seconds if you want used designer labels.