The Eastern Shore of Virginia is one of the last areas on the East Coast where you can buy a property which offers a relaxed, rural coastal lifestyle and yet is only 20 minutes to an hour from the cosmopolitan amenities in Hampton Roads. The 32nd largest metropolitan area in the U.S., Hampton Roads is a catch-all term for the contiguous cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake and Portsmouth. From the southern tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore , the city of Virginia Beach is only about 15 minutes away, separated from the Shore by the famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Making that trip is like moving from yesteryear to today in 15 minutes.
Having moved here from Virginia Beach more than 20 years ago, my only regrets are that I didn’t move to the Shore sooner. I’m always struck by how I enjoy my relaxed life here on the Eastern Shore yet how easily I can slip over to Virginia Beach on the spur of the moment and partake of the myriad of cultural events and other opportunities only available in a metro area. It’s like having my cake and eating it too. I still have many friends in Virginia Beach and it’s always fun to slip over for the day and have lunch with a friend at Saffron ( my favorite Indian restaurant and home to the best ever chicken tikka masala plus Kashmiri bread stuffed with coconut, cherries and pastachios for dessert) or maybe indulge at Aldos’ (with their scrumptious penne with vodka sauce followed by a freshly made Napoleon ) . Afterwards maybe a little look-see at Macy’s or Nordstrum’s, a quick stop at Trader Joes for fresh pressed almond butter or maybe their nice feta and then I’m ready to head home to the Eastern Shore. Home is a casual farmhouse on five spacious acres, out in the country yet just 15 minutes from all the activities and shopping at Cape Charles. My horse, Wildfire , AKA Wiley, is boarded on a several hundred acre farm less than 20 minutes from my house. I love the convenience of being able to slip down and see him anytime. So it’s great to visit Virginia Beach but I know for sure where “home, sweet home” is located and that is on the unique and beautiful Eastern Shore of Virginia.