1. People From Chesapeake Are Always Trying To One Up You
Who says that we all can’t just get along? The residents of Hampton Roads, that’s who. For such a large area, it comes as a surprise to some that the Seven Cities hasn’t grown into quite the urban mecca that cities like Atlanta and Charlotte have become. Anyone from Chesapeake will tell you that the Seven Cities don’t all exactly see eye-to-eye on how things should be run.
As one of the wealthier up-and-coming areas of Hampton Roads, Chesapeake residents have a habit of believing their city is the best. From education to their renowned workforce, they like to be on top. This carries over to pretty much everything else. They’ll out cook you, outsmart you and pretty much out-do you in just about everything. Don’t believe me? Just ask them, they’ll tell you.
2. Most Of Them Walk Around Nearly Naked
Walk along the streets of this city and you’ll think there’s a clothing shortage. What else can you expect from a city only 20 minutes away from the beach? Also, have you ever felt the heat of a southern summer? The air in Chesapeake gives new meaning to the word humid.
So don’t be surprised or offended by the amount of skin you see parading around these streets. They’re all just trying to avoid heat stroke.
3. Everyone Has A Pocketful Of Bug Spray, Lest They Be Eaten Alive By Mosquitoes
Also, that heat? With it comes bugs. Lots and lots of bugs. Chesapeake residents spend so much time swatting away mosquitos it’s a wonder that half of them haven’t come down with a wicked case of West Nile Virus. That (appropriately named) Great Dismal Swamp that runs through the city certainly doesn’t help matters.
That’s why you’ll notice the main accessory around here isn’t a clutch purse or a Dolce and Gabbana bag; it’s a can of OFF! They’ve got them in their cars, in their houses and even hanging from their belt loops.
4. People From Chesapeake Are Like Energizer Bunnies: They Just Keep Going And Going And Going
When you’re surrounded by six other large cities, there’s always something that you can be doing. There’s a yoga class down in Norfolk, and an art gallery to get to in Portsmouth or some waves to catch in Virginia Beach. The People of Chesapeake are always on the go, and it shows in the way they act.
The Seven Cities are a high-energy playing field for anyone who doesn’t like to sit on the couch, and getting someone from Chesapeake to slow down it like trying to stop a runaway train. They’re fast-talking, fast moving and have a Go! Go! Go! attitude when it comes to life. They’re not being rude, there’s just too much going on for them to slow down.
5. The Natives All Speak Tidewater English
When you are able to get someone from Chesapeake to sit still long enough for a conversation, good luck understanding what it is they have to say. That’s because southeastern Virginia has a language all their own. Or at least an accent so different you might have trouble deciphering it.
The Tidewater Accent, or Chesapeake Accent as it’s originally called, has a tendency to downplay the use of Rs and “ow” sounds. In fact, they pretty much just drop the r in words completely. That’s not a house, it’s a hoose!
6. And They’re Beach Bums To The Core
Chesapeake is only 20 minutes away from the beach which, in the minds of those who live in Chesapeake, makes it a beach town.
If they’re not hard at work or in school, you can bet you’ll find them down the road catching some rays on the sand. Especially during the summer, when it’s time to play in the waves or else swim in your own sweat. Or you could stay inside, but with so much to do here, why would you want to stay home?
7. The People Of Chesapeake Are A Southern, God-Loving Folk
Lest you confuse Virginia’s status as a purple state to mean that people here are all anti-religious, let me set you straight. Chesapeake is run by proud, God-fearing Christians and they aren’t afraid to let you know it. Located on a short drive away from the former capital of the Confederacy, Chesapeake residents still hold onto a lot of traditional ways of life.
While some may not agree with a lot of the principles, you can’t argue that the hospitality isn’t great. Sunday church, evening prayers before supper and choir music still run rampant in this pretty town. So get your cross and prepare to be saved!
8. Farmers And City-Folk Live Here Side-By-Side
Chesapeake is kind of huge. Most people hear the word city and think skyscrapers and wall-to-wall Starbucks. People here know that isn’t always the case. In fact, right next to that latte-sipping hippie might be the guy who grew all of the local beans in his coffee.
You’d be hard-pressed to find such a wide variety of people living in one place as you find in Chesapeake. Farmers, hipsters, businessmen and beach bums all reside in this city.
9. People In Chesapeake Have Mad Skills At Pretty Much Everything
Chesapeake is known for having one of the most highly skilled workforces in the entire nation. They’re highly educated, with some of the best teachers in Virginia, and the doctors here are highly renowned. But they don’t only excel at work.
They’re also some of the best cyclists around. They have the Citerium Bike Race in the middle of August. Anyone who’s been in a Chesapeake summer knows how much effort that has to take to win a race and not suffer heatstroke. They’re also amazing kayakers, and hold the annual KayaXpedition in June. They pretty much just love to race.
10. The Rich People Here Are Afraid Of Reality
There are wealthy spots all over Hampton Roads, but the highest concentration is certainly in and around Chesapeake. It’s easily the safest area of the Roads, and a lot of that has to do with the influx of well-off folk moving into the area. Then they gentrify the heck out of it!
Sometimes you even hear talk about building a wall to keep other areas of the Roads out. All the rich folk are a little afraid of what they consider the “ghettos” of Hampton Roads. Which, to them, is anything outside of Chesapeake.
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you think of Chesapeake in the comments below. 
