Hickory in Chesapeake, VA is developing into the high-end hideaway that has it all. This gorgeous, rural community sits at the southernmost point of Chesapeake County adjacent to the North Carolina border and is situated between the long sought-after Greenbrier neighborhood and the Outer Banks. The area’s diversity is reflected in the variety of single-family homes that range from estate style ranches to contemporary bungalows. Hickory homes commonly have attached garages, gourmet kitchens, vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors and either covered porches or elaborate backyard decking. Hickory real estate, which ranges from $350,000 to $1,300,000, are often built on spacious, multi-acre lots, giving families room to grow, play, and entertain in a neighborhood that boasts a unique mixture of city amenities and country charm.
Hickory developed as a response to the area’s booming economic growth, which shows no signs of losing momentum. Chesapeake is the hub of the Hampton Roads region and is known for its large military presence, its year-round ice-free harbor, and miles of waterfront property and beaches - all of which contribute to the region’s economic diversity and stability. For over ten years, the city’s employment growth rate has ranked among the Top 50 nationally. During that time, the total number of employers has increased by more than double the national average while labor force numbers have increased by more than 12 percent. Wages in the area are triple the national average. Like most of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Chesapeake’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average at 4.5%. Each year, the area draws an additional 20,000 military personnel and their families and more than 8,500 graduating college students. Because of its proximity to major waterways and airports, and because of the size and strength of its telecommunications infrastructure, Chesapeake has the distinction of being one of the top eight U.S. cities for attracting international businesses. In fact, over 70 companies from 18 different countries, including German-based transportation giant, INIT, and Japan-based diesel systems manufacturer, USUI International, operate businesses in the area. These companies along with a multitude of North America-based companies, including Hewlett Packard, Sentara Healthcare, LabCorp, QVC, Cox Communications and HSBC Finance Groups make up 20 percent of the entire region’s hiring power. Hickory is conveniently located just off of I-168 meaning, besides brief work day commutes, you and your family are only 15 minutes from metro area dining and shopping, 20 minutes from the ocean front of Virginia Beach and 40 minutes from historical Colonial Williamsburg.
There is no shortage of things to do or places to see just outside your Hickory front door. Many square miles of protected farmland, forests, and wetlands make the city a place where effortless, natural beauty meets amenities and opportunity for recreation. The area is home to a large portion of the historic Great Dismal Swamp – the “unique and mysterious place” charted by George Washington's survey company in 1763. Tourists and residents enjoy the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail: an 8.5 mile trail with a multi-purpose design that allows for horses, cyclists, joggers, walkers and recreational boaters. The trail is host to the twice-yearly Paddle for the Border event where paddlers navigate their canoes or kayaks between Chesapeake and South Mills, NC. The Chesapeake Arboretum, “nature’s classroom” is 48 acre park replete with some of Virginia’s finest trail systems for viewing native plants, flowers, hardwoods, and demonstration gardens. Nearby, 75 acre Chesapeake City Park hosts the annual Chesapeake Jubilee and Symphony under the Stars and houses the Chesapeake Skate Park.
Twice recognized by Parenting Magazine as a Top 100 best place to live and raise a family, Chesapeake offers many family friendly festivals, events, and activities through the year for the whole family to enjoy. The Chesapeake Planetarium is the first planetarium built by a public school system in the state of Virginia. Since making its curriculum open to the general public, more than 50,000 children and adults flock to view its introductory astronomy programs each year. Portlock Galleries at SoNo offers up a variety of art gallery exhibitions and displays that focus on regional artists and their works. The gallery offers a variety of programs and classes for children and adults interested in the visual arts. The Children’s Museum of Virginia is the largest in the state and offers hands-on displays and activities for every age from toddler to teen. Other nearby museums include the Virginia Air & Space Center and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center where you can explore 800,000 gallons of marine habitats and explore nature paths and marshlands. The Chilled Ponds Ice Sports Complex is the region's premier ice sports facility. The 90,000 square-foot facility consists of two NHL skating rinks and offers public skating sessions, birthday parties, learn-to-skate programs, and adult hockey and youth hockey leagues. Hickory families looking for faster paced adventures can head out to nearby amusement parks like Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Water Country USA, Ocean Breeze Waterpark and Wild Water Rapids.
