Hampton Roads, VA: Where Career Meets Coast

Visit Virginia Beach

What makes a region worth calling home? For those who’ve chosen the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, the answer goes beyond coastal views and historic charm – it’s finding a place where career growth doesn’t require sacrificing quality of life. Five professionals share what makes the region special.

Quan McLaurin

“I’ve lived in a lot of different places, but Hampton Roads will always hold a special place in my heart. It is the perfect mix, providing a little bit of everything. My family can have whatever type of weekend adventures we’d like – museums, concerts, nature or a pop-up market of local vendors and artists.

“The beauty of Hampton Roads is unmatched. I am always grateful for living somewhere that other people pay to vacation in.”

Daniel Ogunyemi

“My family and I moved to the Hampton Roads region in November 2023 sight unseen for my current role and quickly realized we’d found something special.

“The diversity of talent here is exceptional, and there is a genuine sense of regional camaraderie that makes it easy to build community. We connected quickly with faith leaders, youth sports programs and medical providers – all working to make this area a thriving and resilient coastal community.

“Hampton Roads feels like an ideal place to continue to grow.”

Sarah Hughes

“Hampton Roads offers an exceptional quality of life. Surrounded by water, the region provides a lifestyle that is both energizing and grounding, whether it is a day at the beach, a sunset over the bay or a walk along the waterfront.

“That natural beauty, paired with world-class shows, a dynamic dining scene and a vibrant cultural landscape, creates an environment that attracts talent, supports business growth and enhances daily life. It is a region designed to thrive.”

Ed Reams

“Norfolk is where I was born, and this community raised me. I spent my career living in wonderful places all over our country, but my heart was always pulling me back to Hampton Roads. When the opportunity presented itself, I returned to the place that gave me such a great foundation and still provided all the things necessary to thrive.

“I love the history, the connection to the water and the friendly people. Coming back home was always the goal.”

Wendy Drucker

“One of the things that really makes this a great place to do business is our military. A lot of service members decide to retire here, and there are a lot of skills that they learn in the military that transfer to many, many businesses. Not having a long commute and having all this water accessibility is great.

“We have major universities here, and our hospital systems are excellent – it’s all the things that people look for when they’re looking to move somewhere.”