<H1>Jake’s Insider Neighborhood Guide: Salem, Virginia Beach
<p> Salem, Virginia Beach, VA, is a thriving community located close to major highways and Naval Air Station Oceana. It’s a quiet area to live in with mostly single-family homes. The Salem, Virginia Beach neighborhood offers numerous benefits to those seeking the luxuries of Virginia Beach but a small-town feel. There are lots of things to do in Salem that people rave about! Read on to see how well this community might fit your needs.
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<h2>Life in Salem: Community Overview
<p>Salem, Virginia Beach sits in the southern portion of the city, easily accessible to I-264 and I-64. It’s noted for its exceptional school district and cozy feel. However, being close to the beaches, including Sandbridge and the Chesapeake Bay, makes this area exceptionally well-balanced.
It’s easily one of the best VA Beach neighborhoods, and with good reason. You'll find numerous shopping centers in Salem, excellent restaurants, wide-open parks, and various events throughout the year. You really don't have to go far for anything you need or want to do. There are numerous things to do in Salem, including walking from restaurant to shopping areas, exploring the local breweries with friends, or taking the kids to one of the many youth sports programs.
A well-balanced, family-friendly area, the Salem, Virginia Beach neighborhood is most recognized as the home of the Virginia Beach Sportsplex, a massive stadium that was once home to the Virginia Beach Mariners, a professional soccer team. Expect tree-lined streets, numerous parks, and exceptional schools. When you consider the things to do in Salem, don’t overlook its proximity to area amenities, including the 15-minute drive to the Virginia Beach oceanfront. You can also find nearby golf courses, hiking trails, and areas to launch a kayak. And we cannot forget the best restaurants in Salam, Virginia Beach, are mostly locally owned and operated.
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<h2>Jake’s Top Things to Do in Salem
<p>The things to do in Salem, Virginia Beach are much like any larger, modern community, except here, there’s more of a small-town community feel. Consider some of our favorite things to do in Salem that should be on your to-do list.
<h3>Virginia Beach Sportsplex
<p>The Virginia Beach Sportsplex is often the go-to for local events, including football and soccer throughout the year. It’s also the USA Regional Training Center for premier field hockey. You'll likely spend some time here if you're involved in any of the local athletics programs for the City of Virginia Beach and the region as a whole.
<h3> Glenwood Pond
<p>This may seem like a very simple thing to do, but it’s a quiet and enjoyable space. The walking trails are the perfect place for birding and just finding a quiet spot to destress.
<h3> Virginia Beach Farmers Market
<p>The Virginia Beach Farmers Market is one of the things to do in Salem, Virginia Beach, that makes daily living that much easier and more enjoyable. Pick up all of your fruits and veggies for the week and know it’s home-grown goodness.
<h2>Jake’s Local Favorites & Best Restaurants in Salem
<p> The best restaurants in Salem, Virginia Beach, really offer something for anyone. Whether it’s your first time visiting or not, the friendly environment of these locations makes you feel like you are right at home. That’s one of the factors we considered when making this list of the best restaurants in Salem.
<h3> Back Bay Farmhouse – Brewery – 4.6 Stars - $$
<p>As one of the best restaurants in Salem, Back Bay Farmhouse is a local favorite. It’s the place to go for a rustic, beachy theme. Although brew pubs are all the rage, this location stands out. It's in an old farmhouse that dates back to 1938. The charm and character are instantly impressive when you walk in the door.
<h3> The Roads Bistro – American – 4.7 Stars - $$
<p>Another of the best restaurants in Salem for local brews is The Roads Bistro. It's known for American-style tapas. It has a cozy feel, where the live music makes the night come alive. The cocktails are delicious, with something new to try fairly often. It’s perfect for dinner and drinks with good (or new) friends!
<h3> Dirty Buffalo – Wings – 4.5 Stars - $$
<p> Dirty Buffalo has been voted best wings in the Coastal VA region, and that makes it one of the best restaurants in Salem when you want to catch the game. It’s a locally owned location with authentic sauces.
<h3> Jose Tequilas – Mexican – 4.4 Stars - $
<p>Jose Tequilas is one of the best restaurants in Salem for Mexican food. The food is always hot and fresh, and you cannot beat the portion sizes here.
<h2> Local Health Care Near the Salem, Virginia Beach Neighborhood
<p> Salem offers a wide range of supportive services for healthcare, fitness, and overall wellbeing. With easy access to medical providers and area hospitals, it’s easy enough to get care when you need it. Note that you can also find great options in the upscale community of Great Neck.
<h3> Pleasant Valley Medical Center
<p> Pleasant Valley Medical Center is a full-service medical clinic. It’s part of the Children’s Health Network and serves much of the region with family-focused medical care in the Salem, Virginia Beach neighborhood.
<h3> First Choice Medical Care
<p>Another option for local healthcare is First Choice Medical Care. It’s a medical center with various specialists and care providers for acute and chronic conditions.
<h3> PAWS Clinic
<p> When it comes to the furry members of your home, the PAWS Clinic is an excellent choice. They are noted for being a long-service full-service veterinarian.
<h2>Shopping Centers Near Salem
<p> For shopping centers in Salem, you have a lot of options to consider nearby. There are some great locally owned locations as well as your tried-and-true national chains. Check out this list!
<h3> Landstown Commons
<p>One of the best shopping centers in Salem is Landstown Commons. It’s home to numerous chains and smaller shops. Some of the largest include Kohl’s, Ross, Books-a-Million, and Old Navy. It's also home to some of the best restaurants in Salem.
<h3> Lynnhaven Mall
<p>Another go-to option for shopping in Salem is Lynnhaven Mall. Cool off as you walk around the location’s dozens of stores. You’ll find options here like Victoria’s Secret, Pandora, and H&M, among others.
<h3>Vintage Vibe Home and Garden
<p>What if you enjoy antique shopping? Check out Vintage Vibe Home and Garden. There are 25 vendors here. Pro tip – when you’re looking at the shopping centers in Salem that offer furniture, don’t skip this location for some excellent heirloom-quality items.
<h3>Walmart
<p>There’s no doubt homeowners in the Salem, Virginia Beach neighborhood will visit Walmart for a range of needs from groceries to home improvement needs.
<h3>Recreation, Nature & Parks in Salem
<p>Some of the best things to do in Salem are outside. It helps that it’s a short drive to the waterfront, but there are some local treasures worthy of exploring as well. You’ll definitely want to explore the neighborhood playgrounds (and many of the Salem, Virginia Beach neighborhoods also boast excellent walkable areas).
<h3> Salem Woods Park
<p>Salem Woods Park is a great thing to add to your things to do in Salem list. There are two enclosures here for picnics, open fields for games of catch, a playground that’s the talk of the town, and a paved walking trail. There is a dog park here, too.
<h3> Kempsville Recreation Center
<p>At Kempsville Recreation Center, which opened its doors in 1977, there seem to be tons of things to do on a routine basis. It’s located right off Princess Anne Road, so it’s easy to get to. With 87,000 square feet of space, there's plenty to explore, including an indoor play structure alongside a pool, an aqua track, an indoor track, basketball courts, and a double gym. Kempsville Rec Center includes circuit training and cardio equipment, an ADA lift in the pool, two 1-meter diving boards, and a therapeutic recreation program.
<h3>Top Schools Near Salem
<p> One of the things that Salem, Virginia Beach is known for is its quality schools and academies. It is a part of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools. The following are some of the most recognized schools.
<h3> Salem Grade School
<p>Salem Elementary School is an excellent start for young children. It offers a range of programs for learners of most types. The school is highly rated among local families for its extracurriculars and science-based programs.
<h3> Salem Middle School
<p>Most local families send their kids to Salem Middle School, a diverse community-based school with modern activities including tech-based education, sports programs, and a variety of specialized programs. It’s rated well for its diversity and inclusion programs.
<h3> Salem High School
<p>Salem High School is the most common next step for students. It offers six sports programs, a gifted and talented program, and numerous Advanced Placement (AP) courses for students. It offers a college prep curriculum. Students perform at or above other local high schools in the region.
<h2> View Properties In Salem
<p> When it comes to real estate in Salem, Virginia Beach, the good news is you have options. There’s a good mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments here. The median home price is around $426,000. You can check out more of the homes for sale now or reach out to Jake Maines for more of a hands-on tour. Salem home options fluctuate often in terms of availability. Let us get you set up to monitor conditions as they change.
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<h2> Top Reasons To Live In Salem
<p>The Salem, Virginia Beach neighborhood is such a diverse area with upscale amenities to make modern life easy for busy families.
<h3>Easy Commuting
<p>Salem has lots of accessibility. You’re only a short drive from Naval Air Station Oceana. The freeways – both I-264 and I-64 are just a short drive away. If you want to head to the waterfront, a 20-minute drive to Sandbridge is effortless. Of course, as a thriving community, there are many homeowners in Salem who work in the community as well.
<h3>Great Restaurants
<p> The best restaurants in Salem give you something for just about any craving. One of the nice benefits is that there are so many family-friendly locations and a nice mix of pubs and breweries for a night out.
<h3>Ample Shopping Centers in Salem
<p>As noted, there are several shopping centers in Salem that make this area a nice choice for those who want a short drive, no matter what they plan to purchase.
<h3>Lots of Parks
<p>Having ample green space makes Salem a beautiful place to live. Unlike some of the larger areas nearby, you can still stroll through a community park and not hear the traffic. Some of the best streets to live on are so tree-lined and well landscaped that they feel like parks themselves.
<h3>Schools
<p>With strong local academics, those who are buying a home in Virginia Beach who want to be close to good schools will find Salem ideal. There are numerous preschools, charter schools, and some private schools in and around the community.
<h3>Ask Jake: Your Insider to Salem, Virginia Beach
From shopping centers in Salem to outstanding parks and an easy commute to the beach, this community offers something for most people. Take a few minutes to learn more about it and book some time to talk to Jake Maines about all of the options on the market that fit your goals. Contact Jake Maines now to learn more about the communities and amenities in Virginia Beach.