Over two thirds of respondents rated the quality of life in the region as excellent or good (68.5%). This is higher than the last few years and is similar to pre-COVID ratings (ranging from 68% to 71% between 2017-2019[1]). Over a quarter rated Hampton Roads’ quality of life as fair (26.0%) and 3.9% rated it as poor.
[1] It should be noted that in 2024 the weighting variables changed to include education - weighting prior to 2024 did not include education.
Consistent with previous years, respondents rated the quality of life in their city and their neighborhood higher than they did for the region as a whole. Over two-thirds rated the quality of life in their city as good or excellent (71.4%) and 22.2% rated the quality of their city as fair. Only 4.9% rated their city’s quality of life as poor. As in past years, the quality of life ratings vary by city with 88.8% of Virginia Beach respondents rating their city as excellent or good, as did 79.8% of respondents from Chesapeake and 73.3% of respondents from Suffolk. About 60% of respondents from Norfolk, Newport News, and Hampton also rated their city quality of life as excellent or good. Portsmouth had the lowest percentage of excellent or good ratings at 37.5%.
Quality of life ratings in neighborhoods were the highest, with 77.6% rating their neighborhood as excellent or good. Only 19.3% rated their neighborhood quality of life as fair and 3% rated it as poor.
After providing their quality of life ratings, respondents were asked a follow-up question: What is the one thing that would most improve the quality of life in Hampton Roads? The responses were reviewed and coded to identify major themes. The most frequent theme among the responses was improving roads, completing road infrastructure projects, as well as improving traffic. Some example responses are noted below:
The second most frequent theme observed in the responses was the need to lower crime and to increase safety. Respondents said:
Respondents also answered that there was a need for better paying jobs as well as more job opportunities in the region, with many stating:
Similar to the responses from last year’s Life in Hampton Roads survey, affordable housing was also frequently mentioned as a way to improve the quality of life in the region. Respondents shared:
Respondents mentioned other ways to improve quality of life in the region including addressing homelessness, public transportation, gun control and violence, fewer and lower taxes, and more/varied activities and events in the region
