Look no further than historic Phoebus, Virginia if you want small town character. While it’s near some of the creature comforts you can expect of a larger metropolitan area, Phoebus itself is charming and quaint in all the best ways. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, downtown Phoebus’s Mellen Street boasts an eclectic strip of family-owned small businesses, including restaurants, antique dealers, local artisans, and bars. Like the Main Street strip in Hilton Village in nearby Newport News (See Hilton Village Newport News: Spotlight), Phoebus is an oasis for anyone who’d prefer the slower pace of small town life but finds themselves living in a metropolitan area.
As far as home ownership there is concerned, you’ll find that the cost of entry in Phoebus is a lot lower than other comparable neighborhoods, which makes it an attractive option for lots of would-be homeowners. Young families looking for starter homes, seniors looking for a quiet place to retire (but still enjoy all that coastal Virginia has to offer), renters looking to build property portfolios, and flippers looking for well built homes without the cookie-cutter feel of new construction will all find something to love in Phoebus.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: older homes have a LOT of appeal!
New construction has great appeal to some buyers, but they can lack a certain charm found in historic homes. Most new homes are built according to a specific floor plan and the same builder-grade fixtures throughout leaving a lot to be desired. It’s not that the homes themselves aren’t nice, it’s mostly that the companies that build them have automated the process to be able to mass produce and, historically speaking, craftsmen of that era didn’t. Many of the homes in Phoebus and surrounding city of Hampton were built in the 1900s through the 1950s and are considered historic. You’ll see beautiful examples of the architectural features of the periods, including Queen Anne, Late Victorian, and Colonial Revival styles. (Translation: Want a turret? Gabled windows? Wrap around porch? Welcome to Phoebus!)
Older homes are often built solidly though they may have their quirks and certain features in need of repair. After all, they are still standing after 100 years right? They’re less likely to be built in a cookie cutter fashion with a slightly different variation on a home just down the road. Not only that, but in terms of making an offer, you may have a little bit more flexibility where an older house is concerned. I can help you identify areas where work may need to be done and after inspection we may be able to knock a few dollars off the purchase price!
Different homeowners have different levels of tolerance when it comes to home improvement projects. You may not want to take on an entire fixer upper on your own. But a tear-down-to-the-studs fixer upper is one thing, and a house that just needs a new roof or cosmetic updates is another! An experienced realtor on your side to help identify the work to be done and how that work could ultimately impact the purchase price is an invaluable asset.
Besides, it’s nice to know that at the end of the day you’ve made your house a home by adding personal touches.
What’s so charming about Phoebus Virginia?
Phoebus has an old school small town feel that you don’t find just anywhere anymore – especially not so close to major urban areas.
While there’s plenty of commerce in Phoebus, you’ll certainly venture out at some point. You will love how close you are to all the convenience of Hampton Roads while living in a smaller little pocket right near the water. Check out Honey House Boutique, The Richardson’s, and Robert’s Antique’s for a day of unique shopping. Laid back Phoebus VA restaurants include Stuft, which has some of the best tacos and entertainment around, The Deadrise with fresh seafood with a killer marina view, and Phoebus Dive Bar offers great sandwiches and atmosphere. For more upscale dining in Phoebus, restaurants you should make sure you to visit are Fox Tail Wine Bar, The Baker’s Wife or Mango Mangeaux.
Downtown Hampton
You’re just a few minutes from downtown Hampton. Downtown is known for the annual Bay Days festival, a thriving marina community, and the Air and Space Museum. Outdoor / waterfront dining options and the Hampton Carousel (one of only 170 antique wood carousels left in the U.S.!) are some other downtown charmers. Right next door to the Air and Space Museum is Amory’s Seafood; call ahead to place your order and pick up fresh, local seafood without ever leaving your car.
Public and Private School Options for Phoebus Virginia
Phoebus, Virginia is zoned for Hampton Public Schools, including Jane H. Bryan Elementary School, Benjamin Syms Middle School, and Phoebus High School.
As of 2020 100% of Hampton Public Schools are accredited by Virginia DOE, making Hampton schools a good option. Hampton also has a number of private school options including Gloria Dei, Bethel Christian, Hampton Christian, and Victory Baptist. For parents willing to drive a little further, Hampton Roads Academy and Peninsula Catholic are also available options. See article PCSing to Langley AFB for more school info.
Obviously, downtown Hampton also features Hampton University, should your children wish to continue there education close to home. Thomas Nelson Community College is nearby for any advanced high school kids who would like to take college-level courses or budget-savvy college kids wanting to take prerequisite classes for less. Christopher Newport University in nearby Newport News, Regent University in Virginia Beach and Eastern Virginia Medical School are also among the great options for higher education.
Fort Monroe and Paradise Ocean Club
Fort Monroe practically IS Phoebus, Virginia. It’s a decommissioned former military base, but it has a deeper history even than that. Fort Monroe is at the southern tip of the Virginia peninsula (known as Old Point Comfort now). It was named in honor of President James Monroe and was originally identified in the 1600s for its strategic importance for defense. Though the area was Confederate, Fort Monroe was controlled by Union soldiers throughout the war. In fact, former President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, was imprisoned in Fort Monroe for a period of time. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it became an Army base until it was formally decommissioned in 2011.
It’s a great place to go to the beach, to explore the historic sites, and to fish.
Though you can visit the beach for free, The Paradise Ocean Club allows you access to various beachside amenities. These include a pool, cabana rentals, and access to a waterfront restaurant and bar.
Also located on Fort Monroe is Oozlefinch Beers & Blending, a local craft brewery.
Fishing, Fun, and Recreation in Phoebus Virginia
Though there’s lots to do in Hampton, Phoebus in particular has much of our recreational activities beginning and ending on the water.
Recreational and commercial fishermen live in and around Phoebus, Virginia. On you way onto the base, you’ll notice some large Wanchese trawl-style commercial fishing boats. There are a number of public boat ramps locally or headboat fishing options if you don’t own a boat. The Ocean Eagle in Hampton (near the Deadrise) and the Judith Ann just across the HRBT in Norfolk’s Ocean View neighborhood are great options. Fishing not your thing? You can go out on the Miss Hampton II for a tour of nearby Ft Wool.
On Fort Monroe, there are many spots for fishing, including a free pier. The Ocean Eagle, a head boat offering fishing trips, is an inexpensive way to get off the shore. The James River Pier is a great option as well as Sandy Bottom Nature Park to try a little freshwater fishing, too.
The nearby beaches at Fort Monroe and Buckroe Beach are definitely worth visiting, too. More quiet than Virginia Beach and its bustling boardwalk, you’ll actually have a chance to find (and enjoy) a little spot of your own. Less of a tourist destination and more of a spot for locals, you’ll love the beach options in Hampton.
If you haven’t visited, check out Phoebus and add it to the list of places to start your home search. You won’t regret it!
Coastal Towne Realty
