Newport News is an independent city in the traditional Hampton Roads area of Virginia. It is situated on the northern shore of the James River in the Tidewater Region and first founded in 1634. It is and has always been an important seaport and railway connection for the area and it is still known as a headquarters for the shipbuilding industry.

The city’s downtown is still where it originally was centuries ago. The southeast end is predominantly African-American and full of housing projects and further north are the shipyards and pier. The north end of the city is wealthier and features many historical and eclectic building designs with views of the James Rivers. The downtown has been substantially altered and has many new commercial and mixed development areas such in the Oyster Point area of the city.

The City Center at Oyster Point is a beautiful new development that is often also called The New Downtown that pays homage to the maritime history of the city with its layout. There are many brand-new condos and mid-rise buildings in this part of Oyster Point that have outdoor pools and other amenities.

Port Warwick is a similar development built as a pedestrian-oriented community that is named after the fictional city in William Styron’s novel “Lie Down in Darkness.” The buildings have a retro feel that makes the area feel like an older small town. There are many affordable duplexes and carriage homes in this development that are not new but have many of the architectural details of old homes.

Hilton is a planned English village style village with cobblestone streets and genuine old housing that was built from 1918 to 1921. The area was originally built for employees of the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company. Most of the homes here are in the Jacobethan, Dutch Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival styles. The area is known for homes with individual eccentric sheathing, shingles and clapboard details. Many of them have odd roofing in clipped gambrel and clipped gable styles. Some were old and may need a new residential roofing installation with the help of experts such as roofing contractors. All of the ships here are named after shipyard and government officials.

Morrison, also known as Gum Grove is an area that is known for its quiet tree-lined streets and parks. The homes here are mainly from the architechtural era of the early fifties and there are 24 older buildings used for warehousing in the area that are in the process of gentrification and urban renewal making this a good area for investors

Gay life is not that apparent in this very traditional town that is known for its conservative views which is why it would be a good idea to consult with a Newport News gay realtor to find the situation that is most appropriate for you. There is no dedicated “gayborhood” but many gay folks live in the nearby area of Ghent, Virginia that is home to the Chrysler Museum of art and nearer to Norfolk.

You can get more information about the many features and attractions of Newport News at http://www.hamptonroadschamber.com/page/newport-news.