Jake’s Insider Neighborhood Guide: Salem, Virginia Beach
Author: Jake Maines | Virginia Beach Realtor | Updated October 2026
Salem is a residential neighborhood in southwestern Virginia Beach, built up around Salem Road and Lynnhaven Parkway, with Naval Air Station Oceana and the major highways close by and the Oceanfront about 20 minutes away. It’s a quiet area of mostly single-family homes, most of them resale houses from the 1980s and 1990s, with some new construction mixed in. The neighborhood offers the conveniences of Virginia Beach with a small-town feel, and there’s a lot here that people rave about. Read on to see how well this community might fit your needs.
- Life in Salem: Community Overview
- Map of Salem, Virginia Beach
- Jake’s Top Things to Do in Salem
- Jake’s Local Favorites & Best Restaurants in Salem
- Local Health Care Near the Salem, Virginia Beach Neighborhood
- Questions About Everyday Life in Salem?
- Shopping Centers Near Salem
- Thinking About a Move to Salem?
- Curious About Salem Schools and Parks?
- View Properties In Salem
- Top Reasons To Live In Salem
- Ask Jake: Your Insider to Salem, Virginia Beach
- Frequently Asked Questions About Salem, Virginia Beach
- Virginia Beach Neighborhoods
- Contact Jake Maines Today!
Life in Salem: Community Overview
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, 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’s plenty to do close to home, 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. Don’t overlook its proximity to area amenities, either, including the 20-minute drive to the Virginia Beach oceanfront. You can also find nearby golf courses, hiking trails, and areas to launch a kayak. And many of the area’s best restaurants are locally owned and operated.
Once you learn of the quality of life here, browse homes for sale in Salem, Virginia Beach, and let us help you find your dream property.
Still deciding? Take a look at how Salem compares with the rest of the best Virginia Beach neighborhoods in our complete guide.
Map of Salem, Virginia Beach
Jake’s Top Things to Do in Salem
Life in Salem feels a lot like any larger, modern community, except here there’s more of a small-town feel. Two of the city’s biggest event venues are just a few minutes away: the Virginia Beach Sportsplex and the 20,000-seat Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater, which brings national tours in every summer. Here are a few of our favorites that should be on your to-do list.
Glenwood Pond
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.
Virginia Beach Farmers Market
The Virginia Beach Farmers Market, a few minutes away on Dam Neck Road, 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.
Virginia Beach Sportsplex
Photo: “VirginiaBeachSportsplexB” by Rlevse, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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.
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Photo: “The Dead / 6.17.03” by Todd Wickersty, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr
Just a few minutes from Salem, the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater is one of the biggest concert venues in the region, with room for 20,000 fans between the reserved seats and the lawn. It brings in national tours all summer, so you’ll want to keep an eye on the lineup. Grab a lawn seat and a blanket for a classic Virginia Beach summer night.
Jake’s Local Favorites & Best Restaurants in Salem
Salem’s restaurants 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.
Back Bay Farmhouse – Brewery – 4.6 Stars - $$
Back Bay Farmhouse is a local favorite. It’s the place to go for a rustic, beachy theme. Although brew pubs are all the rage, this location stands out. It’s in an old farmhouse that dates back to 1912. The charm and character are instantly impressive when you walk in the door.
The Roads Bistro – American – 4.7 Stars - $$
For local brews, The Roads Bistro is another favorite. 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!
Dirty Buffalo – Wings – 4.3 Stars - $$
Dirty Buffalo has been voted best wings in the Coastal VA region, and it’s the spot when you want to catch the game. It’s a locally owned location with authentic sauces.
Jose Tequilas – Mexican – 4.4 Stars - $
Jose Tequilas is the go-to for Mexican food. The food is always hot and fresh, and you cannot beat the portion sizes here.
Local Health Care Near the Salem, Virginia Beach Neighborhood
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.
Sentara Princess Anne
Sentara Princess Anne Hospital is a full-service, 24-hour hospital and emergency center conveniently located near the Salem area of Virginia Beach. It provides emergency care, advanced medical services, and treatment for both urgent and planned health needs. For major trauma, patients are taken to Sentara Virginia Beach General or to Sentara Norfolk General, the region’s Level I trauma center.
PAWS Clinic
When it comes to the furry members of your home, the PAWS Clinic is an excellent choice. It’s a low-cost wellness and vaccination clinic that’s been around since 2000, a good stop for shots and routine care.
Questions About Everyday Life in Salem?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me and ask a question
Shopping Centers Near Salem
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!
Landstown Commons
One of the best shopping centers near 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 a good spread of restaurants.
Lynnhaven Mall
Lynnhaven Mall, a short drive north up Lynnhaven Parkway, is the big indoor option near Salem. Cool off as you walk around its dozens of stores, including an Apple Store and H&M, and catch a movie at AMC Lynnhaven 18, which has an IMAX screen.
Walmart
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.
Thinking About a Move to Salem?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me and ask a question
Recreation, Nature & Parks in Salem
A lot of what makes Salem great is 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).
Salem Woods Park
Salem Woods Park belongs on your 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.
Kempsville Recreation Center
Kempsville Recreation Center, a short drive away in neighboring Kempsville, first opened in 1977 as the city’s first community recreation center and was rebuilt in 2017, and 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.
Top Schools Near Salem
Salem is served by Virginia Beach City Public Schools, and the area sits across more than one attendance zone. Most of the neighborhood feeds Glenwood Elementary or Rosemont Forest Elementary, then Salem Middle and Salem High, while some streets on the edges go to Landstown Middle and Landstown High. The assigned schools can change from one street to the next, so it’s worth checking your exact address with the district before you make an offer. Here are the schools you’ll hear about most.
Salem Elementary School
Salem Elementary School on Salem Lakes Boulevard serves part of the neighborhood. It offers a range of programs for learners of most types, and it’s well regarded among local families for its extracurriculars and science-based programs.
Salem Middle School
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.
Salem High School
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.
Glenwood Elementary School
Glenwood Elementary School on Round Hill Drive serves a large share of Salem, including the streets around the Salem Middle and Salem High campuses. It’s a Virginia Beach City Public Schools elementary for kindergarten through fifth grade, and for a lot of families here it’s the first stop before Salem Middle.
Rosemont Forest Elementary School
Rosemont Forest Elementary School on Grey Friars Chase covers much of the rest of the neighborhood. It’s another Virginia Beach City Public Schools elementary for kindergarten through fifth grade, so check which of the two your street is zoned for before you start touring homes.
Curious About Salem Schools and Parks?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me and ask a question
View Properties In Salem
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. 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.
If you want a similar price range closer to Town Center, see our Timberlake guide.
Top Reasons To Live In Salem
The Salem, Virginia Beach neighborhood is such a diverse area with upscale amenities to make modern life easy for busy families.
Easy Commuting
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.
Great Restaurants
Salem’s restaurants 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.
Ample Shopping Centers in Salem
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.
Lots of Parks
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.
Schools
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.
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.
Jake Maines, Virginia Beach Realtor
Jake Maines is a REALTOR® with Iron Valley Real Estate Hampton Roads, serving buyers and sellers across Virginia Beach. Virginia salesperson license #0225247466, held since August 2020. He is a two-time Circle of Excellence recipient, Gold in 2023 and Platinum in 2024, and was named to Inside Business’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2023. He is a member of NAR and CoVAR.
