Is Sussex safe?
Norfolk, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Sussex as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Sussex
“Go with care. Sussex is primarily a quiet, residential pocket in northeast Norfolk, making it generally calm during the daytime. Visitors should remain mindful of property crime and occasional auto break-ins, especially along the busier adjacent commercial corridors like Northampton Boulevard.”
About the area
Sussex is a modest, established residential neighborhood situated near Norfolk International Airport and Lake Whitehurst. The area features a mix of mid-century single-family homes and apartment complexes, bordered by bustling commercial arteries.
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban Feel
Walking and biking in Sussex
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 45/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is limited, but low-traffic residential streets are rideable; nearby Norfolk Botanical Garden and surrounding parks offer paved multi-use recreational paths.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower violent crime rates compared to Norfolk's dense urban core
- Close proximity to outdoor recreation at Lake Whitehurst and the Norfolk Botanical Garden
- Stable residential streets with relatively low street-level congestion
Cons
- Elevated rates of opportunistic vehicle theft and property crimes along perimeter thoroughfares
- Higher rental density and moderate median income relative to suburban Virginia Beach
- Limited streetlighting on some interior residential residential blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential streets of Sussex, though occasional panhandling occurs at major intersections along Northampton Boulevard and North Military Highway.
What Sussex is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with residents walking dogs and commuting to nearby military bases and local businesses.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm on interior streets, though arterial roads like Northampton Boulevard see steady commercial traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential atmosphere, generally safe for short walks around the immediate blocks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets become deserted and dimly lit; visitors should lock parked vehicles and avoid walking unlit corridors alone.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) operates local bus routes, including Route 15 and Route 23 along adjacent thoroughfares like Military Highway and Northampton Boulevard. The Tide light rail does not extend to this area.
Ample free street parking is available along residential streets, and commercial shopping centers offer large, unmetered surface parking lots.
Things to do in Sussex
- Explore the extensive seasonal floral displays and trails at the adjacent Norfolk Botanical Garden
- Enjoy fishing, birdwatching, and scenic reservoir views along Lake Whitehurst
- Shop and dine along the nearby Northampton Boulevard and Military Highway retail corridors
Local favorites
- The Rustic Spoon · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (1240)A cozy, highly rated neighborhood eatery serving hearty brunch favorites and modern comfort food.
- Judy's Sichuan Cuisine · Sichuan Restaurant · 4.5★ (1450)Acclaimed regional Chinese restaurant known for authentic spicy Sichuan dishes and handmade dumplings.
- Norfolk Botanical Garden · Botanical Garden · 4.8★ (5600)A sprawling 175-acre botanical garden featuring themed gardens, paved walking paths, and tram tours.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.