Moving to Ghent Norfolk VA Guide

The housing mix

Single-family homes on narrow lots, rowhouses, and grand historic apartment buildings — the district's period of significance runs from the late 1800s to the early 1920s, and it shows. A lot of the older homes have been converted into duplexes and apartments, which means upper units up a full flight of stairs, small landings, and tight turns inside. Historic apartment buildings have real character and real quirks: narrow hallways, older elevators (or none), and entry stairs.

For move day, the housing mix means stairs and carries are the norm, not the exception. A ground-floor ranch move in Ocean View and a second-floor Ghent duplex are different jobs even with the same furniture — tell us about the stairs when you book so the crew is sized right.

Who moves here

Medical staff and students (EVMS and Sentara are right there), ODU faculty and staff, young professionals who want walkability, historic-home buyers, and renters in the converted duplex and apartment stock. About 15 minutes from Naval Station Norfolk, so it pulls military families too — especially officers and medical personnel.

Rowhouses with narrow driveways in Ghent Norfolk VA

Move-day realities

Parking is the whole game. Residential street parking in Ghent requires permits from the City of Norfolk — they're renewed online through the city's parking portal, and current permits expire May 31 each year. If you're moving in, get your residential permit sorted so your own car has a legal spot. For the moving truck itself: Norfolk's General Use Permit covers move-in/move-out temporary parking — contact the city's right-of-way (ROW) inspector at least 48 hours before move day so "No Stopping" signs get posted to hold your curb space. Without the signs, nobody can be towed to make room. On Ghent's narrow streets, that held curb space is the difference between a smooth load and a double-parked headache.

Driveways are one car wide. Most Ghent homes have narrow one-car driveways — the truck usually won't fit in them. Plan on street parking for the truck and a longer carry from the door. Tell us your street when you book and we'll work out truck placement with you.

Historic-district quirks. Mature street trees mean low branches — watch truck height on tree-lined blocks. Setbacks are tight, so keep the path clear and don't block sidewalks. Inside the older homes and converted buildings, expect narrow stairwells and tight turns; measure your biggest pieces (couches, mattresses, dressers) against the stairwell before move day.

Tidal flooding near The Hague. Parts of Ghent near The Hague waterfront see tidal flooding during storms — check the flood maps for the specific address when you're choosing a place, and plan ground-floor storage accordingly.

Protect the floors and the woodwork. Older hardwood floors and original trim scratch and dent — clear a wide path through the house before move day, and move the small stuff (lamps, plants, boxes you can carry) yourself the night before so the crew's carries are clean.

Apartment and duplex moves. If you're renting in a converted building, check with your building management or landlord about elevator scheduling and move-day parking rules before you book. That's a customer-side check — but doing it early avoids a move-day surprise.

Moving truck parked on a narrow Ghent street on move day

Getting there: bases and traffic

Naval Station Norfolk is about 15 minutes away, and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story is reachable to the east. Ghent sits central — downtown is minutes away, and the Tide light rail serves the area, which matters if anyone in the household is commuting without a second car. If your move crosses to Portsmouth, the tolled Downtown Tunnel (I-264, $1.94 off-peak / $2.50 peak with E-ZPass) and Midtown Tunnel (US-58, $1.85 off-peak / $2.33 peak) both have peak hours from 5:30–9 AM and 2:30–7 PM — a morning slot that clears the tunnel early is the smart play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about moving to Ghent? Call or text 757-330-0008.

Do I need a parking permit to move into Ghent?

Your car will need a City of Norfolk residential parking permit for Ghent's residential streets — renewed online through the city's parking portal (current permits expire May 31 each year). For the moving truck, use Norfolk's General Use Permit process: contact the ROW inspector at least 48 hours ahead so "No Stopping" signs hold your curb space.

How do I hold curb space for the moving truck?

Contact Norfolk's right-of-way (ROW) inspector at least 48 hours before move day under the city's General Use Permit for move-in/move-out temporary parking. The city posts "No Stopping" signs to hold the space — that's what lets other cars be moved if they're in the way.

Will a moving truck fit in a Ghent driveway?

Usually not — most Ghent driveways are one car wide. Plan on the truck parking at the curb and a longer carry to the door. Give us your street when you book and we'll plan the placement with you.

Is Ghent in a flood zone?

Parts near The Hague waterfront see tidal flooding during storms. Check the flood maps for the specific address before you commit — it varies block by block.

What's the hardest part of a Ghent move?

Stairs and parking, in that order. Converted duplexes and historic apartment buildings mean full flights of stairs and tight turns, and the narrow streets mean the truck needs a planned spot. Both are solvable — they just need to be planned, not discovered on move day.

Moving to Ghent, Norfolk VA

The housing mix

Move-day realities

Getting there: bases and traffic

Our service

Frequently Asked Questions

Our rates

Moving to Ghent?