I hope you like military, people who don't know how to drive, dumb tourists, and stuck up snobs. Lived here my whole life and can't wait to get out. Good luck finding a place to rent for a decent price, I'm moving to Atlanta in the spring and the apartments are less expensive there than they are here in VB. Virginia Beach in general can be really hit or miss as for rough neighborhoods. There can be trailer parks next to million dollar houses. (For the most part though avoid living closer to the Norfolk border... and if you decide to live in a nearby town, avoid Porstmouth. Never live in Portsmouth.)

-If you go to the oceanfront avoid any street below 30th (unless you want to check out the tourist trap shops at the board walk wich is something like 1st to 25th street (the indoor glow in the dark mini put place down there is a total sham, don't do it, trust me. go to Jungle Golf instead.) In the winter they have huge Christmas light displays on the boardwalk you can drive through which is actually pretty neat and worth going to see at least once. -Chix beach (the Bay) is a local favorite and on shore drive. -Ocean breeze is the local water park (also has putput and go karts) -Busch Gardens is a great theme park and only 45 min away (most of the people I know get a season pass so I highly recommend going at least once) -The Aquarium / Va Living Museum are worth checking out -Lynnhaven Mall (Lynnhaven 18) has one of the better movie theaters (but a crappy food court-- if you want a big 3 story mall go to MaCarthur Mall in Norfolk [you have to pay for parking there though]) -Jerry's Artarama is the best art store around VB if you're into art -Lazer Quest has lazer tag, -Mt. Trashmore is a man made hill with tons of walking paths/park/skating park. People often fly kites here -Seashore stake park is on the bay and has camping and great biking trails -Botanical Gardens in Norfolk is amazing - I'm NOT a club person but Peabody's, Eagle's Nest (a country bar with a bull ride), Wanna B's Karaoke, Funny Bone Comedy Club are all pretty well known. Murphy's Irish Pub at the ocean front is good too.

-Food: Five 01 City Bar and Grill ($), Scotty Quixx (dive bar) ($), Lynnhaven Fish House ($$$), Watermans (famous Orange Crush) ($$), The Beach Pub (local fish) ($) , Aldos ($$), Captian Greorges ($$$), YNot Pizza ($), Taste Unlimited ($), Bravo's ($$), Bonefish Grill ($$), Volcano Sushi ($), PF Chang's, Yard House (very popular bar) ($), Ruth Schris ($$), Mccmormin and Schmicks ($$)

I tried putting prices off the top of my head. There are lots of other fun things like paint and pots and crafty and nerdy and sports related things but that's what I could think of in the spur of the moment. I hope you enjoy your time in the area more than I have!