I just moved into VA Beach sandwiched in between Oceana and Dam Neck about two weeks ago. Ocean Lakes, to be specific, and in the short while I was there before leaving again (I'm up in Maine right now for some time in the great outdoors...heh) the commute to NOB wasn't bad (a fast-seeming 40 minutes with moderate traffic), VA Beach seemed like it was much nicer than Norfolk, and it was close to the beach with a frickin LONG boardwalk (it's a good 10 mile run from my house, up the boardwalk, and back). I'd recommend it, but that's speaking on only two weeks experience...so take it with a grain of salt.