In keeping with the superlative nature of most of the military installations in Hampton Roads, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) is the oldest continuously operating hospital in the Navy. Construction began on Building Number One in 1827 with the help of over half a million bricks from the Revolutionary-era Fort Nelson that previously stood on that spot. The hospital saw its first patients in 1830, and construction officially wrapped up in 1833. The beautiful domed building with its regal columns is a local treasure and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, NMCP has expanded to include its current state-of-the-art facility on the banks of the Elizabeth River, nine branch clinics dispersed throughout the entire Hampton Roads area, and an array of teaching and research facilities. The “First and Finest” is charged with the health and well-being of over 420,000 active duty members, their families, and retirees in the region. The base consists of the hospital complex, some barracks, a small base housing area, a “mini-exchange,” and an ID card facility (that is much more convenient and less crowded than NS Norfolk’s). For more robust base amenities and services you’ll need travel to nearby Naval Station Norfolk. Privatized housing is available in many of the Hampton Roads cities, but a lot of families opt to skip the wait list and look for homes in a Southside community. A knowledgeable real estate agent can be a huge help in this region.