Why this home stands out
Few addresses in Hampton Roads put you this close to two major military installations without sacrificing the charm of a pre-war neighborhood. Built in 1940, this 1,528-square-foot home carries the architectural personality of its era — think solid construction, defined rooms, and proportions you simply don't find in newer builds — while sitting on a street where groceries, parks, and local restaurants are all within half a mile.
PRENTIS PARK and the Portsmouth real estate market
Portsmouth is one of Hampton Roads' most historically layered cities, and the area around Des Moines Ave reflects that depth. You're in the southern residential fabric of Portsmouth, close enough to the waterfront industrial heritage of the Shipyard corridor to feel the city's working-class roots, yet surrounded by tree-lined blocks of mid-century homes that have housed generations of Navy and civilian families alike. The broader Portsmouth community is known for its genuine neighborhood feel — people wave, front porches get used, and the pace is unhurried compared to the busier commercial corridors nearby. Turnpike Park is just three-tenths of a mile away, giving the immediate area a green anchor that keeps the streetscape from feeling dense. Portsmouth sits within the Hampton Roads metro, connected by bridge-tunnel and highway to Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Suffolk, making it a practical hub whether your daily orbit is military, medical, or civilian.
What's nearby
Daily errands are genuinely walkable from 1709 Des Moines Ave. Old Towne Market Place and Food Lion are both under half a mile, with Martha's Mini Mart rounding out your quick-stop options at the same distance. For a sit-down meal or takeout, China Ocean, America's Best Wings, and Jaliyah's are all within five minutes on foot. When you need a morning coffee or a late-night snack run, Cure and a 7-Eleven are about eight-tenths of a mile out. Staying active is easy too — the Effingham Street Family YMCA and Brikhouse Boxing and Fitness are both under a mile, and Turnpike Park, Scotts Creek Park, and Kinley Park give you three green spaces within six-tenths of a mile.
For different buyers
For military families relocating
Three minutes to Norfolk Naval Shipyard and three minutes to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth — it's hard to overstate how much that commute math changes daily life. Whether you're active-duty, a DoD civilian, or a medical professional at NMCP, 1709 Des Moines Ave puts you close enough to walk or bike on good days. A VA loan makes ownership here straightforward, and the neighborhood has a long history of welcoming military households.
For first-time buyers
If you're buying your first home, 1709 Des Moines Ave checks a lot of the boxes that matter most: a manageable 1,528 square feet, three bedrooms, and a location where you can walk to groceries and parks without a second thought. The 1940 construction means real plaster walls, hardwood potential, and bones that have already proven themselves over eight decades. Portsmouth's lower price points compared to neighboring Norfolk make this corner of Hampton Roads a smart place to plant roots.
More buyer questions
How far is 1709 Des Moines Ave from Norfolk Naval Shipyard?
Norfolk Naval Shipyard is approximately three minutes by car from 1709 Des Moines Ave, making it one of the closest residential addresses to the base's main gate in Portsmouth. On light-traffic mornings, the commute is short enough that some residents walk or bike.
How far is 1709 Des Moines Ave from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth?
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is also about three minutes away, placing 1709 Des Moines Ave in an unusually convenient position for both Shipyard and NMCP personnel or their families.
What is the flood risk at 1709 Des Moines Ave?
Flood zone information for this address is displayed in the dedicated FloodRisk tile on this page, which pulls current FEMA map data. We recommend reviewing that section and discussing it with your agent before making any decisions.
What architectural style is 1709 Des Moines Ave?
The home was built in 1940, placing it in the late pre-war residential construction period common throughout Portsmouth's older neighborhoods — typically characterized by compact, well-defined floor plans, sturdy framing, and traditional exterior proportions.
Are there parks near 1709 Des Moines Ave?
Yes — Turnpike Park is just 0.3 miles away, and both Scotts Creek Park and Kinley Park are within 0.6 miles, giving the neighborhood three accessible green spaces within easy walking distance.
Want to see 1709 Des Moines Ave in person? Tom and Dariya Milan at LPT Realty know this Portsmouth corridor well — reach out and they'll get you scheduled.
