In suburbs you're in a capsule, but in the city as soon as you step into the street you encounter something surprising. Convinced Some people have already been sold on downtown. Ned Massey IV, a single professional who has lived downtown for 10 years, said if more people knew they could move downtown, they would. The only drawback is the noise from revitalization projects. Landlords in once-depressed Ghent and Freemason lured residents back by renovating apartments and espousing the benefits of city living.
Downtown has a head start because some shops, restaurants and businesses already are there.
That's why Henn and his daughters moved downtown. And that's why Massey moved to the Fairfax. It was across the street from The Federal Building where he once worked, and he had no car. The trend toward loft apartments as pioneered by New York City has moved more slowly in smaller cities such as Norfolk. In smaller cities, convertible space is more limited, cultural and entertainment amenities are fewer and the commute from the suburbs is easier.