Regardless of the other factors people consider, everyone has a budget to which they must, Read More The 20 Most Affordable Places to Live in or around New EnglandContinue. Of course, the same is true for nearly every place in Virginia. We love smaller lesser-known cities that have a lot to offer. There are plenty of activities, including both a senior center and Southwest Virginia Higher Education Centers College for Older Adults. Chincoteague is an island town on Virginia's northeast side that boasts a more straightforward way of life with well-manicured streets and unspoiled natural environments. If you want to live in one of the best beach towns in the U.S. with tons of unique shops, art galleries on every corner, beaches you can relax on, and restaurants to fit any food mood, then living in Laguna Beach might be perfect for you! Another great kayaking trip is the Paddle Your Glass Off tour, a guided paddling expedition through the Bay waters to Chatham Vineyards, where youll take a scenic break for a little wine tasting. These watermen have been working the rich waters of the Chesapeake Bay for generations, and their deep roots are apparent in the unique dialect spoken on the island, a form of English not heard anywhere else in the world. Virginia Beach 3,092 Beaches By JustCho2 Where to Stay/Eat: Stay in the downtown area at the Hotel Cape Charlesor The Bay Haven Inn and get a taste of the local seafood at either The Shanty or the Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery, followed by a little dessert at Brown Dog Ice Cream. Jump in your car and drive 137 miles Southeast of Richmond and youll find another city in Virginia. Its becoming something new. The town was historically a bustling port town, with steamboats traveling between Baltimore and Norfolk stopping in the waterfront community for supplies and rest. A low cost of living and quiet lifestyle make this one of the best retirement communities in Virginia. Most residents own their homes here and there is a small-town feel in the middle of the city. History and culture make Roanoke a great location for your Virginia state retirement. Not to mention, Norfolk based breweries like Smartmouth Brewing and OConnor Brewing Co are turning the city into a beer drinkers paradise. Residents benefit from a booming economy, an unemployment rate of 3.6%, a health-conscious culture, and the lowest tax rate in the Hampton Roads region. But along with the charmingly quaint historic communities of Williamsburg and Chantilly, youll find enough vibrant, fast-paced, hedonistic destinations to please even the most forward-thinking city slicker. Virginia Economic Development Partnership Visit www.vedp.org. Beaufort. Live everyday like you're on vacation in these American coastal towns with spectacular views and bargain prices. I fully agree, I was born here and still here. Dont worry though, locals say you get pretty accustomed to the shrieks and roars of the jets knifing their way through the sky. Norfolk is a great place for families. Virginia Beach is in Virginia Beach City County and is one of the best places to live in Virginia. When not underground in the caves,. When not underground in the caves . Today, Occoquan is an artists' community, featuring shops, dining, ghost walks, boating, and fishingall with brick sidewalks lit by old-fashioned gaslights. Best Places to Live in Newport News, Virginia. The region offers more than 100 golf courses within 30 miles. Sunny Places to Escape the Winter Blues. Of its population of 74,627, 23% have a master's degree or higher, 34% have a bachelor's degree, and a further 21% have a college or associate degree. Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which. Virginia is without a doubt one of the best places to live. Be sure to share your thoughts with us and join in on the conversation by leaving a comment. Best places to live in Virginia include Arlington, Alexandria, Abingdon, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk. Mountains, hiking, and nature: Staunton is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian Mountains. Look it up. Perhaps one of the most unique areas within the state of Virginia is the town of Luray, which houses Luray Caverns, the largest caverns on the East Coast. A national poll voted Chincoteague as America's seventh favorite small town. It's possible to find a four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhome with ocean views, right on the sand starting around $300,000. Powered by Mai Theme, 17 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes You Must Try. Chestertown Home to Washington College, this town's restored 18th- and 19th-century rowhouses and cobblestone streets abut the picturesque Chester River. The best neighborhoods to live in Alexandria include those listed below: Taylor Run (Average Home Value: $275,000 to $1+ million) Taylor Run is an attractive area for families and young professionals with parks, restaurants, and coffee shops. It has a thriving economy, excellent schools, plenty of recreational opportunities, and high quality of life. Founded in 1680 as Port Scarborough, it has been called the Coolest Town in the South by Budget Travel and the #1 Small Town in Virginia by CitiesJournal.com. Not to mention, it's an affordable place to live on the East Coastthe median home price in Virginia Beach is $262,200, and the median monthly rent is $1,258. Williamsburg is a town in Virginia founded back in 1632. The town also has a lively music scene and many wineries. 6. Blacksburg is a small town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ogunquit, Maine. Perfect for: families with a high-income looking for a small-town feel with easy access to Federal government jobs. And, as always, if you find yourself needing a helping hand as youre packing for your big move, dont hesitate to give us a call. Sun Set Beach Resort, Cape Charles. Arlington is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. The retirement hub is Hilton Head, with many upscale communities aimed at retiring baby boomers. Colonial Beach is one of the best beach towns in Virginia. So you're unlikely to get bored while enjoying your golden years . This riverside town may have a population of less than 1,000, but it does not fall short of charm. That might be true, but even great leaders can get tired of low salaries, high living costs, and kids whod rather be anywhere else, Read More The 20 Best Places for Teachers to Live in the U.S.Continue, Life as a single mom isnt always easy. It was known traditionally as the US Horse and Hunt Capital as it played an active role in steeplechases, foxhunting, and had large estates. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Radford. The city also offers a wide range of educational opportunities after high school, including trade schools and universities. 158,309 16. For more information, see our Form ADV Part II and other disclosures. #5 Places with the Best Public Schools in Virginia Blacksburg Town in Virginia 184 reviews Current Resident: Blacksburg is a classic small town with a lot of local businesses and restaurants to support. Today, art is just as much a part of Richmond as its history is, tattoos can be spotted on hipster skin as frequent as murals on the citys walls and coffee and craft beer flow with as much ferocity as the James River. The idea of kicking off your shoes after work and walking along the beach is pretty appealing to us and we imagine it is to you too. Come Visit! Luray, VA. 4,842. Re: smaller coastal towns. Virginia Beach is first and foremost for the beach lover. Hampton Bays, N.Y. Hampton Bays, N.Y., ranked 160th nationally. The average price for a home in Williamsburg is just over $300,000, lower than the state median. The downtown area has lots of local shops carrying everything from handcrafted jewelry to homemade ice cream. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. If youre convinced enough of Viennas merits to make it your next home, youd better start saving: thanks to the ever-increasing popularity of the town, its average property price stands at a hefty $662,200. The town has a rich colonial history and many historical sites and museums. But Williamsburg personifies the answer to the question, is Virginia a good place to live? Youll get access to museums, antique shops, and restaurants, as well as a growing over-65 population. 4. The cost of living is low, making it an excellent place for families or those on a budget. South Beach, Daytona and Myrtle Beach have their perks but these small towns, nominated for Best Coastal Small Town, offer a calm and charm that is hard to find in more heavily populated areas . Another one of Frommer's Best Small Towns in Virginia. More than 175 colleges and universities are in the Commonwealth. Lined with historic homes and buildings, the streets of Lexington retain the beauty of days gone by, making it easy to see why this town has been recognized by both Frommers and CitiesJournal as one of Virginias Best Small Towns. The town's small population mainly work as watermen, harvesting fresh seafood from the surrounding Bay waters. However, many people tend to agree that one of the most scenic towns in the state is Crozet. Her academic degrees include AA social Sci/BA English/MEd Adult Ed & Community & Human Resource Development and ABD in PhD studies in Indust & Org Psychology. Thanks to its easy proximity to the states capital, Viennas lucky residents get to enjoy all the joys of the big city while raising their kids in a safe, peaceful environment. To empower a confident, worry-free retirement for everyone. Virginia Beach. Fredericksburg was established in 1671 and is located in the Northern Virginia region of the state. The 20 Best Places to Live in South Africa. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Official Tourism Blog Of The Commonwealth Of VirginiaCopyright 2023 Virginia Tourism Corporation, 901 E. Cary St., Suite 900, Richmond, Va 23219. . Lexington is a beautiful town to call home: full of historic buildings and southern charm. Wachapreague is a tiny Victorian-era town with a population of only 200 permanent residents, and is surrounded by farmland, woods, water, and some of the only undeveloped wetlands and barrier islands in the Mid-Atlantic. Situated on the border of Virginia and Washington, the vibrant atmosphere of Arlington makes it a hugely attractive proposition to Virginias new wave of bright young things. Bird watching is also a big draw, especially during spring and fall migrations when thousands of birds take flight through the region. Studded with awe-inspiring landscapes, crammed with wildlife, and blessed with some of the most diverse, vibrant cities on the continent, it offers, Read More The 20 Best Places to Live in South AfricaContinue, They say that behind every good teacher is a great leader. Special events and cultural attractions will give you plenty to do. This means that there are plenty of job opportunities for Arlington residents. Blue Ridge, Ridge and Valley & Appalachian Plateau. Middleburg. Just 25 miles west of Virginia Beach exists the states second largest city, Norfolk. The first state to be settled in 1607, Virginia has a rich history, culture and heritage to delve into lots of spellbinding scenery. Their web site has section that shows only pet friendly rental. Get more stories delivered right to your email. You can retire to the beach, the suburbs, a small town, or the mountains. 4/15. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any decisions based on your own personal circumstances. There are plenty of hiking and biking trails and other recreational opportunities. Here are the best places to live in Virginia. Choosing where to live is one of the biggest decisions youll make for yourself and your family. Next: 10. For lake living you can look at Moneta and Huddleston, both near Smith Mountain Lake. Some of them are right on the coast where in the summertime you can literally kick off your dress shoes after work and go for a walk along the beach. In general, residents here are outdoorsy and enjoy horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, waterskiing and stand-up paddleboarding during . Situated right at the top of Virginia and bordering the Potomac River, which separates it from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is one of the most historical cities in the state. Providing you dont have a pointy hat, a broomstick, and a black cat at your heels, youre likely to be left spellbound by the pretty little city of Salem. Several! 6.4 Quality of Life. This was followed by a coveted #8 spot in USA Today and 10 Bests Readers Choice for Best Coastal Small Towns. While its median home price of $383,900 is half that of other prime locations such as Venice (more on which coming up), its close proximity to Mason Neck State Park, the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and Pohick Bay Regional Park guarantees its residents the kind of overdoor lifestyle other towns would kill for. The old town area is home to colonial-era architecture and cobblestone streets, giving you a real taste of American history. We know. The area is perhaps best known as home to Virginia Tech University, which gives you the amenities typically found in a college town without the chaos of the big city. The facility also has a free museum where you can learn about previous rocket launches and the science behind the missions. Regardless of what youre looking for, theres sure to be a place in Virginia thats perfect for you. Richmond As you explore some of the best cities to live in Virginia, don't neglect the capital. Sure, theres a lot of farms, and yes, theres a lot of cows. That depends on your budget and preferences. With a population of just over 8,000, this charming small town is surrounded by natural beauty, including the start (or finish, depending on your direction) of the.