OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Fredericksburg was established in 1671 and is located in the Northern Virginia region of the state. Virginia Beach, Virginia. 2022 Retirable Inc. All rights reserved. The best American east coast beach towns to live in are the following: Daytona Beach, Florida. Retirable specializes in helping people come up with a plan that will ensure theyre well prepared for their later years. With that said, if youre wanting to call Virginia Beach home, you better be okay with maneuvering around tourists in the summertime, it comes with the territory of living in a vacation hot spot. Middleburg in Loudoun County has been listed at the top of Frommer's Best Small Towns in Virginia. Population: 23,204 Home Price: $1,390,500 median purchase price; $2,028 median monthly rent Crime Rate: Safer than 31% of cities in the U.S. Median Income: $81,263. Charlottesville is a town in the Commonwealth of Virginia with two high-ranking hospitals and a massive Downtown Mall. Its becoming something new. Virginia Beach offers well, beaches. Grandview Beach, Hampton, VA. 8. More than 175 colleges and universities are in the Commonwealth. Another Washington, D.C. suburb, Alexandria is on the list of best places in Virginia for waterfront living. The housing and rent is affordable for young professionals raising kids and with being a short drive from Virginia Beach and Washington D.C., youll never run out of things to do with your kiddos. With a population of around 42,000, it is home to Virginia Tech, one of the largest universities in the state. The median rent is $1,951, and the median home price is a steep $598,500. Abingdon, named after Martha Washingtons ancestral home in England, became a town in 1778 and today its historic downtown is home to a thriving arts and culture scene, featuring venues like the historic Barter Theatre, as well as galleries, museums, and markets. The historic downtown: Stauntons historic downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Vienna is beautiful, quaint, safe, and bursting at the seams with great people. The region offers more than 100 golf courses within 30 miles. NASA Wallops Island Flight Facility Visitor Center, 10 Must Do Hikes in Shenandoah National Park, 8 Exclusive Luxury Retreats For a Pampered Virginia Getaway, 10 Gorgeous Glamping Destinations in Virginia for a Luxury Outdoor Experience, WanderLove: A Road Trip From Fredericksburg To Virginias Northern Neck, 15 Memorable Holiday Road Trips to Virginias Most Festive Towns, The Top Spots to View Virginias Colorful Foliage Throughout the Fall, 18 Relaxing Wellness Retreats and Getaways in Virginia, Hiking with Kids: 10 Family-Friendly Trails in Virginia, WanderLove: A Road Trip From Norfolk to Virginias Eastern Shore, 20 Virginia Summits with 360 Degree Views, 10 Best 2-3 Day Virginia Backpacking Trips on the Appalachian Trail. These beautiful animals were made famous in the book and subsequent movie, Misty of Chincoteague, and the town houses a museum that tells the true story behind the ponies. Numbers 1 and 2 don't require much explanation - the population and dates speak for themselves. Fredericksburg Every corner of Fredericksburg is loaded with history. Newport News, Virginia is a charming city located on the Chesapeake Bay. Anything you cant find in Falls Church will be available in nearby D.C., which is a short 20-minute drive away. Corolla/Currituck Beach. Nothing to keep you from moving there, but just something to keep in mind as you make your decision. Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore, Meetings & Conventions, Travel Ideas / March 2, 2018 by Patricia Keppel / 23 Comments. At first glance, Richmond has the perfect canvas to be an amazing city. The history: Alexandria is home to some of the most historical sites in the state, including George Washingtons birthplace and Mount Vernon, the home of Americas first president. Its also home to Virginia Tech, which brings even more to the local economy. The schools: Arlington has award-winning schools, with many ranking at the top of their respective categories. As Niche notes, most residents are highly educated (21% have a masters degree or higher, 31% have a bachelors degree, and a further 23% have a college or associates degree), while those that havent yet completed their education stand a very good chance of progressing to the same level thanks to an excellent, well-funded school system that comprises of such well regarded schools as Loudoun County High School, Evergreen Elementary School, and Heritage High School. Looking for the top place to live in Virginia? There are plenty of activities, including both a senior center and Southwest Virginia Higher Education Centers College for Older Adults. Recognized by Only in Your State as one of the best places in Virginia for millennials, Virginia Beachs vibrant urban atmosphere, ample activities, shopping opportunities, historical sites, beautiful beaches, and cultural events make it just as big a draw to the old as it is to the young. Affordability: The cost of living is low, making it a great place to live for those on a budget. Alexandria CITY POPULATION: 159,428 SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 13.9% The town combines history with big-city life, bringing buildings from the 1700s together with shopping and dining. Famous for its historic charm, young professionals can feel right at home in cozy apartments in old beautifully renovated brick buildings and factories without paying an arm and a leg at an average rent of $1,000 for a two bedroom, Richmond is very doable (especially if youre cool with having a roommate). The city known for being one of the most historical places in the United States its actually among one of our countrys oldest major cities is now taking on a completely new face. With this state, the most difficult roadblock youll run into will be choosing which amazing city to call home. The first Colonial capital of North Carolina, this 300-year-old town is replete with wonderfully restored historical homes and buildings. The best place to retire in Virginia is Martinsville. How to Pack for a Move (Without Going Crazy). Lovers of the great outdoors might prefer the beach or mountains, but big-city, suburban, and small-town options are also available. Ocracoke Island. . Coastal Plain. The median home value is $410,300, while the median rental price is $1,794. Today, the town is filled with stunning Victorian-era homes and local boutique shops. Save. The schools: Youll have access to a first-class school system. Eat at Bills Prime Seafood & Steaks, followed by a few scoops at Island Creamery, ranked the best ice cream in America by TripAdvisor. However, the competition was fierce to say the least. 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 . Throughout the city, youll find hundreds of sculptures of mermaids, the citys unofficial mascot of sorts. Living in Norfolk is roughly half of what it costs to live in Washington D.C. A one bedroom spot in Washington D.C. is going to cost you about $2,000, whereas a one bedroom in Norfolk is going run just $1,000/month. Regent University. Hanalei Bay, HI (Photo: Eli Duke via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0) Hawaii has enough charming beach towns to fill out this entire list twice over but Hanalei is in a league of its own. 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. 1. 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. There are plenty of hiking and biking trails and other recreational opportunities. If you can find a more affordable city with access to amenities, you may be able to enjoy the best of all possible worlds. Onancock is quite possibly one of the greatest hidden gems of the Eastern Shore. . As such, its important that you pick a place with all the features and amenities that are most important to you. Surrounded on all sides by Virginia wine and horse country, Warrenton enjoys one of the most idyllic spots in the state. Hello, everyone who enjoys and appreciates our USA, the coastal VA rugged life style and its rich history Alexandria is located right at the states northern tip and borders the Potomac River with Washington D.C. Named by Southern Living as one of the best North Carolina beach towns, Beaufort is a small, charming harbor town with a list of perks a mile long. Bald Head Island. First settled in the 1700s, Chincoteague gained the spotlight in the late 1940s with the publication of Misty of Chincoteague, a story about one of the islands now-famous wild ponies. Richmond, Virginia is for those that march to the beat of their own drums. 18 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 1. Low crime rates, high levels of well-being, excellent walkability, fair tax rates, a good healthcare system, and some exceptional schools are among the many reasons Alexandria ranks as one of the most desirable places to live in Virginia. (And if you're looking for a little laugh, check out these 17 reasons you should never, ever move to Virginia.). When it comes to the best small towns in Virginia, Occoquan certainly fits the bill. The shopping: Alexandria is home to some of the best shopping in Northern Virginia, with a number of high-end boutiques and restaurants. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you are looking for quaint towns in Virginia put this on your list. If youre looking for a beachfront break without the crowds, plan a vacation to one of these five small towns on the Eastern Shore. The university: Blacksburg is home to Virginia Tech, which brings many cultural and economic benefits to the town. In Virginia Beach there are a lot of restaurants, coffee . If you want to live in a town that feels more like a quaint mountain town, Roanoke is the perfect place for you. Explore Virginia's Cities and Towns. Fairfax County has some of the very best public schools in the nation. Arlington. As youd expect, unemployment and poverty figures are both correspondingly low, coming in at 5.3% and 3.8% respectively. Weve said it before and well say it again. In 2nd place position with a population of 5,906, a median home value of $209,200, and an unemployment rate of 3.3% is the diminutive Bridgewater. Read the Magazine Quick Facts Average Household Income $73,549 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. Beach lovers looking for the best cities to live in Virginia will likely gravitate toward Virginia Beach. Number 3: it's one of the best neighborhoods in Virginia Beach. Whether you visit a small town for outdoor loversor head to the best foodie destinations, Virginias charming small towns welcome you to discover a unique vacation experience. Edenton Edenton | Photo Copyright: Lana Law Set on Albemarle Sound, Edenton is a peaceful escape from the stress of everyday life. With excellent outdoor activities on its doorstep (including excellent hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, winter skiing and snow-tubing opportunities at Shenandoah National Park) and an abundance of first-class restaurants, boutiques, wineries, and other recreational pursuits, we anticipate an even higher position on our list for the popular town in the years to come. 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. Boasting gorgeous beaches, fantastic boardwalks, and lively nightlife, there's something for everyone in this vibrant coastal city. This is Virginia's only resort island and is considered the most beautiful, providing plenty of space to unwind and explore. If you want to join the happy little community, dont expect much change from $379,900 for a single-family home- living in a town this desirable comes with a hefty price tag. How long will $100,000 last me in retirement. Located less than an hour from Washington, D.C., and only 35 minutes from Dulles Airport, it provides a perfect blend of new and old, urban and historical.