The 10 Best Places to Retire in Virginia in 2021 - NewHomeSource The median household income in Arlington is $105,763. The locals are really nice and are generally accepting of college students. Access to the top of the lighthouse is open to the public during select visiting hours. Between VCUs world-renowned art school, affordable living and impressive career opportunities, young professionals are moving to the city in droves. Staunton is no stranger to praise. Even though Anna has lived other places, somehow Virginia is where she always seems to land. 158,309 16. Here are four Virginia Beach neighborhoods that you should take a look at if you're planning on retiring in Virginia Beach. Despite its tiny size, Bridgewater has more to its name than many towns twice its size, with enough by way of leisure and recreational facilities to keep even the most demanding city slicker happy. Virginia has its share of suburban sprawl and terrible traffic, but its still a great place to call home. (But Williamsburg can get quite hot and humid in the summer. 10 best coastal small towns across the United States - USA TODAY 10Best 1. The next entry to our list is one for the Golden Oldies. It is affordable with excellent healthcare and education systems. Los Angeles. With all of these favorable factors considered, it's easy to see why Virginia is frequently recognized as one of the best places to live or retire in the Southeast. 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. Williamsburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Holiday Inn in Exmore is pet friendly.It is about Midway up the VA Eastern Shore. Charleston, SC. 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. Fintech company SmartAsset compared data for 218 beach towns and put together a list of the most affordable 50.. Middleburg in Loudoun County has been listed at the top of Frommers Best Small Towns in Virginia. 25 Most Affordable Beach Towns in the U.S. | Far & Wide The best towns in Virginia for history lovers 1. Its most famous for theUniversity of Virginia and Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Fredericksburg Every corner of Fredericksburg is loaded with history. It has all the amenities and attractions you would expect from a larger city while still maintaining a close-knit community feel. The town was historically a bustling port town, with steamboats traveling between Baltimore and Norfolk stopping in the waterfront community for supplies and rest. 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. Begin with our list of the top coastal towns in North Carolina. Centrally located on the Chesapeake Bay side of the Eastern Shore, Onancock is an inviting small town that was founded in 1680. Blue Ridge, Ridge and Valley & Appalachian Plateau. But, more than this, Richmond is for young professionals too with 7 fortunate 500 companies headquartered there, the opportunity for career growth is endless. Onancock is quite possibly one of the greatest hidden gems of the Eastern Shore. How Much Do Movers Cost in 2022? The 25 Best Places to Live on the East Coast in 2022-2023 7). smaller coastal towns - Virginia Forum - Tripadvisor Or families looking for a reasonable commute and excellent schools. The only ferry to Tangier Island from the shore departs from Onancock, giving you access to yet another incredible small town on the Eastern Shore. But theres also gorgeous landscapes, sprawling metropolises, and a lot of very friendly folk who, Read More The 10 Cheapest Places to Live in WisconsinContinue, People have different criteria when choosing where to live, depending on their lifestyle, personal preference, stage of life, and employment. Best Places To Live In Virginia In 2023: Top 5 Old Dominion Cities La Vida Nomad | Sitemap, 11 Best Beach Towns to Live in North Carolina. Considered one of the. Tangier Island lies twelve miles off the western coast of the Eastern Shore in the Chesapeake Bay and is known as America's "Soft Crab Capital". Boasting gorgeous beaches, fantastic boardwalks, and lively nightlife, there's something for everyone in this vibrant coastal city. Read the Magazine Quick Facts Average Household Income $73,549 The town's small population mainly work as watermen, harvesting fresh seafood from the surrounding Bay waters. If youre looking for a charming community with plenty of conveniences, Fredericksburg may be the right place for you. Its a city for creatives, artists and entrepreneurs looking to escape the big bustling cities and replace it with a hidden gem with plenty of historic charm in the midst of a renaissance. In fact, Onancock was called "the Gem of the Eastern Shore" by none other than Captain John Smith himself. With this state, the most difficult roadblock youll run into will be choosing which amazing city to call home. In general, residents here are outdoorsy and enjoy horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, waterskiing and stand-up paddleboarding during . The 10 Best Places To Live In Virginia: Top Picks to Live, Work, and Virginia Economic Development Partnership Visit www.vedp.org. Vivamus integer non suscipit taciti mus etiam at primis tempor sagittis euismod libero facilisi. Obviously the lake is a big draw in the summer . Perfect for: Families or retirees who love nature and are looking for a low cost of living. 15 Best Places to Live in Virginia - The Crazy Tourist Every May, the town hosts the Heart of Virginia Festival, a festival where local businesses like Buffalo Creek Guitars come together with vendors and musicians from around the country to provide arts and crafts, traditional foods, music, and fireworks. A growing population puts Blacksburg on the list of Virginia's best places to live for some. The median home price is $656,500, nearly double the median for the rest of the state. Number 2: it's one of the biggest neighborhoods in Virginia Beach. Leesburg is a high-demand town, which means home prices will be higher than the national average. Awesome fun coastal town with farmers markets, festivals, shopping and about 1000 residents. $102,227 17. Arlington is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. The best American east coast beach towns to live in are the following: Daytona Beach, Florida. 11 Charming Small Towns to Explore Along the Chesapeake Bay What is the most scenic town in Virginia? Enjoy a stay in Chincoteague at the Channel Bass Inn Bed & Breakfast or the towns first boutique hotel, the Marina Bay Hotel & Suites. The historic downtown offers an array of specialty shops, boutiques, art galleries, antiques, and more, along with a surprisingly large selection of local restaurants and cafes. Dana has extensive professional writing experience including technical and report writing, informational articles, persuasive articles, contrast and comparison, grant applications, and advertisement. The Best Beach Towns to Retire in the U.S. - US News & World Report The charming downtown area includes art museums and a pedestrian mall, and the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains offer all the outdoor recreation you could want. With its impressive variety of landscapes, countless activities, adventures to be had, food to be eaten, and memories to be made, Virginia is a true gem. Median Income: $81,263. There are plenty of activities, including both a senior center and Southwest Virginia Higher Education Centers College for Older Adults. The median home value is $410,300, while the median rental price is $1,794. Perfect for: Families who want a safe and affordable place to live or retirees looking for a quiet and beautiful town to spend their golden years. 10 Best Places to Retire in Virginia - SmartAsset Home Living like a local The Best Places to Live in Virginia (A 2022 Guide). Local tip: Evergrain Bread Company (201-203 High St.; 410-778-3333) has some of the flakiest croissants this side of the Seine. Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.7%. The end result? From the beautiful corners of Southwest Virginia to the far Eastern Shore, youll find some of the best and most beautiful small towns in Virginia. Retiring in Virginia means beautiful landscapes and reduced taxes. If youre looking for a beachfront break without the crowds, plan a vacation to one of these five small towns on the Eastern Shore. History and culture make Roanoke a great location for your Virginia state retirement. They include Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Floridaand all have. A mammoth median property price of $485,000. 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. 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 . Visitors can enjoy the great outdoors with kayaking, paddle boarding . All are walking distance to restaurants and shops! In fact, when you visit Crozet, you won't be far from the countless hiking trails in Shenandoah National Park. To see Virginia's other best of the best cities, take a look below. Middleburg is a popular town in Virginia that is located in Loudoun County. The town has a rich history and a variety of attractions that make it a popular destination for tourists and families alike. The towns most popular place to dine is the Wachapreague Island House Restaurant, and for an overnight stay you can either book a room at the Wachapreague Inn or travel just a few miles up the road to the Garrison Bed & Breakfast. Gordon Bell / Shutterstock. Well send you a 5% discount code to use whenever you are ready to get moving. Hi Rhonda, Im considering purchasing a home in Wachapreague. People watch out for each other here, they teach their children to be respectful of others and things.. Virginia has dozens of small towns that offer endless charm, hospitality, and memorable adventures. Best Beach Towns in America - 23 of the Most Charming Beach Towns The 20 Best Places to Live in Virginia - Money Inc What makes Virginia such a lovely home state is that there is truly something for everyone here. Between Richmonds aesthetic and agreeable weather, it has quickly become a hotspot for millennials looking to escape the big city life without missing out on big city opportunity. 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. 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. 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. This is true, but it also just so happens to be a wonderful place to call home, too. #10. 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. Does anyone know if there are dog friendly hotels at any of the Virginia Eastern Shore areas? With that said, the one downside of Richmond is that there is a slightly higher crime rate there than the other two cities. Dont say we didnt warn you. In the past, weve highlighted hidden gems like Chattanooga and Austin as places we recommend calling home for their breadth of opportunity, affordability, hip funky culture and loads of entertainment. The surrounding counties of Stafford and Spotsylvania are more affordable than the downtown, with single-family homes available in the $250,000 range. 5.9 Job Market. These beach towns provide the resident and visitors a perfectly balanced beach experience. Sorry, but our waterfront home, Eagles View, is not pet friendly basically because of the amount of time the dogs would be left alone in the house while their families are at the beach, hiking the trails, eating out, etc. Alexandria CITY POPULATION: 159,428 SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 13.9% Roanoke is the smallest city on the list regarding population, but it makes up for its size with its unique appeal. 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. So why the popularity? 2022 Best Places to Live in Virginia - Niche Cape Charles is an excellent destination for wildlife lovers, as Kiptopeke State Park isright outside the town. Virginia staff writer for Only in Your State, freelance writer and journalist. And the people arent the only thing thats friendly rent is awfully friendly too. . Some vacation houses allow dogs, but be aware that you cannot take ANY pet, even confined in your car, onto Assateague Island. With a live theater, award-winning restaurants, local artists, craftsmen, sculptors, actors, dancers, musicians, and glassblowers, there's no shortage of things to see and do. It boasts the National Wildlife Refuge and cute ponies. 1. 1. There is also plenty to do outdoors, with miles of coastline for beach-goers, camping grounds, and trails for . 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. With a population of 16,378, Vienna is the kind of close-knit, family-friendly community that picket fence dreams are made of. 12 Best Cities in Virginia to Live and Visit - Touropia 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. Today, the town is filled with stunning Victorian-era homes and local boutique shops. Best Waterfront Communities in Virginia - PrivateCommunities.com Sign up for travel tips and inspiration delivered right to your inbox. This experience has given me a lot of knowledge in what questions to ask when selecting a mover and how to prepare for a move. Or folks can go inland a block or two and save big bucks on a beach. What's the average retirement income for 2022? Whether you're a history buff, art collector, wine enthusiast, beer aficionado, hiking lover, ghost hunter, bargain shopper, or anything in between, you'll find that Virginia has exactly what you're looking for. The historic town square may only cover six square blocks, but it is home to over 100 shops and restaurants, making Occoquan a small town with big-town convenience. Just 25 miles west of Virginia Beach exists the states second largest city, Norfolk. Sun Set Beach Resort, Cape Charles. 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. Where Black Americans Fare Best Economically - 2021 Study 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. 1. Located next to High Bridge Trail State Park and home to Longwood University, one of the nations oldest public institutions, Farmville is filled with history, quaint charm, friendly people, and high quality of life. The retirement hub is Hilton Head, with many upscale communities aimed at retiring baby boomers. Perfect for: Families who want a safe and friendly town to raise their children or young professionals who want to live near a large university. 17. In an article by ALT Daily, a Norfolk native writes, People friend you on Facebook before connecting with you on LinkedIn, and when you meet new people, not every conversation begins with, So, what do you do for a living?. The city also offers a wide range of educational opportunities after high school, including trade schools and universities. Affordability: The cost of living is low, making it a great place to live for those on a budget. The beautiful surroundings: The town is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, and there are plenty of parks and nature preserves to enjoy. Virginia Beach is first and foremost for the beach lover. Just across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Cape Charles is an idyllic small town that exudes endless character. Located in Historic Yorktown, Yorktown Beach offers guests both a relaxing day on the water and an energetic night at Riverwalk Landing, a popular dining and shopping experience for beachgoers. However, if youre asking us to weigh in, we have to give todays MVP to Richmond. Being that Norfolk is surrounded by the sea, legend has it that mermaids would actually guide battle-weary sailors back to safety after a war at sea. Richmond As you explore some of the best cities to live in Virginia, don't neglect the capital. Recognized by CitiesJournal as one of Virginias Best Small Towns and surrounded by natural beauty. Weighing in at 244,000 residents, there are plenty of benefits of living in Norfolk. The crime rate is so low as to be almost non-existent, the unemployment rate is at an all-time low of 2.9%, while the school system is one of the best in the state. These are river towns and not very touristy at all. A low cost of living and quiet lifestyle make this one of the best retirement communities in Virginia. Best Places to Live in Virginia Beach, Virginia Virginia Beach, Virginia is a popular summer destination for beachgoers and sun seekers alike. The city is home to a variety of historic sites, including George Washington's childhood home, Ferry Farm. Love Virginia? Live everyday like you're on vacation in these American coastal towns with spectacular views and bargain prices. 9 Best Beach Towns in Virginia - Southern Trippers If you love nature, youll feel right at home here. If you dont like the heat, you may want to consider another town.). in Best Places to Live #39. in Best Places to Retire; 6 Overall Rating. We are not at all surprised. During the spring, fall and summer months, everywhere you look people can be seen rollerblading, skimboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking and walking their dogs. By using this website, you accept our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. 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. The downtown: Lexington has a charming and historic downtown district worth exploring. The waterfront region is one of the best-kept secrets in the Commonwealth, boasting gorgeous beaches, incredible wildlife, and serene communities that welcome visitors to discover their quiet charm.