Although it only takes up 6 blocks and boasts a population under 1,000, this town is packed with history and surrounded by some of the most beautiful horse-country anywhere in the nation. So why the popularity? Few people who know Chincoteague Island will argue with this towns reign as one of the best towns in Virginia. Regardless of what your idea of the perfect city is, weve got something for everyone. The recreation: If you love outdoor activities, youll be in heaven in Roanoke. A low cost of living and quiet lifestyle make this one of the best retirement communities in Virginia. Looking for the top place to live in Virginia? $51,747.0. 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. Median Income: $81,263. Eat at Bills Prime Seafood & Steaks, followed by a few scoops at Island Creamery, ranked the best ice cream in America by TripAdvisor. Luray, VA. 4,842. Here are our top picks for livability in this beautiful state. Williamsburg is a town in Virginia founded back in 1632. Need further convincing? But, outside from the beaches, the city as a whole sports a very outdoor-centric culture. 18 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 1. The first state to be settled in 1607, Virginia has a rich history, culture and heritage to delve into lots of spellbinding scenery. Easton Located on the Virginia coast where the Chesapeake Bay collides with the Atlantic, Virginia Beach at surface level is a vacation hot spot. 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. The city is home to a variety of historic sites, including George Washington's childhood home, Ferry Farm. Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which. Founded in 1632, the town of Williamsburg has the kind of uniquely charming historic town center you could wander for hours without getting bored. Ocean View Beach, Norfolk, VA. 1. 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. (And if you're looking for a little laugh, check out these 17 reasons you should never, ever move to Virginia.). To empower a confident, worry-free retirement for everyone. The best place to live in Virginia for 2022 is Vienna. Its an exciting metamorphosis that can be felt in the air and heard in passing conversation at trendy coffee shops and breweries like Lamplighter and The Veil. 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. Some of these places are very pricey! 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. Or folks can go inland a block or two and save big bucks on a beach. Spanning 70 miles and bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Virginias Eastern Shore is a coastal paradise. It has a first-class school system, with Chantilly High School, Centreville High School, Fairfax High School, and Westfield High School all scoring an A+ under Niches assessment criteria. 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. Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 344. Virginia Beach is in Virginia Beach City County and is one of the best places to live in Virginia. SouthEast Expeditions offers an Aqua-Culture Clamming tour along Cherrystone Creek, just north of Cape Charles. 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. Several! Population. Most residents own their homes here and there is a small-town feel in the middle of the city. Our first sell on Virginia Beach is that it sports over 38 miles of coastline. Stephanie Faris has written about finance for entrepreneurs and marketing firms since 2013. In general, residents here are outdoorsy and enjoy horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, waterskiing and stand-up paddleboarding during . The best place to retire in Virginia is Martinsville. Williamsburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. 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 cities in Virginia are as beautiful and diverse as the state itself. The town also has a lively music scene and many wineries. Luray. 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. In fact, out of a list of 300 of the most populated cities in the, Read More The 20 Safest Places to Live in MarylandContinue, South Africa is unquestionably one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Bird watching is also a big draw, especially during spring and fall migrations when thousands of birds take flight through the region. A bustling 65-plus population makes Abingdon one of the best towns in Virginia for retirees. Cheap housing can sometimes mean a less than desirable neighborhood, but in Lortons case, this couldnt be further from the truth. Fredericksburg was established in 1671 and is located in the Northern Virginia region of the state. Portland, Maine. 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. The first Colonial capital of North Carolina, this 300-year-old town is replete with wonderfully restored historical homes and buildings. Next: 10. The state of Virginia as a whole offers an excellent food scene. 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. The University of Virginia is located right in the heart of town and has some of the best academics in the country, and it provides plenty of jobs. With 6 million people spread across 12,400 square miles, Maryland is one of the least congested states you can find. This isnt to say its a youngsters playground only- the excellent economy, great schools, booming job market, high home values, low crime rates and abundance of things to see and do make Arlington as equally popular with seniors and families as it is with millennials. 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. Weve said it before and well say it again. When it comes to recognition, few things could be nicer than to be named one of Americas Happiest Seaside Towns. But thats exactly what Coastal Living called Smithfield in 2015. Since each person has different budget requirements, your retirement planning will be different from someone else. Lifelong watermen and weekend sailors alike head to Rock Hall for its nautical flavor, complete with marinas, a small beach, and waterfront crabhouses. Virginia is known for a lot of things: history, natural beauty, (bless our hearts) lots of southern charm. Even though Anna has lived other places, somehow Virginia is where she always seems to land. Best Places to Live in Newport News, Virginia. This was followed by a coveted #8 spot in USA Today and 10 Bests Readers Choice for Best Coastal Small Towns. 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. The locals are really nice and are generally accepting of college students. Best Oceanfront Hotels In Virginia Beach. 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. That depends on your budget and preferences. 6.4 Quality of Life. By using this website, you accept our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Best places to live in Virginia include Arlington, Alexandria, Abingdon, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! 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. Local tip: Evergrain Bread Company (201-203 High St.; 410-778-3333) has some of the flakiest croissants this side of the Seine. 6. 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. The cost of living is low, making it an excellent place for families or those on a budget. Granted, Richmond may not be the best for families or seniors, but if youre an up and coming member of Generation Y, youll find its vibrant nightlife, affordable housing, excellent job prospects (at the last count, the city was home to 8 Fortune 500 companies, while the government, finance, and higher education sectors all offer some exceptional job prospects), stunning parks and excellent transportation network combine to make a very attractive proposition indeed. You must be at least 18 years of age to become a Retirable Premium user. Thats roughly 165 a day. During the spring, fall and summer months, everywhere you look people can be seen rollerblading, skimboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking and walking their dogs. The scenery: The town is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so the views are absolutely stunning. Sign up for travel tips and inspiration delivered right to your inbox. The average price for a home in Williamsburg is just over $300,000, lower than the state median. Incorporated in 1810 and named for Revolutionary War hero, General Joseph Warren, this town of less than 10,000 in Fauquier County was listed as the 8th highest-income county in the U.S. according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Edenton Edenton | Photo Copyright: Lana Law Set on Albemarle Sound, Edenton is a peaceful escape from the stress of everyday life. 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. 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 towns small population mainly work as watermen, harvesting fresh seafood from the surrounding Bay waters. 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. We have been using them for 6 years and the service is great. Best Places to Live in Virginia Beach, Virginia Virginia Beach, Virginia is a popular summer destination for beachgoers and sun seekers alike. The schools are excellent, and the town has a close-knit community feel. Jennifer, Im considering moving to Virginia and am happy to hear ANY recommendations! Come Visit! This provides plenty of opportunities for hiking, nature walks, and other outdoor activities. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The city of Richmond itself is lovely. The town is also home to the University of Mary Washington, which offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. This riverside town may have a population of less than 1,000, but it does not fall short of charm. If youre looking to make the state of Virginia your next home, you could do a lot worse than the little town of Warrenton. To experience secluded beaches and horses, visitors head to Assateague Island National Seashore, located near Chincoteague Island. Calvert Cliffs State Park #3 in Best Beaches in Maryland Characterized by imposing cliffs that were formed about 10 to 20 million years ago and occupy about 25 miles of shoreline, Calvert Cliffs.