View Full Report Card. 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. Norfolk is also home to an impressive art scene and to a massive 220,000 square-foot art museum called the Chrysler Museum of Art. She spent nearly a year as a writer for a credit card processing service and has written about finance for numerous marketing firms and entrepreneurs. Median Annual Income. Antiquers and outdoor enthusiasts equally will be at home in these destinations promising all of the above and more. 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. Choosing where to live is one of the biggest decisions youll make for yourself and your family. If you want to live in a town that feels more like a quaint mountain town, Roanoke is the perfect place for you. Need further convincing? 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. 4. Winchester. . You might look on the Northern Neck, in particular towns like Irvington, Kilmarnock, Montross, White Church. However, the competition was fierce to say the least. 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. Virginia has its share of suburban sprawl and terrible traffic, but its still a great place to call home. 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. 5.4 Value. The town was historically a bustling port town, with steamboats traveling between Baltimore and Norfolk stopping in the waterfront community for supplies and rest. Feeling inspired to check out more of Virginia's small towns? 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. Middleburg in Loudoun County has been listed at the top of Frommers Best Small Towns in Virginia. Best places to live in Virginia include Arlington, Alexandria, Abingdon, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk. Visited by Captain John Smith in the early 1600s, he wrote that the land was the Gem of the Eastern Shore. Its a short drive to Washington DC, and public transit is available. Blacksburg is a small town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. This is one of the most expensive places to live in the state, but its costly for a reason. That depends on your budget and preferences. (But Williamsburg can get quite hot and humid in the summer. Where to Stay/Eat: Book a stay at the Charlotte Hotel, a cute boutique retreat in the heart of downtown Onancock. The locals are really nice and are generally accepting of college students. Spanning 70 miles and bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Virginias Eastern Shore is a coastal paradise. If youre a history buff, the state has plenty to offer there, as well. Dana has extensive professional writing experience including technical and report writing, informational articles, persuasive articles, contrast and comparison, grant applications, and advertisement. A growing population puts Blacksburg on the list of Virginia's best places to live for some. 100. Richmond As you explore some of the best cities to live in Virginia, don't neglect the capital. Save. Dont say we didnt warn you. 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. 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. 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. Los Angeles. The economy: Arlington is home to several major businesses, government agencies, and cultural institutions. Check out the web site or call them +1 800-221-5059. Richmond, Virginia is for those that march to the beat of their own drums. Roanoke is the smallest city on the list regarding population, but it makes up for its size with its unique appeal. Bird watching is also a big draw, especially during spring and fall migrations when thousands of birds take flight through the region. There is also plenty to do outdoors, with miles of coastline for beach-goers, camping grounds, and trails for . This means that there are plenty of job opportunities for Arlington residents. Now there are small towns and then there are small towns. 1. The weather: It hardly ever snows here, making it an excellent spot for summer lovers. Staunton is a small town located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, between the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian Mountains. Its now Maurice., Also in Cape Charles there are several historic renovated B&Bs. North Carolina should increase to $187,536 in Virginia Beach, Virginia (assumptions include Homeowner, no Child Care, and Taxes are not considered. Or families looking for a reasonable commute and excellent schools. Is Virginia a good place to retire? Best Hotels & Resorts in Virginia: 12 Amazing Places to Stay, This Candy Store In Virginia Was Ripped Straight From The Pages Of A Fairytale, Discover A Little-Known Natural Wonder In Virginia On The 1.5-Mile Mountain Lake Trail, Drinks Are Served In The Coolest Setting At Gershwins, A 1920s-Themed Virginia Tavern, These 25 Towns In Virginia Have The Best Main Streets You Gotta Visit, Here Are The 11 Best Cities In Virginia To Retire, Staunton, Virginia Was Recently Named A Top Mountain Town By Southern Living Magazine, Youll Want To Spend More Time In This Historic Crabbing Town In Virginia, Greg Vassilakos (Own work) [Public domain] / Wikimedia Commons. 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. $51,747.0. The city has a population of around 24,000 and is known for its historic downtown district, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Virginia has the 11th highest per-capita income in America, and it homes four of the 10 wealthiest U.S. counties: Loudoun County, Falls Church City and Fairfax County (scooped first three positions based on survey by Code Black Group), as well as Arlington County (No. Not to mention, events like the Neptune Festival bring over 500,000 people to the city every year to spend time outside on Virginias beautiful coastline. 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. The schools: Youll have access to a first-class school system. The states rich history gives it plenty of attractions to keep retirees busy. Helpful Statistics: Median Age: 40 years. 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. 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. The best place to live in Virginia for 2022 is Vienna. What makes it a great place to live: The University of Virginia. Although the town prides itself on its slower pace, the population is one of the fastest-growing in the area. Awesome fun coastal town with farmers markets, festivals, shopping and about 1000 residents. The history: If youre a fan of American history, then youll love living in Williamsburg. This is one of the most expensive areas in the state. 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. Fredericksburg Every corner of Fredericksburg is loaded with history. #3 Best Places to Live in Virginia Colonial Village Neighborhood in Arlington, VA A+ Overall Niche Grade A+ Public Schools Population 2,895 View nearby homes Randolph-Macon Academy Front Royal, VA Private School 6-12 168 reviews Parent: The Admissions department made the application process seamless. Middleburg. We have been using them for 6 years and the service is great. What are the most unique towns in Virginia? Chestertown Home to Washington College, this town's restored 18th- and 19th-century rowhouses and cobblestone streets abut the picturesque Chester River. Charleston, SC. The city is home to a variety of historic sites, including George Washington's childhood home, Ferry Farm. (A quick check of the median household income will usually help you determine if you can afford the area.). 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. Virginia Beach is in Virginia Beach City County and is one of the best places to live in Virginia. 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. It offers visitors a variety of attractions, including Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens amusement park. 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 jailhouse and courthouse that served as the earliest beginnings of the town in 1790 have both been beautifully preserved and now serve as museum buildings housing Native American artifacts, Civil War exhibits featuring Colonel John S. Mosby (a Warrenton resident), and original jail cells. Plus, the dining scene is equally impressive. With this state, the most difficult roadblock youll run into will be choosing which amazing city to call home. Jump in your car and drive 137 miles Southeast of Richmond and youll find another city in Virginia. 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. A mammoth median property price of $485,000. 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. $102,227 17. The schools: Lexington has excellent schools and is home to Washington and Lee University, one of the gorgeous Virginia colleges. The tropical town on the north shore of Kauai looks out over nothing but hundreds of miles of raw Pacific. 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.