Surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, this quiet little haven offers charm and history in abundance. 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. 5.9 Job Market. Download The Entire Virginia Ranking Data. Schedule your FREE Retirable consultation today. Keep reading to see if your hometown in Virginia made the list. It is small and has a population of merely 800 or so people. In addition, what makes Virginia especially interesting is its military influence. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any decisions based on your own personal circumstances. Hanalei, HI. Despite competing with the best of them when it comes to amenities, Bon Airs property prices are among the lowest on our list, with the average cost of a three-bedroom single-family home standing at a very reasonable $212,900. Considered one of the. And they are the closest beach town to Washington D.C. $102,227 17. In Virginia Beach there are a lot of restaurants, coffee . A bustling 65-plus population makes Abingdon one of the best towns in Virginia for retirees. 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. The economy: Arlington is home to several major businesses, government agencies, and cultural institutions. Weighing in at 244,000 residents, there are plenty of benefits of living in Norfolk. Its worth mentioning that every small town in Virginia is worth a visit, so while weve provided a list of some of the best towns in Virginia, its by no means an exhaustive list. This is one of the most expensive areas in the state. Nothing to keep you from moving there, but just something to keep in mind as you make your decision. . 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. Enjoy a stay in Chincoteague at the Channel Bass Inn Bed & Breakfast or the towns first boutique hotel, the Marina Bay Hotel & Suites. Richmond, Virginia is yet another one of these gems weve stumbled upon, making it one of the top places to live in Virginia. These are river towns and not very touristy at all. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. The town has a rich colonial history and many historical sites and museums. Of its population of 74,627, 23% have a masters degree or higher, 34% have a bachelors degree, and a further 21% have a college or associate degree. Best Places to Live in Newport News, Virginia. (But Williamsburg can get quite hot and humid in the summer. Best Beach Towns in America - 23 of the Most Charming Beach Towns. Mountains, hiking, and nature: Staunton is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian Mountains. Middleburg is a popular town in Virginia that is located in Loudoun County. If you love nature, youll feel right at home here. Piedmont. Sandbridge Beach 1,472 Beaches By HERE-AND-THERE-302 Excellent parking, good price, super sand, clean beach, great waves, family oriented, bath rooms, shower, perfect day. With just 4.1% unemployment, a poverty rate of 4.9%, a median home value of $394,000, a median income of $105,844, and a healthy population of 51,012, the historic town of Leesburg makes it to 6th place position on our list. What are your thoughts on our list of the 10 best small towns in Virginia? You might look on the Northern Neck, in particular towns like Irvington, Kilmarnock, Montross, White Church. This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Visit former Native American villages, kayak to local wineries, and go sailing. Its a short drive to Washington DC, and public transit is available. Rich with history, this small town was once home to the Cherokee Nation and by the mid-18th century, had been explored by the likes of William Byrd and Daniel Boone. 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 . Welcome to Virginia Beach. Looking for the top place to live in Virginia? Or folks can go inland a block or two and save big bucks on a beach. Save. Not to mention, Norfolk based breweries like Smartmouth Brewing and OConnor Brewing Co are turning the city into a beer drinkers paradise. As it notes, most of the citys 45,084 strong population comprises of highly educated young professionals (thanks, no doubt, to it being the home of the illustrious University of Virginia, which over the years has educated everyone from Edgar Allan Po to Tina Fey), many of whom are activity engaged in the kind of civic causes that are turning Charlottesville into one the states most desirable destinations. It has all the amenities and attractions you would expect from a larger city while still maintaining a close-knit community feel. Investing involves risk and past performance is not indicative of future results. This is Virginia's only resort island and is considered the most beautiful, providing plenty of space to unwind and explore. And its no wonder. 13 years ago. Heres a rundown of some of our favorite Virginia towns to help you start your search. 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. 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. If youre trying to decide where to live in Virginia, theres no shortage of appealing options. Staunton is a small town located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, between the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian Mountains. 18. Between VCUs world-renowned art school, affordable living and impressive career opportunities, young professionals are moving to the city in droves. Leesburg is a high-demand town, which means home prices will be higher than the national average. And, while the resort city will certainly have plenty of vacationers laying out on one of its massive public beaches, locals know some nice quiet spots where you wont see a tourist anywhere in sight. 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. 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. 6.3 Desirability. Have a great antique shop on Main St. just as you enter town Seaside Antiques and Art. 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. But what sets it apart is the feeling of community and camaraderie you get when youre there. The university: Blacksburg is home to Virginia Tech, which brings many cultural and economic benefits to the town. The town also has a lively music scene and many wineries. 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. Spanning 70 miles and bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Virginias Eastern Shore is a coastal paradise. oldest continuously operating inns in the U.S. Lexington, Virginia and the Rockbridge Area Tourism / Facebook, reasons you should never, ever move to Virginia. In fact, in a CNN report, BudgetTravel named Chincoteague as the #2 Coolest Small Town in America. Virginia Beach is in Virginia Beach City County and is one of the best places to live in Virginia. 1. 1. Vienna is beautiful, quaint, safe, and bursting at the seams with great people. Choosing where to live is one of the biggest decisions youll make for yourself and your family. We coordinate local and long-distance moving services in Virginia and we would love to help! 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. It has become a safe haven for dreamers, aspiring artists, creatives and entrepreneurs wanting to pursue their passions without having to scrape by as they pay outlandish rent and living expenses. With excellent public amenities, a host of groups and organizations to join, a cost of living 7% below the national average, low-cost housing, a temperate climate, and some of the lowest crime numbers in the States, theres every reason in the world to understand why this quaint mountain town made it to Forbes Best Places to Retire for three years in a trot. Arlington is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Sign up for travel tips and inspiration delivered right to your inbox. There is also plenty to do outdoors, with miles of coastline for beach-goers, camping grounds, and trails for . The 20 Best Places for Single Moms to Live in Europe, The 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Wisconsin, The 20 Most Affordable Places to Live in or around New England, A reviewer on City-Data.com summed things up, How Zac Stacy Achieved a Net Worth of $6 Million. Just 25 miles west of Virginia Beach exists the state's second largest city, Norfolk. Combine that with low unemployment (just 3.9% at the last count), low poverty (5.8%), and an above-average median income of $70,863, and its easy to understand why incomers are happy to lay down $312,400 for a property in this highly desirable community. The cost of living is also low, making it a great place to live for those on a budget. Love Virginia? 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. Located right on the South Carolina coast, Charleston is a tourist destination with beautiful moss-draped live oaks and gorgeous pastel-colored waterfront homes. Full of architectural delights, quirky little boutiques, and artisanal marketplaces, its easy to understand how Williamson attracts over 4 million tourists every year. Vienna. What are the most unique towns in Virginia? It was known traditionally as the US Horse and Hunt Capital as it played an active role in steeplechases, foxhunting, and had large estates. The Inn at Onancock loves dogs, and your pup can meet the resident, Dante, the friendly Shepherd. 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 shopping: Alexandria is home to some of the best shopping in Northern Virginia, with a number of high-end boutiques and restaurants. When not underground in the caves,. Retirable, Inc. ('Retirable') is an SEC registered investment advisor. The end result? You can retire to the beach, the suburbs, a small town, or the mountains. Affordability: The nearby areas have homes below the national median home value, and you can even find acres of land at an affordable price. 1. The close-knit residents of this easy-going town are known for their community spirit, which is out on full display every year at the charmingly quirky Herndon Festival. 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. The locals like to call it CBVB and they 35 miles of sandy beach along the Potomac River. Visit the Tangier History Museum to learn about the small islands long and captivating history. 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. Rock Hall. SouthEast Expeditions offers an Aqua-Culture Clamming tour along Cherrystone Creek, just north of Cape Charles. Today, Occoquan is an artists' community, featuring shops, dining, ghost walks, boating, and fishingall with brick sidewalks lit by old-fashioned gaslights. Best Overall City - Arlington Cliff / flickr Matthew Hurst / flickr Arlington sits just at the border of Virginia and Washington, D.C. so it's no wonder this vibrant city scores so high in terms of things to do, economy and livability. Were loving the renaissance taking place there as well as the affordability the city has to offer. A small Atlantic island tucked away on the northeastern corner of Virginias Eastern Shore, Chincoteague is best known for the wild ponies found in the bordering Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Here's a look at the highest-rated coastal towns to retire. How many of these quaint towns in Virginia have you visited? Even though Anna has lived other places, somehow Virginia is where she always seems to land. Another one of Frommer's Best Small Towns in Virginia. 10 Stunningly Beautiful Virginia Beaches + Tips for Picking the Right One, 11 Gorgeous Apple Orchards in Virginia (Best VA Apple Picking!). 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. 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. In general, residents here are outdoorsy and enjoy horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, waterskiing and stand-up paddleboarding during . You don't even have to leave the U.S. for a warm weather getaway. Updated: Jan 16, 2020. Its transforming. Staunton is no stranger to praise. There are a variety of restaurants, shops, and breweries located in the town center, and its conveniently close to Washington D.C. To find the cities where Black Americans fare best economically, SmartAsset looked at the 200 . Helpful Statistics: Median Age: 40 years. Perfect for: Families who want to live on one income (surrounding counties) or young professionals who want to live in a historic town with a small-town feel (downtown).