The 46 Best Coastal Towns in America - Best Beaches and Beach Towns in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 12 Best Small Towns in Virginia - Travel + Leisure The small town draws visitors looking for a quiet coastal beach experience as well as space travel enthusiasts, as the NASA Wallops Island Flight Facility Visitor Center, NASAs primary facility for suborbital missions, is just south of the island. If you are looking for quaint towns in Virginia put this on your list. Fancy moving into one of Fairfax countys most desirable hot spots? Best places to live in Virginia include Arlington, Alexandria, Abingdon, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk. So you're unlikely to get bored while enjoying your golden years . 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. Few people who know Chincoteague Island will argue with this towns reign as one of the best towns in Virginia. Founded in 1632, the town of Williamsburg has the kind of uniquely charming historic town center you could wander for hours without getting bored. 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. 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. 9 Best Beach Towns in Virginia - Southern Trippers Located in the Shenandoah Valley, Staunton is a city that has much to offer its residents. You don't even have to leave the U.S. for a warm weather getaway. According to Home Snacks, the small town has the lowest level of poverty of any independent city or county in the United States which may explain why its residents can expect a massive $742,000 in property price from any newcomer looking to enjoy the towns attractions. 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. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, Staunton provides culture a-plenty with sites like the American Shakespeare Center and The Frontier Culture Museum and offers no shortage of sensational specialty shopping, dining, and nightlife opportunities. View Full Report Card. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any decisions based on your own personal circumstances. When not underground in the caves . Save. They have the 2nd longest beach in all of Virginia, right behind Virginia Beach. Where to Stay/Eat: Book a stay at the Charlotte Hotel, a cute boutique retreat in the heart of downtown Onancock. Here, we take a look at the best places to live in Virginia: whether youre a 20 something millennial or a 60 something baby boomer, youd be thrilled to call any one of these 20 hotspots your home. Affordability: The cost of living is low, making it a great place to live for those on a budget. But when you think of America's great beach towns, like the Hamptons, Miami, Malibu, Hilton Head, among many others, we get snapped right back into reality rather quickly the cost of living in these spectacular beach towns is pretty darn high! As youd expect, unemployment and poverty figures are both correspondingly low, coming in at 5.3% and 3.8% respectively. Our first sell on Virginia Beach is that it sports over 38 miles of coastline. Even though Anna has lived other places, somehow Virginia is where she always seems to land. Moving to Virginia | Living in Virginia - Livability Before you plan your VA retirement, though, take some time to look around at the many options the state has to offer. 9 Best Beach Towns to Live in Connecticut - lavidanomad.com Hanalei, HI. 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. 2022 Places with the Best Public Schools in Virginia - Niche Next to my home in West Virginia, Wachapreague is my favorite place! 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 Best Places to Live in Virginia (A 2022 Guide) - Bellhop In fact, Onancock was called "the Gem of the Eastern Shore" by none other than Captain John Smith himself. And, Richmond is weird and unique in the best kind of ways. 10 Best Places to Live in Virginia for Families | HOMEiA Middleburg is a popular town in Virginia that is located in Loudoun County. Holiday Inn in Exmore is pet friendly.It is about Midway up the VA Eastern Shore. Jump in your car and drive 137 miles Southeast of Richmond and youll find another city in Virginia. Middleburg. The List: Best Places to Live in Virginia Most Recommended By Experts 1. Tangier Island lies twelve miles off the western coast of the Eastern Shore in the Chesapeake Bay and is known as Americas Soft Crab Capital. That depends on your budget and preferences. The next entry to our list is one for the Golden Oldies. 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. Pelican Beach, Destin. This is Virginia's only resort island and is considered the most beautiful, providing plenty of space to unwind and explore. 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. Number 2: it's one of the biggest neighborhoods in Virginia Beach. With that said, the one downside of Richmond is that there is a slightly higher crime rate there than the other two cities. If youre in the mood for a little adventure, rent a kayak or stand up paddleboard from Burnham Guides, located in the historic Steamboat Ticket Office at Onancock Wharf. Fintech company SmartAsset compared data for 218 beach towns and put together a list of the most affordable 50.. Although its home to two colleges, VMI and W&L, Lexington is much more than just a college town. Local tip: Evergrain Bread Company (201-203 High St.; 410-778-3333) has some of the flakiest croissants this side of the Seine. 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. The city is home to a variety of historic sites, including George Washington's childhood home, Ferry Farm. 6.3 Desirability. The median rent is $1,951, and the median home price is a steep $598,500. If youre trying to decide where to live in Virginia, theres no shortage of appealing options. Average Annual Rainfall. Norfolk is a great place for families. Were loving the renaissance taking place there as well as the affordability the city has to offer. Virginia's small towns, unique cities, and notable neighborhoods are treasure troves of great food, warm hospitality, immense history, and Southern charm. Today, Chincoteague (and sister island, Assateague) is best known for its Annual Pony Swim and Auction but also offers pristine beaches, amazing seafood, boat tours, home tours, and an all-around chilled-out beach town experience. Portland, Maine. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. (oh, and by way of introduction, were Bellhop movers in Virginia and particularly Richmond movers, Arlington movers, Alexandria movers, Fairfax movers, and movers throughout the country). Kilmarnock! With a population of around 42,000, it is home to Virginia Tech, one of the largest universities in the state. 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. smaller coastal towns - Virginia Forum - Tripadvisor The Best Places to Live in Virginia (A 2022 Guide), Be a part of the renaissance taking place in Richmond, Soak up the sun and splash in the waves at Virginia Beach, The Best Neighborhoods for Families in Portland (Updated for 2023), The Best Suburbs in Atlanta (A 2023 Guide), Up-and-Coming Neighborhoods in Portland (Updated for 2023), The Best Neighborhoods in Jacksonville, FL (2022), Why Moving is So Stressful (And 3 Things You Can Do About It). Yorktown Beach, Yorktown, VA. The city of Richmond itself is lovely. Regent University. This company Harbor Rental in chincoteague has many different size homes that are pet friendly. Bald Head Island. But Williamsburg personifies the answer to the question, is Virginia a good place to live? Youll get access to museums, antique shops, and restaurants, as well as a growing over-65 population. Or folks can go inland a block or two and save big bucks on a beach. Helpful Statistics: Median Age: 40 years. 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. This is true, but it also just so happens to be a wonderful place to call home, too. History buffs will love the historic sites and museums at every turn. With stunning mountain ranges, superb beaches and vibrant cities, Virginia has it all. The median home value is $410,300, while the median rental price is $1,794. The 10 Best Places to Retire in Virginia in 2021 - NewHomeSource But, more specifically, its for the individual that wants access to beautiful beaches, while still getting to enjoy all four seasons (without freezing to death in the winter). Today, Occoquan is an artists' community, featuring shops, dining, ghost walks, boating, and fishingall with brick sidewalks lit by old-fashioned gaslights. Here are the best places to live in Virginia. Welcome to Virginia Beach. 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. 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. Cheap housing can sometimes mean a less than desirable neighborhood, but in Lortons case, this couldnt be further from the truth. For the residents, the booming tourist trade translates to an abundance of excellent recreational and leisure pursuits (including the famous Busch Gardens amusement park), a high median home value, excellent job opportunities, and a place at number 13 on our list. Virginia Beach 3,092 Beaches By JustCho2 Chestertown Home to Washington College, this town's restored 18th- and 19th-century rowhouses and cobblestone streets abut the picturesque Chester River. Best beach towns in Virginia - 010110010101101 - Shutterstock But the Commonwealth is also home to many beach towns that are, more or less, beach cities, like Norfolk and VA Beach. Richmond, Virginia is yet another one of these gems weve stumbled upon, making it one of the top places to live in Virginia. Best Beach Towns in America - 23 of the Most Charming Beach Towns. The retirement hub is Hilton Head, with many upscale communities aimed at retiring baby boomers. Nothing on this website should be considered an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities. A commute to DC is possible from here, but its a long drive with lots of traffic. Virginia Beach, VA - Niche And, finally, if youre into great food and craft beer, Norfolk is the place for you. North Carolina should increase to $187,536 in Virginia Beach, Virginia (assumptions include Homeowner, no Child Care, and Taxes are not considered. . Located on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Chincoteague is a famous town in VA and one of the unique places for the best weekend getaways in Virginia. Weve said it before and well say it again. To experience secluded beaches and horses, visitors head to Assateague Island National Seashore, located near Chincoteague Island. . The end result? The 20 Best Places for Teachers to Live in the U.S. Its excellent school system and low crime numbers, meanwhile, make it one of the most attractive places on our list for raising a family. The 10 Best Cities to Live in Virginia - UpNest During the spring, fall and summer months, everywhere you look people can be seen rollerblading, skimboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking and walking their dogs. Another one of Frommer's Best Small Towns in Virginia. Visited by Captain John Smith in the early 1600s, he wrote that the land was the Gem of the Eastern Shore. 7 Best Beaches in Maryland | U.S. News Travel These are river towns and not very touristy at all. Of course, the same is true for nearly every place in Virginia. Regardless of what youre looking for, theres sure to be a place in Virginia thats perfect for you. This riverside town may have a population of less than 1,000, but it does not fall short of charm. There are also some country clubs and golf courses in the area. The region offers more than 100 golf courses within 30 miles. Some quick facts about Centreville: the median income is $107,605. If you plan on making the move to Richmond soon, give us a call, wed love to help. Ogunquit, Maine. If you want to live in a town that feels more like a quaint mountain town, Roanoke is the perfect place for you. In addition, 22 percent of the residents are 65 years and over. Home Living like a local The Best Places to Live in Virginia (A 2022 Guide). 158,309 16. 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. 46.5" 15. There are towns and then there are small towns. The old town area is home to colonial-era architecture and cobblestone streets, giving you a real taste of American history. Retiring in Virginia means beautiful landscapes and reduced taxes. The quality of life: The town has a high quality of life, with low crime rates and excellent schools. Best Waterfront Communities in Virginia - PrivateCommunities.com 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. The 10 Best Places to Live in Virginia Beach - Money Inc But, more than this, Richmond is for young professionals too with 7 fortunate 500 companies headquartered there, the opportunity for career growth is endless. 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. The economy: Arlington is home to several major businesses, government agencies, and cultural institutions. We know. 6.4 Quality of Life. Charleston, SC. It has the seventh-highest median Black household income, at roughly $65,600, and the sixth-highest 2019 Black labor force participation rate, at 78.7%. The University of Virginia. To see Virginia's other best of the best cities, take a look below. What is the most scenic town in Virginia? What about it do you like most? THE 10 BEST Virginia Beaches (with Photos) - Tripadvisor Spanning 70 miles and bordered by the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Virginias Eastern Shore is a coastal paradise. Arlington has something for everyone with top schools, low crime rates, incredible diversity, and buzzing nightlife. Best North Carolina Beaches. Best Places to Live | Compare cost of living, crime, cities, schools and more. 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. oldest continuously operating inns in the U.S. Lexington, Virginia and the Rockbridge Area Tourism / Facebook, reasons you should never, ever move to Virginia. Fredericksburg Every corner of Fredericksburg is loaded with history. Charlottesville is a town in the Commonwealth of Virginia with two high-ranking hospitals and a massive Downtown Mall. 11 Charming Small Towns You Need to Explore On Your - Washingtonian 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. Visit former Native American villages, kayak to local wineries, and go sailing. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Staunton is no stranger to praise. Book a tour or rent a kayak to journey through Wachateagues waters with Daytrippers, where youll explore the adjacent barrier islands, dig for clams, or try your hand at fishing. You simply cant go wrong with Onancock. Is Virginia a good place to retire? Updated: Jan 16, 2020. What is the best coastal town to live in North Carolina? For Virginia Citizen And Business Services Visit www.virginia.gov. The amenities: With two hospitals and a major mall, Charlottesville has everything you need within its city. I fully agree, I was born here and still here. The sculptures are a fun way to decorate the city while also honoring its maritime roots. Cape Hatteras. It offers visitors a variety of attractions, including Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens amusement park. The recreation: If you love outdoor activities, youll be in heaven in Roanoke. Id vote for the Refuge Inn when in Chincoteague. 2/15. 2022 Best Places to Live in Virginia - Niche Number 1: it's one of the newest neighborhoods in Virginia Beach. If youre a history buff, the state has plenty to offer there, as well. The cities in Virginia are as beautiful and diverse as the state itself. 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. And then theres schooling, safety, job opportunities, and more, Read More The 20 Best Places for Single Moms to Live in EuropeContinue, Theres more to Wisconsin than cheese curds. The town's small population mainly work as watermen, harvesting fresh seafood from the surrounding Bay waters. 18. Does anyone know if there are dog friendly hotels at any of the Virginia Eastern Shore areas? Alexandria CITY POPULATION: 159,428 SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 13.9% If youre looking to make the state of Virginia your next home, you could do a lot worse than the little town of Warrenton. Lexington is a small town located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, with a population of around 7,000. Easton Check out esvatourism.org There is a tab for lodging, then a pic of a dog, click on that and you will see them. 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. Here's a look at the highest-rated coastal towns to retire. Perfect for: Families or retirees who love nature and are looking for a low cost of living. Williamsburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. To find the cities where Black Americans fare best economically, SmartAsset looked at the 200 . The town also has a lively music scene and many wineries. For the time being, here are a few of the most charming towns in Virginia that have garnered national and statewide praise for their community, beauty, and all-around livability. Read the Magazine Quick Facts Average Household Income $73,549 While the Nutmeg State may not be known first and foremost as a beach destination, vacationers and house hunters will be delighted to see the selection it has by the water. 2022 2. This provides plenty of opportunities for hiking, nature walks, and other outdoor activities. With a crime rate thats among the lowest in Virginia, an unemployment rate of 4.2%, a close-knit community of 13,843, and a median income of $114,795, Falls Church scores exceptionally well across the board. Virginia Beach is in Virginia Beach City County and is one of the best places to live in Virginia. What's the average retirement income for 2022? The state of Virginia as a whole offers an excellent food scene. Situated right at the top of Virginia and bordering the Potomac River, which separates it from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is one of the most historical cities in the state. Gordon Bell / Shutterstock. The town combines history with big-city life, bringing buildings from the 1700s together with shopping and dining. 10 Best Cities to Retire in Virginia in 2023 - Retirable The downtown area has lots of local shops carrying everything from handcrafted jewelry to homemade ice cream. You might look on the Northern Neck, in particular towns like Irvington, Kilmarnock, Montross, White Church. The location: Alexandria is situated right at the top of Virginia and is a short commute away from Washington D.C. Portland, Maine. Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 66. 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. 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. (But Williamsburg can get quite hot and humid in the summer. And like most of the best places to retire in Virginia, Vienna provides several opportunities to bask in nature and stay active. 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. Boasting gorgeous beaches, fantastic boardwalks, and lively nightlife, there's something for everyone in this vibrant coastal city. Many of the residents work for the federal government, but the 65-plus community is a thriving one, as well. 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