Wed love to hear from you! 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. It served as the capital of the Virginia colony between 1699 and 1780, and today it is home to nearly 15,000 residents. The town is full of historical sights and cultural attractions to ensure you always have something to do. Cape Charles is an excellent destination for wildlife lovers, as Kiptopeke State Park isright outside the town. 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). Here's a look at the highest-rated coastal towns to retire. More than 175 colleges and universities are in the Commonwealth. 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. Onancock is quite possibly one of the greatest hidden gems of the Eastern Shore. Fintech company SmartAsset compared data for 218 beach towns and put together a list of the most affordable 50.. The retirement hub is Hilton Head, with many upscale communities aimed at retiring baby boomers. 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. Best Beach Towns To Live In On The East Coast The Most Beautiful Towns in Virginia - Culture Trip It offers visitors a variety of attractions, including Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens amusement park. Newport News, Virginia is a charming city located on the Chesapeake Bay. Small Towns, Cities, and Neighborhoods - Virginia Is For Lovers 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. Updated: Jan 16, 2020. Regardless of what your idea of the perfect city is, weve got something for everyone. The 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In Virginia For 2022 - HomeSnacks 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. Keep reading to see if your hometown in Virginia made the list. Beaufort. The downtown: Lexington has a charming and historic downtown district worth exploring. 18. Get an affordable, professionally prepared retirement plan today. Founded in 1732, this lovely little town in the Shenandoah Valley offers historic architecture, culture, and a friendly down-home atmosphere that makes its place in the rankings well-deserved. Virginia Beach, Virginia ranks in the top 10 cities for four of the six metrics we considered. Middleburg in Loudoun County has been listed at the top of Frommer's Best Small Towns in Virginia. One quick Google search will lead you to hundreds of images depicting a bustling river, tall buildings sprouting up between thick green leafy trees and rolling hills that seem to go on forever. Add in a great cost of living and tons of southern charm and. The scenery: Lexington is located in the Shenandoah Valley, known for its beautiful scenery. How long will $100,000 last me in retirement. 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. Leesburg is a high-demand town, which means home prices will be higher than the national average. We went with our fur baby and had fun. 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. But with so much to offer, the state has a little something for everyone. Martinsville. Coastal properties in Mississippi, Texas, and Florida are among the most affordable homes near the water anywhere in the country. The population of Clifton is just over 1,000 residents, making it the perfect place to live if youre looking for quiet. 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. What are your thoughts on our list of the 10 best small towns in Virginia? 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. Here are some of the most unique towns in Virginia: These towns all offer a unique array of history, culture, dining, and community. You can retire to the beach, the suburbs, a small town, or the mountains. Another one of Frommer's Best Small Towns in Virginia. The List: Best Places to Live in Virginia Most Recommended By Experts 1. 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. It has a small historic downtown and is surrounded by horse farms and elegant homes. Moving to Virginia | Living in Virginia - Livability Richmond, Virginia is for those that march to the beat of their own drums. Lake Charles' cost of living is 11.1% lower than the national average, tied for the ninth-lowest index among coastal metro areas. Kayakers learn about aquaculture practices and tour a working clam farm, then hand pick their own clams straight from the Bay waters to sample the tasty results. Located right on the South Carolina coast, Charleston is a tourist destination with beautiful moss-draped live oaks and gorgeous pastel-colored waterfront homes. How Much Do Movers Cost in 2022? Sunny Places to Escape the Winter Blues. (A quick check of the median household income will usually help you determine if you can afford the area.). Feeling inspired to check out more of Virginia's small towns? We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. Some of these places are very pricey! Here's how it ranked in each category: Affordability: 140 Weather: 147 Safety: 144 Economy: 156 Education and health: 95 Quality of. The city's downtown area also provides easy access to all D.C. metro area attractions. Here are our top picks for livability in this beautiful state. The facility also has a free museum where you can learn about previous rocket launches and the science behind the missions. Best Places 2020-2021 Rank: 126 Metro Population: 18,657,347 Median Home Price: $527,818 Average Annual Salary: $57,373 Los Angeles attracts many people for reasons other than access to the beach, but the proximity to the coast and warm, sunny weather year-round doesn't count against it. Already called one of the Best Small Towns in America by Smithsonian Magazine and Frommers, TheCultureTrip.com has named it the Most Beautiful Small Town in Virginia as well. Check out this article that highlights 11 of the most beautiful places to see in Virginia. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This riverside town may have a population of less than 1,000, but it does not fall short of charm. Fort Monroe Beach, Hampton VA. 7. Sample fresh seafood at The Fishermans Corner Restaurant or Lorraines Seafood Restaurant. Alexandria is located right at the states northern tip and borders the Potomac River with Washington D.C. Stephanie Faris has written about finance for entrepreneurs and marketing firms since 2013. The scenery: The town is in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so the views are absolutely stunning. Virginia Beach. Pelican Beach, Destin. We know. 2022 Retirable Inc. All rights reserved. Check out this road trip that will take you to 6 of the most scenic small towns in Virginia. For a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape, stop by the Assateague Lighthouse on the neighboring Assateague Island. A low cost of living and quiet lifestyle make this one of the best retirement communities in Virginia. Dana has extensive professional writing experience including technical and report writing, informational articles, persuasive articles, contrast and comparison, grant applications, and advertisement. The shopping: Alexandria is home to some of the best shopping in Northern Virginia, with a number of high-end boutiques and restaurants. Wakefield - Population: 11,554 - Median home value: $632,600 (94% own) - Median rent: $2,877 (6% rent) - Median household. North Carolina vs Virginia Beach, Virginia Change Places . Considered one of the. This was followed by a coveted #8 spot in USA Today and 10 Bests Readers Choice for Best Coastal Small Towns. The amenities: With two hospitals and a major mall, Charlottesville has everything you need within its city. Easton Virginia Beach 3,092 Beaches By JustCho2 Local tip: Summer means root-beer floats at Durding's Store (5742 N. Main St.; 410-778-7957), an old-time ice-cream parlor in a building that dates to the 1870s. This company Harbor Rental in chincoteague has many different size homes that are pet friendly. The locals like to call it CBVB and they 35 miles of sandy beach along the Potomac River. 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. 18 places sorted by traveler favorites Clear all filters 1. The recreation: If you love outdoor activities, youll be in heaven in Roanoke. Save. The cost of living is low, making it an excellent place for families or those on a budget. 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 cost of living is also low, making it a great place to live for those on a budget. After exploring downtown with its quaint cottage-like Main. 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). As such, its important that you pick a place with all the features and amenities that are most important to you. Four hospitals and plenty of medical offices will help you keep your healthcare options open. The Best Places to Live By the Beach in the U.S. - Yahoo! News 7 Best Beach Towns to Live in Virginia - lavidanomad.com 2/15. 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. 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. 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. . Located just 35 minutes away from the thrills and spills of Washington DC, Herndon is a place where families can raise their kids in peace, quiet and safety, while still enjoying easy access to the sites, jobs, shopping activities, and cultural delights of the big city. Its a short drive to Washington DC, and public transit is available. Virginia is known for a lot of things: history, natural beauty, (bless our hearts) lots of southern charm. I spend my free time with my family, hiking, exploring breweries and new restaurants in the area. 9 Best Beach Towns to Live in Connecticut - lavidanomad.com Does anyone know if there are dog friendly hotels at any of the Virginia Eastern Shore areas? 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. Although the town prides itself on its slower pace, the population is one of the fastest-growing in the area. Perhaps one of the most obvious is that you can thrive in a great city while also being just a 30-minute drive away from Virginia Beach. Grandview Beach, Hampton, VA. 8. Arlington is a city in Virginia that offers its residents a high quality of life. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. 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. Local tip: Evergrain Bread Company (201-203 High St.; 410-778-3333) has some of the flakiest croissants this side of the Seine. 10 Best Cities to Retire in Virginia in 2023 - Retirable Best Places to Live | Compare cost of living, crime, cities, schools and more. Lexington is a beautiful town to call home: full of historic buildings and southern charm. Ocracoke Island. 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. 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. As to number 3 where do you start? 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. 5 Small Towns on Virginia's Eastern Shore for a Quiet Coastal Retreat Folks who live in Norfolk are always pleasantly surprised by the work/life balance that exists in the city. The schools: Lexington has excellent schools and is home to Washington and Lee University, one of the gorgeous Virginia colleges. 4. This provides plenty of opportunities for hiking, nature walks, and other outdoor activities. Located a stone's throw away from Charlottesville, this beautiful town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains offers an abundance of natural beauty and outdoor activities to enjoy. 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. Since each person has different budget requirements, your retirement planning will be different from someone else. In addition, it has a thriving arts and culture scene. The first Colonial capital of North Carolina, this 300-year-old town is replete with wonderfully restored historical homes and buildings. There are plenty of hiking and biking trails and other recreational opportunities. 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 town also has a lively music scene and many wineries. In addition to lower Virginia retirement taxes, Charlottesville also gives you plenty of culture. Boasting gorgeous beaches, fantastic boardwalks, and lively nightlife, there's something for everyone in this vibrant coastal city. Before you plan your VA retirement, though, take some time to look around at the many options the state has to offer. The schools are excellent, and the town has a close-knit community feel. Between VCUs world-renowned art school, affordable living and impressive career opportunities, young professionals are moving to the city in droves. Access to the top of the lighthouse is open to the public during select visiting hours. This is Virginia's only resort island and is considered the most beautiful, providing plenty of space to unwind and explore.