Are you looking to move to the beautiful state of Virginia? If you have the opportunity, you’re a lucky one. With its diverse culture, temperate weather conditions, and gorgeous landscape, Virginia is an almost universally appealing place to call home.
The real question is, which Virginian city is the perfect fit for you?
You’re in luck, as we’ve assembled a list of the 7 best cities in Virginia to plant your roots, retire, or even build a new home.
Virginia Beach, VA
It’s amazing to realize that the cost of living in such a beautiful place as Virginia Beach is so low. Average rentals, for example, hit around $1,200 a month!
Virginia Beach is within the Tidewater region. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Virginia. The reasons tourists love to visit are plenty, but even as a resident you will be hard-pressed to enjoy them all. There are just so many.
Some of the more well-known attractions include:
- The Boardwalk
- Mount Trashmore
- The Virginia Aquarium
- The Maritime Museum
And of course, the multiple stunning beaches.
If tasting new cuisine is your favorite pastime, you’ll be in heaven in Virginia Beach. The number of restaurants available is endless.
Leesburg, VA
Sitting in Loudon County is the pretty little city of Leesburg, Virginia. It’s one of the most cost-friendly places to live in Virginia, with average home prices around $380,000.
Still, the residents here are averaging an extraordinarily high medium income of over $103,000. This means you get some serious bang for your buck in the housing market.
Leesburg is another Virginian city that’s rooted in history. This of course only adds to its charm as it’s downtown areas are comprised of historic shops and restaurants.
If you’re budget-wise, but still enjoy a classy place to live, Leesburg fits the bill.
Falls Church, VA
Want to be close to D.C. but not in D.C.? Falls Church is a great spot with close proximity to the metro area. One of the many historic towns in Virginia, Falls Church was originally established back in the early 1600s.
History buffs rejoice as they visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. Falls Church is also home to Arlington National Cemetary.
The cost of living is high, but so is the average salary. Falls Church is a lush, fascinating place to call home, with easy access to exciting city life.
If you’re planning on moving to Virginia, Falls Church is a definite contender for one of the best spots.
Arlington, VA
Arlington may arguably be one of the “top of the top,” cities in Virginia to reside in. It’s been ranked among the top 10 US cities to live in by such sites as Livability and others.
What’s great about Arlington? Everything.
Low…low crime rates. Short commutes, top quality schools, active and fun nightlife, diverse cultures and cuisine, and healthy residents. Simply stated, Arlington has it all.
While the housing prices are a bit higher in Arlington, the average income is over $100,000 a year and residents there don’t seem to have any problem affording the slightly higher cost of living.
Bon Air, VA
Bon Air literally interprets “good air.” This lovely location was once enjoyed by wealthy Richmond residents seeking a fresh escape from city life.
If you have a family with young children, the school systems in Bon Air are enough to draw any parent. Receiving a 9 score on GreatSchools, schools in Bon Air are widely known for their quality.
Families will also enjoy the fact that Bon Air has a virtually non-existent crime rate.
Bon Air also boasts homes that will give you more than your money’s worth. Homes here average around $212,000. At this rate, you can easily get a nice, 3-bedroom, single-family home.
The charming Victorian-era architecture common in Bon Air is a result of the city’s origins as a resort town. Just another reason it’s the perfect fit for young families.
Williamsburg, VA
If you’re familiar with Virginia at all, you’ve probably heard of this quaint little historic town. Williamsburg was founded way back in 1632. It has a fascinating and adorable historic district called Colonial Williamsburg.
If you’re a history buff, this is a great place to settle.
Williamsburg has many things to entertain those living there. From historic reenactments to shows, tours, special events, and even Busch Gardens, there’s something for everyone in Williamsburg.
Vienna, VA
Vienna is technically considered a suburb of D.C. It’s home to around 16,000 citizens.
If you’re a lover (and let’s not forget, “Virginia is for lovers”), of peaceful, serene, small-towns, but still enjoy an easy jaunt into the big city once, in a while, Vienna is your answer.
You have easy access to the metro area, but the perfect scenery that’s so idyllic and perfectly representative of Virginia as a whole.
Vienna is widely known as one of the most desirable small towns in the entire U.S. Because of this, the cost of living is high, but so is the average resident income.
Residents of Vienna enjoy several delightful in-town restaurants and are not far from even more diverse experiences in the metro area.
Many small businesses thrive in Vienna and public schools are ranked very highly.
Vienna is also home to the famous Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Residents of this quaint, gorgeous town can also enjoy plenty of great biking and hiking trails.
For those who can afford to live there, Vienna is one of the most desirable locations in not only Virginia but the U.S. as a whole.
More to Know About the Best Cities in Virginia
The best cities in Virginia are diverse and unique from each other while still offering a similar quality of being stunning places to settle down.
Before choosing the location that’s best for you, consider you and your family’s budget and needs. Wherever you end up, if it’s in Virginia, you’re sure to be satisfied.
Browse our Home Improvement articles to get some great ideas on how to make your Virginia house your perfect dream home. Happy moving!
