Plus, the dining scene is equally impressive. The downtown: Lexington has a charming and historic downtown district worth exploring. 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. The schools: Lexington has excellent schools and is home to Washington and Lee University, one of the gorgeous Virginia colleges. 1. Its now Maurice., Also in Cape Charles there are several historic renovated B&Bs. By using this website, you accept our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. 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. This small town is known for the Martinsville . Hanalei, HI. Rock Hall. Check out the web site or call them +1 800-221-5059. Wrightsville Beach. Now there are small towns and then there are small towns. The best small towns in Virginia are some of the most delightful locales in the country. 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. Residents benefit from a booming economy, an unemployment rate of 3.6%, a health-conscious culture, and the lowest tax rate in the Hampton Roads region. Its a short drive to Washington DC, and public transit is available. Its also home to Virginia Tech, which brings even more to the local economy. This suburb of Washington, D.C. is one of the best places to retire in Virginia for those who like access to shops and restaurants. The surrounding counties of Stafford and Spotsylvania are more affordable than the downtown, with single-family homes available in the $250,000 range. 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. Wakefield - Population: 11,554 - Median home value: $632,600 (94% own) - Median rent: $2,877 (6% rent) - Median household. 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. Our first sell on Virginia Beach is that it sports over 38 miles of coastline. This riverside town may have a population of less than 1,000, but it does not fall short of charm. $171,800.0. In addition, it has a thriving arts and culture scene. But the state does have a slightly higher cost of living than some areas of the country. This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. As Niche notes, most residents are highly educated (21% have a masters degree or higher, 31% have a bachelors degree, and a further 23% have a college or associates degree), while those that havent yet completed their education stand a very good chance of progressing to the same level thanks to an excellent, well-funded school system that comprises of such well regarded schools as Loudoun County High School, Evergreen Elementary School, and Heritage High School. Virginia's small towns, unique cities, and notable neighborhoods are treasure troves of great food, warm hospitality, immense history, and Southern charm. While its median home price of $383,900 is half that of other prime locations such as Venice (more on which coming up), its close proximity to Mason Neck State Park, the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and Pohick Bay Regional Park guarantees its residents the kind of overdoor lifestyle other towns would kill for. With its impressive variety of landscapes, countless activities, adventures to be had, food to be eaten, and memories to be made, Virginia is a true gem. The city of Richmond itself is lovely. Others are lovely hidden gems buried right in the heart of the state. The scenery: Lexington is located in the Shenandoah Valley, known for its beautiful scenery. Martinsville. Check out this road trip that will take you to 6 of the most scenic small towns in Virginia. Her work has appeared on Money Under 30, The Motley Fool, MoneyGeek, E-commerce Insiders, and GoBankingRates. Piedmont. (A quick check of the median household income will usually help you determine if you can afford the area.). The city also offers a wide range of educational opportunities after high school, including trade schools and universities. For lake living you can look at Moneta and Huddleston, both near Smith Mountain Lake. Required fields are marked *. Moving Company Costs Explained. They have the 2nd longest beach in all of Virginia, right behind Virginia Beach. 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. Cape Hatteras. 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. Jump in your car and drive 137 miles Southeast of Richmond and youll find another city in Virginia. 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. These beach towns provide the resident and visitors a perfectly balanced beach experience. How long will $100,000 last me in retirement. Lovers of the great outdoors might prefer the beach or mountains, but big-city, suburban, and small-town options are also available. Some quick facts about Centreville: the median income is $107,605. Arlington is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. The schools are excellent, and the town has a close-knit community feel. Awesome fun coastal town with farmers markets, festivals, shopping and about 1000 residents. The schools: Arlington has award-winning schools, with many ranking at the top of their respective categories. 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). If youre looking for a beachfront break without the crowds, plan a vacation to one of these five small towns on the Eastern Shore. The location: Alexandria is situated right at the top of Virginia and is a short commute away from Washington D.C. Virginia has so many remarkable small towns that singling out one as the most scenic is a bit of a challenge and largely depends on whether or not you're more partial to farmland, mountains, or the coast. 6.3 Desirability. La Vida Nomad | Sitemap, 11 Best Beach Towns to Live in North Carolina. 4.9 Net Migration. According to Livability, Charlottesville ranks as one of the top 100 best places to live in the entire US. Lexington is a beautiful town to call home: full of historic buildings and southern charm. The town is full of historical sights and cultural attractions to ensure you always have something to do. Alexandria is located right at the states northern tip and borders the Potomac River with Washington D.C. 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. 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. It has a thriving economy, excellent schools, plenty of recreational opportunities, and high quality of life. Updated: Jan 16, 2020. 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. In addition to lower Virginia retirement taxes, Charlottesville also gives you plenty of culture. Explore Virginia's Cities and Towns. Los Angeles. 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. Onancock is quite possibly one of the greatest hidden gems of the Eastern Shore. If you are looking for quaint towns in Virginia put this on your list. 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. Population: 23,204 Home Price: $1,390,500 median purchase price; $2,028 median monthly rent Crime Rate: Safer than 31% of cities in the U.S. And the people arent the only thing thats friendly rent is awfully friendly too. 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. Why its one of the best places to live in Virginia: The scenery: Roanoke is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so the views are absolutely stunning. Fairfax County has some of the very best public schools in the nation. Town Center of Virginia Beach and Lynnhaven Mall. The economy: Arlington is home to several major businesses, government agencies, and cultural institutions. It is small and has a population of merely 800 or so people. To experience secluded beaches and horses, visitors head to Assateague Island National Seashore, located near Chincoteague Island. Aesthetically, you couldnt ask for a prettier city than Richmond and with four fairly mild seasons, youll be able to enjoy the citys beauty year around without finding yourself too hot in the summertime nor freezing come winter. Me, just bought a teensy spot outside Boydton, n am SO excited not only about that, but the many upcoming adventures both in the County, and Coast feel very privileged to become a Virginia resident, a State with such a rich history and the folks who live here their stateSmiles to you ALL! They include Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Floridaand all have. We recommend Norfolk for young families looking to raise their kids in a great city among great people. 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. 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. The cost of living is also low, making it a great place to live for those on a budget. Another great kayaking trip is the Paddle Your Glass Off tour, a guided paddling expedition through the Bay waters to Chatham Vineyards, where youll take a scenic break for a little wine tasting. Charlottesville is a town in the Commonwealth of Virginia with two high-ranking hospitals and a massive Downtown Mall. The quality of life: The town has a high quality of life, with low crime rates and excellent schools. Tangier Island lies twelve miles off the western coast of the Eastern Shore in the Chesapeake Bay and is known as America's "Soft Crab Capital". Download The Entire Virginia Ranking Data. The town has colonial-era architecture and a recreated 18th-century village, complete with an amusement park and shopping opportunities nearby. Living in Virginia Beach offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. 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. More than 175 colleges and universities are in the Commonwealth. Located on the Virginia coast where the Chesapeake Bay collides with the Atlantic, Virginia Beach at surface level is a vacation hot spot. But it turns out, your beach-town dream may not be as far out of reach as you think. The 20 Best Places for Teachers to Live in the U.S. 1. That might be true, but even great leaders can get tired of low salaries, high living costs, and kids whod rather be anywhere else, Read More The 20 Best Places for Teachers to Live in the U.S.Continue, Life as a single mom isnt always easy. Except that Kilmarnock is not on the Eastern Shore which is what the bolg is about. Here's how it ranked in each category: Affordability: 140 Weather: 147 Safety: 144 Economy: 156 Education and health: 95 Quality of. That depends on your budget and preferences. Wed love to hear from you! Fredericksburg was established in 1671 and is located in the Northern Virginia region of the state. 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. 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. As such, its important that you pick a place with all the features and amenities that are most important to you. A growing population puts Blacksburg on the list of Virginia's best places to live for some. Coastal properties in Mississippi, Texas, and Florida are among the most affordable homes near the water anywhere in the country. This means that there are plenty of job opportunities for Arlington residents. 20 Cities with the Worst Weather in the U.S. How Eiza Gonzalez Achieved a Net Worth of $5 Million, How Bebe Rexha Achieved a Net Worth of $10 Million. Of course, the same is true for nearly every place in Virginia. The small-town feel: With a population of just over 1,000, Clifton has a strong sense of community, and the residents are committed to preserving the areas natural beauty. With a population of just over 8,000, this charming small town is surrounded by natural beauty, including the start (or finish, depending on your direction) of the.