Virginia is a state that has it all. Beaches, bustling cities, and brilliant mountain ranges are some of the top reasons people flock to the state. The seasonal climate isn’t too harsh in the winter and the summers are temperate and hot at times. Virginia is also home to several of the wealthiest zip codes in the country, and you’ll find that places like Alexandria are some of the most affluent communities in the US.
Are you thinking of moving to Virginia? The state is a great place for first-time homebuyers to raise a family with its top-notch educational system. Young people also tend to partake in the vibrant nightlife in many cities throughout the state.
Virginia also presents a lot of opportunities for real estate investors looking to buy residential properties and commercial real estate. Real estate values tend to be high in many parts of Virginia, which means pursuing a career in real estate can be a lucrative endeavor.
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This article discusses why Virginia is a great place to live and our choice of the best places to live in Virginia.
Why Virginia?
Virginia is a great place to live if you want to experience all the seasons throughout the year. Virginia has snowy winters and hot summers in addition to beautiful fall foliage around October and November.
Virginia is also home to the Shenandoah National Park which is known for its beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and rolling hills across the Shenandoah Valley. The state is filled with many other State Parks and outdoor activities for those that want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Educational standards couldn’t be higher for those living in Virginia. The state is consistently ranked in the top ten of the best educational systems in the country, and the Virginia Department of Education was ranked as running the 4th best K-12 program in the United States in 2010.
These educational standards also translate with Virginia’s higher education programs, and the state is home to some of the top universities in the country. Top colleges in Virginia include:
- Virginia Tech
- University of Virginia (UVA)
- William & Mary
- George Mason
- University of Richmond
- James Madison
Families flock to Virginia for the educational system while investors move to Virginia for the investment opportunities Virginia has to offer. Real estate investors moving to places like Lynchburg or Richmond will find affordable housing that generates consistent cash flow and property appreciation.
The best places to live in Virginia
Those looking to move to Virginia have plenty of choices. While you can’t go wrong living in nearly any part of the state, below are our picks for the 4 best places to live in Virginia.
Arlington
Arlington is the perfect place for young professionals entering the job market or older individuals that aren’t ready to give up city life just yet. The city is known for having historically low unemployment and crime rates that are much better than the national average. Arlington also has plenty of affordable neighborhoods and low-cost rentals for those that want to move to Arlington on a budget.
Arlington is home to George Mason and Marymount University which are some of the top-ranked schools in the state. There are also satellite campuses for UVA and Virginia Tech’s educational programs in Arlington.
Arlington has an extensive public transportation system that over 30 percent of the city’s workers use to get to work every day. It’s close to plenty of major highways that make it easy to get in and out of the city each day.
However, housing prices in Arlington tend to be higher than average. The average rent is about $1,800 and the median home price exceeds $600,000 in most neighborhoods. Average households have an income of over $105,000 and most of the rental market consists of young professionals.
Alexandria
Alexandria is a gem that has received several awards as one of the best small cities to live in the country. Like Arlington, the cost of living in Alexandria is higher than average and ranks among the most expensive cities to live in the United States.
Alexandria is known for its farmer’s markets, historical landmarks, eclectic eateries, and outdoor activities. Alexandria residents can do sightseeing cruises, shop at local boutiques, and taste some award-winning beers and ciders. There are also plenty of local events and festivals in Alexandria that residents enjoy throughout the year.
It’s a great place to live for those that want to climb the corporate ladder into a high-paying job in Washington. You’ll find that the public transportation system and fine dining establishments are enough to make you want to continue to live in Alexandria for a long time.
Charlottesville
Charlottesville is rich in history and comes in at number 3 on the best places to live in Virginia. It’s known for its vineyards, restaurants, boutiques, and as the home of the University of Virginia and its top educational programs.
Charlottesville is also in close proximity to the Shenandoah National Park for those that want to go hiking and take advantage of the scenic overlooks that the park has to offer. The small town provides affordable housing and a moderate cost of living for those on and off campus, making it a great place to live for young professionals.
Charlottesville is known for being the home of several U.S. Presidents and deserves a spot on the list of the best places to live in Virginia.
Falls Church
Nicknamed “The Little City,” Falls Church is only 2.2 square miles and about 7 miles from downtown Washington. Those looking for a more peaceful small-town environment will love Falls Church and all it has to offer.
Falls Church residents can shop year-round at the farmers market from over 40 local vendors offering products like local honey, flowers, and baked goods. Real estate investors will find that there’s plenty of real estate available, but being a suburb of Washington D.C. tends to drive up home values and rental prices in Falls Church.
Are you looking to buy a home in the DC Metro area? We believe that you can’t go wrong with the four cities we’ve listed here, but there are plenty of other great places to live in Virginia. Contact Kevin Bailey for more information on how to find the home of your dreams in Virginia.
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