Thinking of Moving to Virginia? | [2025] Top 14 Reasons Why You’ll Love Living in Virginia
What's it like living in Virginia? With natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a low crime rate, Virginia is a good place to live for families, retirees, and young professionals looking to pursue a career in politics or one of the other exciting industries the Commonwealth State offers. Moving to Virginia also offers affordable living and a fascinating colonial history, which attracts residents from diverse backgrounds.
However, like any other state, you should consider the pros and cons of living in Virginia before planning your relocation. To help make the decision easier, here is a list of 14 things to know before moving to Virginia and what it's like to live there.
Virginia Has a Rich History with 123 Historic Landmarks
Virginia has a rich history as the birthplace of the nation and the site of the first permanent English settlement in the New World. It is full of historic destinations dating back over 400 years and is home to close to 350 museums and 123 National Historical Landmarks. Countless founding fathers lived in Virginia, including George Washington, William Henry Harrison, James Monroe, and Thomas Jefferson.
From Colonial Williamsburg to George Washington's Mount Vernon, living in Virginia is ideal if you love American history, although you'll likely find something to do no matter what your interests.
Virginia Is a Diverse State Full of Natural Beauty
Outdoor enthusiasts will also love living in Virginia. It has 22 national parks, including Shenandoah National Park, Great Falls National Park, and Blue Ridge Parkway. History lovers will also want to check out Virginia's National Battlefield Parks to learn more about the role of the state in the American Revolution and Civil War, as well as other interesting facts about Virginia.
Virginia is also home to one-fourth of the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Mountains, with peaks reaching above 5,000. So whether you're into hiking, camping, bird-watching, or just looking for a breathtaking view, Virginia is a good state to live in.
Virginia Ranks 30th in the US for Affordability
Affordability is another fantastic benefit of living in Virginia. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Institute, Virginia ranks 30th in the US for affordability. Virginia's cost of living index is 100.5, which indicates its only 0.5% more expensive than the national average. So, no matter where you're relocating to Virginia from, your expenses will be manageable.
In fact, life in Virginia may even be significantly more affordable if you're coming from a coastal state. For instance, if you're moving from NYC to Virginia, the cost of living would be about 30% less expensive. If you're moving from California to Virginia, your living costs will be 43% less expensive. So, the cost of living in Virginia is very low for all the benefits residents enjoy.
Virginia Has a Growing Economy
Aside from its affordable living, Virginia is known for its thriving job market. The total unemployment rate in Virginia is 2.9%, which is the 14th lowest in the US. It has a GDP growth rate of 4.2% per year, and the Virginia economy accounts for 2.6% of the total US economy.
Most residents living in Virginia are employed in industries such as healthcare and social assistance, professional, scientific, and technical services, retail trade, accommodation and food services, and manufacturing. Employment for workers living in Virginia is expected to grow by 10.4% by 2026, outpacing the national average of 7.4%. So, the abundance of job opportunities is another reason you'll love living in Virginia.
Virginia is the Top State in the Country for Business
One of the main reasons Virginia has such a strong economy is its business-friendly environment. According to a study by CNBC, Virginia is the top state in the nation for businesses based on factors such as cost of living, access to capital, educational opportunities, the economy, infrastructure, and more.
It scored especially high in infrastructure due to its many new facilities funded by federal tax dollars and the high concentration of data centers in Northern Virginia. Its well-respected educational system for students living in Virginia also helped it secure the top position.
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Virginia Ranks 9th in the US For Education
Another reason to seriously consider moving to VA is its fantastic school districts. A study by Wallet Hub ranked Virginia 9th in the nation for public schools. The study took into account factors such as average student-teacher ratio, graduation rate, and standardized test scores for students living in Virginia.
It was found that Virginia is ranked especially highly in things like ensuring low-income students graduate high school and preparing students for AP exams. It also ranked well in terms of student safety, with a high percentage of parents living in Virginia believing their students are safe in school. Virginia also offers a range of options for higher education, including five historically black colleges, and state support for higher education has increased by 28% in the past 5 years.
Virginia Cities Have Exceptional Public Transportation
Commuters thinking about relocating to VA will be pleased to know that many of its cities are known to have great public transportation. In particular, Richmond is the best place to live in Virginia if you rely on public transportation. It has the fourth best public transit system in the US, following New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The Greater Richmond Transit System operates several bus lines for commuters living in Virginia that provide service every 10 minutes on weekdays and 15 minutes on weekends. Arlington is also known for its efficient public transportation, which connects with the DC system for easy commuting. Plus, Norfolk's Hampton Roads Transit System features fast bus services and the popular tide rail system for people living in Virginia.
Virginia Ranks 2nd in the Nation for Hospital Quality
Living in Virginia also offers access to top-rated healthcare facilities. A study by the Leapfrog Group ranked Virginia hospitals 2nd in the US based on patient safety. Out of the 72 major hospitals analyzed in the study, 56.3% received an A rating.
Notable hospitals that received an A-rating:
- Fauquier Hospital – Warrenton
- Inova Fairfax Hospital – Falls Church
- Reston Hospital Center – Reston
- StoneSprings Hospital Center – Dulles
- UVA Haymarket Medical Center – Haymarket
- Virginia Hospital Center–Arlington Health System – Arlington
According to Newsweek, the best hospitals in Virginia are the University of Virginia Medical Center, Inova Fairfax Hospital, and VCU Medical Center. So whether you're looking for a career in healthcare or just want access to top-rated doctors, quality healthcare is one of the best things about living in Virginia.
Virginia Has a Low Tax Rate
Living in Virginia also offers relatively low taxes and favorable policies for businesses and retirees. It has a graduated income tax rate with four tax brackets that range from 2% to 5.75%. The state sales tax rate is 5.3%, although some counties impose their own personal property taxes, which can raise the rate as high as 7%. The average combined rate is 5.77% for taxpayers living in Virginia, which is still the 10th lowest in the US.Property taxes will depend on the county, with median tax bills ranging from $378 in rural Buchanan County to over $10,000 in the DC suburb of Falls Church. The average property tax bill in Virginia is $1,764. Living in Virginia also offers plenty of benefits for retirees, including income tax deductions and no tax on social security income. So, take this into consideration if you're weighing the pros and cons of retiring in Virginia.
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Virginia Has a Humid Subtropical Climate
Living in Virginia also offers a very mild climate that is pleasant throughout the year. It has a humid subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters. It's often described as a "Goldilocks climate," which means it's never too hot or too cold, and temperatures tend to stay between 35°F and 75°F. However, the weather does depend on the region.
The average temperature range in Virginia's Five regions:
- Tidewater Climate Region: 35° - 85°
- Piedmont Climate Region: 27°F - 88°F
- Northern Virginia Climate Region: 19°F - 86°F
- Western Mountain Climate Region: 27° - 87°F
- Southwestern Mountain Climate Region: 24°F - 85°F
Prepare for precipitation if you plan on living in Virginia. Annual precipitation across regions ranges from 38.29 inches to 47.33 inches. Most of the snowfall occurs in the western and southwestern mountain climate regions, typically from 16.7 inches to 23.2 inches yearly. So, if you're looking for a mild climate with just enough variation and precipitation to keep things interesting, Virginia is a nice place to live.
Virginia Has a Strong Real Estate Market
Living in Virginia also has a strong housing market with plenty of options available at any price point. According to Redfin, the median sales price for a home in Virginia is $439,000, and the average price per square foot is $224. That indicates that housing prices in Virginia are only 2.5% higher than in the rest of the US.
However, markets can vary dramatically depending on where you look. For instance, in the independent city of Martinsville, the median home price is only $152,600, while in the DC suburb of McClean, the median home price is $1.8 million. But regardless of your price range, moving to Virginia offers a strong real estate market with statewide median sales prices increasing by 15% year over year.
Living in Virginia Offers a Balance of Urban and Rural Living
Another overlooked benefit of living in Virginia is the wide variety of communities and environments you have to choose from. What it's like to live in Virginia offers a very different experience depending on where you plan to settle. Moving to Northern Virginia offers the perfect balance of suburban living and an easy commute to Washington DC.
Moving to Appalachia near West Virginia or the Piedmont region offers a rural atmosphere characterized by its sprawling farms, wine country, and rugged beauty. Major cities like Virginia Beach and Richmond offer an urban lifestyle mixed with southern hospitality. The Chesapeake Bay region also offers sandy beaches and views of the Atlantic Ocean. So whatever vibe you're looking for, you can find it living in Virginia.
Virginia Has No Professional Sports Teams
Sports fans may see this as one of the biggest reasons not to move to Virginia, but it's one of 24 states that have no major sports teams. It does have plenty of college teams that compete in a range of sports.
Residents living in Virginia also often root for the pro sports teams based in DC, including the Washington Commanders in the NHL and the Washington Capitals in the NHL. However, the Commonwealth State does not have any of its own athletic programs that compete at a professional level.
Virginia Has an Easy Process For Updating Your Driver's License
If you're planning on moving to Virginia in the near future, you'll be pleased to hear that the process for updating your driver's license and other official documents is very straightforward.
You can notify the Virginia DMV of your new address online, by phone, or by mail using an Address Change Request Form. You are expected to notify the DMV of your new location within 30 days of your move.
Here are the methods you should use to update your address after moving to Virginia:
- Online
- By Phone: (804) 497-7100
- Send an address change request to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, PO Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269
- Make an appointment at a DMV customer service center
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Largest Cities in Virginia By Population
- Virginia Beach: 451,637
- Chesapeake: 255,254
- Arlington: 240,548
- Richmond: 230,017
- Norfolk: 228,643
- Newport News: 182,141
- Alexandria: 153,927
- Hampton: 137,037
- Suffolk: 102,628
- Portsmouth: 96,405
How to Move to Virginia
Now that you understand all the fantastic benefits of living in Virginia, you’re ready to plan your relocation. When that day comes, you can trust the experienced team of Virginia movers at On the Fly Moving Guys to make your moving day easy and affordable. Call (804) 836-4954 today for a free quote.
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