Welcome to Virginia Beach, a coastal paradise with a unique blend of resort city lifestyle, military town benefits, and beautiful natural landscapes. Whether you’re a beach lover, outdoor enthusiast, or seeking a vibrant community with a diverse economy, relocating to Virginia Beach might just be the perfect choice for you. Let’s explore what makes this city so appealing and how you can make the most of your new life in Virginia Beach.
Short Summary
Discover Beach’s unique coastal charm, resort city lifestyle and military town benefits.
Enjoy affordable housing options, plentiful job opportunities and recreational activities.
Prepare for your move with a comprehensive relocation checklist & the types of services to consider purchasing to help your move go more smoothly.
Understanding Virginia Beach's Unique Features
Discover Beach’s unique coastal charm, resort city lifestyle and military town benefits.
Enjoy affordable housing options, plentiful job opportunities and recreational activities.
Prepare for your move with a comprehensive relocation checklist & the types of services to consider purchasing to help your move go more smoothly.
Nestled along the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is the largest city in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan area, offering residents a mix of coastal charm, resort city lifestyle, and military town benefits. Established as a beach resort in 1887, its rich history combined with a diverse economy and attractive tax rates make it an ideal destination for retirement, young professionals and everyone in between.
Living in Virginia Beach means enjoying four distinct seasons, with moderate climate and cool periods, offering plenty of outdoor activities throughout the year. The city is home to the longest pleasure beach in the world, according to USA Today Weekend, attracting both tourists and locals to its sandy shores.
So, what can you expect when you move to Virginia Beach? Let’s dive into the unique features that make this city so special.
Coastal City Charm
Virginia Beach boasts a vibrant coastal city charm, with plenty of hotels and restaurants perfect for remote working, and a thriving economy with low tax rates. [insert tax link here] One of the city’s most famous attractions is the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, where you can enjoy delightful restaurants, wonderful shops, live music, and the iconic Neptune Statue.
Despite being a resort city, the cost of living in Virginia Beach is quite reasonable, with the median home price at $262,000 and a median monthly rent of $1,258. This makes it an affordable option for both homeowners and renters alike.
With the coastal charm, diverse economy, and affordable living, it’s no wonder why so many people are attracted to moving to Virginia Beach.
Resort City Lifestyle
Embrace the resort city lifestyle in Virginia Beach, where you can enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities, vibrant nightlife, and enjoyable festivals. The Resort Strip is a lively three-mile stretch of shops, mini golf, arcades, restaurants, bars, and ice cream spots, perfect for beach bums and vacationers alike. Some of the most beloved festivals in the city include the Virginia Wine Festival, Something in the Water Festival, and the East Coast Surfing Championships.
The city’s signature drink, the Orange Crush, is a must-try for anyone moving to Virginia Beach, offering a refreshing taste of the beach lifestyle. With a laid-back atmosphere, endless entertainment options, and a thriving community, you’ll feel right at home in this resort city.
Military Town Benefits
Being a military town, Virginia Beach is home to the incredible NAS Oceana and the remarkable Training Support Center Hampton Roads, offering numerous benefits for military personnel and their families.
In addition to the military presence, the city also boasts the Military Aviation Museum, one of the most impressive and extensive private collections of World War I and World War II-era aircraft, making it a must-visit for history buffs and aviation enthusiasts alike.
Housing Options and Affordability
Virginia Beach provides a wide variety of housing options. Single-unit homes, apartment blocks, and townhouses can all be found in the Town Center and downtown area. Coastal neighborhoods like Chesapeake Beach offer a fantastic variety of housing options, including beach cottages, condos, and even apartment blocks. With the city’s strong economy and high demand for houses, buying a home in Virginia Beach is an amazing investment.
To help you find the perfect home in Virginia Beach, let’s explore some of the most popular neighborhoods and the advantages of renting versus buying.
Popular Neighborhoods
Seatack, Thoroughgood, and Dam Neck are all highly sought-after neighborhoods in Virginia Beach, offering various amenities and housing prices to suit your needs. Seatack is an affordable option for homeowners and renters alike, with a median home price of $334,944 and a median monthly rent of $1,574. The Thoroughgood neighborhood boasts top-rated schools, fantastic restaurants, beautiful parks, and excellent fitness centers, with a median home price of $453,000 and a median monthly rent of $1,267.
For those looking for affordability and convenient access to outdoor attractions, Dam Neck might be the perfect fit, with a median home price of $246,175 and a median monthly rent of $882.
With a variety of neighborhoods to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect place to call home in Virginia Beach.
Renting vs. Buying
When deciding between renting and buying in Virginia Beach, it’s essential to weigh the advantages and opportunities of each option. Homeownership offers stability and a sense of belonging, while renting provides flexibility and lower upfront costs.
With a median home price of $262,000 and a median monthly rent of $1,258, both options can be quite affordable depending on your individual circumstances and priorities. Make sure to take your time exploring the housing market and finding the best fit for your lifestyle and budget.
Job Opportunities and Local Economy
Virginia Beach boasts a strong economy, with thriving employment sectors such as real estate, defense, and tourism, offering ample job opportunities for those moving to the city. The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Station Oceana is the most successful employer in Virginia Beach, but there are also several exciting non-military employers such as Stihl, Amerigroup, Navy Federal Credit Union and Geico, as well as numerous non-profit organizations and education providers.
With its diverse economy and consistently lower unemployment rate than the national average, Virginia Beach is an excellent place to build your career.
Diverse Employment Sectors
In addition to the resort area and booming real estate, defense, and tourism sectors, Virginia Beach is also home to key industries such as advanced manufacturing, bio and life sciences, IT/cyber, maritime and logistics, offshore wind, and office/retail, providing a wealth of opportunities for growth.
With a mix of large and small employers, including Management Consulting, Professional Hospitality Resources, and HRSD, the city offers a dynamic job market for those seeking new professional challenges.
Top Employers
Some of the top employers in Virginia Beach include Sentara Healthcare, Naval Air Station Oceana, and Regent University, providing a wide range of opportunities for residents to thrive in their careers.
Additionally, working for prestigious companies like Wells Fargo, Amazon, and AT&T can be a great option in the area. With a diverse and growing economy, Virginia Beach is an ideal place for professionals from all backgrounds to find fulfilling employment.
Educational Institutions and Opportunities
Virginia Beach is home to an excellent school district, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, which covers over 50 elementary schools, 14 middle schools, and 12 high schools, ensuring a high-quality education for all residents.
In addition to the public school system, the city also boasts several renowned universities and colleges, including Regent University, Atlantic University, Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, and Tidewater Community College, providing outstanding post-secondary education workforce training opportunities.
Top Employers
Regent University is an esteemed private Christian university located in Virginia Beach, with a thriving undergraduate enrollment offering degree programs both online and on-campus. The university offers an array of exciting undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, law, divinity, and more, ensuring a well-rounded education for those who choose to attend.
Tidewater Community College
Tidewater Community College is a vibrant public college located in Virginia Beach, with four campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, offering over 150 programs, guaranteed transfer, online classes, and more.
With an incredible range of associate degrees and certificates in various fields, Tidewater Community College provides a wealth of opportunities for students seeking to further their education and career prospects.
Recreation and Leisure Activities
With its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and enjoyable festivals, Virginia Beach offers a wide range of recreation and leisure activities for residents to enjoy.
Whether you’re a beach lover, outdoor enthusiast, or an arts and culture aficionado, there’s something for everyone in this exciting coastal city.
Outdoor Attractions
Virginia Beach is home to a plethora of incredible outdoor attractions, including First Landing State Park, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and 10 different beach experiences. First Landing State Park is a beautiful 2,888-acre park, offering a wide variety of recreational activities such as camping, fishing, boating mountain biking, and hiking, as well as being the site of the first landing of the English colonists in 1607.
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge offers a stunning 9,108-acre refuge, home to a diverse range of wildlife and recreational activities such as, wildlife observation, and hiking.
With over 10 different beaches to pick from, it can be hard to pick just one. Want a full breakdown of all of the beaches? Check out my Ultimate Virginia Beach vacation guide here
Arts and Culture
Virginia Beach is a cultural hub, boasting attractions such as the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, the ViBe Creative District, and the Oceanfront murals, offering residents a vibrant arts scene to explore and enjoy. The city also hosts a variety of exciting events and festivals, including the Neptune Festival, American Music Festival, and the airshow at NAS Oceana, showcasing the city’s rich cultural heritage and diverse artistic talent.
In addition to the arts, Virginia Beach is home to a thriving music scene, with the American Music Festival showcasing a diverse range of genres, including rock, jazz, blues, and country. With so many arts and culture events and attractions to choose from, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in Virginia Beach.
Transportation and Commuting
Getting around Virginia Beach is relatively easy, with Hampton Roads Transit providing bus and light rail services throughout the city and surrounding areas. While traffic may be heavier during peak tourist season and rush hour, it is generally manageable, ensuring a relatively stress-free commute for residents.
Public Transit
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) is the public transportation provider for the region, offering an array of transportation services throughout Virginia Beach, including the VB Wave Shuttle and Mini-Bus, a trolley system that serves as the backbone of the city’s public transportation.
The Light Rail fare to Virginia Beach Town Center is approximately $2.00, making it an affordable and convenient option for those seeking to explore the city without a car.
Traffic and Congestion
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) is the public transportation provider for the region, offering an array of transportation services throughout Virginia Beach, including the VB Wave Shuttle and Mini-Bus, a trolley system that serves as the backbone of the city’s public transportation.
The Light Rail fare to Virginia Beach Town Center is approximately $2.00, making it an affordable and convenient option for those seeking to explore the city without a car.
While Virginia Beach does experience increased traffic and congestion during peak tourist season, congestion is generally manageable, with rush hour typically starting at 6 am and ending around 10 am, and resuming at 3 pm and lasting until around 6 pm.
In fact, Virginia Beach is ranked 72nd on the list of 101 urban areas in the US, with residents losing an average of only 22 hours to congestion in 2021. By planning your commute accordingly, you can minimize the impact of traffic and congestion on your daily life.
Preparing for Your Move to Virginia Beach
To ensure a smooth and stress-free move to Virginia Beach, it’s essential to create a moving checklist and prepare a budget by learning about the reasonable cost of living in the city. By carefully planning your move and organizing your belongings, you can minimize potential challenges and ensure a successful transition to your new home in Virginia Beach.
One way to make your move to Virginia Beach easier is to hire a professional moving company like [ ] to safely transport your belongings. By entrusting your move to experienced professionals, you can focus on settling into your new home and enjoying all that Virginia Beach has to offer.
Creating a Moving Checklist
Creating a moving checklist is an effective way to stay organized and ensure a smooth transition to your new home in Virginia Beach. Be sure to include tasks such as packing non-essentials first for ease of access, packing essentials last for safekeeping, labeling boxes for quick identification, and loading furniture, appliances, and larger items first for efficiency.
Additionally, consider creating an inventory of items to be moved, taking pictures of each item, and noting the condition of each item to ensure all of your belongings make it to their destination.
Hiring Professional Movers
Hiring professional movers can bring you peace of mind, prevent damages and injuries, save you time and energy, and provide security against unexpected trouble. The cost of hiring professional movers can vary depending on the size of your move, the distance of the move, and the services you require, but it can be more affordable than you might expect.
By researching multiple moving companies, reading reviews, and ensuring they are licensed and insured, you can find the right professional mover to make your move to Virginia Beach a success.
Summary
Virginia Beach is a unique and dynamic city that offers a perfect blend of coastal charm, resort city lifestyle, and military town benefits. With a diverse economy, excellent educational institutions, and a wide range of recreational and leisure activities, Virginia Beach is an ideal place to call home. By carefully planning your move and taking advantage of the many resources available, you can ensure a smooth transition to your new life in this vibrant coastal city. Embrace the exciting opportunities waiting for you in Virginia Beach and start your new adventure today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth moving to Virginia Beach?
With beautiful beaches, lower taxes than the national average, plenty of activities, trade schools and good job opportunities, Virginia Beach is a great place to live.
The community also has good schools, a low crime rate, and friendly people. All in all, moving to Virginia Beach is certainly worth considering.
Is Virginia a good place to live?
Yes, Virginia is an excellent place to live with so much to offer. Not only does it have great weather and a welcoming atmosphere, but its cities are bustling with diverse cultural, educational, and career opportunities.
The state offers the perfect balance of nature, culture, history, and entertainment. [ include link to city ]
Is Virginia beach nice?
Virginia Beach is a wonderful place to live and explore. With its beautiful oceanfront, diverse culture and unique history, it’s easy to see why so many people are drawn to this coastal city.
From its family-friendly activities and thriving culinary scene to its stunning beaches and countless attractions, Virginia Beach is the perfect destination for anyone looking for a place that offers something for everyone.