From the shoreline to the mountain vary, Virginia’s various geography makes this state favorable to all who stay there. Take a hike by the Appalachian mountains or lay on the seashore on the sandy shores of Sandbridge Seaside; there are heaps to see and do in Virginia. Though there are numerous nice causes to stay right here, is Virginia an excellent place to stay?
So whether or not you’re houses on the market in Richmond, contemplating renting an house in Chesapeake, or wish to weigh out the explanations to maneuver to this state, listed here are ten professionals and cons of dwelling in Virginia.
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Fast Information about Virginia
Is Virginia an excellent place to stay?
Virginia can completely be an excellent place to stay. This state has a bit of little bit of all the pieces: thriving cities, quiet small cities, rolling mountains, and miles of shoreline. If you need the power of a fast-paced job market, Northern Virginia’s tech and authorities sectors have you ever coated. Choose a slower, extra scenic life-style? You’ll discover it in locations just like the Shenandoah Valley or alongside the Chesapeake Bay. Job alternatives are stable, particularly in tech, healthcare, schooling, and authorities—notably in case you’re close to D.C. Past the massive cities, you’ll discover tight-knit communities that take delight of their neighborhoods. Public faculties are typically well-rated, and the state persistently ranks nicely for healthcare and total high quality of life. Now, it’s not good — site visitors within the D.C. metro space is usually a headache, and housing costs in that area will be steep. In rural areas, job choices will be extra restricted, and public transportation isn’t at all times dependable. The climate can swing from muggy summers to unpredictable winters, so you would possibly expertise all the pieces from hurricanes to snow, relying on the place you land.
1. Professional: Virginia has stunning, various landscapes
Virginia is dwelling to a really various panorama. From the well-known Appalachian mountain vary to the favored Virginia Seaside shoreline, you’ll by no means tire of all the gorgeous surroundings. There are tons of nationwide parks in Virginia showcasing their distinctive magnificence and enormous our bodies of water. The Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac, and hundreds of acres of wetlands supply residents a wide range of locations to discover.
2. Con: Heavy site visitors and lengthy commute occasions
When you’re planning to stay in or round Northern Virginia—particularly close to D.C.—be ready for some critical congestion. The area persistently ranks among the many worst within the nation for site visitors, with lengthy commute occasions and crowded highways being a part of each day life. Even outdoors of Northern Virginia, cities like Richmond and Virginia Seaside can expertise rush hour slowdowns. For these used to lighter site visitors or shorter drives, adjusting to the tempo of metropolis commuting in Virginia would possibly take some persistence.
3. Professional: Virginia’s financial system is robust
Virginia’s financial system is dynamic and strong, supported by a mixture of industries together with authorities contracting, know-how, protection, agriculture, and manufacturing. The state advantages from its proximity to Washington, D.C., which drives sturdy demand for federal jobs and associated companies. Tech hubs in Northern Virginia and rising sectors like cybersecurity and information facilities supply plentiful alternatives for expert employees. This financial range helps present stability and a variety of profession choices for residents throughout the state.
4. Con: Virginia has a excessive price of dwelling
Whereas Virginia affords lots when it comes to life-style and alternative, it usually comes with a steeper price ticket—particularly in widespread areas like Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, and the coastal area close to Virginia Seaside. The median dwelling sale value within the state is round $465,000, which is larger than the nationwide median of $438,000. Renters face comparable pressures, notably in cities near Washington, D.C. or main employment hubs. On high of housing, on a regular basis bills like groceries, gasoline, healthcare, and eating out additionally pattern above the nationwide common in lots of components of the state. When you’re eyeing a transfer to Virginia, particularly to one among its high-demand metros, it’s essential to issue within the cumulative price of dwelling when weighing your choices.
5. Professional: Virginia has all 4 seasons
If you wish to expertise the heat of the summer season, the autumn foliage, and the snow of the winter, Virginia is a state to contemplate. Virginia has 5 local weather areas: Northern Virginia, Western Virginia, Piedmont, Tidewater, and Southwestern Mountain. And though these areas expertise slight temperature adjustments, as an entire, most of Virginia has a moist subtropical local weather. You may expertise summer season temperatures exceeding 85 levels Fahrenheit, whereas southern and jap components of the state expertise even larger temperatures starting from 90-95 levels Fahrenheit. Winters will be gentle, with temperatures starting from 30-50 levels Fahrenheit, with January being the coldest month experiencing snow and ice.
Krystal Bilberry, a neighborhood artist shares, “I love that Virginia offers all four seasons, which you can enjoy in any setting you choose. My family loves to vacation in the beautiful mountains of the Shenandoah Valley in the spring and fall. We spend our summers at the beach in historic Yorktown or Ft Monroe in Hampton Roads. In Virginia, we’re always a short drive away from the country, the mountains, the beaches, or the city.”
6. Con: Virginia has sizzling, humid summers
Though you get to expertise all 4 seasons right here, summers in Virginia will be lengthy, sweltering, and sticky—particularly within the central and jap components of the state. Excessive humidity ranges mixed with temperatures that continuously climb into the 90s could make out of doors actions much less pleasant throughout peak summer season months.
7. Professional: Glorious public transportation choices in giant metros
Residing in a northern metropolis like Arlington means you’ll have entry to glorious transportation. Northern Virginia has a number of public transportation choices to get you the place it’s essential to go. In Giant cities like Alexandria, you’ll discover the Metrorail, Fairfax connector, trains, DASH bus, trolley, water taxis, and extra. When you’re shifting to Virginia and don’t have a automotive, contemplate shifting to a northern metropolis.
8. Con: Plane noise close to navy bases
In components of Virginia, particularly close to cities like Virginia Seaside and Norfolk, the presence of huge navy air stations means residents usually take care of frequent plane noise. The sound of jets taking off and touchdown will be disruptive, notably for these dwelling near Naval Air Station Oceana or comparable services. Whereas the navy performs a serious position within the native financial system and neighborhood, the noise is usually a disadvantage for individuals delicate to sound or on the lookout for a quieter atmosphere.
9. Professional: There are historic websites and monuments all around the state
From Colonial Williamsburg to Civil Conflict battlefields and presidential estates, Virginia is filled with historic landmarks that supply a tangible connection to the nation’s previous. Whether or not you’re exploring Monticello, touring the houses of Washington and Jefferson, or visiting monuments scattered all through the state, there’s at all times one thing to find. For historical past buffs and curious newcomers alike, Virginia affords each day alternatives to step again in time.
10. Con: Threat of hurricanes and flooding
Virginia’s coastal areas are susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, notably throughout late summer season and early fall. Heavy rainfall and storm surges can result in flooding, particularly in low-lying areas. Residents in affected zones usually want to organize with insurance coverage and emergency plans.
