Moving to Virginia Beach, VA

Thinking about moving to Virginia Beach?

Jump to any of the following sections to learn more about what to expect living in Virginia Beach.

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• Virginia Beach At-a-glance
• What it’s like to live in Virginia Beach
• Economy and job outlook in Virginia Beach
• Cost of living in Virginia Beach
• The top neighborhoods in Virginia Beach
• How to get around in Virginia Beach
• Virginia Beach School and education snapshot
• Weather and climate in Virginia Beach
• Can’t miss things to do in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach At-A-Glance

If you’re considering moving to Virginia Beach, AKA Neptune City, you’ll be hard-pressed to find reasons not to. Aside from the occasional tropical storm, rush hour traffic and the blare of overhead fighter jets (which you may just grow to love), the city’s list of cons is almost nonexistent. 

People are drawn to Virginia Beach’s strong economy, family-friendly atmosphere, and of course, the 30+ miles of scenic coastline. The city boasts the longest pleasure beach in the world and is considered one of the best cities to live in, not just in the state of Virginia, but in the nation.

The Coastal Charm Of Virginia Beach

Q: Is Virginia Beach a good place to live?

A: No. It’s a PHENOMENAL place to live.

Virginia Beach is home to 461,763 people, and the population increases yearly. Yes, this seaside city is famous for its beautiful beaches, but people are attracted to so much more than the surf, sun and sand.

• Recreational Opportunities: Virginia Beach is considered one of the country’s healthiest cities partly because of the countless recreational opportunities. Cycling, swimming, jogging, surfing, hiking, parasailing, volleyball…you name it, and you can probably participate in it.
• Safety: One of the biggest draws to living in Virginia Beach is its safety rating. It’s considered one of the safest cities not only in the state of Virginia but the entire nation. 
• Festivals & Special Events: Neptune City is known for its lively events and festivals. The East Coast Surfing Championship and the Neptune Festival are two of the most popular.
• Nature: Fox Run Trail, False Cape State Park and the Back Bay National Wildlife Preserve are just a few of the city’s stunning natural areas to explore.
• Strong Military Presence: Virginia Beach is a military town. It’s home to several military facilities, including the world’s largest naval station, Naval Air Station Oceana. 

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Virginia Beach’s Economy is Diverse and Thriving

Virginia Beach’s robust economy is driven by tourism, military, technology, and retail industries. Additionally, the offshore wind industry is gaining momentum, with two off-coast installation projects being planned for the near future.

The unemployment rate is lower than the national average and the job market is strong. Many young professionals are drawn to the city for its high quality of life and natural beauty, but also its business incentives and supportive professional community. Some of the largest employers in town include Naval Air Station Oceana-Dam Neck, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Ft. Story, Sentara Healthcare and GEICO.

Coastal Living At Its Finest

Despite being a beach town, Virginia Beach offers more affordable rent and housing compared to similar coastal cities. While housing costs may be inflated, the overall affordability is enhanced by the city’s favorable salary-to-expenses ratio, making Virginia Beach an attractive option for those seeking an affordable coastal lifestyle.

Virginia Beach has a competitive real estate market with housing types for all tastes and budgets. Average housing costs are around $370,000, while average rent is around $1,500/month for a 1-bedroom apartment, $1,700/month for a 2-bedroom and $2,100 for a 3-bedroom.

Desirable Neptune City Neighborhoods

Ashville Park

This family friendly master planned neighborhood has stunning homes and numerous desirable amenities. Residents here enjoy a fitness center, pool, dog park, kids adventure park and a basketball court. Asheville Park is also home to 15 lakes and 30 acres of serene conservation areas. 

Croatan

If quiet, quaint beachfront living is your cup of tea, you’ll love this luxurious sanctuary. Croatan promises stunning beachfront properties and an exclusive, private lifestyle. Although it’s steeped in nature, with the ocean on one side and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge on the other, Croatan is still quite close to many of Virginia Beach’s amenities and attractions.

Ocean Lakes

Ocean Lakes is a highly sought-after neighborhood in Virginia Beach that combines affordability with its proximity to the ocean. The area provides a safe and welcoming environment, and residents enjoy an active lifestyle thanks to the area’s pools, well-maintained parks and trails. 

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Commuting Is A Breeze In This Beach Town

Virginia Beach’s robust transportation system provides several options for residents and visitors to navigate the city easily.

• Public Bus Service: the HRT, Hampton Roads Transit, is the city’s primary public bus service. It covers residential neighborhoods, commercial districts and major destinations within the town.
• Light Rail: The Tide Light Rail is convenient for people commuting between Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
• Road Network: The city’s extensive road network, including Interstate 264, provides easy access to all areas of Virginia Beach.
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Lanes & Walkways: The city provides shared-use paths and designated bike lanes for those wanting to put their car in storage and walk or bike to work. These are safe and convenient, and many have scenic oceanfront views.
• Ride-Sharing & Taxis: Virginia Beach has reliable taxi and ride-share services for convenient, stress-free travel throughout the city.

lity Educational Opportunities

Virginia Beach has an excellent public and private school system. According to Niche, it has some of the best public schools in the nation. Its 88 public schools serve nearly 70,000 students, and the city is known for having some of the top schools in Virginia.

Students pursuing higher education have more than 20 colleges, universities and trade schools to choose from. Most students choose to attend Old Dominion University in nearby Norfolk, Regent University, or Tidewater Community College. ODU is a public research university serving over 24,000 students in more than 120 undergraduate programs. TCC has close to 25,000 students and over 150 academic programs to choose from. Regent University is a private Christian college with around 13,000 students in over 150 areas of study.

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Enjoy A Marvelous and Moderate Climate

Virginia Beach is in a temperate climate zone, with four full seasons and a moderate year-round climate. The winters are mild, with an average temperature of 57 degrees, and summers are hot and muggy, with an average temperature of 79 degrees.

If you’re moving to Virginia Beach, bring your umbrella! Virginia Beach sees an average of 115 days of precipitation each year and has an average annual rainfall of 47 inches which is more than the national average. Conversely, the city enjoys an average of 106 sunny days annually.

10 Can’t-Miss Coastal City Attractions

From history and creativity to outdoor adventures, this laid-back coastal town offers plenty to do. These are our 10 can’t-miss attractions to add to your to-do list:

1. Beautiful Beaches: Whether you prefer to swim, sunbathe, play beach volleyball, or just people-watch, there’s no better place to do it than Virginia Beach’s sandy-white shores.
2. The Iconic Virginia Beach Boardwalk: Taking a stroll down this famous 3.4-mile boardwalk should be near the top of your list. Grab a bite to eat, do some shopping and don’t forget to take a selfie with King Neptune!
3. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel: This impressive bridge, considered one of the seven man-made wonders of the world, spans 17.2 miles connecting Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore. It offers breathtaking views of the ocean and passing military ships.
4. ViBe Creative District: This must-see vibrant district is home to studios, galleries and local artisan shops.
5. First Landing State Park: This natural beauty is the most-visited park in Virginia. It boasts over 2,000 acres of salt marsh, beach, walking trails, freshwater ponds and swamps.
6. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center: This popular family-friendly attraction is home to over 300 species of marine animals and exciting exhibits.
7. Dolphin & Whale Watching: The marine life is so abundant in Virginia Beach that most tour companies guarantee whale and dolphin sightings between March and October. The best time to witness the majestic humpback whales is from December to February.
8. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge: With more than 9,000 acres of refuge, kayaking is the best way to explore this beautiful natural paradise.
9. Go On An Oyster Boat Tour: On these thrilling tours, you’ll learn how the oyster industry works, why the economy depends on it and how oysters are raised in the area. And, of course, you’ll enjoy freshly shucked oysters!
10. The Military Aviation Museum: Not only can you explore dozens of classic planes from World War I and II, but you can also experience flying in one!

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