Why are so many people relocating to Virginia?

ntic. The city of Virginia Beach has 38 miles of coastline offering pristine beaches and tons of outdoor activities.

Virginia is also home to four major rivers that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. These, from North to South, are the Potomac-Shenandoah River system, the Rappahannock River, the York River, and the James River.

Between these four rivers and dozens of other smaller rivers, not to mention, over 217 miles of the Blue Ridge Mountains run through Virginia.

And, with all this beauty comes an array of outdoor activities. From mountain biking, paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, and surfing, to camping you’ll never get bored hunting for outdoor activities. If you don't have your gear, there are plenty of outdoor gear rental places to get what you need.

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Residents can hike the Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Mountains, explore Shenandoah National Park, tour estates, and beautiful gardens, dine and enjoy some spirits at more than 200 breweries and cideries and more than 300 wineries.

Overall, Virginia’s variety of family activities and scenery provides something for everybody.

History Abounds

If you love history the state that is nicknamed Old Dominion, was the first permanent settlement of the British.

It was one of the original 13 colonies in the formation of America and four of the first five presidents and founding fathers were born and raised in Virginia: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe.

As the largest and most populated colony at the time, the state played a vital role in the American Revolution. The famous speech “Give me liberty or give me death!” was delivered by Patrick Henry in Richmond in the year 1775.

Considered the location of the end of the American Revolution, the British surrendered in Yorktown, Virginia in 1781 when Americans won their independence.

During the Civil War, Richmond became the capital of the confederacy. Due to its close distance to Washington D.C. and abundance of manufacturers and mines, most of the battles of the war were fought in Virginia.

History like this has been key in making Virginia what it is currently.

If you want to see this colonial history up close and personal visit Colonial Williamsburg. The historic district and interactive living history museum show daily colonial times. Walk the streets or take a carriage ride and find yourself in the colonial era. There are also shops and workshops, fife, and drum demonstrations, or dine at an 18th-century tavern.

The Cost of Living is High

Sounds fun, informative and a nice place to call home, right?

Be aware even though lots of folks are relocating to Virginia, it is more expensive than other states to live in.

The cost of living is above the national average and the taxes are high as well. On a list of the top 10 states for income tax, Virginia was ranked seventh. But don’t despair it is possible to find an affordable place to live if it is in a rural area. For example, the city of Covington was listed as number one for affordability. But if you are wanting a metropolitan area, choose on living in Richmond making about $83,000 a year. It is the state capital, but Richmond and the cheapest metropolitan area in Virginia.

Education in Virginia

According to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Virginia is the 6th most educated state in the country. 38% of the state's population growth has a bachelor’s degree or higher. As far as the Southern States go, this is the top in the region.

The state is full of excellent colleges and universities, including top-rated public and private schools, and why many have opted to move here.

By enrollment, George Mason University in Fairfax is the largest public research university in the state, with a student population of over 39,000.

Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth, the University of Virginia, and Old Dominion University are also well-known schools in the state with more than 24,000 students each.

Liberty University in Lynchburg is not only the largest private school in Virginia but also the largest university in the state with an enrollment of more than 100,000.

And of course, don't forget, West Virginia University is also close by if you have a child thinking about attending there.

While Virginia is a great state to seek higher education, it also boasts strong secondary and primary education systems.

Some of the state’s highest performing school districts are Falls Church, Arlington, West Point, and Yorktown. From kindergarten through elementary school and high school, the education provided in Virginia is top-notch.

For parents with young children, consider Arlington. Jamestown Elementary School (public) and Arlington Traditional (magnet) are both among the top-rated public schools in the state.

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Virginia’s Weather

Virginia as mentioned has all four seasons: tough winters, hot summers, and beautiful fall and spring seasons.

Summer, while hot, humid, and rainy, is the tourist season. The fall can still be bombarded with tourists because of the beautiful leaves changing and many festivals.

Winters are cold, snowy, and not the best time to consider moving,

Virginia is known for being exceptionally polite. Unlike larger cities like Boston and New York, folks in Virginia say hello when they pass you on the streets, they open doors for you, and they aren’t afraid to give you a friendly smile. While this cultural change can take some getting used to, especially if you’re moving from a bigger city, most who experience it, fall in love with it.

Not all Unicorns and Rainbows

Many folks say that Northern Virginia has some of the worst traffic in the nation. With it hugging D.C., the area can become packed like sardines, quickly. If you’re moving from New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles… this might not be a concern for you. But, if you’re used to being able to jump in a car and get anywhere in less than five minutes, you might want to think twice about moving to Virginia.

But whatever you decide after reading all this information Virginia could be the place for you and your family to call home sweet home.

Do look for the best Realtor to help you find a residence for you and your family that fits your budget, needs, and more in the Old Dominion state.