By Dobrina Zhekova / Article as seen on Travel + Leisure
There are many health benefits to living next to the beach, among which are increased physical activity, less stress, and better mental health. But if you are among the almost 460,000 residents of Virginia Beach, you are likely also enjoying some of the other perks associated with living in one of the best cities in the country. Virginia’s largest city recently ranked eighth in the prestigious U.S. News ranking, highlighting 150 urban communities with the best quality of life, education, economic prospects, affordability, and health care.
“Despite Virginia Beach’s resort city status, its friendly residents and relaxed atmosphere have swayed many to take up a permanent residence in Virginia’s largest city. The glorious ocean views, beautiful waterfront homes, and award-winning restaurants make this vacation destination a place worthy of being called home,” U.S. News reported.
Located along the Atlantic coastline and the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is steeped in history, dating back to when Indigenous tribes inhabited the region. After landing in Virginia Beach at the beginning of the 17th century (travelers can visit the First Landing State Park at the heart of the city), English settlers established Jamestown, 60 miles north, as the first permanent British settlement in the New World.
However, Virginia City didn’t become popular as a resort town until the late 1880s, when the railroad connected it to Norfolk, and a hotel was built.
And while, nowadays, real estate prices in other coastal communities along the Atlantic have skyrocketed, Virginia Beach has remained more affordable, transforming the city not only into a popular vacation destination — it welcomed over 13 million visitors in 2022 — but also a desirable place to live.
U.S. News states the median home value is $358,477, and the median monthly rent is $1,804. The website also pointed out that groceries, utilities, and transportation can cost at or below the national average, while housing and health care can run higher than in other major metro areas.
Niche.com ranked Virginia City’s public school system as the 19th best in the country and placed the city at No. 21 in its ranking of the best places to raise a family in America. The city also has many family-friendly amenities, such as a three-mile boardwalk, 4,000 acres of city and state parks, and over 120 miles of waterways perfect for watersports and recreation. Of course, most people are drawn to the city’s beaches, which consist of 28 miles of Atlantic frontage and 10 miles of Chesapeake Bay coastline and are listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest pleasure beach on Earth.
Virginia Beach and Naples, Florida, (the winner) are the only two coastal communities in the top 10 of U.S. News’ ranking of the best places to live in the county. You can read the full report at realestate.usnews.com.
Dobrina Zhekova is a freelance writer with over a decade of editorial experience in Europe and the U.S. She covers luxury travel, art, architecture, and design. Her writing has appeared on InStyle.com, Vogue.com, Elle.com, and more.
