Is Virginia Beach, Virginia A Good Place To Live?
Many people nowadays are looking to move to a city they can call home for a long time. You might consider moving to Virginia Beach, Virginia. However, is Virginia Beach, Virginia a good place to live?
Virginia Beach, Virginia is considered a good place to live. There are many beaches and plenty of activities to do in the area. The city is relatively affordable and the crime rate is lower than the national median. However, driving isn't always fun and the city is a little crowded due to the large military presence.
Keep reading to learn about the crime rate, cost of living, and entertainment for families in Virginia Beach.
Crime in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia has a crime index of 29 out of 100. This means that it is considered a moderately dangerous city, as a city with a crime index of 100 is considered to be the safest city in the United States. The violent and property-related crime rates support this belief.
The violent crime rate in Virginia Beach is 1.12 per 1,000 residents. This means that there is about a 1 in 1,000 chance that you will be the victim of a violent crime while in Virginia Beach. The violent crime rate is lower than the national median and the violent crime rate in the state of Virginia. Virginia has a violent crime rate of 2.27 per 1,000 residents. Robbery and assault are the most common violent crimes. The likelihood that you will be robbed while in Virginia Beach is .31 per 1,000 residents. The likelihood that you will be assaulted in Virginia Beach is .64 per 1,000 residents.
The property crime rate in Virginia Beach, Virginia is 15.51 per 1,000 residents. The property crime rate of Virginia Beach is higher than the property crime rate of the state of Virginia, as Virginia has a property crime rate of 14.78 per 1,000 residents. However, it is lower than the national median property crime rate, which is 19 per every 1,000 residents.
Cost of Living in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is considered relatively affordable, especially considering how easy it is to get to the multiple beaches, even in the heart of the city. It costs about $2,367 per month for a single person to live in Virginia Beach, Virginia. A family of 4 can expect to pay about $5,147 per month to live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Rent is often the most expensive cost of living in Virginia Beach, as it typically costs about $1,853 per month to rent an apartment in this city, not including the cost of parking, utilities, and other fees that many apartment complexes charge their tenants.
The median home value in Virginia Beach, Virginia is between $375,000 and $431,000, although the value of homes in this city changes frequently.
Overall, while it can be expensive to live in Virginia Beach, most people find it to be relatively affordable. While healthcare and housing are expensive, most groceries and public transportation services cost less than what they cost on average in other states and cities. For a more detailed explanation on the cost of Virginia Beach, check out our blog here.
Family Entertainment in Virginia Beach, Virginia
There are plenty of fun things for families to do in Virginia Beach. Here are some of them:
- Go to the Beach
- Go on a Fishing Charter
- Go to a Museum
- Go to an Escape Room
- Go on a Kayak Nature Tour
- Visit the Cape Henry Lighthouse
- Go Indoor Skydiving
- Go to the Aquarium
- Got to One of the Many Parks in the City
- Flyboarding
- Visit the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame
- Go Horseback Riding
- Go Ziplining
- Go to the Boardwalk
- Go to the Arcade
- Go to Jungle Golf
- Visit Hunt Club Farm
Many of these activities are free or relatively affordable, even when you take multiple people. The entertainment opportunities that you will choose to utilize will vary depending on your budget, where in Virginia Beach you live, and how much time you have to spend doing each activity.
Because there are so many things to do in Virginia Beach, Virginia, even if you live in the city for many years, you will likely never get bored, especially because new restaurants and attractions come to the city every year. This city is especially great for people that are interested in history and love going to the beach regularly.
Opinions of Virginia Beach Residents
Most people enjoy living in Virginia Beach, Virginia. They like the fact that the city is quite large and has many lakes, rivers, and nature throughout. However, because no city is perfect, there are some things that residents don't like about living in Virginia Beach.
Many residents have found that there are many bad drivers in Virginia Beach. It doesn't help that traffic is often bad, especially in the heart of the city. It also floods regularly, which is to be expected with how close the city is to the water. However, because it regularly floods, if you move to this city, you will likely want to invest in flood insurance. Take a look at our Pros and Cons of Living in Virginia Beach.
However, many people find that the benefits outweigh the negative aspects of living in Virginia Beach. Many residents enjoy living close to the water, even though the beaches get extremely crowded during the summer, as many people go to Virginia Beach while on vacation.
They also enjoy the slow pace of the city. You can take your time shopping in this city, although people may move around you if they want to move at a faster pace. Residents with children find that the public school education system is highly rated, although some schools may need to be renovated in the next few years.
Overall, Virginia Beach, Virginia is a good place to live. There are plenty of things to do year-round, you will almost always be close to the beach, and the weather is nice for most of the year, although it can get a bit cold during the winter. If you are considering moving to Virginia Beach, Virginia, you should definitely look into finding a home that suits your needs and budget.
YOUR LOCAL REALTOR
DJ Parker is your local Realtor and guide to Hampton Roads, Virginia. As a native of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, Virginia for over 30 years, he has the local knowledge you need. He has helped clients with Real Estate throughout Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk and all of Hampton Roads Virginia.
