Moving to Virginia? NOVA Traffic, Blue Ridge Trips, That Car Tax
Are you tired of reading Virginia moving guides that feel more like geography textbooks, stuffed with census stats and no personality? Life in Virginia can't be summed up with average weather charts (hint: humidity hugs like a sweater) or simple demographic stats (since they'd obviously miss the nuance of NOVA vs. the rest of the banter). If you love sunrise hikes on the Blue Ridge, oysters so fresh they wink back, or museums where history side eyes you, the Old Dominion might just be calling you home. Our playful and witty moving guide will prepare you for the good (like going from beach to mountains in one weekend) and the bad (I-95 traffic that becomes your podcast university), so you'll actually know what it's really like to live, work, and play in Virginia.
Snappy Summary: Virginia blends beaches, Blue Ridge hikes, deep history, strong schools, and steady jobs in government and tech with a growing food and arts scene. High housing costs in Northern Virginia, real traffic, humid summers, coastal storms, and some winter ice, plus a state income tax, are real trade-offs; however, people keep moving for the opportunity, culture, and easy access to both city life and outdoors.
The Inside Scoop on Virginia Cities
Major Cities In A Nutshell
Virginia Beach and Norfolk
Virginia Beach and Norfolk, perfect for: Navy schedules, beach commutes, and backyard crab boils
Widely recognized as the place for: ships, jets, tunnel traffic, and surprisingly chill neighborhoods
City as a personality: tattooed sailor with sand in cupholders
Locals live here because: military jobs, coastal life, decent schools, and backyard space
Nothing's more Virginia Beach and Norfolk than: Spring Azalea Festival, the late summer Neptune Festival sandcastles and jets, and Old Bay fingers
Your housing options here are: brick ranches, bayside condos, and cute tree-lined streets
Don't say we didn't warn you about: tunnels and road construction that eat weekends and your patience
Local fashion forecast: board shorts, Navy hoodies, flip flops year-round
Richmond
Richmond is perfect for: capital city grit, murals, and backyard breweries
Best known for: river rapids, craft beer, policy wonks playing kickball
Richmond in human form is: a tattooed historian arguing zoning over a stout
Move here for: affordable houses, short commutes, legit arts scene
Locals know best: RTD opinions, James River swims, Goochland detours, Scott's Addition breweries and entertainment options
Home sweet home in Richmond is like: porch sittin', Fan rowhouses, and ranch sprawl
The downside to Richmond is: pollen clouds and statue debates at cookouts
What you'll wear most often: river sandals, brewery flannels, VCU tees
Arlington
Arlington, perfect for: DC paychecks without the District mailing address
Well known for: Pentagon shadow, skyline glass, endless brunch debates
If Arlington were a person, it'd be: policy nerd jogging with stroller and latte
Move here if you want: walkable blocks, fast trains, resume fireworks
Locals swear by: Columbia Pike pho and the Blues Festival and Rosslyn happy hours and Jazz Fest
Housing vibe: luxury high rises, old brick duplexes, pricey bungalows
Be prepared for: rent that salutes the flag daily
The dress code here is: Patagonia fleece over business casual armor
Alexandria
Alexandria is perfect for: history buffs who love Target and water views
Best known for: cobblestones, townhomes, federal workers with dogs, and the Alexandria Old Town Art Festival
City as a personality: well-read neighbor hosting book club on patio
Locals live here because: Metro access, cute streets, schools that actually answer
Nothing's more Alexandria than: debating parking spots like constitutional law
Your housing options here are: brick townhomes, waterfront condos, and occasional backyard
Don't be surprised. We warned you that: tour buses appear when you move furniture
Local fashion forecast: Barbour jacket over yoga pants and sneakers
Charlottesville
Charlottesville is perfect for: academics, vintners, and remote workers chasing mountain naps
Widely recognized as the place for: UVA pride, vineyards, slow weekends with puzzles
Charlottesville in human form is: a polite professor biking with a farm share
Move here for: good schools, porch concerts, easy trailheads
Locals know best: Bodo's orders, bypass routes during graduation, and picking apples and peaches atCarter Mountain Orchard while enjoying the panoramic view
Home sweet home in Charlottesville is like: blue ridge views and cozy craftsman bungalows
The downsides are: housing prices pretending they are Napa
What you'll wear most often: flannel, trail shoes, orange gear on Saturdays
Roanoke
Roanoke, perfect for: mountain lovers who still want city groceries
Well known for: Mill Mountain star, Blue Ridge skyline, and the 1882 Hotel Roanoke
If Roanoke were a person, it'd be: a trail runner with a hardware store loyalty card
Move here if you want: cheap mortgages, trailheads minutes away, real neighbors
Locals swear by: Greenway rides and biscuits the size of fists
Your housing options here are: craftsman fixers, brick cottages, and mountain view ranches
Don't say we didn't warn you about: pollen and trains serenading at midnight
The dress code here is: hiking shorts and a decent rain shell
Blacksburg
Blacksburg is perfect for: Hokie lifers, startups, and porch labrador naps
Best known for: Virginia Tech energy and Friday night maroon, and Mountain Lake Lodge, filming location of Dirty Dancing
City as a personality: engineering nerd who trail runs between classes
Move here for: bikeable calm, research jobs, family-friendly vibes, and slide down the cascading water at Cascades National Recreation Area
Nothing's more Blacksburg than: Enter Sandman volume judged by seismographs
Housing vibe: student rentals, quiet cul-de-sacs, mountain cabins
Be prepared for: winters that bite and game day gridlock
Local fashion forecast: maroon hoodies, tech polos, muddy trail shoes
Eat Like a Local
What do locals actually order in the Hampton Roads area: White dip with their Mexican chips, She Crab Soup, and an Orange Crush, a one-of-a-kind kind of drink.
Fun Facts
Fun Facts You Might Not Have Known About Virginia
Think you really know Virginia? It's a state with Colonial Williamsburg that could rewind your camera roll, Chesapeake Bay oysters that you'll have to devour to appreciate, and Blue Ridge sunsets that are painted with impossible sherbet gradients. Let's run through the facts, stats, and peanut lore that showcase what makes Virginia's founding fathers flex surprisingly fun.
- Common nicknames for Virginia: Old Dominion, Mother of Presidents, Mother of Statesmen
- Local Reality Check: All DC suburbs? Try oyster boats, horse country, and Blue Ridge trails.
- You're most likely moving from: D.C., Maryland, North Carolina, New York, or California.
- Strangely large concentration of: Loudoun data centers and Civil War battlefields.
- Music scene: Virginia Beach hip hop, Richmond punk, Charlottesville indie, and Appalachian bluegrass.
- You'll have to see it to believe it: Luray Caverns' Great Stalacpipe Organ playing in the cave.
- Unique Geography: Tidewater marshes, Piedmont hills, Blue Ridge peaks, Shenandoah Valley, Atlantic barrier islands.
- Virginia is home to: The Pentagon, CIA at Langley, Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello, and world's largest naval base.
- Well known for its: oysters, peanuts, Smithfield ham, history, and Northern Virginia traffic.
- Fun history fact: Birthplace of eight U.S. presidents, more than any other state.
- Celebrity sightings: Pharrell Williams in Virginia Beach, Dave Matthews around Charlottesville.
- Noteworthy Census stat: Top 10 median household income nationally.
- Most interesting sub-culture within Virginia: Appalachian old time fiddlers and flatfoot dancers.
- Population: 12th by population, 35th by land size
- Virginia is roughly the same geographic size as: Bulgaria
Locals Know Best
Get a Busch Gardens membership for free parking, monthly rewards, free tickets for friends, and loads of fun year-round. Spring means the Food and Wine Festival, concert series in the summer, Howl-o-Scream, with a boatload of scares throughout the fall, followed by the park in all its beautiful light up during Christmas Town
Most Likely Personalities to Love (or Hate) Virginia
Is Virginia right for me? If you're an adventure junkie, tech bro, or college student, you'll crush Skyline Drive weekends and Hokie Saturdays, powered by pho. If you're a cowboy, surfer dude, or retired snowbird, you'll get Chincoteague ponies, small surf, and brisk Chesapeake breezes. Find out who Virginia is and is NOT for in the list below.
Personality Fit Guide
| Personality | % | Recommended Cities | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adventure Junkie | 94% | Shenandoah National Park, Roanoke, Damascus | McAfee Knob, Skyline Drive, and Appalachian Trail miles. |
| Tech Bro | 92% | Arlington, Reston, Tysons | AWS in Herndon, Metro Silver Line commutes. |
| College Student | 90% | Charlottesville, Blacksburg, Williamsburg | UVA rotunda, Hokies Enter Sandman, W&M colonial quads. |
| Foodie | 88% | Richmond, Norfolk, Falls Church | The Roosevelt, Doumar's cones, Eden Center pho crawl. |
| Craft Beer Fan | 86% | Richmond, Charlottesville, Virginia Beach | The Veil haze, Hardywood barrels, Commonwealth pours. |
| Farmer's Market Regular | 84% | Old Town Alexandria, Charlottesville, Roanoke | Torpedo Factory vibes and Charlottesville City Market peaches. |
| Dog Momma | 83% | Arlington, Richmond, Virginia Beach | Mount Vernon Trail jogs, dog friendly breweries, oceanfront walks. |
| Hipster | 81% | Richmond Scott's Addition, Norfolk Neon District, Harrisonburg | Murals, arcade bars, and JMU house shows. |
| Coffee Snob | 80% | Richmond, Arlington, Norfolk | Lamplighter roasts, Northside Social, Cafe Stella mornings. |
| Yoga Instructor | 78% | Fairfax, Richmond, Virginia Beach | Sunrise ocean flows and RVA rooftop classes. |
| CrossFit Regular | 76% | Virginia Beach, Alexandria, Roanoke | Boxes near Town Center, Del Ray, and Mill Mountain. |
| DIYer | 74% | Richmond, Norfolk Ghent, Fredericksburg | Habitat ReStore hauls and Carytown salvage treasures. |
| Vintage Thrifter | 72% | Richmond, Charlottesville, Winchester | Bygones Vintage, Low Vintage digs, Old Town finds. |
| Retired Military | 71% | Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Stafford | Naval Station Norfolk, Oceana, Quantico clinics and community. |
| Garden Club Lifetime Member | 70% | Norfolk, Richmond, Gloucester | Norfolk Botanical Garden blooms, Maymont roses, daffodil festival. |
| Stay at Home Mom | 69% | Ashburn, Midlothian, Virginia Beach | Playgrounds, PTA circles, and Busch Gardens weekends. |
| PTA President | 67% | Vienna, Chesapeake, Glen Allen | Top schools, stadium fundraisers, and Vienna Halloween Parade. |
| Homesteader | 64% | Floyd, Abingdon, Luray | Acreage, farmers co ops, and Shenandoah canning season. |
| Gamer | 62% | Fairfax, Norfolk, Blacksburg | MAGFest at National Harbor nearby and VT esports clubs. |
| Minimalist | 48% | Arlington condos, Richmond lofts | Urban convenience, but sprawl from Tysons to Short Pump. |
| Binge Shopper | 47% | Tysons, Short Pump, Pentagon City | Great malls, but wallet cries during NOVA traffic purgatory. |
| Wall Street Exec | 42% | Rosslyn | Big deals adjacent, but not Manhattan. Expect federal contractors. |
| Beach Bum | 38% | Virginia Beach, Sandbridge | Boardwalk energy, but mellow surf, occasional jellyfish parades. |
| Retired Snowbird | 34% | Virginia Beach, Williamsburg | Lovely First Landing walks, but winter chills send friends to St. Pete. |
| Surfer Dude | 31% | Virginia Beach | Sandbridge sessions exist, but swells rarely scream Pipeline. |
| Cowboy | 28% | Middleburg, Wytheville | Hunt country elegance, but rodeos not Fort Worth big. |
What Makes Virginia Feel Like Home
Smell: Pig slow-cooking in the cooker
Sound: Rolling waves at the beach, and even an occasional beach day in December or January
Event: Blue Angel and Thunderbird Air Show
Things To Do
Fun Things to Do Around Virginia
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Virginia? If you like the idea of kayaking along tidewater creeks, spending time wandering through colonial streets, and checking out sailing on the bay, Virginia is calling you home! This list of fun things to do will take you from Blue Ridge to Chesapeake shores while offering a taste of Virginia's history, coastline, and culture.
- Go Outside & Hike: Trek Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park near Sperryville
- Spend Time on the Water cooling off: Richmond, tube the James River past Belle Isle
- This is the Iconic Road Trip to take: Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park
- Underground Adventure: Wander Luray Caverns' cathedral rooms in Luray
- Historic Forts: Fort Monroe is America's largest stone fort in Hampton
- For the Sports Fans: Cheer NASCAR night racing at Richmond Raceway
- Maybe you should go chasing waterfalls: Climb to Crabtree Falls in Nelson County
- This is what locals do on the weekends: Sip along Charlottesville's Monticello Wine Trail
- Stargaze in desolate dark nights: Snag a constellation at Shenadoah National Park's Big Meadows or at Assateague Island National Seashore.
- Throughout Summer: Bask on the sand at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, enjoy the boardwalk, concerts and cones
Hidden Gem Spotlight
The LOVEwork signs around the state: There are over 350 registered and 400 unregistered LOVE signs around the state. Check out virginia.org/LOVE for the locations of the registered ones. Visiting the LOVEwork locations offers a chance to visit both small towns and large cities, take in a bit of local culture and cuisine, as well as get that Instagram-worthy photo.
Taxes, Politics & People
The Essential Virginia Trifecta
State Income Tax: Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Property Taxes: Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
Virginia politics are: Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Virginians are: Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
The religious breakdown is: Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Weather
Virginia Weather: All the Facts, None of the Stats
Is it going to thunderstorm, tropical storm, or maybe something worse? The summers are Chesapeake crab boil humid and the winters mild until surprise ice. Here's what else is going on around Virginia that will impact the time you spend outside.
- Summer temps are like: sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
- Winter lows are: coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
- The humidity makes me: frizz into a colonial wig
- Unique weather patterns: Chesapeake nor'easters, Blue Ridge fog curtains, summer storms at 4 p.m., hurricane leftovers that will not leave, surprise ice on Interstate 81
- Local weather fashion tip: boat shoes plus rain jacket, keep a blazer in the trunk
- Bugs be like: 17 year cicadas screaming, ticks with clipboards, Dismal Swamp mosquitoes with gym memberships
- You're stuck indoors again today because: a nor'easter turned the cul de sac into a moat
- Green thumb enthusiasts love: tomatoes that taste like July, azaleas under dogwoods, Shenandoah vineyards pretending to be Napa
- Your friend with allergies is always saying: Virginia is for lovers, not my sinuses
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Virginia
Spring: Burnside Farm's Tulip Festival (Holland in our own backyard)
Summer: Acres of sunflower fields and festivals
Fall: Fall foliage along the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway
Winter: A 1/4" of snow for a snow day off school