Helpful Info for Moving to Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach, VA, is located on the southeast coast of the state. It's a resort town at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, providing a popular place for people from the Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast to vacation. With an estimated resident population of about 450,000, the number of people in the area grows considerably during the summer. The community has earned the nickname "Neptune City" because it hosts the annual Neptune Festival. This is the city's largest event, and it attracts more than 500,000 visitors.
Essential Things to Know When Moving to Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is one of the biggest cities in the state, and it's also one of the biggest cities along the mid-Atlantic coast. The weather in Virginia Beach can be unpredictable. In one week, you could experience all four seasons of weather. The area also gets nor'easters, which are weather events that bring rain, snow and wind in a short amount of time. The median home price is $174 per square foot. Home prices increased by 3.8% from 2019 to 2020, and the real estate market is hot. If you're sensitive to loud noise, be sure to ask your realtor what the noise level is in your home's zone. They must legally provide this information to you. The noise is due to the jets constantly flying into and out of Naval Air Station Oceana. With the large naval station, it isn't unusual to see military personnel walking along the city streets or sitting in one of the restaurants.
The military is one of the biggest employers in the area, and the job market also includes tourism, travel, retail, healthcare and information technology and data analysis. Some areas of the city, such as Hampton Roads, have a bus line for public transportation. However, the current mass transit options do not serve the whole area. The limited schedules for bus services also stymie the efforts of people to live here without buying a car. The cost of living in Virginia Beach is about 5.6% higher than the national average. The price of housing is the reason why living in the city is more expensive.
Top Virginia Beach Landmarks
Living in Virginia Beach gives you easy access to many neat landmarks. The Adam Thoroughgood House is one of the oldest surviving colonial homes in the state. Francis Land House is a 200-year-old plantation that offers tours. The Cape Henry Lights and Cape Henry Light Tower are two lighthouses on the coast.
Fun Attractions in Virginia Beach
Whether you like the arts, sports, music or other types of activities and culture, you will find a wide variety of options in Virginia Beach. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, which displays collections of African American and Hispanic art. Its collections also include different types of media, ranging from chalk and paint to metal and wood. Visit the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, which is home to sting rays, different shark species and octopi. History or military buffs should plan to spend at least one entire day at the Military Aviation Museum. It houses one of the world's largest collections of memorabilia and artifacts from World War I and World War II. Nature-lovers should visit the Norfolk Botanical Garden, which includes more than 3,000 species of roses.
Virginia Beach Parks and Outdoor Activities
Each year, Virginia Beach hosts the East Coast Surfing Championships, which draws in professional surfers and fans from around the world. Each year, the American Music Festival takes place on 5th Street Beach. On the last day of the festival, there's a half marathon. The city is home to dozens of parks. A popular one for families is Great Neck Park, which offers playgrounds, sports courts and shaded picnicking areas. The Grommet Island Park features direct beach access. It also has sensory tables, playgrounds and raised sand tables. The Stumpy Lake Natural Area offers paved trails and includes areas for walking with your dog. Each year, the Virginia Beach Amphitheater hosts a wide range of concerts and other events.
Prepare for Your Move to Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach's location on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean puts it at risk of tropical storm and hurricane landfalls. Hurricane season runs June through November, so you should plan to have a weather app with tropical storm forecasts. Late spring through mid-summer is the peak moving time in the area. If you plan to move between May and August, be sure to reserve your moving truck or full-service movers well in advance. If you drop something while moving, don't curse out loud. Virginia Beach has a law against cursing in public. If you're caught, you could get a $250 fine.