Located on the southeast coast of Virginia where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic, Virginia Beach is much more than a resort town. With a robust job market, safe streets, high performing public schools and lots of cultural and recreational options, the biggest metro area in Virginia offers everything millennials are looking for. Here are some of the less obvious reasons millennials are packing up and moving to Virginia Beach:
City Amenities
Virginia Beach residents’ tax dollars go a long way in terms of amenities and services. The city has over 200 parks offering around 4000 acres of green, open space (it’s not all sand as you might think!) and ten libraries. Catering to the 106,000 20 to 34-year-olds living in the city, both services have an app you can use to easily find a park with recreation facilities of your choice (canoeing, anyone?) and renew that novel you’re just about to finish. There are also the recreation centers available in seven locations around the city and priced at merely $86 for annual membership. All rec centers feature an indoor pool, weight room, and cardio equipment. This is a treat not many cities offer, so make sure to add “sign up for rec center membership” to your moving checklist.
The Beach
With over 38 miles of coastline, there is no escaping the beach when you’re living here. You don’t have to be an avid surfer or swimmer to appreciate the beaches’ pristine beauty, especially as they are raked and smoothed out every morning for beach-goers’ pleasure and safety. And don’t be deterred by the throngs of tourists- Virginia Beach residents have the inside scoop on some low-key beaches that are way less crowded and not at all touristy.
The Real Estate Market
Buying a home in Virginia Beach is a great investment, and prices in the city are still low enough to make the dream of homeownership a tangible possibility for millennials. The city’s job market is largely based on the booming tourism industry as well as the military, with three naval and air force bases located in its vicinity. This gives Virginia Beach the kind of stability that makes real estate a sound investment. Home prices, which have dropped significantly due to the recession, are still low but steadily climbing. To find the right property it’s best to work with a real estate agent who knows his way around town- the city is much bigger than you imagine and has a wide variety of neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive character, advantages, and atmosphere.
Fun Fun Fun
There is so much going on in Virginia Beach, which isn’t surprising considering much of its economy relies on showing visitors a good time. It is truly an action-packed city, with everything from surfing, fishing, kayaking, waterskiing and stand-up paddle boarding to golf, volleyball and much more.
The Neptune Festival is an annual celebration considered one of the top festivals in the country, attracting over 500,000 visitors every year. The festival, which opens every year under the sculpture of King Neptune on the boardwalk, has a parade, a 5k and 8k run, fireworks display, volleyball tournament, International Sand-sculpting Championship and more food and drink than you can imagine.
Sports fans will love the East Coast Surfing Championship and the North American Soccer Championship- national sporting events that put Virginia Beach on the map.
And it’s not all about active, outdoors fun. The Virginia Beach Museum of Contemporary Art and the Virginia Aquarium provide cultural, indoor entertainment options.
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