Live by the ocean, they said.
It’ll be fun they said.
Actually, it is a great time much of the year to live in Virginia Beach.
There’s nothing like the freedom to go see the ocean whenever you want.
However, that does come with a hoard of its own problems.
Tourism, traffic, and crowds are the first drawbacks that come to mind.
Before you make up your mind about moving here yourself, go through these pros and cons so you can get a better perspective on this seaside town.
Contents
Pros of Living in Virginia Beach, VA
1. Things to Do
Living here means never having to hear children say they’re bored.
Virginia Beach has so many outdoor activities that it really promotes an active lifestyle.
That’s a healthy way of life as well as a fun one.
Sure, there’s the beach, but there are also plenty of parks, ponds, and trails to check out as well.
Oh, don’t forget places like Busch Gardens and the zoo.
The party doesn’t stop come wintertime, either.
If you want to go indoors, check out the museums and indoor play places.
2. History
If you’ve seen Disney’s Pocahontas, you know that Europeans first stepped foot in Virginia in 1607.
“For glory, God, and gold, and the Virginia Company,” as the song goes.
You also know that came with a lot of negative behavior from the settlers towards the Native Americans.
Between then and now, there’s been a lot going on in the state and specifically in Virginia Beach.
From museums to home tours, there’s always a chance for time travel.
3. Economy
One great thing about a tourist town is there always seems to be a good number of available jobs, including temporary or seasonal positions.
So, when college students come home for the summer, they are able to make money.
A stay-at-home mom can pick up a part-time job while the kids are in school.
Flexibility is endless.
With a regular influx of visitors, there’s always a large bit of money being fed into the economy as well.
4. Safety
According to the FBI, Virginia Beach has the lowest crime statistics in the US, when compared to similar-sized cities.
That means a lot in reference to being a beach town.
Oftentimes, beaches bring in unsavory characters and criminal activity.
To get ahead of that, the Virginia Beach Police Department does a good job of staying connected and out where people need them.
5. Neighborhoods
The beach isn’t the only reason the city was voted as the #2 Best Place to Live.
Aside from feeling safe and having high educational standards, Virginia Beach has both affordable and beautiful houses.
Many beach towns are actually priced so high that people who grew up here can’t sustain a home.
However, the neighborhoods are so unique and widespread that almost every budget can find a house.
6. Education
It may be strange to say this is where Virginia shines, but it is.
The education system in Virginia Beach is some of the best in the state
. Several of the public schools have extremely high ratings, something uncommon in other cities.
It’s something that many locals are proud of, even though that makes tourists want to consider moving here.
Perhaps it’s the mix of people that helps make education better, anyway.
7. Events
Great weather attracts people from all over the place to hang out.
So, it just makes sense that there are so many festivals, concerts, and outdoor events going on throughout the year.
With the variety of people that make their way to the city, it’s great to see such an eclectic mix of events that end up making their way here.
This is one of the great aspects of being a local, getting exposed to all sorts of entertainment.
8. Dining
Tourists and military personnel equate to a diverse group of people coming in and out of the city.
In order to make them feel at home, there is a plethora of restaurants and bars.
These dining options represent places all over the world and the bars are open later to accommodate a wide range of guests.
There are also people in the military and tourists who come for work or play and decide to come back and stay.
They bring their culinary preferences with them and open up new hot spots.
Cons of Living in Virginia Beach, VA
1. Tourists
Where there’s a beach, there’s an obscene number of people.
It doesn’t even need to be summer or spring break.
Beaches attract everyone all the time.
Living in a beach town means the pace of life is a little bit slower.
Vacationers live on an entirely different track, though.
Slow-moving beachgoers cause traffic jams and unnecessary stops when you get close to the most attractive areas.
2. Weather Events
It shouldn’t be unexpected to talk about severe weather in a beach town.
Every year, there are tropical storms swooping their way through.
Even though we know it’s happening, the reality of it always causes a big uproar.
Luckily, we’ve been through it enough that the town knows how to prepare, to an extent.
With tropical storms often come hurricanes.
If you live here, you will have to deal with the inevitability of damage either on your property or nearby.
3. Traffic
With lots of tourists comes lots of traffic.
If it isn’t a car of tourists purposely going slow so they can look around, there’s a group of them causing a traffic jam.
Everywhere. Of course, it’s not just tourists.
Virginia Beach has the worst rush hour traffic you’ve seen this side of Washington D.C.
At least the traffic isn’t constant, there are times you can get around without the feeling of existential dread.
4. Road Signs
Another factor that adds to the chaos of traffic is the roads.
Not just because people aren’t driving on them correctly but because they are confusing.
I-64 runs north and south, not in the opposite directions as they are labeled.
Then, when you’re driving around town, there are roads that have sudden sharp turns and do unusual loop-the-loops.
It’s like the city doesn’t want you to be confident in the directions you give.
5. Noise Pollution
Virginia Beach isn’t only a beach town, it’s a military town.
That sounds interesting until you live here and have to deal with the sound of jets on a regular basis.
If you’ve ever been around when jets are flying closely overhead, you know exactly how irritating and life-halting it can be.
Also loud.
Thankfully, it’s not happening all night, but during the day, forget about it.
6. Temporary Neighbors
Developing long-term friendships with a neighbor might be tough.
There are 12,000 people who live here but might not be around long since they’re part of the military.
The same goes for tourists, too. So, there’s always an influx of people coming in and going out.
It’s easy enough to meet them, locally there’s a ton of support and military-themed activities.
Just don’t expect them to be around for the next BBQ.
7. Cost of Living
Perhaps it’s the extra ocean upkeep or the messes tourists make.
Who knows for sure?
The fact is Virginia Beach is more on the expensive side when it comes to how much it costs to live here.
Even though you can likely afford a house, other costs might weigh you down to where it’s unreasonable to keep up.
With an influx of beach homes being bought, there’s a growing trend for lower earners to move out.
8. Transportation
Public transit is shared among a handful of big cities, which might be part of the problem.
Any issues are faced with a bigger system altogether.
So many of the stops are at busy intersections, causing jams.
If biking is starting to seem like a good alternative, think again.
Bike lanes are almost nonexistent.
Sidewalks aren’t wide enough to allow a group to be safely distanced from the road.
Having to own a car adds to the congestion.
Pros and Cons of Living in Virginia Beach, VA – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Virginia Beach, VA | Cons of Living in Virginia Beach, VA |
|---|---|
| 1. Things to Do | 1. Tourists |
| 2. History | 2. Weather Events |
| 3. Economy | 3. Traffic |
| 4. Safety | 4. Road Signs |
| 5. Neighborhoods | 5. Noise Pollution |
| 6. Education | 6. Temporary Neighbors |
| 7. Events | 7. Cost of Living |
| 8. Dining | 8. Transportation |
Virginia Beach Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Virginia Beach Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia Beach a good place to live?
Taking a look at the cons might make this seem like a miserable place to live.
But remember, there are a lot of positive aspects.
In fact, the city was voted in the top 50 places to raise a family.
With all the possible places to land out there, that’s really saying something.
Is Virginia Beach clean?
Many beach towns have a reputation for having dirty or gross beaches.
Virginia Beach is not one of them.
To avoid such negative press, the city has gone out of its way over the years to put a lot of resources into keeping the area clean.
They want to attract people, not scare them away.
Perhaps some locals might wish it wasn’t so clean.
Maybe fewer people would come, but that’s another subject.
What's the rainiest month in Virginia Beach?
June gets more rain than any other time of year.
The driest part of the year is from November to March.
Does it snow in Virginia Beach?
Unlike what vacationers think when they imagine a beach, it gets cold here.
The city gets about six inches of snow a year.
That’s enough to get a snow day but not enough to have to dig a car out of the driveway.
So, it’s viewed in a positive light.
How often does Virginia Beach get hit by hurricanes?
Every two to three years is about the average amount of time between hurricanes.
Although the area does get hit every year by a tropical storm, at least to some capacity.
Not always to a detrimental degree, but you can see and feel the impact around town.
There are beautiful beaches and a relaxed coastal lifestyle, making it a pro for those who love the ocean and outdoor activities around the beach.
The cost of living in Virginia Beach can be relatively high, particularly in certain neighborhoods, which may be a con for budget-conscious families.
Traffic congestion during peak tourist season can be a con in Virginia Beach, but the experience of living there is so relaxing since I am living here for years now.