Home to the largest pleasure beach in the world, Virginia Beach is a beautiful and luxurious place to vacation--and call home! Warm, sunny weather, a low unemployment rate, and an increasing job market all make this coastal city an attractive place to relocate. If you are considering a move to Virginia Beach, this helpful guide will provide you with some tips and information about the Resort City to make your transition a smooth and easy one.
Virginia Beach Climate
Virginia Beach has a humid subtropical climate, perfect for lying on the sand and soaking up the sun. While the region receives considerably ample rainfall--an annual average of 45 inches--its location keeps it out of the path of most hurricane and tropical storms.
Spring and summer are the wettest seasons, but rain is consistent throughout the year. Summers are fairly hot and humid, and winters are mild with light snowfall--only about 6-inches each year.
Virginia Beach Neighborhoods
Resort Strip is where all the action is--and where the tourists flock in droves. Three miles along the ocean front is where you will find the boardwalk, amusement park, and a variety of gift shops, nightspots and eateries.
If you're seeking something a little more subdued and away from the hubbub, Sandridge is a more residential community loaded with vacation homes and condominiums. The lack of hotels keeps tourists to a minimum, but the neighborhood still has an exciting nightlife with ocean view pubs and restaurants, live bands, shopping and the Little Island Fishing Pier.
Registering Your Car
You are required to register your vehicle in the state of Virginia within 30 days of moving to the state to avoid paying a penalty. To register your car, visit any DMV customer service center with your car's title, previous out of state registration, and certification that you passed the emissions inspection. However, if you have had an emissions inspection in any of the following states no more than twelve months prior to your move, you are exempt from further testing: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia , Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin.
To transfer your driver's license to the state, you will need two proofs of identification, Social Security number, proof of Virginia residency, and proof of legal presence.
Virginia Beach Schools
If you are relocating with children, it is important to consider the school system in any city you choose. Public education in Virginia Beach is served by Virginia Beach City Schools, the largest district in the state and one of the 50 largest in the nation. It is comprised of almost 100 facilities serving nearly 70,000 students. The city is also home to a variety of private, specialty and independent schools, such as Norfolk Academy, the Advanced Technology Center, and the Cape Henry Collegiate School.
The city features two very different universities-- Regent University, a Christian affiliated college founded by evangelist Pat Robertson, and Atlantic University, a school linked to the Association of Research and Enlightenment. The school features many courses focusing on New Age topics such as holistic healing, transpersonal issues, spirituality, consciousness and creativity.
Virginia Beach Employment
If you are planning a relocation to Virginia Beach, you will want to find out more about the city's main sources of employment. Tourism is a major sector in the city, and its steadily climbing population has sent the retail and service industries soaring. Hotels, restaurants, bars, and other businesses in the hospitality industry are a booming source of employment.
Agribusiness is also a major industry--over 150 farms exist in the region producing corn, soybeans, pork, wheat, dairy and horse-breeding. The military has a large presence as well, with four bases located in the city. These bases, PX's and other businesses serving soldiers employ thousands of military personnel and civilians alike.
Living Costs in the City
The cost of living in the city is about four percent above the national average, with housing being the most expensive. Rent and real estate rates in the city are about 10 percent above the average American city, with utilities around nine percent greater. Groceries are three percent lower, and goods and services are six percent greater--mostly likely due to the large tourist presence. Transportation is the most affordable expense you will incur, at six percent below the national average.
The typical one-bedroom apartment in the city goes for about $900 a month, and a two-bedroom rents for around $1150. The median home price in Virginia Beach is $220, 890.
Virginia Beach Moving Resources
There are numerous moving and storage companies located in Virginia Beach that are waiting to help you relocate to your new home. Be sure to do your research and obtain estimates from several different services before choosing one for hire. You can compare online quotes from many different moving companies and other services to aid you in your move, whether you are coming from the next city or overseas. Visit the following pages here at Movers.com to get fast quotes for the following services:
Virginia Beach Transportation
Public transportation within in the city is supplied by Hampton Roads Transit, which supplies service to Virginia Beach and nearby communities. For outer-city travel, Greyhound and Amtrak are the two most popular agenices. The Greyhound station in Virginia Beach is located on Laskin Road, about a mile west of the oceanfront, and the Amtrak can be caught at the Newport News station via connecting buses.
Culture and Contemporary Life
Of course, the main leisure attraction in the city is the beach--30 miles of golden sands and ocean views create the perfect atmosphere to relax. The Virginia Beach Boardwalk is full of thrilling amusement park rides, ice cream parlors, and delicious seafood fare. Walk the three-mile Resort Strip, stretching from 2nd Street to 42d Street and check out the city's various shops, bars, water park, and other points of interest.
If you are seeking something a little more culturally-rich, the Virginia Beach Museum of Contemporary Art features an array of rotating exhibits representing a variety of mediums, including sculptures, paintings, photography, glass and video. An assortment of festivals are celebrated in the city, including the Neptune Festival, which attracts 500,000 visitors a year and is considered to be in the top 100 in the country. Bring out your inner artist by participating in the North American Sandsculpting Championship, or simply enjoy the arts and crafts, food and live music. Other festivals worth attending include the free concert Blues on the Beach in September, the Virginia Wine Festival at Town Point Park in October, and the Virginia Craft Beer Festival, held in October as well.
Virginia Beach Relocation Tips
- Virginia Beach is a popular tourist area, so it can get quite congested. However, since public transit is minimal, it may be a good idea to own a car. However, make sure to allocate ample time for travel, especially during peak season and holiday weekends.
- Make sure to plan your move several months in advance, by researching movers, packing, and making travel plans. If possible, you shouldn't schedule your move during peak season (May to September). Not only will movers charge higher rates, but the city will be jam-packed with tourists, making traffic and everything else much more difficult during your move.
- Research the neighborhoods before choosing one to live in--some places in the city may be very expensive because of their prime location. Additionally, if you value solitude and peace and quiet, you may opt to choose an area that will not be overrun with tourists.