11 Best Places To Live In Virginia In 2025
The Commonwealth of Virginia presents diverse living environments for potential movers into the state, from cozy suburbs and vibrant Atlantic Coast cities like Virginia Beach to peaceful Blue Ridge Mountain towns. This impressive variety opens doors for young families, lone professionals, and retirees to find a sweet spot where they can put down roots. In most cases, small towns provide the ideal atmosphere, given their easygoing scenery, access to outdoor opportunities, and a strong sense of community.
Luckily, these are spread throughout the state, with the most desirable offering a lovely blend of natural allure and cultural inclusivity. Add access to quality medical institutions and an affordable cost of life, and you have the perfect destination for a fresh start. If you are contemplating moving to the Old Dominion, here are the best places to live in Virginia in 2025.
Staunton
Staunton is a delightful college town in Augusta County associated with being President Woodrow Wilson's birthplace. It pays homage to the great leader at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, immortalized by a diverse collection of personal artifacts, memorabilia, and testimonials. The small community takes great pride in the arts, and residents constantly meet inside the American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse to enjoy enthralling stage presentations by homegrown talent.
With access to the 214-acre Gypsy Hill Park, outdoor recreation is guaranteed for all ages in Staunton, including swimming, fishing, playing, and walking. Furthermore, the local education system features Mary Baldwin University, while the median home price is $345,000.
Amherst
In the 60-minute proximity of Charlottesville, this laidback community promises a small-town feel and a robust sense of home. The Amherst County Museum and Historical Society makes you familiar with the town and county’s history in a Georgian structure from the 1900s. The town's location in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills provides exquisite views at every turn, which outdoorsy residents make the most of while playing a friendly round at the 18-hole Winton Farm golf course.
The Blue Ridge Medical Center ensures ready access to quality medical care for locals in a place where the cost of living is relatively lower than most places in the state. Also, the average price of homes is $294,900.
Buena Vista
This Blue Ridge Mountains town combines stunning panoramas, Victorian structures, and limitless recreation opportunities to create a living home for residents. There is no shortage of activities to indulge in in the great outdoors, ranging from hiking and mountain biking to camping across the 315 acres of Glen Maury Park. The Buena Vista Visitors Center welcomes fresh residents into the community with valuable information highlighting different aspects of the city, including its top points of interest.
Meanwhile, you can sign up your kids for classes at the Shenandoah Academy of Dance. This is an excellent way to enhance their creativity while spending quality time with peers. Buena Vista is a relatively cost-friendly location, posting a median housing price of $285,000.
Pearisburg
This hiker-friendly town in Giles County is a dream destination for those who gravitate towards the outdoors. It encourages an active lifestyle by providing access to the nearby Appalachian Trail. The New River flows through the community, offering river-based adventures like kayaking, rafting, and canoeing. Meanwhile, one of the best ways to enjoy the natural scenery is by sipping a glass of wine from JBR Vineyards. This lovely establishment crafts delicious wines from locally grown grapes in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
For historians, the Andrew Johnston House Museum has an interesting story about the bygone eras, transporting guests to the 19th century using elaborate period furnishings inside an 1829 Georgian mansion. Finally, buying a home in Pearisburg won't cost you an arm and a leg, as the median housing price is $259,000.
Warsaw
Warsaw's stunning waterfront scenery, small-town atmosphere, and sunny year-round weather make it one of the best places to live in Virginia in 2025. The area offers numerous outdoor opportunities to ensure residents maintain an active lifestyle, including hikes along the Tom Rhodes Tree Carving Trail. Newcomers can get a unique perspective of the old days by visiting Menokin. These historic ruins from the 18th century offer a glimpse of plantation life in a facility owned by Francis Lightfoot Lee.
Residents who simply want to relax and enjoy the open spaces often go to Warsaw Town Park, which presents a family-friendly escape with picnic areas, a playground, and a dog park. Warsaw is only an hour from Richmond, ensuring easy access to the city. However, it is also conveniently affordable, with an average home price of $342,500.
Woodstock
Woodstock is a historic town in Shenandoah County known for its friendly residents and lovely natural areas. The town's multiple farmer's markets encourage frequent contact between residents, resulting in overall camaraderie. This is evident from the interactions between vendors and buyers at the South Street Barn Market. The rugged Seven Bends State Park guarantees ready access to the outdoors. It lies on the banks of the riverfront oasis and invites locals to go camping, hiking, fishing, and boating.
Meanwhile, an air of warmth sweeps through the peaceful downtown area, making it the perfect escape for a casual shopping experience involving vintage items at Valley Treasures. Lastly, buying a home in Woodstock will set you back around $385,000.
Abingdon
History collides with the arts in this quaint community of Washington County, reputed for its cultural diversity. Abingdon is an excellent home for art enthusiasts who love to meet inside the rustic Barter Theatre for entertaining plays, dramas, and musicals. Meanwhile, the William King Museum of Art is the go-to for residents who prefer visual arts. Abingdon's close-knit ties grow stronger every time the Abingdon Farmers Market comes to town from April to November. This weekly gathering promotes friendly socialization as local farmers and buyers bargain for the best deal.
Meanwhile, the Virginia Highlands Community College demonstrates the high-grade education system in Abingdon, a great choice for individuals seeking academic progression. Additionally, a decent home in the town costs around $350,000.
West Point
West Point is a bedroom community on the confluence of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers that promises superior quality of life thanks to its safety record, high-ranking public school system, and exciting outdoor recreation. The West Point River Walk Trail is the perfect avenue for runners, walkers, and cyclists who want to be outside, rewarding them with fantastic vistas of the Mattaponi River. A tour of the Historical Society of West Point exposes newcomers to the town's dynamic history and culture through a vast collection of exhibits relating to several aspects of its past.
West Point is just over an hour from Norfolk, meaning residents need not travel too far to access urban conveniences. Finally, a standard home in the town costs around $330,000, which is lower than the United States average.
Bridgewater
Home to Bridgewater College, this municipality of Rockingham County offers exciting higher education opportunities for young professionals looking to advance their careers. It harbors a wealth of natural areas that invite residents to the outdoors, including Oakdale Park. This expansive community park offers everything from picnic areas and sports fields to playgrounds, accommodating all ages. Meanwhile, Bluestone Vineyard assures locals access to delicious craft wines prepared by an award-winning establishment in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains.
Hastings Medical Clinic of Bridgewater is the primary healthcare provider in the community, providing full walk-in services for residents. Elsewhere, the median home price is only $351,000, cheaper than in most areas of Virginia.
Strasburg
This historic village in Shenandoah County charms new residents with its Civil War heritage, well-preserved vintage treasures, and farm-fresh downtown eateries. A walk down its quiet streets brings you to the Strasburg Museum, which provides a deep look into the region's history dating back to the American Indian occupation. Meanwhile, Hupp's Hill Historical Park preserves relics from the Battle of Cedar Creek. This important Civil War marker harbors numerous archeological artifacts that bring the conflict back to life.
If you have a soft spot for antiques and vintage treasures, you can always stop by Strasburg Emporium to browse its collectibles and primitives. Also, those who aspire to own a home should know that the average property price in Strasburg is $350,000.
Winchester
This rustic town in the Shenandoah Valley is steeped in Civil War heritage and home to a trove of historical treasures. The quiet streets of Old Town Winchester are lined with notable points of interest reflecting the community's dynamic past, from George Washington's Office to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. Townspeople head to Jim Barnett Park for their outdoor reactions, which offers over 170 acres of green spaces and amenities for trekkers, picnickers, and sports lovers.
Winchester's vibrant art scene sees residents constantly converging at Bright Box Theater for compelling live productions featuring artists, musicians, and regional performers. Finally, a beautiful home in Winchester costs an average of $425,000.
Final Thought
The best places to live in Virginia in 2025 present the perfect balance between a small-town atmosphere and urban conveniences. While each comes with a distinct character and points of interest, they all ensure that residents have ready access to natural environments, a supportive community, and reliable social and health amenities. Together, they demonstrate why the Old Dominion is a sought-after destination for movers and why anyone searching for a hometown should consider them a priority.
