Perched on the edge of Virginia by the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach features a mix of scenic beachfront, American history, and military bases. The area continues to grow each year, thanks to its cultural draws, historical attractions, vibrant waterfront, and thriving economy.

Image via Flickr by Jason Pratt
Though Virginia Beach is a popular summer destination, it’s also home to over 400,000 residents year-round.
Source: Sperling’s Best Places
The Chesepian tribe first inhabited the Virginia Beach area, which was the first landing spot for Europeans in 1607. First Landing State Park still marks this historic place, and visitors can learn more about the area’s past by visiting several historic houses in Virginia Beach. The city’s 18th-century Cape Henry Lighthouse and 19th-century boardwalk are also thriving tourist attractions - testaments to the city’s long, storied life.
Source: City of Virginia Beach
Relocation
Virginia Beach residents enjoy an affordable cost of living that’s about 10 percent more than the national average. Essentials like health care and transportation are below the U.S. average but housing in Virginia Beach costs about 40 percent more than it does across the nation.
Source: Sperling’s Best Places
If you’re relocating to Virginia Beach, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the area’s primary industries. Government, trade and transportation, and professional and business services are the area’s largest industries. The fastest growing fields include financial activities, leisure and hospitality, and construction.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
The largest employers in Virginia Beach make up several of the area’s biggest industries. The Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek and the Naval Air Station Oceana are the area’s largest military employers. Lynnhaven Mall employs over 2,500 retail professionals, while GEICO and AMERIGROUP together employ over 4,000 insurance specialists. In addition, STIHL Incorporated employs over 2,000 people at its North American headquarters in Virginia Beach.
Source: Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development
School District Information
Virginia Beach students attend Virginia Beach City Public Schools, which includes 87 schools. Students attend the school in their district by default, but they may apply to attend another district school. On average, the school district spends nearly $11,900 per student and the student to teacher ratio is 14 to one.
On a scale of 10, GreatSchools gives Virginia Beach schools a rating of six. Three of the area’s public schools have a rating of 10, while the remaining schools have a rating of nine or lower.
Source: GreatSchools and Sperling’s Best Places
For more information about Virginia Beach City Public Schools and each individual school, visit the school district’s website:
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
City Resources
Here you’ll find all the resources you need for your move to Virginia Beach:
Parks and Recreation
Utilities
Waste Management
Visitors Guide
Housing Information
Since Virginia Beach enjoys several miles of coastline, some of the city’s most desirable properties are along the shore. Inland, the city offers dozens of desirable residential neighborhoods, many of which are developed around creeks and waterways. Most communities have neighborhood associations with unique information about each area.
Source: City of Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, the median home value is about $230,000, and the average age of homes in the city is 31 years. About 30 percent of Virginia Beach residents rent their homes, and a one-bedroom apartment home goes for about $1,050.
Source: Sperling’s Best Places
Check out these helpful links to help with your search:
Apartment Guide
Homes
Realtor
Zillow
Employment Resources
If you’re seeking a job in Virginia Beach, these resources are a great place to start:
CareerBuilder
Glassdoor
Indeed
Monster
Simply Hired
Snagajob
Virginia Beach News
Keep up on Virginia Beach news with these links:
ABC Affiliate
CBS Affiliate
NBC Affiliate
Coastal Virginia Magazine
Virginia Beach Beacon