2 VA Cities Ranked Among Best Places To Live By U.S. News

VIRGINIA — Two cities in Virginia are among the 2023-2024 Best Places to Live in the country, according to a ranking released Tuesday by U.S. News and World Report.

The new list evaluates the 150 biggest U.S. metropolitan areas based on value, competitiveness of the job market and quality of life.

Virginia Beach ranked No. 30 on the list, a big surge from No. 106 on last year's list.

Here's what U.S. News says about Virginia Beach:

"Despite Virginia Beach's resort city status, the friendly residents and relaxed atmosphere found here have swayed many to take up a permanent residence in Virginia's largest metro area. The glorious ocean views, beautiful waterfront homes and award-winning restaurants make this vacation destination a place worthy of being calling home.

"The job market in the Hampton Roads region, which encompasses Virginia Beach and nearby Norfolk and Newport News, offers some niche opportunities in both the civilian and government sectors that make moving to the area attractive, from defense contractor positions to hotelier jobs," the magazine said.

"With the largest concentration of military personnel outside of the Pentagon, military presence is part of everyday life at the beach, with events like the Oceana Air Show and the Patriotic Festival celebrating the armed forces. However, jet noise can be loud and takes some time to adjust to, so if you are going to be living in a particularly noisy area, be prepared," U.S. News said.

The other Virginia city on the list is Richmond, ranked No. 42 on the list, up from No. 57 a year ago.

Here's what U.S. News says about Richmond:

"More than 7 million tourists visit the Greater Richmond region each year to explore its rich American history. Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech in Richmond's St. John's Church and, as the former capital of the Confederacy, the metro area was at the epicenter of the Civil War. Modern-day attractions can easily be found in the region as well, including world-class museums, a vibrant food scene and an array of entertainment options, from concerts and theater performances to family-friendly festivals.

"The only city in America with whitewater rapids running through its downtown district, Richmond is the seat of Virginia's state government. With a range of housing options, the Richmond metro area — which includes suburban areas in the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico — appeals to a varied demographic, from young families to retirees," U.S. News said.

"Downtown Richmond is anchored by Virginia Commonwealth University, which draws a large crowd of younger part-time residents. But this college town, also home to the University of Richmond, has plenty to offer families and older residents, as well. Each of Richmond's neighborhoods exudes a unique personality, from the historic 19th-century homes in Church Hill to rustic farms and suburban communities in the outlying counties," the magazine said.

Washington, D.C., ranked No. 39 on the list, with a quality of life rating higher than both Virginia Beach and Richmond, but a lower value for your money than the two Virginia cities due to the higher cost of housing.

For the first time this year, U.S. News added methodology to measure a place’s strengths and weaknesses. The desirability index takes into consideration the number of days a year the temperature falls from 33 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit, and an establishment-to-population ratio, which assesses the number of restaurants, bars and activities per 1,000 people.

Also, this year, U.S. News moved its net migration category to the desirability index. And the value index, which previously focused only on housing affordability, now includes price parity — a U.S. Census data point on the general cost of goods within an area.

“This year’s rankings are a reflection of the current economic, social and natural factors that impact a place’s livability for its residents,” Devon Thorsby, real estate editor at U.S. News, said in a news release.

“People are considering more than housing when they look at an area’s affordability — they want to know how much goods cost in that area,” Thorsby said. “The ever-present risk for severe weather and a community’s ability to recover — coupled with the area’s opportunities for social activities — are also taken into account when evaluating a best place to live.”

This year, Green Bay, Wisconsin, moved up two positions in the ranking to No. 1, due to its strong value and quality of life scores. Huntsville, Alabama, moved down to No. 2. At No. 8, Charlotte, North Carolina, moved up 20 spots, and No. 6 Naples, Florida, re-entered the Top 10 after falling off last year.

1. Green Bay, Wisconsin (No. 3 last year)
2. Huntsville, Alabama (No. 1 last year)
3. Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (No. 6 last year)
4. Boulder, Colorado (No. 4 last year)
5. Sarasota, Florida (No. 9 last year)
6. Naples, Florida (No. 12 last year)
7. Portland, Maine (No. 8 last year)
8. Charlotte, North Carolina (No. 30 last year)
9. Colorado Springs, Colorado (No. 2 last year)
10. Fayetteville, Arkansas (No. 7 last year)

Some places saw double-digit drops and fell out of the top 50. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, fell a steep 81 spots this year, coming in at 113 from 32, with lower scores across the index.

Seattle, Washington, saw an increase in its job market score, but declines in its quality of life, desirability and value scores resulted in a 45-spot drop in this year's ranking. Consequently, Seattle came in at No. 81, down from No. 36 last year. Kalamazoo, Michigan, saw a sharp drop, falling 40 spots from No. 50 to No. 90. While it only slightly decreased in value, it scored on the moderate/lower end of desirability and job market.

U.S. News based its ranking on data from the National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Census Bureau, the FBI, the Labor Bureau, Sharecare, and its own rankings on the nation’s best high schools and best hospitals.