Best Places To Live, Work, Play In Virginia: 2025 Recap

Some of the best places to live in the country are towns and cities in Virginia, according to a handful of national rankings released in 2025 that look at quality of life indicators.

There is no single quality that makes a town or city a great place to live. High-quality schools, hospitals and medical facilities, and a robust cultural and dining scene all matter. So do good jobs and places to play and have fun.

Publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and Fortune and the ratings and review site Niche used different methodologies to compile their lists on the best places to live. Read more about why Virginia's cities and towns were mentioned.

• 11 VA Towns Ranked Among Best Places To Live By U.S. News
• Here’s Where VA Ranks In New U.S. News Best States List
• How Vienna Ranks On Niche's Best Places To Live In U.S. List
• 25 Most Affordable Places To Retire Includes 2 VA Cities: Forbes
• VA Has 2nd Safest Community In America; 6 Others In Top 25: U.S. News
• 4 NoVA Suburbs Named In Top 50 Of America's Wealthiest

Generally speaking, great workplaces are those where employees feel respected and valued, have growth opportunities and competitive salaries, and work–life balance is more than a slogan. Here’s where various Virginia employers rank in issues that matter to their workers:

• These 17 VA Companies Ranked Among Best Places To Work
• These Are The Top 42 Employers In VA In Forbes Ranking
• These Are The Best Employers For Gen Z College Grads

There are also plenty of places to play and relax in Virginia, according to lists from publications, review sites and other sources.

• These VA Water Parks Among The Best In America For 2025
• 9 VA Bed And Breakfasts Named Among Best In America, New Ranking Says
• These VA Vacation Spots Offer Luxury On A Budget, New Ranking Says

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