The Best Northeast State to Live in

Now that we've explored the country region by region and given you our top picks for the Best US States live in be it for retirement or economic we're now going to dig deeper into each of our 'Best States'. Let's begin by exploring the Northeast as we unveil the best communities to live in.

The northeast is one of the best places to live in the United States. This area, chosen by English settlers as the perfect spot to begin their “new world”, still retains the charm the colonists found so appealing more than 400 years ago. Although there are many great places to live in the northeast, Virginia stands out as the best. With an unemployment rate nearly three percent below the national average, great schools and one of the best state governments in the US, Virginia has the distinguished status of being one of the best states to live in the country today.

Best City to Live in Virginia

For those who love the city lights, big business and plenty of entertainment, Richmond is one of the best cities to live in Virginia. Serving as the state capital, Richmond’s main economy lies in law, finance, advertising and government. Voted the third best city for business in the nation, it is also home to six Fortune 500 companies including Genworth Financial and Altria. Richmond stays true to its historical roots and the city contains many monuments to historic Americans. With 40 parks to choose from, Richmond offers plenty of outdoor activities including hiking, biking and rock climbing. Median income for a family in the city is upwards of $38,000 a year, and jobs in the private sector are plentiful.

Cheapest Place to Live in Virginia

Lexington, Virginia lies about an hour east of the West Virginia border and is a relatively small town with a population of just over 7,000 people in the 2010 census. Home to the Virginia Military Institute as well as Washington and Lee University, this college town is among the least expensive places to live in Virginia. The median family income is $58,529 a year while the cost of living ranges from 1% to 10% lower than the national average. Both Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson were buried here, and the town is also home to the only non-profit drive-in theater in the United States.

Best Place to Retire in Virginia

Virginia Beach is a resort town on the shores of the Atlantic ocean. It contains the world’s largest “pleasure beach” and is home to several parks and many protected beach areas. Virginia Beach has long been a popular retirement destination and has a high concentration of senior citizens. Winters are mild and summers are warm. Virginia Beach is among the top 5 median family incomes in the nation, and crime rates are lower than average. There are several top-notch medical facilities in the city. Virginia Beach also has 14 major golf courses and an active senior community.

Virginia is a great state with a long and storied history. The economy and schools here are well above the national average, while the cost of living in the non-metropolitan areas is significantly lower. Housing is both plentiful and affordable and the crime rates outside of major cities are generally low. For these reasons, Virginia is the best place to live in the northeast.