Wildlife of the ShenandoahSo, you are thinking about moving to northern Virginia! It’s probably preaching to the proverbial choir to tell you how amazing life is ‘round these parts, but be reassured: you’ve made a great choice. Whether you are a professional, a young single, a parent, or just about anyone else, you’re bound to find this region an exciting and energizing place to live.

Northern Virginia is the most populous area of the state, with a full third of all Virginians calling it home. It’s a region encompassing some of the wealthiest areas of the country. Thanks to a close proximity to the Capital, plenty of national movers and shakers hang their hats here. The culture is also fantastic - the arts are thriving, the theater scene is fresh and edgy, and our nightlife can’t be beat. Our history is that of the U.S.’s foundation, our crime rate is low, and our population is diverse.

For those considering moving to the area, or our freshest residents, these are the buzziest aspects of life here:

Traffic and Transportation: There’s no point in sugarcoating it - there are a lot of people trying to get a lot of different places here. “Rush hour” is more like eight hours of heavy traffic. On the other hand, we have a lot more transportation options than others. Our highways have HOV lanes, we’re experimenting with toll roads and pay-per-mile highways, and the public transportation sector is growing.

Education: Virginia may be for lovers, but it is also for smartypants. This region is tied with Seattle as one of the most educated areas of the country, with over half of all adults holding at least a bachelor’s degree. The public schools are exceptional, and there are a number of highly-ranked colleges and universities a stone’s throw away.

Sports: Go Redskins! We love us some football here, but sports fans have many, many options. Whether you love baseball, hockey, basketball, or just about anything else… we have a team for that. This isn’t just a haven for the pros, either. Our fantastic weather and scenic outdoors do a lot to promote getting outside and having fun.

Weather: Do you like the full “four seasons” experience? You’ve come to the right place. We’re nestled right between the northeast and the south, ensuring that our summers are summery and our winters are wintery without the heatstroke/hurricanes and blizzards/endless dismal slush of either extreme. Our springs and autumns are proper, vibrant seasons all to themselves - not just brief bridges to half a year of either steaming heat or bitter cold.

Jobs: Our friends and neighbors haven’t weathered as many employment woes as others across the country. Jobs flourish here, and they are far from all government-related. In fact, our growing technology sector has the industry wondering if this is the new Silicon Valley! Many national associations have headquarters here as well, making us a natural magnet for leaders and innovators.