Moving to Virginia: Pros and Cons

If you’re considering living in Virginia you’ll find that there are a number of good reasons for moving to that state. You’ve probably already realized the advantages of making the move. But it sometimes takes a long time to decide if relocating is the right thing to do, so it’s a good idea to take a while to think about the details before you decide if it’s right for you.
Each year, a lot of people move to new homes in the United States. Around 12 percent of the population, or about 35 million people, leave their current residence for a new domicile. A number of families and individuals from across the country relocate to Virginia, and they often find that it can be an exciting adventure.

If you’re new to Virginia, there are many new sights and experiences in store for you. Numerous guidebooks and online sites supply an almost endless inventory of information about every conceivable benefit that the state offers.

Among your first decisions will be selecting the best places to live in Virginia. Do you prefer life in the city, a small town or in the country? You can find a variety of options that will fit the kind of environment that suits you best. The next step is to choose several different locations that fit your preferences, and then look at the advantages that each provides. If you have friends or relatives you’d like to be near, that can help you narrow down the options. They can also probably help you make a good decision by providing advice and inside information.
Once you’ve considered the many advantages and opportunities the state offers, you’ll probably be asking yourself, should I move to Virginia, to another state that’s also interesting, or should I stay in my current state? It all depends on your reasons for moving. Sometimes your circumstance can help to make your choices clear. If you’re relocating for a new job, for instance, that makes your decision easier. Otherwise, you must weigh the benefits that you’ll reap by making the move.

Economic decisions always play a role when it comes to making a move, so you’ll of course want to consider the cost of living in Virginia. Taxes, fees, the price of real estate and many other factors determine how far your money will go in any geographic location. You can look at the cost of food, utilities and other day-to-day or year-to-year expenses and make your own calculations. Or, find an online cost-of-living calculator and let it do the work for you.
There’s a great deal of information that you’ll want to consider if you’d like to move to Virginia, and that may take a bit or research on your part. The time you invest in finding the facts will be worthwhile, most likely. Should you decide to make the move you’ll feel more confident about your decision, and you’ll likely have a good idea of what to expect in your new home.

Registering a Car in Virginia and Getting a Virginia Drivers License

It can be challenging to get around almost everywhere without your own source of transportation, so it’s a good idea to ensure that you know the rules of the road and any new regulations that you’ll be obliged to follow. When you’re moving to Virginia, the DMV will likely be among the many stops you’ll want to make as soon as you begin to get settled. Start out by looking at the Virginia.gov DMV website. It supplies a lot of the information you’ll need to know and can save you a lot of time.

You’re probably most interested in finding out the facts about transferring your car registration, such as how much it will cost and how soon you must make a transfer after becoming a resident of the state. Fortunately, you can find all of that information online.

Another top question for motorists taking up residence in the state is what must I do about my driver’s license? Again, you’ll find all of the facts that you need to know on the government site. In addition, you can learn about all of the rules associated with registering a car in Virginia.

Moving to Virginia with Guns

If you’re an outdoorsman and are moving to Virginia with guns, you’ll want to know what regulations and licensing procedures you’re facing.

Virginia has age restrictions on the possession of firearms and some people are prohibited from possessing firearms due to certain criminal convictions. Licensed dealers must have the Virginia State Police conduct a background check prior to completing the sale of certain firearms. Persons who are not in the business of selling firearms, but make occasional, private sales, are not required to perform a background check before selling their firearms. Before July 1, 2012, a person could not purchase more than one handgun per 30-day period, though some exceptions applied; most significantly, holders of valid Concealed Handgun Permits (CHP) from Virginia were exempt from this restriction.

Open carry of a handgun without a permit is legal in Virginia at age 18, withstanding other applicable laws. Concealed carry of a handgun is allowed for persons who hold a valid CHP (concealed handgun permit), comply with certain restrictions, or who hold certain positions.
You may find that the gun laws in Virginia are more lenient or more restrictive that the laws in the state that you are moving from. In either case it’s a good idea to contact your local law enforcement agency to ensure that you’re getting the most up-to-date rules and regulations, whether you’re moving to Virginia with a handgun rifle or shotgun.

5 Ultimate Tips for Moving to Virginia

Relocating to a new state can be a tricky business, so you’ll certainly benefit by picking up any tips to make moving to Virginia a little easier. Here’s a handful of items that will help you get started:

• Traffic is a common topic of discussion.
• The Washington Redskins play in Maryland, but their football training facility is in Ashburn, VA. The Washington Capitals play in D.C. at the Verizon Center but practice at their hockey facility in Ballston. The Washington Wizards are our NBA team, and our MLS soccer team is D.C. United, which plays at RFK Stadium in D.C.
• Virginia’s population is very diverse. Virtually every nationality is represented. Benefits of this immigration are the multitude of authentic restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, and cultural events.
• There is plenty of U. S. history to see. You can start along the Potomac River at Mt. Vernon in Alexandria to the Manassas National Battlefields. There is also a Smithsonian Air and Space Museum next to Dulles Airport.
• We have two major airports. Dulles International Airport offers direct flights around the world by virtually every international airline, and is a major United Airlines domestic hub. Reagan National Airport offers domestic flights and is the most accessible to D.C.

It’s never exactly easy to make such a big decision as moving, particularly if you plan to move to another part of the country that’s far away. But you’re probably taking the time to think about all of the pluses and minuses that you may encounter. So, when your mind is made up and you’ve decided to go, and you have your heart set on a new, exciting destination that you’ll soon call home, take the leap! Call us for an estimate and the professionals here will help you begin your new journey. It could be the first step you’ll take on a long road of exciting adventures.