Forbes Just Named Virginia Beach One of the Best Places to Retire — Again

For the second year in a row, Virginia Beach has earned a spot on Forbes’ annual “Best Places to Retire” list. Here’s what that means for our market — and what Forbes got right.

Forbes released its 2026 Best Places to Retire list on May 8, and Virginia Beach made the cut. Again. Out of nearly 1,000 U.S. locations evaluated, only 25 made the final list — and Virginia Beach is one of just two Virginia cities to appear, alongside Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah Valley.
Forbes described Virginia Beach as Virginia’s largest city, population 456,000, on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay and about 200 miles south of Washington, D.C. That tracks. But the reasons Forbes keeps coming back to this market go deeper than geography.

What Forbes Highlighted

Forbes pegged Virginia Beach’s median home price at $427,000 — about 4% above the national median. For context, data from the Real Estate Information Network (REIN) Multiple Listing Service puts the current median home value at $410,000 as of May 9, 2026. The gap between the two numbers likely reflects differences in methodology and data sources, but either way, the city sits close to the national median — not dramatically above or below it. Forbes still included Virginia Beach because price is only one factor, and this city scores well on nearly everything else.
The pros Forbes listed: a very low serious crime rate, good air quality, a comfortable four-season climate, and a city that’s somewhat bikeable with over 100 miles of paths and trails. On the tax side, Virginia doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, estates, or inheritances — a meaningful advantage for retirees managing fixed income. Forbes also flagged a relatively low FEMA natural hazard risk, which matters more every year as insurance costs climb in other coastal markets.
The trade-offs are worth noting, too. Virginia Beach isn’t especially walkable outside a few corridors, and the state income tax tops out at 5.75% for couples with taxable income above $17,000. Neither is a dealbreaker, but they’re worth knowing.

What the Numbers Don’t Capture

Forbes flagged the bikeability and low hazard risk. What the list doesn’t have room for is the scale of what Virginia Beach offers in greenspace and public infrastructure.
The city manages 293 park sites across more than 7,000 acres of parks and natural areas. That includes community parks, metro parks, natural preserves, waterway access points, and multiuse trails. Add in state and national land — First Landing State Park alone covers 2,888 acres along the Chesapeake Bay with 19 miles of interpretive trails — and you’re looking at over 4,000 acres of combined city, state, and national parkland, plus 120 miles of open waterways accessible by boat, kayak, or paddleboard. The city has been actively working to ensure that the majority of residents live within ten minutes of a park or trail.
Then there’s the service infrastructure. Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation operates seven community recreation centers, a municipal marina, and an athletic complex. For residents 55 and older, the Forever Young Senior Centers — embedded within those rec centers — offer programming, social events, fitness, day trips, and lunch services through Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia. The city’s Mayor’s Commission on Aging publishes an annually updated Senior Housing & Resources Guide covering independent living, assisted living, downsizing, and relevant city services. The public library system provides accessible resources including assistive technology, large print and audiobook lending through the National Library Service, and staff support at multiple branches.
These aren’t amenities you find on every “best places to retire” list. They’re the kind of infrastructure that separates a city that markets itself to retirees from one that actually serves them.

What the List Doesn’t Tell You

National lists like this are useful starting points. They confirm what we already know: Hampton Roads is a strong market with real lifestyle advantages. But they don’t tell the whole story.
They don’t tell you that the Virginia Beach market has distinct pockets — from established neighborhoods in Kempsville and Great Neck to quieter stretches near Sandbridge and the rural southern corridor. Median home prices vary widely depending on where you land, and the right fit depends on whether you want to be near the oceanfront, close to medical facilities, or tucked into a community with lower HOA overhead.
They don’t explain that Norfolk International Airport, Sentara’s healthcare network, the VA medical center in Hampton, and the military base infrastructure all contribute to a regional ecosystem that keeps services, employment, and housing demand stable. That stability is part of why this area keeps showing up on national lists — and why it tends to hold value over time.
And they don’t mention that for retirees who already own a home here, these rankings create a tailwind. National attention drives buyer interest. That’s worth knowing whether you’re thinking about downsizing, relocating within the region, or just curious about what your home might be worth today.

The Bottom Line

Virginia Beach belongs on this list. The numbers support it, and the quality of life here backs it up. But a list is a starting point — not a plan.
If you’re considering a move into or within Hampton Roads, or if this kind of recognition has you thinking about your next chapter, we’re happy to walk through what the market actually looks like at the neighborhood level. That’s where the real decisions get made.

User Login

Lost your password?