Is Virginia The State Everyone Is Going To Be Writing About?

The great thing about America is that it's a country of choices. If you find you don't like how your state does things or you're concerned about its economy, you have forty-nine other choices at your disposal.  There are many things that may inspire you to move. Perhaps taxes are too high. Maybe the employment situation isn't so great. Or maybe it just costs too much to buy the things you need to have a comfortable life. If any of these concerns sound familiar, then Virginia might be the place you'll want to start calling home.

Cities in southern Virginia, like Roanoke, offer the best standard of living because you get all the positives of Virginia. You have to remember that when you're considering cost of living in a state like Virginia, you need to keep certain factors in mind when looking at the data you find. The most important thing to recognize is that a city like Roanoke will cost significantly less to live in and around than, say, Arlington. Much of northern Virginia is based around Washington D.C. and prices change accordingly. While you'll find more opportunities there, you'll also be paying more to live which, depending on your disposition, seems like a fair trade off.

But for everyone who doesn't plan on working for the federal government or associated contractors, southern Virginia provides the best bang for your buck. And we're not just talking cost of living (rents, goods, etc.).  What you may not know is that Virginia is one of the best states to buy a car in. You may get such a good deal, you'll want to travel to Virginia specifically to pick up a new car. If you've been holding out on going green with your driving habits, you could pick up a vehicle like the Leaf for a considerably lower price. A Nissan dealer in Roanoke, VA would be a better place to buy a Leaf from than, say, one in New York.

So, now that you know your transportation will be cheaper, how about the business climate. Well if you're a business owner, you're in luck. The corporate tax rate has been steady at a low 6% for decades. There are also plenty of tax credits available for job creation and for providing economic activity in certain regions of the state that are in dire need of it.

If you don't own a business, there's still plenty to like about the state. It has a relatively low unemployment rate at 5.3%. That's 2 full points lower than the national average rate. Most economists also consider 4-5% unemployment about as close to "full employment" as a state can get. The median salary is around $42,000, which puts Virginia in the upper echelons of income by state.

If you want affordable living, beautiful surroundings, and great opportunities, southern Virginia is a great option. Remember, the whole state doesn't revolve around D.C. Getting away from the congestion is pretty easy and the business friendly policies make the state a great destination for a company looking to move as well.

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Terry McLoughlin is a writer who spends some of his free time blogging about economics. When he's not doing that, he enjoys hikes and finding new restaurants.