Firstly why Suffolk, Virginia?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Suffolk
• State: Virginia
• Population: 91,794 people
• Suffolk’s quick summary would be Recognized for its beautiful waterways, vibrant arts scene, and the historic Suffolk Museum.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 8,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 5,000 annually
• Net Migration: 3000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 500
• Number of Homeless people: 200

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers rural charm with access to urban amenities attracting families

Perk #1: Suffolk Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 32%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 56%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Black
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $58,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Suffolk is $68,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $10000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Suffolk’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 90 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,650
• Property Tax %: 1.06%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,300
• Rent for an average house: $2,100
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Suffolk
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Suffolk, Chesapeake, Isle-of-Wight, Smithfield, and probably could include Portsmouth
• Avg. Age of Homes in Suffolk: 28 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 0.4%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Suffolk’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Suffolk are  Government, Healthcare, and Education
• Suffolk Job Scene: limited job market focused on agriculture and local services
• The General Tech Scene: growing tech scene focused on logistics, transportation, and local services
• Suffolk Resident’s pay $300 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Suffolk: 6%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 30 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 5

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Suffolk

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $100 on average per person
• Freeway Access: Route 58 connects Suffolk to neighboring areas
• Commute Time: 21 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic jams on Route 58
• Transportation Score: 29 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Suffolk: 32,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.3
• No. of Car Washes: 3 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Suffolk: dmv.virginia.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 62 of 100
• Local Airport: Norfolk International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Suffolk’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Hurricanes
• General Weather in Suffolk is best described as hot humid summers mild winters with varied precipitation
• Winter Weather in Suffolk i’d describe as cold with rain
• Spring Weather in Suffolk can be described as mild with rain expected
• Summer’s in Suffolk are mostly warm and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Suffolk is usually cool and dry
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 11 days in summer
• Days in a row in Suffolk below Freezing: 1
• Average Annual Rainfall: 45 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality supported by open areas and green space
• Suffolk Winter Air generally good air quality with minimal pollution sources

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Suffolk Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Suffolk 1
• While the number of trade schools inside Suffolks’s city limits are 0
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Suffolk Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Suffolk Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Suffolk only Doctors is about 0
• Local Hospitals here is  0
• Full-time Suffolk only Police Officers is about 0
• Crime Rate Index: 40/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Suffolk’s Monthly utility bill average is $100
• Suffolk’s Monthly Gym Membership: $42
• Suffolk’s Water Quality Score: 0

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Suffolk

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 4 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: wide-open spaces with a small-town feel and community focus
• You might enjoy concerts at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Suffolk  features cozy bars and dining options for relaxing evenings focused on community and friendly gatherings

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Suffolk

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes casual dining and family-friendly restaurants
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 15 scattered around Suffolk
• The Popular Sports Team is Local PickleBall Champs
• Top Level Political Climate in Suffolk can be described as conservative farming community focusing on agriculture
• Suffolk’s Longer standing religious establishment is Suffolk United Methodist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Suffolk Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Suffolk has 20 Parks?
• Suffolk City Park is Suffolk’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Suffolk Farmers Market normally open Saturday 10am-2pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, fishing, and biking

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Suffolk Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Suffolk can be described as quiet suburban lifestyle with a focus on agriculture and nature
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Suffolk going to parks hiking trails community events picnics
• The Cities people commute to from Suffolk are Christiansburg 10 miles away Radford 12 miles away Pulaski 26 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Suffolk or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: traffic jams on Route 58. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Suffolk’s Hurricanes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Suffolk is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Suffolk are Christiansburg 10 miles away Radford 12 miles away Pulaski 26 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 40 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Suffolk has 1 days in a row below freezing and 11 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Suffolk people have an average (positive or negative) $10000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   200 homeless people living in Suffolk. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general conservative farming community focusing on agriculture could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Suffolk.

Retiree & Senior Life in Suffolk

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can can enjoy exemptions affecting property tax calculations
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Waterford at Suffolk
• Suffolk Senior Center hosts various programs recreational activities and meal services for older residents

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Suffolk, Virginia?

If Suffolk, Virginia ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Suffolk, Virginia, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!