Buena Vista 70 Excellent
Buena Vista Livability #224 ranked city in Virginia#7,226 ranked city in the USARanks better than 75% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Buena Vista

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Schools Schools

    High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Employment Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

What's it like Living in Buena Vista?

Buena Vista, Virginia is a smaller city with a population of 6,692 residents. At 88%, the majority of the Buena Vista population is White; this is followed by 6% Black and 0% Asian. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Buena Vista is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 17 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Buena Vista, Virginia could be a good experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, education, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Buena Vista and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Buena Vista to Virginia and the national average.

Buena Vista, VA receives 70/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #225 in Virginia and #7,162 in the USA. Based on the grades for each individual category, Buena Vista has received high marks for crime (A+), cost of living (A+), education (B+) and housing (A). There are some categories that Buena Vista ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F) and employment (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Buena Vista has a violent crime rate of 45 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

The Buena Vista unemployment rate of 1.1% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

Test scores serve as a vital gauge of a school's academic prowess and the proficiency of its students. They play a pivotal role in assessing whether local schools can deliver a robust educational foundation for children. In Buena Vista, the schools boast an impressive average test score of 82%, significantly higher than the national average. This outstanding academic achievement not only reflects the excellence of the local educational system, but also indicates the potential for students to thrive academically, making it an attractive destination for families seeking a high-quality education for their children.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Buena Vista can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

Assuming that Buena Vista meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Buena Vista. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Buena Vista are simply unattainable. The median home price for Buena Vista homes is $222,263, which is 48.9% lower than the Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Buena Vista, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.1, which is 8.9% lower than the Virginia average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Buena Vista

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Buena Vista?

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      Buena Vista transportation information

      Statistic Buena Vista Virginia National
      Average one way commute17min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work83.4%77.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool3.5%9.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%4.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.4%0.6%
      Workers who walk7.4%2.4%2.8%
      Working from home3.2%4.7%4.6%
      Source: The Buena Vista, VA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.