There are a lot of reasons why home is so hard to leave, sometimes, but it's mostly because of where my home is. I'm sure that there are lots of great places to grow up, but I am a little biased. I wished away my time there trying to rush into college, and now every time I get to go back I appreciate it more.
It's very rare to find someone who doesn't enjoy living in Virginia Beach (other than the traffic and the tourists). This isn't a coincidence -- it happens to be ranked eighth among the top 50 US cities to live in, according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek. But besides the statistics, here are my favorite things about this magical place.
1. It's the beach.
I really believe that the best therapy is being by the beach. Whether it's walking on the boardwalk, sitting in the sand, tanning, or floating in the ocean, they all make life a little happier.
2. You know people who know other people who know you.
With the many high school rivalries and the small distance between most of them, you feel connected to everyone you meet. It's a special bond that beach kids have.
3. Driving down Shore Drive with the windows down.
If you haven't done this, you probably should.
4. The food.
The reason why all college kids go broke. Taste, Citrus, Tini's, Bubba's, Watermans, Sakura, Moe's, Surfrider, Pelon's, and the list goes on. So many options, so little time.
5. The relaxed lifestyle.
You can wear bathing suits and flip flops every day and no one will judge you for it. It makes putting on real clothes for a job a little harder, but for the most part, it's the best.
6. The weather.
It's usually warm April through October, and sometimes longer. Even when it's not bright and sunny, the summer thunderstorms give you some time to relax inside.
If you're lucky enough to grow up in this place, make sure you slow down to really appreciate it before you leave.
