People are people wherever you go — or so the saying goes. And sure, we may do things in Virginia that people do everywhere, but we also have some things that are special to us because you can’t do them everywhere. This is a list of both of those things — things that are nostalgic from growing up here and things that make our state special because they happen only in Virginia. So if you ask us, we’d have to agree that people from Virginia are wonderfully unique, mostly because, well, they live in Virginia.

If you’re from the Old Dominion, chances are you’ve…

1. Gone on a field trip to Colonial Williamsburg.
Harvey Barrison / flickr
2. With a stop at Busch Gardens.
Kathy / flickr
3. Cleaned 5 MILLION stinkbugs off the porch/windows/doors, etc.
Mike Lewinski / flickr
No one…and I mean NO ONE…is immune from this one.
4. And then caught just as many lightning bugs in the summer.
Takashi Ota / flickr
And put them in a Mason jar with holes punched in the lid. Why are lightning bugs so much less offensive than stinkbugs?
5. Insisted you didn’t have an accent only to hear yourself on a recording later and be shocked.
Colby Stopa / flickr
6. Eaten a fresh tomato straight from the garden.
Maggie McCain / flickr
There's just nothing like it.
7. Visited a battlefield...
Doug Kerr / flickr
...or ten.
8. Visited at least one president’s house.
Chad Fennell / flickr
Monticello, Mount Vernon, Montpelier…you’ve got 7 to choose from.
9. Had to explain “Virginia is for Lovers” to an out-of-stater.
Swtpc6800 Michael Holley [Public domain] / Wikimedia Commons
What’s to explain? Virginia is for Lovers. Seems pretty self-explanatory to me.
10. Had at least one "snow day" when there wasn't any snow.
Anna Strock
You’ve got to admire school buses with snow tires that can brave icy roads, but not in Virginia. Send us the threat of a flurry and it’s a day off for the kiddies in a lot of areas.
11. Picked a side for the annual Hokies vs. Wahoos game – even if you didn’t go to either of these schools.
Karen Blaha / flickr
Creative Commons / Wikipedia
You have to choose. It’s just how things are.
12. Spent a weekend at Virginia Beach or on the Eastern Shore and wished you could move there.
Karen Blaha / flickr
Our coastline never gets old.

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13. Hiked the Blue Ridge and wished you could move there, as well.
Karen Blaha / flickr
It’s about as close to heaven as you can get.
14. Driven Skyline Drive.
Nicolas Raymond / flickr
The only bad part about Skyline is having to keep your eyes on the road when there’s so much to see around you.
15. Had to explain that WEST VIRGINIA and VIRGINIA are two completely different places.
Samuel Augustus Mitchell [Public domain] / Wikimedia Commons
How hard is it to understand? Sigh.
16. Danced the Virginia Reel.
Jose Kevo / flickr
The pride of gym classes everywhere.
17. Had the differences between first cousins, second cousins, and first cousins twice-removed explained to you.
Family Art Studio / flickr
There’s at least one person in every family that can keep it straight. Always sit next to them at family reunions.
18. Turned both the A/C and the heat on in the same day.
Stephen Cummings / flickr
Virginia spring and fall can be fickle. But they definitely keep things interesting.
19. Gone apple picking.
Valerie Hinojosa / flickr
Then followed it up with some hot apple cider and an apple cider donut. If there's one thing that uniques people from Virginia, it's a love of homegrown food.
20. Made homemade ice cream.
Chip Harlan / flickr
A summer cookout isn’t complete without it.
21. Gone swimming in a lake or river.
Tony Alter / flickr
Waldo Jaquith / flickr
The James, the Potomac, the New River, Smith Mountain Lake, Lake Anna…the list goes on.
22. Had to explain what exactly is going on in our state flag.
Public Domain Images
It’s simple. Virtue is dressed as an Amazon warrior and she is stomping on Tyranny. As for the toga...dress standards were different back then. Let’s move on.
23. Argued the virtues of Northern Virginia vs. Southern Virginia vs. Eastern Virginia vs. Western Virginia.
Patrickneil [Public domain] / Wikimedia Commons
Let’s face it, no matter what part of the state you’re from, you undoubtedly think it’s the best. And you're probably right.
24. Been to a party in a field.
Ruth L / flickr
Whether it’s horse races, a pig pickin’, tailgates, or a bonfire…we always seem to end up in fields. Nothing wrong with that.
25.Thought if cornhole were an Olympic sport, you would probably win gold.
Rocky LaLiberte / flickr
(You totally would, by the way.)

Of course, not all of these apply to everyone, but they are definitely things that make Virginia such a unique place to live and the people from Virginia pretty special. What are things that you do in Virginia that make it feel like home?

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As you can tell from the article above, people from Virginia are known for a variety of things. You could make the argument, though, that one of the main things that unite people from Virginia is a true love for their home state. Virginia's incredible outdoor attractions, small-town communities, city vibrancy, dining options, hiking trails, beaches, lakes, music venues, and more allow the Old Dominion to be one of the most livable states in the U.S. Looking for a little humor? Check out these 18 Ways To Make Someone From Virginia Mad.

What are some of the worst things about living in Virginia?

While we like to believe that Virginia is nearly perfect, there are of course some drawbacks to living in Virginia. To start with, summers in Virginia are notoriously humid. The weather can be almost unbearable during midday in the summertime, which is why many people in Virginia choose to head to the beach or the mountains to escape the heat. Another potential drawback of living in Virginia is having to deal with traffic. That's especially true if you live in Northern Virginia and rely on the I-95 corridor, which happens to be among the most congested highways in the U.S.

What are the best places to live in Virginia?

Each region of Virginia has its perks, and so you truly can't go wrong with any of them. That being said, many folks in Virginia choose to live near the major cities given the fact that they have great schools, restaurants, cultural attractions, and friendly neighborhoods. Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is known for its complex history, art museums, cultural diversity, foodie-approved restaurants, proximity to the James River, and more. Similarly, Virginia Beach offers many vibrant attractions with the added draw of the nearby ocean. Of course, some people prefer to live in mid-sized or smaller towns such as Charlottesville, Staunton, Alexandria, or Roanoke. Curious to learn more about Virginia's small towns? Read about why you'll fall in love with these communities.

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