Senior living in Virginia is very popular nationwide. Virginia attracts a large share of retirees from all over the country—and many of its active adults choose to stay in the state after retirement. With its gorgeous scenery, gracious Southern towns, rich history, and relatively low cost of living, it’s easy to say why.
Virginia has hot, humid summers and mild winters compared to those in the Northeast. Farther from the seashore, in the western and mountainous areas of the state, Virginia’s weather is more mild. Virginia offers miles of coastline as well as the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains—giving retirees plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Median home prices and costs of living can vary dramatically in Virginia—and it’s likely they’re distorted by those who live in suburbs outside Washington DC, where prices are considerably higher. In these suburbs, median home prices are almost twice as high as the national average. In some smaller towns farther from this area, however, real estate prices can be significantly lower.
Virginia’s tax burden is 18th highest throughout the nation—making it slightly higher than average. Those residents born earlier than 1939 can take a $12,000 tax deduction; those born prior to 1945 receive the same deduction amount but with different qualifications. Virginia doesn’t tax Social Security income, but it does have relatively high property taxes—18th highest in the country. Despite the tax situation, however, many retirees choose to move here—or stay.
If you want to retire in Virginia, you have plenty of options for interesting and vibrant communities. A few of the best Virginia retirement communities include:
Williamsburg
Ranked #5 in Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live,” the town is sometimes referred to as “Colonial Williamsburg” for its gorgeously restored 18th-century colonial buildings. It’s an ideal place for history buffs and antiques aficionados—with plenty of historic buildings, antiques stores, and historic and cultural events throughout the year. With just over 12,000 permanent residents, Williamsburg receives over 4 million visitors per year—making the whole town one of the state’s major tourist attractions.
Charlottesville
Charlottesville does well in the “Top Cities” lists; recently it was ranked #1 from Cities Ranked and Rated and recognized as one of the top 100 places to retire nationwide. It’s the home of Thomas Jefferson’s mansion, Monticello, as well as the beautiful University of Virginia. Its tree-lined streets, historic neighborhoods, and the surrounding beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains make Charlottesville a great place to retire.
Winchester
A thriving town of 25,000, Winchester has a rich history stretching back through the Civil War, the French and Indian War, and the Revolution. There are over a dozen places in town listed on the National Historic Register—including the Winchester Historic District. These include the remains of Fort Loudon, constructed by George Washington in 1756. Located near the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park, Winchester offers a wealth of opportunities for outdoor activities. It’s also not far from Washington, DC—which is worth a day trip. The town is also home to Shenandoah University, which hosts many cultural, historic, and artistic events throughout the year.
If you’re interested in a Virginia retirement, you couldn’t have come to a better place. Virginia’s gorgeous mountains, beautiful historic villages, mild weather, and relatively low cost of living make it a major destination for retiree location—and construction of retirement communities in the state is growing to keep up with demand. We offer extensive free listings of Virginia retirement communities within a wide range of towns and cities throughout the state. Check out our listings—and get started finding your ideal retirement community in Virginia.
