Ideally located along the East Coast of the United States, the Old Dominion state boasts impressive natural landscapes, exciting outdoor activities, and a rich cultural heritage. With favorable taxes compared to other states, tax exemptions for Social Security benefits, and tax deductions for seniors to match, it’s no wonder many retirees want to move to Virginia.
However, deciding where to move isn’t easy, with so many incredible places to retire. Luckily, we’re here to help.
In this article, we’ll show you the best places to retire in Virginia, so you know what’s on offer and what to expect. We’ll cover essential amenities, attractions, and retirement living options.
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1. Williamsburg
Williamsburg is one of the best places in Virginia to retire if you love history. This charming historic city is well known for its colonial architecture and role in the American Revolution. As such, history buffs spend most of their time exploring Colonial Williamsburg, the historic district, the city’s best museums, and other cultural attractions.
Notable attractions include the Living History Museum, Governor’s Palace, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and Basset Hall. Regarding retirement, Williamsburg has a high quality of life, multiple medical centers, and several recreation centers.
Meanwhile, retirees can choose from several retirement options, including independent, assisted living, and nursing homes.
2. Richmond
Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is a fantastic option if you enjoy big-city life. Home to over 220,000 people, the city has everything you need to thrive, including countless retirement living options, cultural experiences, exciting attractions, and world-class medical centers.
Better yet, the cost of living in Richmond falls 4% below the national average, making it one of the state’s most affordable places to live. You can spend the extra money you save doing what you love.
Popular things to do in Richmond include visiting St. John’s Church and the American Civil War Museum, walking along the James River, and exploring Maymont.
3. Woodstock
Retirees hoping to stay connected with nature should consider retiring to Woodstock in Shenandoah County. Rich in history and natural beauty, this quaint town is between the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains.
Adventurous retirees in Woodstock spend their time hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, and even skiing, so you’ll be hard-pressed to get bored. There are more than 178 miles (286 kilometers) of George Washington National stream trails to hike.
Meanwhile, the town has many shops, museums, galleries, restaurants, and recreation centers. Regarding retirement living, you can choose from multiple living options, including assisted, independent, community, and memory care.
4. Martinsville
For a little bit of everything, Martinsville is one of the best places to retire in Virginia. This small city in Southern Virginia offers big-city amenities, picturesque landscapes, and many things to see and do with a small-town atmosphere.
When you’re not getting your daily steps in hiking around a lake or up a mountain, you’ll find yourself watching NASCAR at the Martinsville Speedway, exploring the Virginia Museum of Natural History, and taking in a show at the historic Rives Theatre.
Martinsville offers access to multiple hospitals for retirees, has a cost of living below the state and national average, and provides various retirement living arrangements.
5. Falls Church
Falls Church, a small city in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., makes sense for several reasons. Its proximity to Washington, D.C., means you’ll never be too far away from big-city amenities like shops, medical centers, and recreation centers.
Secondly, the city is considered moderately tax-friendly, so you’ll have more money to spend on the things you love. Finally, Falls Church has many retirement communities from which to choose.
Regarding things to do, you can go shopping in the Eden Center, pick up local delights at the farmer’s market, learn more about the city at Cherry Hill Farmhouse, and walk in the city parks.
6. Virginia Beach
Beachgoers looking for the best places in Virginia to retire will likely gravitate toward Virginia Beach, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Although the cost of living is higher than the national average, it’s still low compared to other beachfront communities.
Besides, you’ll have easy access to miles of golden sand beach and a lively 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) boardwalk lined with shops, amusement parks, and restaurants. Better yet, Virginia Beach also offers First Landing State Park, a popular hiking destination.
Virginia Beach is excellent for retirement living. It has multiple world-class medical centers, independent and assisted living communities, and various activity possibilities, such as sailing, canoeing, and golfing.
7. Abingdon
Retirees who want to integrate into a retirement community, have many things to do, and live somewhere more affordable should consider moving to Abingdon, a small town in Washington County with a large 65+ community and a cost of living below the national average.
In Abingdon, you’ll find three senior centers, multiple medical centers, a college for older adults, the Barter Theatre, and the William King Museum of Art. The town also has a lively farmer’s market, a cultural center, and multiple fitness centers.
When it comes to living arrangements, retirees can choose from various independent, assisted, memory care, and nursing communities.
8. Charlottesville
Charlottesville is one of Virginia’s best places to retire if you’re looking for a blend of cultural richness and natural beauty. This charming city serves as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Shenandoah National Park is one of the most scenic parks in Virginia.
As such, you’ll spend most of your time exploring the great outdoors, hiking, and boating. Charlottesville is also home to the historic Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s estate. Other notable attractions include Carter Mountain Orchard and Country Store, the Paramount Theater, and the Downtown Mall.
In Charlottesville, retirees also have access to world-class medical care, assisted, independent, and memory living care, as well as multiple recreation centers.
9. Vienna
Nestled in Fairfax County, Vienna is a fantastic place to live in Virginia if you’re searching for more bang for your buck, a peaceful atmosphere, and open green spaces while still having easy access to big city amenities. Firstly, Vienna is well known for having a cost of living below the state and national average.
The city also prides itself on offering residents plenty of green spaces to relax and unwind, such as the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens and Town Green. The town is also only a 40-minute drive from Washington, D.C.
To top things off, Vienna has multiple retirement communities, medical centers, and recreation centers.
10. Roanoke
Roanoke is one of the best places in Virginia to retire if you love the great outdoors and the big city. Enjoy your time in the city’s downtown area when you’re not exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains, hiking to the Mill Mountain Star, or driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
You’ll find a bustling area jam-packed with restaurants, boutiques, farmer’s markets, and antique shops here. Notable attractions in the city include the Virginia Museum of Transportation, Center in The Square, and Big Lick Brewing Company.
For retirees, Roanoke also offers many assisted living facilities and 55-and-over communities, recreation centers, medical centers, and a low cost of living.
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Retire in Virginia
There we have it, the best places to retire in Virginia. In this post, we’ve told you exactly why Virginia is a great place to retire, highlighted the best towns and cities, and provided a rundown of each destination’s offerings.
Now, we leave the challenging part up to you. Take this list of the best places in Virginia to retire and decide if the Old Dominion state is where you want to retire. If it is, where do you most want to live?
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Jack Bolton
Jack Bolton is a content writer and blogger from the UK. He has a strong passion for travel and has an endless bucket list that he’s making his way through!
