7 Best Places to Retire in Virginia, According to Local Real Estate Experts

Cost of living, health care, great weather, and more were all taken into account.

Retirees who decide to call Virginia home have a variety of lifestyle options. They can live along the shore, in the mountains, near major cities, or close to the nation’s capital. There’s wine country in the central part of the state, the beauty of Shenandoah National Park, and beaches and history on the eastern coast. Historical sites like Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello, and Mount Vernon, as well as the museums and monuments in nearby Washington, D.C., offer much to do.

Lower taxes compared to other states also attract retirees to Virginia. Social security benefits and retirement income are exempt from state income taxes, and other income such as pension and retirement account withdrawals are deductible up to $12,000 for seniors. Property and sales tax rates are low, too. According to 2022 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Virginia's population was 8.7 million, with 17 percent over the age of 65, making it one of the top states with a large retirement population.

According to Niche.com’s detailed evaluation of places to retire, the top cities for retirement in Virginia include Rockwood (a suburb of Richmond), Massanetta Springs, Belmont Estates, Merrimac, Hollins, and Lake Barcroft. Retirable, meanwhile, suggests Falls Church, Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, Abingdon, Charlottesville, Blacksburg, and Alexandria.

Vibrant Aging looked at housing affordability, health care access, safety, weather, well-being, and population percentage over age 65 to come up with their recommendations, which includes Falls Church, Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, Charlottesville, Virginia Beach, and Richmond. HomeSnacks considered cost of living, crime, amenities, housing, and distance to a national airport for their recommendations — Warrenton, Danville, Falls Church, and Williamsburg, to name a few.

Clearly, there are many great places to retire in Virginia, and criteria for these lists vary just as they would for retirees seeking a city to call home. We’ve selected several of the suggested destinations and gathered additional information from local real estate experts about retiring in their towns. Here are some of the best places to retire in Virginia.

Falls Church

Just a short drive from Washington, D.C., Falls Church combines all that the nation’s capital has to offer with a small-town atmosphere. Niche.com gives the city an A+ for its community amenities, urban feel, and excellent schools. According to BestPlaces.com, the cost of living is 77 percent higher than the national average.

Realtor Tammy Lê of Redfin was raised in Virginia and enjoys the small community feel of the Falls Church area. “All the towns have their own charm and personality. There’s a certain quaintness [here], with activities and events that bring the community together. From mom-and-pop stores to the nearby mall at Tysons, locals can find convenient shopping, restaurants, and services,” she said.

Roanoke

Set in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke offers a charming downtown area with restaurants, boutiques, antique shops, and farmers markets. Minutes from downtown, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the country’s most beautiful drives. BestPlaces.com notes that the cost of living in Roanoke is about 19 percent lower than the national average.

Callie Dalton of Callie Dalton & Associates called out Roanoke’s friendly atmosphere, festivals, outdoor activities, and spectacular views. “Health care is excellent, with two hospitals and the outstanding Fralin Biomedical Research Institute,” she said.

Grant Snyder, a local realtor who was born and raised in Roanoke, also spoke enthusiastically about his city. He added, “Within minutes from Roanoke, you can be in the country or city and have a complete change of scenery. Retirees can find a variety of assisted living and 55-and-over communities in Roanoke.”

Ashburn

A suburb of Washington, D.C. in Loudoun County, Ashburn has a cost of living that's 48 higher than the national average, but 42 percent lower compared to other cities in Virginia, according to BestPlaces.com.

Kay Houghton & Associates Real Estate’s Kay Houghton, who often works with seniors relocating to their retirement homes, told Travel + Leisure about the many affordable 55-and-over and assisted living communities. “We’re convenient to world-class medical facilities, as well as the culture and art opportunities in the metro D.C. area.” Houghton also mentioned Fredericksburg and Haymarket as attractive places to retire in Virginia with significant growth in recent years to accommodate the area’s aging population.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville’s location in central Virginia provides outdoor recreation, mountain trails, and gorgeous scenery just about an hour from Richmond and 2.5 hours from Washington, D.C. The University of Virginia is located here, and with it comes educational and cultural opportunities, restaurants, and plenty of nightlife.BestPlaces.com notes the cost of living is 5.2 percent higher than the national average, and mentions its excellent health care and quality of life as well.

Relocation specialist and Charlottesville resident for more than 30 years, Anita Dunbar, shared why she loves her city. “We’re located in the center of the state in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. We have wineries, the arts, historic sites like Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, golf, hiking, and less than an hour away, you can ski in winter,” she said. “The University of Virginia Medical Center and private hospitals provide high-quality medical care. Charlottesville offers more than 10 excellent assisted living facilities and several 55-and-over communities at a range of prices.”

Williamsburg

This historic city is a popular tourist destination, so active retirees will have restaurants, cultural attractions, tours, events, and a lively atmosphere. The College of William & Mary offers educational, social, and volunteer opportunities. BestPlaces.com indicates a cost of living approximately five percent below the national average.

Sue McSwain, realtor with boutique firm Liz Moore & Associates, loves everything about Williamsburg, including its small-town vibe. “There’s so much to do, from outdoor activities to cultural events. Williamsburg has at least five assisted living facilities, and more are being built continually. Our area features welcoming neighborhoods and gated communities, perfect for senior living.”

Virginia Beach

Miles of sandy beaches, shops, and restaurants make Virginia Beach an ideal destination for retirees who enjoy a laid-back lifestyle. The 25-foot-wide, three-mile-long boardwalk features a separate bike path, entertainment, shops, and restaurants. According to BestPlaces.com, the cost of living is about five percent higher than the U.S. average and nearly the same as the average for Virginia.

Mimi Elliott of Atkinson Realty told T+L, “We have four seasons with mild winters, which is attractive to retirees. As a resort town, there’s a lot to do. We have the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, art galleries, and local theater.” Elliott also pointed out the area’s affordability and family-friendly atmosphere, noting there's “much to do when the grandkids visit.”

Richmond

Virginia’s capital is located in the eastern part of the state, with abundant outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and historical sites. Richmond has the advantages of a college town, and the cost of living here is about four percent lower than the national average, according to BestPlaces.com.

“Richmond is two hours from the mountains and the same distance to the beach, plus residents have parks, hiking, water sports, and lots of ways to be outdoors,” according to Darrell Bowman of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. “The number of 55-and-over communities is growing, and many of the large builders are focusing on those developments. Health care is excellent, and we have Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine right here in Richmond.” Bowman also noted Richmond’s shopping, restaurants, wineries, distilleries, and breweries.

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