About Virginia Area
Retirement Living in Virginia
Virginia, also known as the “Old Dominion”, is the place where the first colonizers from England have settled in the U.S. This state is one of the 13 original colonies and features a plethora of notable historic landmarks like the Jamestown Settlement, the Monticello, and the Charlottesville plantation. At present, this state is not just popular with tourists but also to retirees who’re looking for a new place to call their home. So it isn’t surprising to know that this state ranks as one of the Top Retirement Destinations in the U.S.
Most of the Active Adult Communities in Virginia were built by famous lifestyle community developers like Del Webb, Lennar and K. Hovnanian. These age-restricted neighborhoods, though not very big, provides their residents with an array of on-site amenities and indoor recreation. They also have different housing options perfect for retirees from all walks of life. In addition, these 55+ Communities are situated near the state’s metropolitan districts which gives them, the convenience of living near every day essentials.
Virginia Climate and Geography is Ideal for Active Retirement
The state of Virginia stretches from the Chesapeake Bay up to the Appalachian Mountains, which features a long Atlantic coastline. The state’s landscape has a combination of beaches, mountainous regions, vineyards, thick forests and gentle rolling hills. This state is divided into 5 different regions: the Tidewater composed of the coastal plains; the Piedmont region composed of the foothills; the Blue Ridge Mountains composed of areas in the Appalachian Mountains; the Ridge and Valley, which are areas on the west side of the mountains; and the Cumberland or Appalachian Plateau, parts under West Virginia. Various 55+ Communities are scattered all around the state which gives retirees a diverse range of lifestyle and housing options.
As for the climate, they have a humid subtropical climate which becomes increasingly warmer and more humid as you go further down the south or in the east. The average temperature here is 55.54°F with approximately 205 sunny days per year. In July, temperatures can rise up to 87°F while in January, temperatures can drop as low as 26°F.
Virginia offers Plenty of Recreation, Culture and Entertainment for Active Adults
Virginia is a state where you’ll find lots of things to love. History lovers can visit a great number of historical hotspots which shows some important battlegrounds and monuments. To mention a few, there’s the Artillery Ridge in Harrisonburg, the Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park in Leesburg and the Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park in Bristow.
If museums and art galleries are what you like, then go and visit the African American Heritage Museum in Wytheville, the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, the Alexandria Black House and Cultural Center in Blacksburg, the Amherst County Museum and Historical Society in Amherst and the Andrew Johnston House and Museum in Pearisburg.
In addition, if you go to the Jamestown Settlement and Colonial Williamsburg, you’ll see the exact place where the first English colonizers settled in North America. Here, you can learn the story of the people who founded this place as well as of the Virginia Indians by watching old films (and documentaries), visiting gallery exhibits and re-living history through reenactments of the Colonial and Revolutionary-era life.
Aside from this, the downtown has a lot of modern conveniences like shopping districts, dining areas, local entertainment and so on. Retirees can also visit some of the amazing natural wonders found here. The Nelson Scenic Loop provides its visitors with spurs leading to some hiking spots, biking trails, birding areas as well as the Crabtree Falls.
While driving down the Appalachian Waters Scenic Byway, you can visit Goshen Pass, Millboro, Warm Springs and the Hot Springs.
Luckily, most of the 55+ Neighborhoods in Virginia offer its residents with scenic views of the mountains and rolling hills surrounding this state.
Cost of Living and Taxes to Consider when Retiring to Virginia
Truthfully, the standard of living here in Virginia is a bit high, with also a high cost of living to match. This state has a progressive income tax system with 5 income brackets. The rates range from 3% up to 5.75%. However, property taxes here are below the national average with rates ranging from 0.41% to 1.52%.
The average cost of living index here is 107, which is 7% higher than the US average. But, good news for retirees living in various Active Adult Communities in Virginia, Social Security benefits are not taxed and real estate is evaluated at 100% of fair market value.
Virginia Healthcare
Retirees love this state because of its world-class health care system. In fact, Virginia is ranked as the 26th overall healthiest state in the U.S, according to the 2013 United Health Foundation’s Health Rankings. Fortunately for active adult homebuyers, plenty of Retirement Communities are being developed near these hospitals.
There are 89 hospitals in Virginia, which includes the Inova Fairfax Hospital, the biggest hospital in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The VCU Medical Center on the other hand, is a 701-bed hospital that’s highly ranked in the field of endocrinology. Overall, there are 213 physicians per 100,000 population in this state. That’s a very healthy ratio when compared to the US average of 210.
Other notable hospitals and medical centers include the Central, Southside Community Hospital, the University of Virginia Health System University Hospital and the Catawba Hospital.
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