11 Best Virginia Towns For Retirees
Many retirees are opting to move to small towns in Virginia. The state does not tax Social Security benefits, offers access to excellent health care, and has abundant natural beauty. According to Zillow.com, median home values in Virginia are $409,000. The 11 towns that we discuss here are all considered to be the most affordable, best options for retirees, as their median home values are less than the state average. In addition, these towns are filled with cultural, recreational, and historical amenities that rival those of many cities. Check out the best towns in Virginia for retirement.
Emporia
An independent city in southern Virginia surrounded by Greensville County, near the North Carolina border, the town of Emporia sits on the banks of the Meherrin River and is home to just under 5,800 people. It is about 65 miles south of Richmond and 95 miles northeast of Raleigh, North Carolina. Home values in Emporia are way under the state average, at $150,000. This, plus the town's unique location and rural atmosphere, attracts many retirees to move to Emporia.
Boating and fishing on the Meherrin River at Meherrin River Park is a popular outdoor pastime in Emporia. Many also enjoy fishing in the Emporia Reservoir, which is home to 210 acres of white crappie and largemouth bass. When it comes to indoor activities, the Meherrin River Arts Council promotes Arts in Public Places, sponsoring a variety of performances and programs to enrich the community and offer opportunities to experience the arts. The town also hosts the Virginia Peanut Festival each September. Retirees who move to Emporia can feel secure in knowing that the town has its own hospital, the Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center.
Colonial Heights
A suburb of Richmond, the town of Colonial Heights is home to just over 18,100 people. Richmond is just a half-hour's drive away, and Washington, DC is 120 miles from Colonial Heights. Homes here average $296,000, under the state median. If you're looking for a town to retire to that is still within reach of big city amenities, Colonial Heights might be the ideal solution.
Colonial Heights is home to nine parks and 75 acres of parkland, including Lakeview Park, with a boat ramp and walking trail. History buffs might want to visit Fort Clifton Park, an American Civil War fort archaeological site. The Fort Clifton Festival is held in town each May, featuring Civil War exhibits, arts, and crafts. Should medical care be needed once you move to Colonial Heights, the Bon Secours-Southside Medical Center is located just 15 minutes away in Petersburg.
Bridgewater
Located in Rockingham County, on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, the town of Bridgewater is home to just under 6,600 people and is the largest town in the county. Harrisonburg is just 10 minutes away, and Washington, DC is less than three hours away. Bridgewater's homes average $377,000, under the state average. The beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, combined with amenities and affordability, draws many retirees to Bridgewater.
Bridgewater College, located in town, offers discounted or free educational opportunities for seniors, another draw for many who move here in retirement. Many produce farms and orchards, such as Spring Creek Farm and Produce, are in the area. The Shenandoah Valley is also known for its vineyards and wineries, and Bridgewater has one as well: Bluestone Vineyard on Spring Creek Road. If you prefer ice cream to grapes, check out Smiley's Ice Cream on Don Litten Parkway. Sentara RMH Medical Center in Harrisonburg is just 10 minutes from Bridgewater if you need medical care.
Danville
In south-central Virginia, on the border with North Carolina, 60 miles north of Research Triangle Park, you'll find the town of Danville on the Dan River. About 42,500 people live here, and home values are a very affordable $154,000. Danville's low cost of living and access to quality health care are two reasons it is becoming recognized as a good place to retire.
The Ballou Recreation Center in Danville is a gathering place for seniors and community members of all ages. If you'd rather spend time outdoors, Danville has its share of parks, including the 44-acre Anglers Park on the Dan River, with the Anglers Ridge Mountain Bike Trail System. Danville's River District includes the Carrington Pavilion and Community Market, which hosts regular concerts and events. Sovah Health-Danville is a 250-bed community hospital and the region's only designated Chest Pain Center and Certified Advanced Primary Stroke Center.
Luray
The small town of Luray, in Page County in the Shenandoah Valley, is about 90 miles west of Alexandria. It is situated between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Massanutten Mountains, with the Shenandoah River flowing nearby. Luray is home to just under 4,900 people, and home values average a comfortable $299,000.
Luray may be most famous for Luray Caverns, a large network of caves offering daily tours. It is also a gateway to Shenandoah National Park, with over 200,000 acres of protected lands that are home to a variety of wildlife. If you're a beer lover, you might enjoy touring Hawksbill Brewing Company in Luray. The Hawksbill Greenway, a two-mile-long, 10-foot-wide paved walking and biking trail is another popular attraction in town. Page Memorial Hospital in Luray is a Critical Access Hospital available if medical care is required.
Pearisburg
Situated in Giles County, southwestern Virginia, on a plateau above the New River, the town of Pearisburg is home to just under 3,000 people. It is surrounded by the New River to the north and east, and Angels Rest and Pearis Mountain to the west. Affordable home prices average $202,000. Pearisburg is about 101 miles from Greensboro, North Carolina. Pearisburg's affordability combined with its small-town atmosphere and outdoor recreational opportunities makes it a great small town in Virginia in which to retire.
The Appalachian Trail runs through the outskirts of town, making Pearisburg a popular stopping place for hikers. History lovers should check out the Andrew Johnston House, built in 1829 and on the National Register of Historic Places. Pearisburg's community spirit is evident in its town events, such as the Pearisburg Festival in the Park, held each June for 40 years. The town is also home to Carilion Giles Community Hospital if medical care is needed.
Staunton
In the Shenandoah Valley in north central Virginia, between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, you'll find the town of Staunton, home to just under 26,000 residents. It is called the "Queen City of the Shenandoah Valley," and home values here are a reasonable $304,000. Staunton is just 40 miles from Charlottesville and 105 miles from Richmond.
Staunton's rich cultural scene is another draw for retirees, in addition to its prime location. The town is home to the American Shakespeare Center, a theater company known for its year-round Shakespeare productions. Presidents Woodrow Wilson was from Staunton, and his Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library is located in town. The Staunton Augusta Art Center is a gallery that features exhibits, art classes, and special events. Western State Hospital in Staunton is easily accessible if medical care is required.
Strasburg
The largest town in Shenandoah County, Strasburg was founded in 1761 and is home to just over 7,000 people today. It is bordered by the Shenandoah River and Three Top Mountain to the south and east, and Cedar Creek and Little North Mountain to the north and west. Front Royal is about 10 miles away, and Winchester is 18 miles from Strasburg. Washington, DC is 81 miles to the east of town. Home values of $341,000 and a welcoming small-town atmosphere draw many retirees to relocate to Strasburg.
Strasburg Square, in the downtown area, is a public square consisting of an 18-foot by 20-foot shade sail-covered stage and an 800-square-foot market pavilion. The Strasburg Town Park includes the Strasburg Riverwalk, a gravel walkway along the Shenandoah River. Staufferstadt Arts has installed murals on outdoor walls in the town's downtown corridor. The Shenandoah Museum of Contemporary Art often hosts art shows in the downtown area. Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal is just 12 miles away if medical care is needed while you are in Strasburg.
Vinton
Located in Roanoke County in eastern Virginia, the town of Vinton is near the city of Roanoke but is home to far fewer people, housing just over 8,000. With home prices an affordable $279,000, many retirees are drawn to this quiet small town with easy and convenient nearby city access.
The Vinton War Memorial, dedicated to local soldiers, should not be missed. Vinton is also the gateway to the 1,100-acre Explore Park, a historical and recreational area. For more information on the town's history, visit the Vinton History Museum, which has over 4,000 artifacts housed in the Upson House on Jackson Avenue. Should medical care be required while you are in Vinton, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital is just three miles away in Roanoke.
Warsaw
In Richmond County, east of the Rappahannock River, you'll find the tiny town of Warsaw, with a population of just over 1,600. Low home values of $250,000; a quiet, welcoming small-town atmosphere; and proximity to Washington DC, which is just 90 miles away, are all major draws for retirees to move to Warsaw.
Visiting the Richmond County Museum in Warsaw, located in the Old Jail on the Courthouse Green, is a fun way to spend an afternoon. If you want to explore more of the outdoors, stop by the Northern Neck Regional Visitor Center and schedule a kayak trip along the Menokin Bay. The town hosts a Community Market on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month in the downtown area. The closest hospital to Warsaw is VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital in Tappahannock, just ten miles away.
Woodstock
The county seat of Shenandoah County, Woodstock, population just over 5,800, is situated between the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah Valley. It is halfway between Winchester and Harrisonburg. Homes here average an affordable $333,000. This quiet, small town offers a comfortable, slower pace of life for retirees craving it.
Be sure to visit Woodstock Tower on top of Massanutten Mountain for awesome views of the Shenandoah Valley. Seven Bends State Park, just two miles from town, provides public access to the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. The town hosts Wander Woodstock First Fridays in the downtown area, featuring art, food, and entertainment. If you need medical care while in Woodstock, the town has its own hospital, Shenandoah County Memorial Hospital.
Retiring to any of these 11 small towns in the Commonwealth of Virginia could be a great decision that may improve the quality of your life. Whether you choose to live in a town that is close to a larger city, such as Vinton, or opt to reside in a small village that is removed from major cities, such as Luray, the awesome natural beauty and welcoming folk that you will find in Virginia's smaller towns will make you feel right at home. The median home values found within these towns will help you to save more of your hard-earned money for retirement, too.
