6 Best Cities To Retire In Virginia
Virginia consistently attracts retirees who seek more than mild winters and favorable tax policies, including no tax on Social Security benefits. The state offers a well-rounded lifestyle, complete with mountain views, maritime air, a deeply preserved history, and growing cultural hubs. Many of Virginia’s best places to retire were not built to attract visitors; they grew naturally around universities, ports, colonial capitals, and river towns.
In Roanoke, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the James River Heritage Trail make scenic views. At the same time, Virginia Beach offers miles of shoreline, boardwalk paths, and wildlife refuges like Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge just minutes from home. From historic capitals to coastal communities and foothill cities, continue reading to discover the best cities to retire in Virginia.
Richmond
Richmond is a city where history and daily life are inseparable. As Virginia’s capital, its streets are filled with stories, from the architectural grandeur of the State Capitol to the cobblestones of Shockoe Bottom. Retirees who enjoy walking cities find Richmond especially attractive as areas like Shockoe Bottom, where brick streets and converted warehouses now house cafés and small shops, or Capitol Square, where benches, shaded lawns, and frequent public events make it easy to stay around.
Monument Avenue remains one of the city’s most comfortable boulevards for long walks, thanks to its wide medians, level sidewalks, and steady traffic pace. These areas enable retirees to stay active without having to drive across town, making everyday life more comfortable.
One of the city’s appealing features is its natural integration of nature into the urban environment. The James River Park System cuts through the town, offering wooded trails and rapids with whitewater. Many retirees structure their days around river walks or afternoons spent watching kayakers from scenic bluffs. Few cities provide this kind of immediate, rugged access to nature within an urban setting.
Richmond’s creative side is equally present, for instance, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA). The museum has free general admission and is open 365 days a year. Retirees aged 65 and above can purchase an individual membership for $60 or a dual membership for $85, which provides unlimited free admission to exhibition previews, members-only events, discounts on classes, free parking, and more.
Healthcare access is also one of Richmond’s strongest assets. VCU Medical Center ranks as the No. 2 hospital in the state of Virginia. It is nationally ranked in 16 adult procedures, according to U.S. News & World Report in 2025, giving residents confidence that advanced care is close to home rather than hours away.
Norfolk
Maritime influence subtly shapes daily life throughout the city of Norfolk. The town sits along the Chesapeake Bay and Elizabeth River, creating a landscape of harbors, bridges, and waterfront promenades that retirees incorporate into their daily routines. Many retirees spend mornings strolling along Town Point Park and Waterside Drive, where container ships and sailboats move steadily through the harbor. The sight of active naval traffic, especially near Naval Station Norfolk, the world's most extensive maritime base, lends the city a working waterfront feel.
Norfolk offers a wealth of cultural activities. Retirees can enjoy live music and performances at the historic Attucks Theatre, a state and national landmark, that served as an important cultural hub for African American entertainment and community life in the early 20th century.
The city’s personality also shows through public art, particularly the mermaid sculptures scattered across the city and downtown, which encourages you to explore streets you might otherwise skip. In the NEON District, you can walk past newly painted murals, stop into improv comedy clubs like Push Comedy Theater, attend small outdoor festivals that rotate with the seasons, or get a tattoo, all within a few short blocks.
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, ranked the No. 2 hospital in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report in 2025 and nationally recognized for its heart and vascular program, provides advanced medical care close at hand, allowing retirees to schedule routine checkups or specialized treatments easily.
Virginia Beach
Life in Virginia Beach often revolves around the coastline, providing retirees with easy access to outdoor activities that blend relaxation with exercise. Many start mornings with walks along the Atlantic shoreline or cycle stretches of the 3-mile boardwalk, watching the sunrise over the water before the crowds arrive. Kayaking and paddleboarding along the calm waters of the Lynnhaven River offer a low-impact way to stay active while taking in local wildlife and harbor views.
Beyond the main beachfront, you can explore Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which provides miles of marshland trails, abundant birdwatching opportunities, and wide-open vistas that contrast with the city’s busy oceanfront.
The ViBe Creative District attracts those who enjoy exploring galleries, murals, and small local performances. Meanwhile, scenic forested spaces like Owl Creek Landing provide relaxed, multigenerational spots to spend time with family or friends, and are designed to be accessible for all ages and abilities. With an intense seafood scene, local farmers’ markets, and seasonal events such as the Neptune Festival, Virginia Beach allows retirees to structure their days around both routine and discovery.
Lynchburg
Set along the James River and surrounded by rolling hills, Lynchburg offers scenic beauty alongside a manageable layout that makes getting around straightforward and comfortable. The downtown riverfront provides residents with easy access to overlooks and quiet seating areas, where watching the river becomes an integral part of daily life.
One of the go-to spots for retirees is the James River Heritage Trail, a paved, mostly flat path that runs along the water, making it ideal for regular walking or cycling without feeling strenuous. The trail connects directly to parks, neighborhoods, and river access points, making it both practical and scenic.
Lynchburg’s personality comes through most clearly at long-standing local spots like the Cavalier Store, a legendary dive bar known for its mix of live music, comfort food, community events, and conversations that stretch across generations. Within a short drive, Smith Mountain Lake offers boating, fishing, and lakeside lunches, while the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains provide scenic drives and manageable hikes that do not require a full day of planning.
Affordability is a major draw for retirees in Lynchburg. According to Redfin, the median sale price of homes in Virginia was approximately $455,300 in 2025, while Lynchburg’s median sale price was around $279,232, significantly lower than the state's, thus allowing retirees to purchase a home or downsize without stretching their savings. A recently released article in The New York Post mentioned Lynchburg as the top hidden housing gem market in America, according to a study conducted by GOBankingRates.
Alexandria
Living in Alexandria often means stepping outside and having much of the city within reach on foot. In Old Town, retirees can walk to the waterfront restaurant Ada’s On The River along the Potomac River, neighborhood wine bars on King Street, and boutiques like AR Workshop that offer hands-on classes for creating custom home décor, tucked into side streets, all without relying on a car. That ease of daily life has helped put Alexandria on the radar for retirees, with Bankrate ranking it the 9th best city to retire in the US in 2023.
Old Town stands out for its seamless blend of convenience and cultural access. The Torpedo Factory Art Center, situated directly on the Potomac River waterfront, offers the opportunity to watch artists at work, enroll in classes, or drop in as exhibitions rotate throughout the year. The center is widely recognized as home to the largest number of publicly accessible working artist studios under one roof in the US.
On quieter days, many locals opt for water taxis that connect Old Town to National Harbor and Georgetown, transforming commutes into a leisure activity. For history lovers, the George Washington Masonic Memorial offers lectures and events that go deeper than surface-level history. At the same time, its observation deck provides sweeping views of the Potomac, Old Town, and beyond.
Roanoke
Roanoke sits in the heart of the Roanoke Valley, with the Blue Ridge Mountains forming a constant backdrop to the city’s neighborhoods and streets. Retirees who enjoy being active start their mornings on the Roanoke River Greenway, a paved trail system that runs through the city, connecting neighborhoods without steep climbs or rugged terrain. It is common to see walkers, cyclists, and couples out before breakfast, using the trail as much for social space as for exercise.
The city’s location provides retirees with easy access to day trips that don't require long drives or planning. You can spend time at nearby Smith Mountain Lake, where boating, quiet picnics, and casual meals by the water fill an afternoon, or head to Lexington to walk its historic downtown streets and visit well-preserved landmarks before returning home the same day.
In downtown Roanoke, the historic Roanoke City Market, the oldest continuously operating public market in Virginia and one of the oldest in the country, offers retirees a reliable place to purchase local produce, baked goods, and artisanal crafts. Nearby, the Taubman Museum of Art offers free general admission, making it easy to drop in regularly.
Affordable real estate is a significant advantage for retirees in Roanoke. According to Redfin, the median home sale price in Roanoke in 2025 was approximately $226,419, which is well below the state median sale price. This provides retirees with more flexibility to choose housing that fits their lifestyle and long-term plans.
In Virginia, retirement life is characterized by scenic landscapes, cultural experiences, and easy daily routines. Richmond and Norfolk show how to mix city life with culture and waterfront access, from James River strolls and VMFA exhibits to Town Point Park walks and murals in the NEON District.
In Lynchburg, you can follow the James River Heritage Trail, drop into the eclectic Cavalier Store for community events, or take short drives to Smith Mountain Lake for boating and fishing. Across these cities, farmers’ markets, local wineries, and seasonal events give retirees simple, enjoyable ways to stay active, connect with neighbors, and make each day feel purposeful.
