When the time comes to pick a place to retire, you want to make it a good one. After all, retirement is the prize at the end of a lot of long years of hard work. So what are the factors that go into picking that magical place? And what are the best cities in Virginia to retire?

The perfect retirement destination will be a little different for everyone depending on finances, family, and, of course, preferences. But for the most common factors – the cost of living, safety, healthcare, activities, and climate – Virginia comes out on top time and again.

Virginia has been hailed as one of the best places in the US to retire, and we did some digging to find out what particular cities and towns have been recognized as top spots – here’s what we found. Keep in mind, this list of the best places to retire in Virginia isn’t in any particular order as they have all been recognized by various organizations and publications, not analyzed side-by-side.

1. Blacksburg
Jimmy and Sasha Reade / flickr
Blacksburg, VA, USA
The Town of Blacksburg / Facebook
Blacksburg has been hailed as one of the best places in the US to retire a number of times. This quaint mountain town is home to Virginia Tech University and offers a cost of living of 7% below the national average, plenty of activities and groups, affordable housing, and low crime rates.
2. Winchester
Terry Long / flickr
Winchester, VA 22601, USA
Bill McChesney / flickr
This gem of a town in Northwest Virginia about 75 miles from Washington, DC, is considered one of the most affordable places to retire, with a median house prices at around $360,000. Packed with history and a quaint downtown with plenty of shopping and conveniences, Winchester is also near Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park, ensuring plenty of activities, indoors and out.
3. Virginia Beach
Joe Rebello / Moment via Getty Images
Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Phong Nguyen / Flickr
Recognized for its ample activities, from the beachfront and beyond, Virginia Beach is an attractive place for retirees. While the cost of living is slightly higher than average (median home cost is $350,000), the city boasts shopping, cultural activities, historical sites, and plenty of outdoor fun in the sun.
4. Richmond
Ron Cogswell / Flickr
Richmond, VA, USA
Eli Christman / Flickr
Richmond is an affordable city in which to retire. With beautiful neighborhoods and an abundance of cultural attractions like art museums, opera, theater, and ballet, Richmond has no shortage of activities, Add to that a rich history, beautiful parks, and good healthcare, and Richmond is a prime place to spend your golden years.
5. Charlottesville
Bob Mical / Flickr
Charlottesville, VA, USA
Bob Mical / Flickr
This small city in Central Virginia has receives high marks for its beauty and high quality of life. Known for its history and beauty, the city is built around the University of Virginia - but is much more than just a college town. With outstanding healthcare, historic homes and sites aplenty, easy access to hiking and walking trails, and plentiful shopping and culture, Charlottesville makes up for its slightly higher-than-average cost of living.

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6. Newport News
Lynn (Gracie's mom) / Flickr
Newport News, VA, USA
Mackenzie Brunson / Flickr
Like Virginia Beach, Newport News is an urban center with plenty of outdoor living. As one of Virginia's larger cities, Newport News offers a variety of neighborhood options with the benefit of a decent cost of living. For these reasons, Newport News is one of the country's top retiree cities due to low crime and good healthcare.
7. Abingdon
Abingdon, VA, USA
Brent Moore / Flickr
Located in the majestic mountains of Southwest Virginia, Abingdon is known for its heritage, history, and charm. Offerings like the College for Older Adults at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, cultural attractions like the Barter Theater, and outdoor activities like the Virginia Creeper Trail only increase this town's popularity for the 55+ crowd.
8. Norfolk
Sharon Flowers / flickr
Norfolk, VA, USA
NiteLiter / Flickr
Norfolk is a bustling seaside city with more than enough to keep the retired crowd busy. Cultural actives, outdoor activities, shopping, and healthcare are plentiful, and high scores in affordability and quality of life combine to make Norfolk a great place to be at any age.
9. Arlington/Alexandria
Elvert Barnes / flickr
Arlington, VA, USA
Wayne Thume / flickr
The Arlington/Alexandria is another great place to retire. Yes, the cost of living is very high, but low crime, high levels of well-being, walkability, decent tax rates, and good healthcare help to tip the scales in favor of this Northern Virginia locale. Retirees will thrive amongst the cultural activities, shopping convenience, and beautiful historic neighborhoods.
10. Roanoke
Brent Moore / Flickr
Roanoke, VA, USA
st.steele / Flickr
For retirees looking for the best of the city and the country, Roanoke offers the perfect solution. Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, Roanoke has been recognized for its retirement amenities including outdoor activities, cultural offerings, and ample neighborhood associations and retirement communities.
11. Chesapeake
Visit Chesapeake, VA / Facebook
Chesapeake, VA, USA
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / flickr
As one of four cities in the eastern part of the state recognized for retirement advantages, Chesapeake gets high marks for affordability, activities, and healthcare. With an ideal blend of urban amenities and acres of coastline, forest, and wetlands, Chesapeake provides the right balance of convenience and fun for those looking to settle down in their later years.

Whether you’re looking to be closer to the grandkids or just want a certain lifestyle, Virginia has more than enough options. In your opinion, what are the best cities in Virginia to retire in? If you’re retired or thinking about retiring soon, we would love to hear about your experiences. Are there some great retirement cities or towns that we missed? Let us know in the comments!

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More to Explore

Best cities in Virginia to retire

Chris Muras | December 12, 2022

Where are the best places to retire in Virginia?

Living out your golden years in beautiful and diverse Virginia can be a dream come true. From an outdoor enthusiast's paradise to an urban cosmopolitan lifestyle, Virginia has something for everyone when it comes to retirement. Here are some of the best places to retire in Virginia:

  1. Richmond
  2. Roanoke
  3. Winchester
  4. Bristol
  5. Staunton
  6. Danville
  7. Virginia Beach
  8. Blacksburg
  9. Petersburg

Along the Chesapeake Bay, the historic quaint town of Colonial Beach is great for retirees seeking a relaxed coastal city with easy access to plenty of activities and amenities. Conversely, Williamsburg provides a more urban setting and unrivaled access to history and culture, not to mention some of the best restaurants in the state. For those looking for both rural tranquility and larger city perks, consider Roanoke or Harrisonburg which offer small-town charm with nearby amenities like museums and theaters. No matter what your ideal retirement looks like, Virginia is a pretty special place to enjoy your retirement years.

Is Virginia an affordable place to retire?

Virginia ranks quite well on many lists of places to retire. Quality of life, healthcare, and affordability all factor into making it a top choice. The many quaint small towns offer a quiet retirement, while the bustling metropolitan areas give you more options for activities and things to see. Of course, the beautiful natural areas throughout the state are a huge benefit as well. All of these things make Virginia an affordable place to retire.

What is the safest city to live in Virginia?

Virginia as a state is pretty safe, so picking this lovely location to retire is a good choice. There are many wonderful places to live in VA, and some of the safest cities in Virginia include:

  • Lexington
  • Purcellville
  • Blacksburg
  • Poquoson
  • Manassas Park
  • Leesburg

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