8 Towns in Virginia that Are Ideal for Seniors

"Virginia is for lovers," claims the state's official travel motto. That is not only a clever slogan to help draw out-of-state tourists but a celebration of the real attributes and rare opportunities that Virginia holds for its senior and not-yet-senior residents. The state's official boundaries gather the best of the Atlantic seaside, the mountains, and the proximity to major cities like Washington, DC — the nation's capital and a friendly rival to the state known colloquially as the "Old Dominion." Virginia's healthcare choices make the state a very compelling choice for seniors who may want or need diverse types of specialty health support. With so much to appreciate between the Virginia mountains and the sea, Virginia has long been making lovers of its retirees, too. 

Abingdon

Abingdon, population 8,300, is a mountain town in Viriginia's southwesternmost corner between Tennessee and Kentucky. The town has been celebrated for its award-winning food scene, a sure delight for seniors who enjoy meals out on the town. Those who like a touch of history will find it in Abingdon's historic district, parts of which date to the Independence period of the late 1700s. The Barter Theatre may be more appropriate for seniors who lack full mobility, and the playhouse is another reason for local pride: Barter, built in 1933, is Virginia's official state theater. Seniors may recall the Hollywood film icon Gregory Peck, who graced Barter's stage in 1946 before becoming a major cinema star. Though Abingdon is small, its five senior care sites offer a wealth of coverage for seniors with particular health needs. 

Chincoteague

Chincoteague, with 3,300 residents, offers a quieter retirement for lovers of the open sea. The town, located among the barrier islands of the Delmarva Peninsula, typifies the waterside lifestyle around the Chesapeake Bay. The site is also famous for its local wild horse breed, the Chincoteague pony, which (according to legend) descended from shipwrecked Spanish ponies and adapted to the local environment. If the romance of horses and the seaside is not enough, the town sustains a robust tourism economy, with many retirees choosing to open bed and breakfasts in the area. While Chincoteague is too petite to keep up a retirement community of its own, the nearby town of Salisbury, Maryland, and surrounding towns, offer more than two-dozen senior care and living options.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville, with 45,400 inhabitants, is famous at the home of the University of Virginia — and the home of Thomas Jefferson, the founding father who established the school. Jefferson's vision was to create an "academic village," as he called it, and today, Charlottesville combines a studious atmosphere with history and culture galore. Visiting friends and family can make the drive from Washington, DC, or other cities in the region; the Amtrak rail service also stops in town. Given Charlottesville's charms, it should be no surprise that the town boasts eighteen senior care sites — half of them at low cost, according to the website Senior Housing Net. Active seniors and fresh-air lovers will treasure the town's position along the Rivanna River in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Luray

Luray, population 4,800, lies in Virginia’s utterly beautiful Shenandoah Valley. The town lies near the West Virginia border, between the larger towns of Front Royal and Harrisonburg. A great place to seek out natural splendor, the town is close to the George Washington National Forest as well as Shenandoah National Park. Luray Caverns, a popular site among Virginia schoolchildren for its underground wonders, is a great place to take younger grandkids. Though the town is modest in size, it offers four senior-focused care sites, including Whispering Pines Assisted Living, which offers the full spectrum of service, including intensive-care and Alzheimer's specializations. 

Culpeper

Culpeper, with 20,800 inhabitants, blends a small-town feel with proximity to the much larger cities of Alexandria and Washington, DC. Tucked between Charlottesville and Washington, the town owes its original layout to a teenage surveyor whose name would mark American history: George Washington. The town generates frequent buzz among travelers as the "prettiest town in Virginia," and who would not like to retire in a town with a reputation like that? More recent local history includes the Battle of Cedar Mountain, a Civil War battle from 1862, located not from town and within Culpeper County. The town offers a half-dozen senior care locations, and most are marked as affordable for low-income budgets, per Senior Housing Net. 

Leesburg

Leesburg, with 49,000 residents, lies west of Washington, DC, and is synonymous with old-style Virginia charm. It sits inside the fast-growing Loudoun County. Given its pedigree, home and service prices are often high, which budget-minded seniors should consider as they scout the town and beautiful surrounding area. Seated along the Potomac River, a mere 45-minute drive from the capital, the town also features a vibrant downtown with landmarks such as the Dodona Manor, home of the celebrated World War II general and peacemaker George C. Marshall. Marshall was the architect of the famous Marshall Plan that revived the economies of postwar Europe — for which he won a Nobel Prize in 1953. With seven senior facilities in town, including specialty and Alzheimer's care available, Leesburg will top the lists of many planning out their silver years.  

Williamsburg

Williamsburg, with a population of 15,900, symbolizes the dramatic colonial and revolutionary pasts of Virginia for many residents. Situated on the Virginia Peninsula near the Chesapeake Bay, the town offers a glimpse into life centuries ago. The Colonial Williamsburg complex, a carefully restored historic area, features walking tours, guides in period attire, and demonstrations of colonial crafts like candle dipping and glass blowing. Additionally, Williamsburg is a quintessential Virginia college town: the College of William and Mary, established long before independence in 1693, currently enrolls 6,800 students and boasts notable alumni, including television personality Jon Stewart. The town has fourteen senior care facilities, with seven more in the surrounding area, providing a robust capacity to meet the care needs of seniors as they age. 

Blacksburg

Blacksburg, with a population of 45,600, sits high in the Blue Ridge Highlands of southwest Virginia, in the same region as Abingdon. The town is well-known as the home of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, more commonly referred to as Virginia Tech. For active seniors who enjoy the outdoors, the town offers easy access to the beautiful trails of Jefferson National Forest, especially as the leaves change color each autumn. Additionally, nearby McAfee Knob is regarded as the most photographed spot along the Appalachian Trail, making it a wonderful outing for visiting friends or family. Blacksburg's care facilities include several affordable options, while one location, English Meadows Blacksburg, provides a full range of senior-focused services.  

Conclusion: Virginia, a state seniors will find easy to love 

 Virginia's extensive offerings position the state as an ideal choice for seniors who have recently retired or are nearing retirement. For some seniors, it may be the only option. The state's access to major cities and highways, along with travel connections through Amtrak and other means, provides a variety of choices for retirees who still travel or desire visits from their loved ones during holidays. Suburban Leesburg strikes a balance between urban living and pastoral landscapes, while college towns like Charlottesville and Blacksburg help seniors feel youthful. The Appalachian and Shenandoah mountains, alongside the coastal attractions of Chincoteague and Williamsburg, offer something special for retirees yearning for the salty breeze. Whatever a senior might desire, Virginia has it waiting to be discovered.