Virginia Premier Home Builders

Virginia: Not just for lovers

Florida is often a destination for retirees who are ready to escape the harsh winters. Frequently, these people decide that Florida just didn’t fit their vision of retirement and they move partially up the coast. Known as “half-backs”, these retired people choose Virginia as their destination. Why is Virginia so desirable for a place to retire?

#1. American history is everywhere. Retiring in Virginia gives you a close-up view of American history, now that you have the time to explore it. Virginia was one of the first 13 colonies that eventually formed our country. Historic battles of the American Revolution and Civil War were fought here. History buffs relish the heritage, which is evident everywhere throughout the Commonwealth. Leadership of the colonies remained in Virginia, with the capital moving from Williamsburg to Richmond. Virginia natives were instrumental in our early government, including George Washington and James Madison.

#2. Living in the present is just as great. Although Virginia is steeped in our past, you’ll also enjoy vibrant cities and towns, including the capital of Richmond. Ranked by Bloomberg Business as the #2 most affordable city to retire, Richmond is a lively urban center that offers a wide variety of housing choices, activities, recreation, and quality healthcare. Charlottesville is a relatively small city (39,500 residents) that is ranked as one of the “Best Boomer Towns” for its “livability, affordability, and sophistication.” Norfolk and Chesapeake are seaside cities that present an ever-changing menu of activities and events.

Virginia is also filled with small towns and rural locales where you can spend your retirement away from cities. Visit farmer’s markets and locally-owned shops and restaurants. And when the spirit moves you, take a trip to the city for a change of pace.Throughout Virginia, you’ll discover cities and towns that are close to the state’s beautiful scenery of mountains, beaches, lakes, rivers, and forests, from Virginia Beach to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Golf courses present a championship quality challenge across Virginia, including Kinloch Golf Club, ranked #53 among the best in the country by Golf Digest.

As a hub for higher education, the Commonwealth of Virginia also gives retirees the benefit of living close to college campuses. That means cultural entertainment, sports and recreation, and access to classes, among other things.

#3. Sports fans love it here. Cleveland’s sports fans have plenty to cheer about. The Cleveland Indians of the MLB and the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers deliver winning performances, season after season. The Cleveland Browns are a hard-hitting NFL team, getting ready for a breakout season. Residents of the Northeast Ohio region also enjoy plenty of NCAA sports, with nationally ranked Division I teams from Kent State University, the University of Akron, Cleveland State University, and Akron State University.

#3. You can feel safe here. Overall, Virginia reflects a low crime rate. Statistics show that crime is declining across the state year after year. Newport News, a city on the coast, is ranked as a top choice for retirees, largely based on the safety—on a list that also included Alexandria and Arlington, suburbs of Washington, D.C.

#4. The food and wine will spoil you for anywhere else. Soft-shell crab and Rappahannock oystersfrom the Chesapeake Bay, deep-friend hand pies filled with local apples, Smithfield ham, Brunswick stew, apple butter, peanut pie (with only Virginia peanuts), peanut soup, and boiled peanuts are just a few of the signature culinary delights in the state. Enjoy those dishes with wine from one of Virginia’s award-winning vineyards.

Retiring in Virginia provides a quality lifestyle that will continue to give you ways to occupy your time or reasons to just sit back and enjoy the weather, the view, and the decision to live here.