What attracts retirees to Charlottesville, VA?
Charlottesville not only has lower Virginia retirement taxes, but it also has a lot of culture and is one of the best small towns in Virginia to retire. The enchanting downtown area includes art museums and a pedestrian mall, and the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains provide ample outdoor recreation.
Charlottesville has been steeped in history from colonial times. Its most famous son, Thomas Jefferson, founded and designed the University of Virginia, which remains to this day among the most beautiful of American college campuses and the center of life in Charlottesville. History also lives on at Monticello, Jefferson’s home and at Court Square and the historic downtown area. Charlottesville is a unique place well worth considering for an active retirement.
Landscape
Situated where the Piedmont Plateau meets the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville’s landscape is attractive. A lush southern deciduous forest envelops the city and its picturesque agricultural surroundings.
The Monticello Wine Trail takes you through the lovely Virginia Piedmont region between Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take the Eastern Trail to Keswick Vineyards for a tour and tasting, or the Northern Trail to White Hall Vineyards for a sample. Keswick’s outdoor area makes it a great place for families to picnic while taking in the breathtaking mountain views. White Hall Vineyards, which also has spectacular mountain views, is located at an elevation of 800 feet and has a constant breeze, making sipping a glass of wine on the patio a great experience.
Climate
Many retirees are drawn to Charlottesville because of its four-season climate. According to the American Association of State Climatologists, Charlottesville has the second-most desirable climate in the Eastern United States, trailing only Asheville, NC.
Charlottesville’s summers are hot and humid and its winters are mild. Precipitation averages 49 inches annually, with about 24 inches falling as snow. Charlottesville is sunny about 60% of the time and frost free 210 days.
Quality of Life
Excellent. Downtown’s historic Main Street business district, now a charming and vibrant pedestrian mall, is a wonderful center for community life.
Outside of town, the forested countryside is dotted with nationally recognized wineries, many of which offer tasting tours. The nearby Shenandoah National Park offers a plethora of camping, fishing, and hiking opportunities. A drive along the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway is also a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Housing
Housing costs are above the national average but housing is not expensive considering its quality. The city has many houses of various styles in attractive neighborhoods.
The city has a lot of interesting architecture. Many of the homes are large Craftsmans, restored Colonials, and Federalists, but there are also ranch ramblers, condominiums, and town homes. Many apartments cater to students, but there are a few complexes for the 55+ demographic, such as Branchlands, which has only 67 units.
Goods and Services
Health care costs are below the national average. Costs of most goods and services are above the national average.
Dining out is generally more expensive in this city. A meal at a low-cost restaurant costs about $15 (the national average is $14), and a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant costs about $60 (the national average is $50). A combo meal at a fast food restaurant, on the other hand, costs the same as the national average, at $7.
Taxes
When it comes to taxes and retirement, Virginia is mostly welcoming. It does not tax Social Security, and taxpayers 65 and older can claim a retirement income deduction of up to $12,000 if their modified AGI is less than $50,000 (single) or $75,000 (married) (married). Retirement income over $12,000 is taxed at a rate ranging from 2% to 5.75 percent. Premiums for long-term care insurance are tax deductible.
State and local taxes in Charlottesville are 8.5% of income compared to the U.S. average of 9.7%. Property, sales and excise taxes are below national norms whereas income taxes are above average.
Charlottesville’s average effective property tax rate (annual tax payment as a percentage of median home value) is.73 percent. A $420,000 home’s annual taxes are approximately $3,066. The total sales tax is 5.3 percent.
Transportation
Public transit serves downtown and the University of Virginia; intercity rail serves north–south and east–west destinations; Charlottesville–Albemarle Regional Airport offers commuter service.
Retail Services
Charlottesville’s historic downtown pedestrian mall offers hundreds of stores, restaurants, galleries and cinemas. Charlottesville Fashion Square, Barracks Road Shopping Center and Wal-Mart and Kmart discount stores round out the shopping scene.
Health Care
Charlottesville’s University of Virginia Health Sciences Center offers services from wellness programs to the most technologically advanced care. Martha Jefferson Hospital furnishes state-of-the-art health care services to central Virginia.
BOA-Sachs, a health-care information research firm, and the Health Network, a health-oriented cable television network, both named the Medical Center one of the top 100 hospitals in the United States. It has specialized treatment centers for heart disease, cancer, digestive and neurological disorders, as well as other health issues. Martha Jefferson Hospital, a well-regarded 200-bed private hospital, is also located in Charlottesville.
Community Services
A good selection of community services are available, including games, book reviews, music, travelogues, arts and crafts classes, and parties, picnics and out-of-town trips.
The Senior Center, a nonprofit community organization open to anyone over the age of 50, has plenty of activities for retirees who want to stay active. The Senior Center has more than 90 groups and activities in its own modern building, including investment clubs, lecture series, arts and crafts groups, fitness classes, and computer classes. The center’s travel program offers day trips to Washington, DC for $30 per guest, as well as other outings.
Cultural and Educational Activities
Charlottesville has long been recognized for its natural beauty as well as its historical presidential homes and university – Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and James Monroe’s Highland, formerly referred to as Ash Lawn-Highland, as well as the University of Virginia, all draw huge numbers of tourists each year.
The University of Virginia (UVA) and downtown Charlottesville are dual centers of culture and the arts. Book and film festivals attract visitors from all over the state. UVA and Piedmont Virginia Community College offer comprehensive adult education programs.
Recreational Activities
Diverse recreational options exist in and near Charlottesville, including spectator sports, participatory activities, movie theaters and restaurants. Within an hour’s drive are wineries, the Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, where scenic overlooks provide breathtaking vistas.
Mountains to climb, slopes to explore, golf courses to conquer, and lakes to fish are all nearby. Many retirees who move to Charlottesville say the presence of the University of Virginia is what initially drew them to the area. According to retirees, the cultural activities, bookstores, sports, and youthful sense of intellectual curiosity that accompany campus life are the most important aspects of a university town. Charlottesville, for example, has over twenty-two bookstores, and the University of Virginia has 14 libraries with over 4.5 million volumes. The University of Virginia has a thriving drama department, and there are several community theater groups in the area.
Throughout the year, there are a number of fairs and festivals. The Virginia Festival of the Book is especially popular, as Charlottesville is known as a reader’s paradise (and has more newspaper readers per capita than anywhere else in the nation). Many well-known authors, including John Grisham and Rita Mae Brown, have made their homes here (as did Edgar Alan Poe and William Faulkner).
Work and Volunteer Activities
Volunteer work is plentiful. Hospitals, libraries, schools, colleges and historic sites such as Monticello and Ashlawn–Highland depend heavily on volunteers.
A nearby neighbor could benefit from your friendship and assistance. An isolated adult can find peace of mind with just one hour per week and a compassionate heart. Through JABA’s Neighbor to Neighbor program, you can make a new friend and share common interests, provide transportation to appointments, pick up groceries, or assist with small home maintenance tasks.
Crime Rates and Public Safety
Charlottesville’s metropolitan area has lower-than-average rates for violent and property crime, whereas rates in Charlottesville proper are higher. Upscale neighborhoods in the city and its surrounding areas appear quite safe.
According to the FBI, the city’s violent crime rate is a low 175.4 reported incidents per 100,000 residents, compared to a 297.8 rate for all U.S. cities of similar size. Charlottesville also ranks fifth in the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, out of all 187 metro areas, with above-average scores in all categories, including physical health and resident satisfaction.
Conclusion
It should be no surprise that many tourists that come to Charlottesville for a fun trip often wind up moving here to retire as there are so many activities to choose from and our climate is a true four-season experience, with mostly mild winters.
Charlottesville is a beautiful college town offering many advantages for retirement. Charlottesville rates as one of America’s best small towns for a physically and mentally stimulating active retirement.