Input on best VA/NC locations for retirement

[Sinz]

I'm interested in input for the best, most optimal cities in Virginia and North Carolina for retirement. I currently live in Raleigh, and want to stay in the VA/NC area. I'm leaning towards Charlottesville, VA - but am wondering if anyone has some hidden gems out there that they are willing to let me know about. I think an optimal city size would be 20k-60k. Thanks much!

 

[euro]

I'm interested in input for the best, most optimal cities in Virginia and North Carolina for retirement. I currently live in Raleigh, and want to stay in the VA/NC area. I'm leaning towards Charlottesville, VA - but am wondering if anyone has some hidden gems out there that they are willing to let me know about. I think an optimal city size would be 20k-60k. Thanks much!

Since you live in NC already, I assume you have considered Ashville? I also like Boone.

 

[jjquantz]

DW and I would also be interested in responses to this inquiry. I'll give you my two cents about northern Virginia. We love the area for daily access to DC (if that's what you want) and fairly easy access to everything from Boston to Savannah. What we don't like is the traffic and the high cost of living. Much (most?) of the DC suburban area is not walkable and you definitely pay a premium to live in the suburbs that are. We could be pretty happy in the Old Town Alexandria area, but the 50-75% housing premium over where we are now makes it a non-starter. We know folks who are in Charlottesville and they say great things about it, but they are not retired. Williamsburg also has some attraction for us - college town, lots of history and culture. But it isn't cheap.

I've heard lots of good things about Raleigh, what is it that makes you think about leaving there?

 

[JoeWras]

I've heard lots of good things about Raleigh, what is it that makes you think about leaving there?

Yeah, FUEGO and I would like to know, since we're here with plans to stay (speaking for myself).

 

[Sinz]

I think Raleigh is a fine town. Simply, I would like to live somewhere much smaller, as I mentioned. All places have general merits based on personal preference. I'm hoping to perhaps hear about some place that I have failed to uncover.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

Hoo-ville has pretty steep housing prices, but seems like a great place to settle down. DW graduated from UVa (which I forgave her for - I'm a Hokie) and she's expressed a desire to move there. The University has a great teaching hospital, there's culture, the downtown mall is a great place to walk, and it's a short drive to Richmond, or a bit more to NOVA or DC.

You might consider Roanoke, although it's a bit sleepier and definitely more blue collar. But if a slow pace is what you want, with access to lots of mountains and outdoor activities, it's worth considering. When I was working downtown, I used to tell friends from Atlanta and NOVA that "rush minute" wasn't that bad.

 

[FIREmenow]

Perhaps these could be a start?

https://www.citypopulation.de/USA-NorthCarolina.html
https://www.citypopulation.de/USA-Virginia.html

No affiliation, etc. - just did a search.....

 

[Nemo2]

Haven't been there for a while, but I like Bath, NC.....although it doesn't meet your population criterion, (by a long shot)...but, hey...if it was good enough for Fast Eddie Teach.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

I think it would really depend on what you are looking for. Close to the beach or up in the mountains? Maybe in between? Do you want to be in a low population area or a large one? So many questions that only the OP can answer...

 

[JoeWras]

I think Raleigh is a fine town. Simply, I would like to live somewhere much smaller, as I mentioned. All places have general merits based on personal preference. I'm hoping to perhaps hear about some place that I have failed to uncover.

Gotcha.

One place in NC that has intrigued me a bit is the Yadkin Valley area. They have the winery thing going on there, and I find some of the rural landscape to just be beautiful. But I haven't looked too close because I don't think small town or rural is my thing.

I find Asheville has gotten too big and crazy. Raleigh is big, yeah, but not tourist big. I've lived in tourist towns before. Asheville is starting to scare me. Maybe somewhere small outside of Asheville would be my speed if I go small town.

 

[RunningBum]

I think it would really depend on what you are looking for. Close to the beach or up in the mountains? Maybe in between? Do you want to be in a low population area or a large one? So many questions that only the OP can answer...

Yeah, I wouldn't even begin to try to recommend a place not knowing anything about the poster's interests, and what kind of access they want to a larger city and airport.

 

[kitesurfer2]

I spend much of my away time in Meadows of Dan, Va. It's a great community, with altitude. Close to Floyd, va...

 

[rayinpenn]

Surprised anyone would even consider anything in commuting range of D.C. I found the traffic anywhere near there to be deplorable. Further everything there is pricey ...
I would suggest you google 'best small towns in' VA, NC etc.
Then if you see something interesting dig deeper.

Not sure why but Ive become really sensitive to all the congestion.

 

[1-31-18]

A couple ideas, based on my experience: Linden or Front Royal, VA, west of D.C.; and Brevard, NC, west of Charlotte. I also recommend Hickory, NC, which is much closer to Charlotte (by time) than it used to be due to improved highways. Brevard is cute. VA and NC are both pretty solid regarding taxes and fiscal responsibility, but the hands-down winner in the Southeast in that regard is TN. There are many charming places in central and eastern TN.

 

[Pilot2013]

Not a big Asheville fan either. If you would consider just a little further South, the Upstate of SC (basically Greenville, SC and surrounding area) is a beautiful area. While the city is about 50-60k, the surrounding area of Greenville County is the largest county in the state, about 500k.

VisitGreenvilleSC Official Travel Source