A Charming College Town In Virginia With Rich History Is One Of The Best Places For Retirees

Virginia has long enjoyed its deserved reputation as a cultured, beautiful, and exciting state in which to live. In the Piedmont farm region famed for its apples lies a gem of a city called Charlottesville, which was founded back in 1762.

Charlottesville offers retirees a wide variety of exciting outdoors attractions and activities to enjoy in retirement. Besides its own appeal, the city is a mere 100 miles to the southwest of Washington, D.C. and all of its rich architectural and historical sites. It has beautiful natural surroundings in the Blue Ridge Mountains foothills at the Rivanna River headwaters. Thomas Jefferson's Monticello home and James Monroe's Ash Lawn estate are both located nearby.

Besides its rich history, outdoor mall, and live music offerings, Charlottesville is renowned for being the home of the acclaimed University of Virginia. Seniors will find that they can take continuing education classes free at this seat of learning. The city is surprisingly affordable for the budgets of many retirees — far more than the gorgeous island in South Carolina that is one of America's most expensive retirement communities.

The city of Charlottesville is full of interesting and cultural activities and attractions seniors will enjoy. This starts with its historic downtown outdoors mall. This mall is known as among the finest urban parks in the United States. Its pedestrianized outdoors Main Street here hosts over 30 restaurants and 120 shops housed in historic buildings that have been lovingly renovated or restored. Retirees can take in a play, movie, or live music at the various performance venues.

Ale and beer drinkers will enjoy the famed Charlottesville Ale Trail. This self guided tour showcases the many breweries, distilleries, and cideries located in and around the city. Tasting is available at most locations on the trail. The city also excels with its music and markets it offers residents. Friday's After Five is Charlottesville's free weekly spring and summer concert series. The musical event brings together local artists from a range of musical styles. The Ting Pavilion hosts this event at the historic downtown mall's east end. On Saturdays, the city's Farmers Market at the Ix Art Park brings more than 60 local vendors together to offer specially prepared foods, locally sourced fresh produce, and artisan goods.

Charlottesville boasts several senior friendly institutions. The Meadowcreek Golf Course is the town's 155-acre links. Besides a challenging day on the greens, it offers breathtaking panoramic views alongside cherry, dogwood, and oak trees. Retirees can also partake of activities to stimulate and expand their minds in Charlottesville. The city is home to the University of Virginia, a well-regarded institution of higher learning that provides free college classes to all seniors who are 60 years old and over. Attendees also must have legally resided in the state for at least one year.

Retirees will wonder how affordable this historic, charming, and cultural city is for their fixed budgets. Charlottesville's monthly cost of living for a single person is $4,100, or $49,200 per year. According to GoBankingRates, this figure is 14% less expensive than the average for the nation. While Charlottesville is a more expensive locale than a quaint Pennsylvania town, it is a less costly retirement destination than an island retreat in Hawaii.