You might think that when it comes time to retire, most Northern Virginians would choose to move far away from the region’s traffic and high cost of living. But many NoVA residents of retirement age are deciding to stay put. Some plan to downsize, move to one-level living or perhaps to a 55-plus community, while others are staying in the homes where they raised children, made friends, and still feel most comfortable.
How Livable Is NoVA?
Many cities and towns across the Northern Virginia region scored in the top half of AARP’s 2024 Livability Index. AARP ranks areas based on metrics such as housing availability, neighborhood security, available transportation, clean air and water, and access to quality health care.
For example, Arlington was ranked No. 1 in the large city category (populations between 100,000 and 499,999) and scored well because of factors like neighborhood walkability, transportation, community engagement, and health.
Arlington received its highest score, 84, in the health category, due in part to the fact that residents have access to numerous hospitals, including Virginia Hospital Center, which is nationally known for excellence in cardiac care, as well as Inova Alexandria and Inova Fairfax.
The county also offers a host of outdoor amenities. “Arlington County’s park system is consistently ranked among the best in the country, and 99 percent of Arlingtonians live within a 10-minute walk of a park with public access. The county has nearly 49 miles of paved, multi-use trails and additional hiking trails to explore,” says Ryan Hudson, communications director for Arlington County.
Arlington also has a real estate tax relief program that provides tax exemptions or deferrals for qualified homeowners age 65 and over. Partner programs such as Arlington Neighborhood Village also help Arlington seniors. The volunteer organization helps low-income seniors age in their homes and stay engaged in the community, which reduces isolation that can lead to physical and mental health issues for people 55-plus.
A Wealth of Retirement Options
Former Oakton resident Linda Vogel decided to stay local but wanted the conveniences of a high-end retirement community. “I didn’t even consider moving away because my family is here, and there is so much to do in the DC area,” Vogel says. She moved to The Mather in Tysons and says it’s “like living on a cruise ship.” The community offers activities like music lessons and wellness and stress-relief programs, plus fine-dining options based on the Mediterranean diet.
The location’s proximity to DC is a big selling point, explains Gale Morgan, senior vice president of sales for The Mather. “Some people love the urban feel of the Tysons area, with stores nearby, restaurants, and the ease of getting into DC,” Morgan says.
To qualify, retirees have to be in reasonably good health and not currently in need of continual care. Should they need assisted living or memory care in the future, they can move to several floors that are devoted to providing such care. Potential residents pay a monthly fee and a deposit, both based on the size and location of the unit and type of plan they choose. “For example, a unit valued at $4.5 million might have a deposit of $850,000,” Morgan says. “Deposits are 90 percent refundable, meaning that 90 percent will go back to them if they leave, or to their estate.”
A more modest retirement community that follows the deposit/monthly fee model is The Woodlands in Fairfax. A one-bedroom, one-bath unit at The Woodlands was listed in December 2024 with an entrance fee of $372,000 and a monthly fee starting at $4,300.
Retirees can also opt for 55-plus apartment and condo communities in the area that charge rent plus a homeowners association fee. Retirees can live among others their age, make new friends, and share new experiences. Senior apartments typically offer amenities like elevators, convenient trash locations on each floor, grab bars in bathrooms, and pull cords to call for help in an emergency.
Other retirees are deciding not to move at all. Marion Boston of Centreville is staying in her home for retirement because it’s where she and her husband, Dennis, raised their family, and she is comfortable there. “My children and grandchildren all live nearby. The doctors and medical facilities here are some of the best. There’s so much to do in the area, and I have made many close friends here,” Boston says.
The Total Package
Real estate agents JoAnne and Dave Adams have helped clients buy and sell homes throughout Northern Virginia. “People retire in Northern Virginia because there is so much here, and it is so accessible. You can easily beat the traffic by taking the Metro into DC, which is not that easy to do in other cities,” JoAnne says. “Some people buy a second home here so they can stay for several months while visiting their children.”
Adds Dave: “People love the monuments and the history here, and in minutes you can be out in the country, visiting wineries, or in the mountains. Our winters are mild — some years we hardly get any snow — and we have all four seasons.
Excellent transportation. Top-rated health care. Walkable cities. With so much available in NoVA, people are not just retiring here, they’re staying put and thriving here, too.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our February Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
