When it comes to what shapes your quality of life, AARP Virginia ranks four NoVA jurisdictions among its top five communities on its 2024 AARP Livability Index.
Falls Church takes top billing, followed by Arlington County, Vienna, and Alexandria. Charlottesville came in at No. 5. Herndon (No. 6), Fairfax City (No. 7), and Fairfax County (No. 8) also fall in the top 10.
Purcellville came in 12th, Leesburg 14th, Loudoun County 19th, and Warrenton 20th.
The AARP Livability Index criteria looked at community engagement, environmental quality, health services, housing, neighborhood safety, and transportation.
AARP said in its news release that “every community still faces critical challenges in meeting the growing needs of older adults.” The top communities need to focus on “improving affordable housing options, clean air and water, and inclusion opportunities.”
NoVA communities ranked well for health, a category that includes prevention, access, and quality.
Falls Church, which Northern Virginia Magazine named the most convenient spot in its Great Places to Live story in March 2024, also came in sixth on AARP’s national list of most livable small cities with populations of 5,000 to 24,999. The city, with a life expectancy of 84 and 34 percent of the population 50 or older, ranked best for health with a score of 82 out of 100, and a score of 79 for civic and social involvement.
Arlington, where 27 percent of the population is 50 or older, ranks first on the national list of most livable large communities with populations of 100,000 to 499,999. Health is where Arlington scored the best with an 84, followed by transportation and civic and social involvement, both of which scored a 78.
Health also was the top score for Vienna at 84, followed by civic and social involvement.
See the complete 2024 AARP Livability Index.
Feature image courtesy Courtesy City of Falls Church
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