Retirement in Charlottesville

Those looking to retire from the hustle and bustle of the business world find comfort in the relaxed pace of Charlottesville, and the wealth of friendly neighbors who make up the community. Charlottesville offers for retirees:

• Low state tax rates
• Tax exemptions for various types of retirement income (There is no state tax on Social Security benefits and income deductions of up to $12,000 for residents 65 and older)
• Low crime rates
• Convenience access to airports (Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport is just 10 miles from Downtown)
• Efficient local transportation
• Easy access to leisure activities, from libraries and theaters to hiking and golf

Virginia’s Center for Culture and Entertainment

Only two hours from Washington D.C., the charming Southern city of Charlottesville boasts an “impressive array of cultural draws. Several prime art museums and a pedestrian mall can be found in the city’s neo-Classical downtown, while the Monticello Wine Trail and Shenandoah National Park are close by,” says Kiplinger Magazine.

Charlottesville is the entertainment and cultural center of Virginia. Spanning the board from Art in Place, the city-wide sculpture garden, to First Fridays, an art gallery tour on the historic Downtown Mall, Charlottesville has a distinct blend of events for residents and visitors to enjoy year-round. For history buffs, the area was once home to Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe, whose homes are all open to visitors. Other historical attractions within driving distance include Woodrow Wilson’s home and the Presidential Library just across the mountain in Staunton and the Civil War battlefields of Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg.

Virginia’s Climate

Virginia’s mild, four-season climate is especially appealing to retirees. The American Association of State Climatologists rated Charlottesville as having the second “most desirable climate in the Eastern United States.”

Charlottesville Attractions

Charlottesville is also known for nearby trails through the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and its proximity to golf courses, parks and wineries, active art and theater scenes. The Charlottesville-Albemarle area offers award-winning golf courses, so there’s no question as to why Golf Digest ranked Charlottesville as the #1 Best Retirement City for Golfers. The Monticello Wine Trail, the “wine world’s best kept secret”, allows connoisseurs to visit boutique wineries and experience their high-quality wines, produced in limited quantities. The Charlottesville region was named the “Best New Place to Drink Wine” by Life Magazine. Charlottesville is also home to the University of Virginia’s active drama department and several nearby community theater groups.

Award-Winning Medical Care

According to BOA-Sachs, Charlottesville’s University of Virginia Medical Center is one of the top 100 hospitals in the United States. The hospital contains specialty treatment centers for heart disease, cancer, digestive and neurological disorders and other health problems. In addition to UVA, Charlottesville is home to Martha Jefferson Hospital, a highly regarded 200-bed private hospital.

Charlottesville Awards

• Number One City for Retirement (Kiplinger.com)
• Top Place to Retire (Kiplinger magazine, 2010)
• 2nd on list of Best Places to Retire (Black Enterprise Magazine, 2008)
• Top Ten Great Places to Retire (Travel 50 & Beyond, 1999)