Williamsburg Ranked One Of Top Places To Retire In US

Kiplinger, a national magazine known for its personal finance and economic forecasting, has ranked Williamsburg as of the 10 best small and mid-size towns to retire. This is based on several reasons including community events, quality healthcare, and cost of living for seniors.

Healthcare was a main consideration for the rankings and Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center was scored as a five-star hospital for Medicare and Medicaid Services. That score was based on health inspections, staffing levels and 16 other quality measures such as resident reports.

Other factors highlighted for the ranking include seniors do not pay taxes on Social Security in Virginia and can also deduct up to $12,000 in income annually – and Williamsburg stacks up well when it comes to property tax rates. The current rate is 60 cents per $100 in assessed value.

Kimber Smith, president of the Williamsburg Area Association of Realtors and COO of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Towne Reality, said that the Williamsburg real estate market has options ranging from condos to large, single-family homes.

Williamsburg has a wide diversity of housing options – anything from 2 bedroom condominiums to spacious homes on privately wooded homesites – which also played a part in the reason why Williamsburg ranked so high.

Williamsburg offers history, adult education, cultural events, farmers markets, and lots of outdoor activities. There’s never a lack of things to do. There are an abundance of hiking trails in the Williamsburg area and its overall friendliness to pedestrians offers retirees ways to stay healthy.

Popular attractions such as Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens and Water Country USA were also draws for grandparents looking for a place to retire.

Williamsburg is also not far from other hotbeds of activity such as Richmond, Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Best of all, Williamsburg has retained a small-town feel, which many retirees are seeking.