If Life After Work Means More Than A Beach Chair The Best Place To Retire Might Be The Big City We Looked At 30 Of The Nation’s Largest Metro Areas And Found The Right Neighborhoods For You
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How We Determine The Best Places To Retire
To narrow down the 10 best states in Virginia, we sought to find cities that offer a combination of affordability, livability, and community. We narrowed down our final list using the following rankings:
- Median home value
- Amenities Score
- Percent of the population over the age of 65%
To gather our data, we relied on information from Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, AreaVibes . The cities on our list may not have the highest rankings in every category, but they offer the best combination of benefits throughout the state.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Washington is bursting with museums, historical attractions, and interesting restaurants. The Smithsonian has quite a few great museums such as the Hirschorn which charge no admission and have wonderful attractions. Seeing the government in action with various tours of its operations such as Congress are fascinating and free. Every kind of cuisine is represented.
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Recreation Culture & Entertainment
As the capital of the United States, there is an endless array of museums, memorials, and national landmarks to visit throughout the year. A visit to Washington D.C. is often centered on the National Mall. This area, between the Capitol building and the Washington Monument, contains most of the Smithsonian museums including the Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, and American History Museum.
D.C. s famous monuments are located just west of the National Mall, beginning with the Washington Monument. The World War II and Lincoln Memorials are in line with the Washington Monument, the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials are just north of the Lincoln Memorial, and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Jefferson Memorials are located along the Tidal Basin.
A bit north of Washington D.C., Arlington National Cemetery is just across Memorial Bridge. Here you can pay tribute to fallen soldiers and visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to watch the changing of the guard. Living in an active adult community near Washington D.C. makes it easy to tour Mount Vernon, George Washington s home, or visit Old Town Alexandria, a historic district of quaint shops and restaurants. Whether looking for festivals, concerts, theaters, or art galleries, there is plenty to do throughout Washington D.C. year-round.
Are You Planning To Relocate To The Winchester

Stop by the Visitors Center while you are in Winchester and pick up one of our relocation packets. The packet includes helpful local information and an optional area map.
If you are relocating to the City of Winchester, you may also visit their website for the New Resident Guide online.
For future Frederick County residents, learn more about Living in Frederick County.
Real Estate Tax Rates
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Cheapest Places To Retire
As you consider where you want to retire as a senior, the cost is most likely at the top of your lists of concerns. If you are on a budget you need to find a place to live that allows you all of the comforts and amenities of retirement, without breaking the bank. Check out the cheapest states, cities, and places around the world as you narrow down your options.
Washington Dc Was Ranked In The Top 10 Of Us News’ Best Place To Retire Report
WASHINGTON, DC Those of you looking to get the most out of your retirement, take note: Washington, D.C., is the 10th best place to live as a retiree, according to the U.S. News & World Report. Sarasota, Florida, ranked No. 1 on the list with a few wild cards also in the top 10, including Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and McAllen, Texas.
These places were chosen based on criteria including housing affordability, the happiness index, quality of healthcare, retiree taxes, job market and desirability.
Wondering what other cities made the list of top retirement spots? See all 100 of them here. U.S. News & World Reports 2017-18 Best Places to Retire list was unveiled Monday. Rounding out the top five spots on the list were Grand Rapids, Michigan and El Paso, Texas.
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How We Determined The Best Places To Retire
To find the best places to retire in Washington, we examined a number of factors important to retirement. To check for affordability, we looked at each citys tax burden so retirees wont be surprised by any big tax bills . We also found the number of medical centers per 1,000 residents, since medical attention does become a priority in retirement. On the fun side of our investigation, we found the number of recreation centers and retirement communities in each city for the more sociable retirees out there.
Things To Do In Silver Spring
Practice your swing at Sligo Creek Golf Course. Go to the historic AFI Silver Theatre & Cultural Center to see a new movie, watch a classic arthouse film, or attend the Latin American Film Festival. Peruse stores like Mens Warehouse, DSW, and TJ Maxx in Downtown Silver Spring. Head to Bump n Grind to hear your favorite records, sip on small-batch coffee, or snack on a Buffalo Soldier Flatbread. Or catch a concert featuring your favorite indie band, hip-hop artist, or rock group at The Fillmore.
- Home Price: $325,800 median purchase price $1,754 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 78% of cities in the U.S.
- Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
- Distance to Washington, DC: About 23 miles
While suburbs like Alexandria and Arlington are closer to the District of Columbia, their higher costs of living drive many people moving to the DC area farther south toward more affordable suburbs like Woodbridge. Families in particular love living in Woodbridge for its charming small-town feel. With its safe streets, top-rated schools like Porter Traditional School and Occoquan Elementary School, along with beautiful outdoor recreation spots around Belmont Bay and Occoquan Bay, this quaint Virginia city is one of the best places to live near DC!
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Retirement Communities In Washington Dc
Washington, DC has always been known as a great place for retirement. It has been ranked number two as one of the healthiest cities, ranked number four as having the best airports to make a connection, ranked number five as one of the most secure places to live in 2011, ranked number seven as one of the cities that are on the edge of greatness, ranked number nine as one of the most secure places to live in the United States and also ranked number nine as Americas most playful cities because retirees enjoy its parks, bike trails, museums, theaters, housing, and more
Washington, DC is the perfect place to retire because of its leisure and culture activities. For instance, the D. C. area has 77 movie theaters, 398 nightclubs/bars, 153 public golf courses, 220 libraries and over 7,000 restaurants. The average temperature in summer is close to 90°F and the low in winter is 24°F on average. The health care system is one of the best in the country with 56 cancer doctors, 104 heart doctors and nine geriatric doctors.
One of the reasons that Washington, DC is such a great place to retire is that it has mild winters. This is especially important for retirees who were coming from the north and want to retire in an area thats a little bit warmer. The District of Columbia has a milder climate with warm summers and cool winters.
Alpacas official Washington D.C. housing group has a .
Things To Do In Frederick
Go running, biking, or horseback riding on 16 miles of trails at Gambrill State Park. Attend the 72 Film Fest, see a touring musical act, or check out the works of local and regional artists at the Weinberg Center for the Arts. Find stores like Charming Charlie, JoS A Bank, and Loft at Westview Promenade. Sample raw oysters, Ahi Tuna Tartar, and Cured Foie Gras at Firestones. Stop by Hootch & Banter to try the Chesapeake Risotto and the Rose Water & Raspberry Cheesecake. Or pick up a croissant and a latte to go, or stick around for an Open Mic Afternoon at Dublin Roasters Coffee.
- Home Price: $265,600 median purchase price $1,202 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 12% of cities in the U.S.
- Unemployment Rate: 5.0%
- Distance to Washington, DC: About 7 miles
Hyattsville is one of the best places to live near DC, thanks to its affordability and proximity to Americas Capital. Located just across the District of Columbia-Maryland line, Hyattsville is about as close to Washington, DC as you can get before you run into sky-high housing prices. College students, singles, and young professionals love living in Hyattsville for the easy commute into Downtown DC and to the University of Maryland, both of which are accessible via the WMATA. Residents also love this suburbs growing hot spot, the Gateway Arts District, where some of Hyattsvilles best restaurants, nightlife, and events can be found!
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We Home In On Two Places With Less Traffic And Lower Costs
Illustration by Kotryna Zukauskaite
This isnt about you, Northern Virginia. On second thought, maybe it is. We must be going. Not right now, but when we retire.
My wife and I have found a lot to like about our bedroom community near Washington, D.C. Access to the best of the arts, the soulful vibe of the city, professional sports and the historical sites make my heart sing. Point the car west and we can be in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in 45 minutes, or on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park in not much longer.
But as we approach retirement, we have to look at whether it makes financial or lifestyle sense to continue living in busy Northern Virginia after we retire. For us, it just doesnt. In pre-pandemic times, traffic was always nightmarishand, due to construction of even more federal government buildings a mile from our house, it was getting worse. Plus, the cost of living here is high.
Weve been scouting potential retirement regions for a few years, and were keeping metro access top of mind. Two areas are making the cut: the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and the Lowcountry region of South Carolina, close to Myrtle Beach. In both casesand to a greater extent in South Carolinahousing and taxes, among other things, are less expensive than in Northern Virginia.
Baltimore Dc Among Best Places To Retire

BALTIMORE — Baltimore and Washington D.C. are among the Best Places to Retire, according to the U.S. News & World Report.
D.C. was ranked no. 45 on the list out of 150 Best Places To Retire Baltimore was ranked no. 76.
According to US News & World Report, DC is on the list for the perks of living in a large, urban area.
“It’s serviced by an extensive public transit system and is home to plenty of restaurants, performance venues, museums, public parks and other cultural sites,” the report says. “Meanwhile, each neighborhood in the district and its surrounding towns has its own atmosphere. Residents gather for block parties, mingle at dog parks and converse at coffee shops, creating an ambiance similar to that of a much smaller community.”
Also its proximity to several national parks like Shenandoah, Great Falls State Park and many outdoor spaces, wineries and orchards. There’s also many hiking, camping and boating activities.
Baltimore is also on the list because of its small town feel.
“Baltimore’s elegant architecture, friendly people and lively pockets of nightlife and music make Charm City a pleasant and fun place to call home,” U.S News & World Report says. “The metro area also boasts a restaurant scene that goes beyond the city’s famous crab cakes, pit beef and Berger cookies.”
Virginia Beach is also among the Best Places to Retire at no. 46.
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Many People Will Envy You For Your Plans Of Retiring In Dc
Since Washington D.C. is a pretty popular city and has a decent reputation, many people living in Detroit or other rather dodgy places may love to change places with you and you will therefore have a rather high standing among your peers and many people will also admire you when you tell them about your plans of retiring in Washington D.C.
Find Out What’s Happening In Washington Dcwith Free Real
U.S. News said this about Washington, DC:
To the rest of the country, Washington, D.C., is the nation’s capital and that’s it. It’s where lawmakers sit high and mighty, and it’s the scapegoat for every unpopular political decision. But those who live in the District are quick to point out that there’s more to their area than government.
Your experience as a resident of the Washington, D.C., metro area will vary depending on the neighborhood you choose to live in, but there are some consistencies. In general, Washington, D.C., and its surrounding communities are clean, and there are plenty of public parks.
The Washington, D.C., metro area has the perks of a large urban area. It’s serviced by an extensive public transit system, is home to plenty of restaurants and entertainment venues and a variety of museums and other cultural sites. Meanwhile, each neighborhood in the District and its surrounding towns has its own atmosphere. Residents gather for block parties, mingle at dog parks and converse at coffee shops, creating an ambiance similar to that of a much smaller community.
Wondering what other cities made the list of top retirement spots? See all 100 of them here.
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Top 10 Retiring In Washington Dc Pros & Cons Summary List
Retire in Washington D.C. Pros | Retire in Washington D.C. Cons |
---|---|
Pensioners in Washington D.C. can enjoy the beach | Rents are barely affordable for many retirees in D.C. |
Washington D.C. is surrounded by beautiful nature | Living costs in Washington D.C. are pretty high |
High overall financial pressure for retirees in Washington D.C. | |
Retirees in D.C. can spend lots of time outdoors | Housing shortage is a big problem in D.C. |
You can get around by bicycle in an efficient manner | Cold winters may deter many pensioners from retiring in D.C. |
Great public transport in Washington D.C. | Natural disasters may become a problem |
Retirees in D.C. may not need a car to get around | Washington D.C. is not the safest city |
Washington D.C. has decent air quality | Social inequality is about to get worse in Washington D.C. |
Good medical infrastructure in D.C. | Public infrastructure gets worse in the suburbs of D.C. |
Many retirees in D.C. cant afford to live in nice boroughs |
Best Places To Retire In District Of Columbia
City in District of Columbia
Current Resident: DC is a very manageable, livable city. It’s mostly very clean and safe and there’s tons of amazing restaurants. Washington DC is a great place to grow up in. It allows for convenient transportation, excitement, along with new adventures. One of the most visited cities in the USA, Washington, DC offers a variety of interesting experiences, from learning about American history and government to seeing many of the most iconic sights in the country. This vibrant city is also home to great food, art, cultural attractions and much more. Many people overlook Washington DC. It doesn’t have the international appeal of New York or the warmth of Miami or the music of Austin or Nashville. Some people think DC is, well, kind of boring and stuffy. But Washington DC is actually one of the most incredible places to live in and visit…. Read 735 reviews
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