Virginia is not just for Lovers; it is also for the Retired&Lovinit! I am sure you already know that Virginia is the next relocation spot discussed in my blog series, “Yes, I Will Relocate When I Retire”. Virginia is also the last state discussed in this series. Other countries are next on the blog series.
Just in case you do not remember my must-haves for my relocation spot, let me share.
· Doesn’t tax my pension
· Low cost of living
· Short drive to a major hub airport
· Near or on the beach or lake
· Low taxes
· Warm weather year round
· Safe living
· Affordable housing with great amenities
Virginia is a Commonwealth state located in the Mid-Atlantic area of the United States and is one of the 13 original colonies. Virginia extends from the Chesapeake Bay to the Appalachian Mountains, with a long Atlantic coastline. Virginia is bordered by Maryland and Washington D.C. to the north and east; by the Atlantic Ocean to the east; by North Carolina to the south; by Tennessee to the southwest; by Kentucky to the west; and West Virginia to the north and west.
Geographically, Virginia is made up of five regions from east to west; Tidewater Piedmont, Blue Ridge Mountains, Ridge and Valley, and Cumberland Plateau. The climate is temperate and gets warmer and more humid the farther south and east you go. Hurricanes and tornadoes are known to happen.
Virginia will tax your pension but not your Social Security. Sales and Use tax is 5.3%, an additional 1% additional local tax. The property taxes are low. Property taxes are a percentage of the original cost. Those seniors, who rely solely on Social Security and other retirement income totaling less than $12,000, do not have to pay state taxes on their retirement income.
The largest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk is located in Norfolk, Virginia. Norfolk, Newport News and Virginia Beach are major tourist cities that are across the bridge from each other. Virginia Beach is a city with everything and anything that you can want for food, entertainment, climate, education and housing. There is great healthcare.
I chose Virginia as one of my maybe relocation spots because of Virginia Beach. We visit there every year, so why not think about living there. Of course I would want to live very close to or on the beach. I was able to find a three bedroom, two bathroom, 1075 square feet, and onsite laundry apartment for $1315, which is very close to the oceanfront. This apartment is 26 minutes from Norfolk Airport, which is not a Major Hub.
The cost of living in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News area is 17% higher than the National average but 33.52% less than NYC. So after living in NYC most of my life, that is very inexpensive to me. There are other cities in Virginia that have good living for the retiree, but I want to be near the beach. It seems as though major tourist beach cities have a higher cost of living than other regions of the state. I don’t mind paying a little extra for living near or on the beach!!!
Thank You! I hope that this was helpful for you!
