Williamsburg : Virginia

What Williamsburg is like for active adults

Williamsburg, Virginia is a very popular retirement community as is evidenced by its selection by Money Magazine as #5 on its list of “Best Places to Live”. Colonial Williamsburg is actually a living representation/restoration of the 18th century colonial capital. If you are a history buff and you love antiques, this is the place for you. Shops and cafes in the downtown area look like museum places but are all functional. In fact, it looks like Patrick Henry or Thomas Jefferson could be that customer at the next table.

Williamsburg is a very desirable place to live for anyone, but particularly for active adults 55+ who have the time and inclination to live a slower lifestyle. Williamsburg has a population of almost 12,000 souls, and more than 4,000,000 visitors. Some say that the place has become too developed, but that complaint is heard in almost every place that is interesting to live in. Retirees can choose to live in an antique home in the downtown, or in a development nearby.

The average home in Williamsburg sold at just over $300,000 in 2008. Prices appear to be holding fairly steady.

Williamsburg is located in James City County in southeastern Virginia. Norfolk is 41 miles away. Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown make up America's Historic Triangle.

For a list of profiles on over 400 cities and towns go to reviews of the best retirement communities .Here are reviews of towns like Northern Neck and Charlottesville.

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What is special about this retirement community

• You get to live in an 18th Century Museum • College of William and Mary • Proximity to the beaches of Virginia and North Carolina • Many upscale housing opportunities for retirees, including many apartments • Great shops • Busch Gardens

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What is not special about this retirement community

• Williamsburg is so desirable that is has become expensive • Crowds • Small town atmosphere • Living in a museum

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What kinds of people like retiring here

People live in Williamsburg who like being in an antique atmosphere and don’t mind the continual presence of tourists. Typically residents like older homes and are interested in colonial U.S. history.

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Local economy is driven by

Tourism, retail, education, real estate

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Physical environment

Williamsburg is just inland on the coast of southern Virginia. It is flat with many waterways. For help on how to retire in Virginia or towns like Alexandria and Charlottesville

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Cultural environment

A lot of Williamsburg’s culture revolves around its colonial setting. History buffs will find everything they need here. The College of William and Mary has many cultural offerings. The Williamsburg Regional Library is extremely well funded and has more than 281,000 volumes.

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Medical facilities

There are 3 hospitals in town

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Transportation

Newport News/Williamsburg Airport is about 25 minutes away. Norfolk Airport and Richmond Airports are less than an hour away.

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