We’re going to retire in a number of years and are contemplating the Carolinas and Virginia. We want the town to be neither too huge nor too small. It will be good if there have been some cultural amenities like a theater and a museum, and if eating places and retailers had been inside strolling distance. We love the Appalachian Path. I additionally like homes with character.
We went to Harpers Ferry and whereas it’s totally good, it is not precisely what we had been in search of. We’re going to Asheville in October.
Any recommendations are welcome.
Eileen
Eileen,
As you found, the placement could look good on paper, however nonetheless not fairly what you need. And if a spot does look proper, I hope you will take a while to see it for your self, faux it is your new on a regular basis, and never expertise it like a vacationer.
Solely you recognize what “not too huge” and “not too small” means—and that is a giant distinction between Harpers Ferry and Asheville, each in measurement and finances. I will be to listen to your response to Asheville, however whereas there, take a look at each Hendersonville and Brevard, which had been prompt in MarketWatch’s The place Ought to I Retire Collection?
I’ve additionally beforehand checked out different communities that may be of curiosity: Harrisonburg, Roanoke, Blacksburg, and Lexington in Virginia. The AT does not undergo South Carolina, however I might mark Greenville. For those who broaden your search to Tennessee, go searching Knoxville (the town may be too huge for you) or Cookeville.
MarketWatch’s The place Ought to I Retire software will help you uncover different locations.
I checklist a number of different choices under. Keep in mind that accessibility to eating places and retailers is extra concerning the neighborhood than the town as a complete. Given that you just additionally need a dwelling with character, give attention to older neighborhoods.
Lastly, you do not point out your retirement finances and the way a lot you’ll be able to afford to spend on shopping for and renovating this dwelling. If you have not already, take a while to guage your funds. To be conservative; the inventory market won’t at all times be your pal.
Staunton, Virginia
Staunton Congress Bureau
This is a smaller, walkable city within the Shenandoah Valley an hour from the mountains. Staunton, dwelling to 25,000 residents, has numerous historic districts (take a look at the free strolling excursions) and is dwelling to a small non-public liberal arts college, Mary Baldwin College.
The town’s theatrical hub is the American Shakespeare Middle and its Blackfriars Theater, the world’s solely recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theater. Historical past buffs may recognize the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum. You will additionally discover stay music festivals all through the summer time.
If you’d like one thing larger, drive 40 miles east to Charlottesville (prompt right here) and the College of Virginia campus. If the seaside is in your thoughts, the Atlantic Ocean is a couple of 3 hour drive away.
In winter, highs common round 40 levels, though you’re going to get snow. Common summer time highs attain the mid-80s.
The median dwelling worth is round $235,000. This is what the housing market seems like utilizing listings on Realtor.com, which, like MarketWatch, is owned by Information Corp.
Salisbury, North Carolina
Getty Photographs
What caught my consideration about this metropolis of 35,000 in North Carolina’s Piedmont area was its many historic districts, together with downtown. This could make it simpler to discover a dwelling with character.
Salisbury additionally has two theaters and its personal symphony. Excessive Rock Lake, the second largest lake within the state, is situated close to the town. Large metropolis conveniences (and airport) are in Charlotte 45 minutes away.
Common summer time highs are within the higher 80s. Winters are delicate, with minimal snow and common temperatures under 50 levels.
In keeping with Realtor.com, the median dwelling value in Salisbury is $215,000. This is what the housing market seems like in Salisbury and Rowan County.
Abingdon, Virginia
The Virginia Creeper Path was named after a steam engine that after climbed the rails into the Iron Mountains.
Courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corp.
Given your love of the Appalachian Path, take a look at this city with a inhabitants of about 8,400 and a downtown listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations. You may hike the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Path about midway to even smaller Damascus, the city of the AT.
The vacationer workplace boasts that Abingdon continues to look on lists of essentially the most creative small cities. For tradition, begin with the Barter Theater and the William King Museum of Artwork. Speak to the artists who work on the Arts Depot.
It is as much as you to resolve if this metropolis is the appropriate measurement or too small. Virtually 1 / 4 of its residents are pensioners, and that is one other issue that needs to be taken into consideration.
Common summer time highs attain the mid-80s; common winter highs are within the 40s, however you will additionally get snow days. In keeping with Realtor.com, the median dwelling value is round $232,000. However small cities additionally imply fewer dwelling selections. This is what’s in the marketplace proper now.
The place ought to Eileen and her husband retire? Go away your recommendations within the feedback part.
Extra from MarketWatch’s The place Ought to I Retire Collection:
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