BEDFORD

“I’ve always loved Bedford,” says Edna Burroughs, Huddleston Senior Citizens member and a lifelong Bedford resident. “The beautiful scenery, Peaks of Otter and now we have the DDay Memorial.”


Home to the National D-Day Memorial, Bedford has a small-town atmosphere with big-town advantages. The Peaks of Otter offer magnificent views, hiking trails and the Peaks of Otter winery, which produces more than 25 wines of their own.



The Bedford Community Orchestra is a non-profit organization and performances
range from full orchestra classical pieces to small ensemble contemporary pieces. Local museums and a zoo offer involvement opportunities for those seeking an active lifestyle.


Nature lovers and history buffs will enjoy Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, located partially in Bedford and residents enjoy the seasonal farmers’ market as well as the many community festivals throughout the year.

BEDFORD
Town Population: 6, 299 Median home value: $57,700 Cost of living: 95% Chamber of Commerce: 781/275-8503

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Blacksburg/New River Valley

“It’s such a vibrant town,” says Heather Browning, Community Relations Manager with the Chamber of Commerce. “I think particularly for a retiree, young or senior citizen, there are just so many oppurtunities in Blacksburg.”

Paths for biking and hiking lead the way from Virginia’s largest university, Virginia Tech, to a downtown filled with small businesses and family restaurants.

Recognized by Readers Digest as “the most-wired town in America,” Blacksburg offers a slow-paced life for those seeking
a small-town feel without being isolated. Blacksburg online, www.bev.net, has financial and nutritional links for seniors as well as other resources for the community.

Museums, theaters, art classes and outdoor activities are a few ways to get involved. Blacksburg boasts an excellent transportation system and is close to the New River and the Appalachian Trail.

BLACKSBURG/NEW RIVER VALLEY
Town Population: 39,273 Median home value: $144,000 Cost of living: 90% Chamber of Commerce: 540/382-4010 Town Manager's Office: 540/961-1130

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Botetourt County

“It’s a gorgeous place to live with scenic landscape and a rural atmosphere,” said Eula Rosenberger, Chamber of Commerce administrative assistant. “The people are extremely friendly and welcoming.”

Close to the hustle and bustle of nearby cities – and rural enough to clearly see the sky at night, Botetourt County offers small-town life with the advantages that nearby Roanoke and Lexington can offer.

Botetourt County Recreation Department programs range from ballroom dancing to bird watching, and day trips are offered.

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests surround this quaint area with access to fishing areas and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The restored vintage Buchanan Theatre has movies and concerts, festivals take place year-round and
Roanoke is not far away.

BOTETOURT COUNTY
Town Population: 30,496 Median home value: $130,000 Cost of living: 92% Chamber of Commerce: 540/473-8280 www.BOT-CO-CHAMBER.COM

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Lexington/Rockbridge County

“We have a lot of community spirit,” said Sheryl Wagner, the Visitor’s Center director of marketing. “You don’t go into the coffee shop without knowing someone.”

Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee events ensure a yeartowns round calendar for Lexington residents.
The colleges offer speakers, plays and concerts for the public.

Home to Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, Rockbridge County has much to offer in the way of culture and involvement
opportunities. Natural Bridge, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is not far from the museums, restaurants and stores that line the quaint downtown streets. The Lime Kiln Theatre is a nationally renowned outdoor theater and attracts tourists from all over the state.

LEXINGTON/ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY
Town Population: 6,867 Median home value: $131,900 Cost of living: 89% Chamber of Commerce: 859/254-4447 Visitors Center: 540/463-3777 www.lexingtonvirginia.com

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Lynchburg

“Lynchburg is a wonderful place to retire,” says Lynn Fox, Lynchburg City senior adult program assistant supervisor. “We
have programs for every interest and there are so many things to do in town.”

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills, Lynchburg is rich in natural resources for hiking trails and scenery.

The Lynchburg Academy of Fine Arts and Lynchburg College offer involvement and educational opportunities. Lynchburg Academy of Music offers concerts and instructional classes for all ages and The Virginia School of the Arts hosts dance performances throughout the academic year.

Lynchburg boasts a nationally recognized health-care system and a low crime rate. Historic attractions include the Federal-
era mansion Point of Honor, the Legacy Museum of African American History, the Rightmire Children’s Museum and
the Blackwater Creek Trail that is open to walkers and bikers.

LYNCHBURG
Town Population: 65,269 Median home value: $85,300 Cost of living: 85% Parks & Recreations: 434/455-5858 Visitors Center: 434/847-1811 or 800/732-5821 Chamber of Commerce: 434/845-5966

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Martinsville

“This is a wonderful place because of the people,” says Betty Joe Fulcher, Blue Ridge Regional Library circulation supervisor
and lifelong resident. “It’s a peaceful town, we care about each other and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else on Earth.”

Martinsville’s recreational activities are endless. With one park per square mile in town, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy sports and the outdoors. Museums and shops are plentiful as well as theaters and art galleries. The Martinsville Speedway is a big draw for tourism and holds two Winston cup NASCAR races each year.

The rotating gallery exhibits and art workshops are a few ways to get involved by volunteering or taking a class, and other educational opportunities can be found through Patrick Henry Community College. The Smith River is recognized as one of the best fishing rivers in the state and Virginia’s Museum of Natural History is one of many local attractions that visiting grandchildren can enjoy.

MARTINSVILLE
Town Population: 15,416 Median home value: $69,100 Cost of living: 93% Chamber of Commerce: 276/632-6401

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Pulaski

“Pulaski is surrounded by the natural beauty of lakes, mountains, national forests, trails and the oldest river in the
nation,” says Donia Eley, local author and long-time resident. “Best of all, the people are welcoming and sincere.”

For retirees that enjoy walking, rural Pulaski is limitless. A charming downtown offers coffee shops and stores, a post
office and a museum inside the court house. Nature is all around and there are lots of hiking and biking trails throughout the county. Claytor Lake State Park and Gatewood Park and Reservoir offer miles of hiking trails, swimming and camping.

The Pulaski Senior Center offers a variety of activities and Calfee Park hosts minor league baseball throughout the
summer. One of six neighborhood parks, Jackson Park is located downtown and is used for many special events such as the annual Summer Park Concert Series and Depot Days.

PULASKI
Town Population: 9,473 County Population: 35,127 Median home value: $60,000 Cost of living: 91% Department of Economic Development: 540/980-5342 Visitors Center: 540/674-4161

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Radford

“We have a really high quality of life,” says Sandra Stanwitz, Chamber of Commerce executive director. “Radford University
provides so many cultural experiences.”

Seven city parks plus one along the scenic New River in downtown Radford fill this city with natural resources. With
lots of hiking, biking and golf courses close to picturesque downtown, residents enjoy a quiet lifestyle with good coffee
shops and stores within reach.

Often called the Heart of the New River Valley, Radford is the site of the Highlanders Festival and Appalachian Folk Arts
Festival in the fall. The Glencoe Museum offers a look at local history and Radford University offers speakers, classes, student performances and educational programs for seniors.

RADFORD
Town Population: 15,859 Median home value: $60,000 Cost of living: 89% Chamber of Commerce: 540/639-2202 Visitors Center: 540/731-3634

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Roanoke City

“We’re seeing a lot of people that are already retired move downtown,” says David Diaz, executive director of Downtown
Roanoke Inc. “If you live downtown everything is within walking distance and I think retirees especially appreciate that
kind of convenience.”

Roanoke has been called the Heart of the Blue Ridge because of the tranquil setting, small-town atmosphere and big-city advantages. The city offers state-of-the-art hospitals, excellent civic centers and abundant shopping areas. Roanoke has one of the longest continually running farmers’ markets in the country.

Hiking trails run through the mountains on either side of Roanoke and the city is a five-time winner of the National
Civic League’s All American City award. Center in the Square houses a theater; science, history and art museums; arts council; and shops, surrounded by an outdoor market with restaurants and boutiques. The square was recently named one of America’s 63 “great public places” by Urban Initiatives.

Roanoke
Town Population: 94,911 Median home value: $112,371 Cost of living: 85% Chamber of Commerce: 540/983-0700 Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau: 540/342-6025 or 800/635-5535 Downtown Roanoke Inc.: 540/342-2028 www.downtownroanoke.org

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Salem

“I have traveled to many different areas of the world,” says Jane Painter, who retired from Salem City Schools in 1994. “and
there isn’t anywhere I would rather live than Salem in the mountains of southwest Virginia.”

A true main street community, Salem offers residents and visitors alike a rural atmosphere with lush green parks, antique
shops, hiking trails and Explore Park close by. Sports events are year-round and include a horse show, kite flying festival
and polo tournament.

Salem parks offer walking paths, fishing holes and shelters for special events. The Salem Senior Center offers programs from line and ballroom dancing to bridge, art classes are offered downtown and Roanoke College offers classes and student
performances for the public.

Annual festivals include Olde Salem Days, Octoberfest, Jazz in July and the Salem Farmer’s Market Bluegrass Festival.

Salem
Town Population: 24,747 Median home value: $104,200 Cost of living: 106% Salem Visitors Center: 540/375-4044 or 888-VASALEM Parks and Recreation Senior Citizens Program: 540-375-3054

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Smith Mountain Lake

“Most of the people here are retirees,” says Trubob Burns, who traveled the country before settling. “Everybody is so busy doing volunteer work or fishing. Everyone sees something good here.”

The community scattered around Virginia’s second-largest lake is made up of vacationers, second-homers and retirees with one thing in common – 500 miles of shoreline. Water sports are popular – boating, fishing and swimming. Many hiking trails are nearby in the Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Amenities such as local grocery stores, shops and restaurants can be found locally, and life at the lake is only a half hour’s drive from Roanoke for bigger city needs.

















Attractions include the annual Autumn Wine Festival, Booker T. Washington National Monument and Ferrum College. The college gives free tuition to applying seniors and is home to the award-winning Blue Ridge Institute and hosts concerts,
plays and art exhibits.

Smith Mountain Lake
Town Population: 16,000 Median home value: $99,900 Cost of living: 92% Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center: 800/676-8203 or 540/721-1203 Franklin County Chamber of Commerce: 540/483-9542

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