Place in VA to retire that is safe, walkable and has 3 BDs or more for under $650K?

[Anonymous]

Is there any place in VA for a 60 yr old couple to retire that is safe, walkable and has 3 BDs for under $650K? We want a 3 BD or more so if one of our kids and their kids come they can stay with us. We want to downsize from our 5 BD house. We'd love to not have to use a car to enjoy life (Old Town would be too expensive, thinking more Reston, Kingstowne or some other walkable area). We're looking for some place safe, especially as we're more vulnerable not what we're older.

We love this area and are not the type who want to retire in FL or somewhere warm in the south. Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Belmont Ridge in Ashburn.

[Anonymous]

Are you open to a townhouse? Fairlington is lovely. 3 bd are not that common, but they come up occasionally. Or you could look at a 2 bd with a pullout in the family room for guests.

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of communities in loudoun like that. Also, Western PWC.

But, I lived in Reston for many years and I think it would be a nice place to retire if you have the money. You could look for a bigger TH on a lake.

[Anonymous]

Roanoke

[Anonymous]

Stay in Reston. Kingstowne does not really have the same feel you want

[Anonymous]

Townhouses for retirement? Too many stairs.

[Anonymous]

Broadlands, near Ashburn. Lovely new area with trails and walkable to grocery stores, etc.

[Anonymous]

well, it's going to be hard to find one story homes in pretty much anything other than a straight retirement community.

We have ramblers in my neighborhood (Greenbriar), but it doesn't sound like what OP is looking for.

[Anonymous]

Thanks to consider -

One level to avoid stairs - never know in the future how able bodied you will be

Maintenance required to upkeep outside - how much landscape work, leaf raking, snow shoveling - this will be an ongoing cost

Inside maintenance - how much work to clean? how costly to heat/cool?

If you are still working now, what will your budget look like in retirement? will you have the funds to pay for upkeep of the home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there any place in VA for a 60 yr old couple to retire that is safe, walkable and has 3 BDs for under $650K? We want a 3 BD or more so if one of our kids and their kids come they can stay with us. We want to downsize from our 5 BD house. We'd love to not have to use a car to enjoy life (Old Town would be too expensive, thinking more Reston, Kingstowne or some other walkable area). We're looking for some place safe, especially as we're more vulnerable not what we're older.

We love this area and are not the type who want to retire in FL or somewhere warm in the south. Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.

Let me throw this out there for ya to check out.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Arlington/2841-S-Wakefield-St-22206/unit-C/home/11267166

It's down the street from us. It doesn't look like much- you might even say it looks kinda bland and crappy- because it was completely rebuilt. (there was a fire there in January and they finally completed the cleaning and rebuild). So you can get a good deal and do a few renovations to make it exceptional. You can walk to Shirlington and its restaurants, movie theater, library, community theater, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is there any place in VA for a 60 yr old couple to retire that is safe, walkable and has 3 BDs for under $650K? We want a 3 BD or more so if one of our kids and their kids come they can stay with us. We want to downsize from our 5 BD house. We'd love to not have to use a car to enjoy life (Old Town would be too expensive, thinking more Reston, Kingstowne or some other walkable area). We're looking for some place safe, especially as we're more vulnerable not what we're older.

We love this area and are not the type who want to retire in FL or somewhere warm in the south. Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.

Let me throw this out there for ya to check out.

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Arlington/2841-S-Wakefield-St-22206/unit-C/home/11267166

It's down the street from us. It doesn't look like much- you might even say it looks kinda bland and crappy- because it was completely rebuilt. (there was a fire there in January and they finally completed the cleaning and rebuild). So you can get a good deal and do a few renovations to make it exceptional. You can walk to Shirlington and its restaurants, movie theater, library, community theater, etc.

that's a pretty good price for that area. I used to live down the street in heatherlea. But wow, $600/month for HOA?

[Anonymous]

The HOA fees are very high but you might want to look at Belmont Country Club in Ashburn. Some of the cottage homes have the master bedroom on the first floor making it a good fit for aging individuals. All lawn work is included in the HOA too. It's not as walkable as DC or Alexandria, but there is a brand new Whole Foods plaza with restaurants, coffee shop etc. within walking distance. The country club itself also offers a number of social activities that cater to an older crowd.

[Anonymous]

Check out Staunton, VA.

[Anonymous]

It's nice that you're thinking of your kids visiting you, but that really should not be your priority. Because of Air BnB, hotels, and a lot of other short-term rentals available in this area, I would focus on using your $650K to buy a home where you can age in place. Buy a two-bedroom condo (one level), with an elevator, within walking distance to amenities like grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and metro. Condo fees might be worth it as you age--they may often cover maintenance that you won't need to do on your own.