Winchester VA or Harrisonburg VA (or another town near the mountains) for retiree from D.C.?

[Anonymous]

I'm semi-retired and would like to move closer to the Virginia mountains. I'm in good health but anticipate needing senior-related support, the nature of which will change as time goes on. There's a lot of support in D.C. I wonder which community near the mountains might be better for senior support services?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm semi-retired and would like to move closer to the Virginia mountains. I'm in good health but anticipate needing senior-related support, the nature of which will change as time goes on. There's a lot of support in D.C. I wonder which community near the mountains might be better for senior support services?

I'd go with Winchester. They have the best health care in the region. I'm heading there today for just that purpose, actually.

[Anonymous]

Winchester is a great choice. If you're not tied to being close to DC you could look further south like the Charlottesville area.

[Anonymous]

My grandparents retired in Winchester. Good hospital, plus there were some decent options for them for assisted living when they needed that. Also there was still a little downtown and all the things they needed close by and some cute community events.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your insights.
-- OP

[Anonymous]

Hburg is a bit unusual in that there is such a dramatic difference between the college kids and the locals. There's just not much of an economy in Hburg other than retail and chicken farms so you have a working class population mixed in with (generally speaking) UMC kids at JMU. OTOH, you have the college and the various amenities associated with that so that might be a draw for you. Hburg is cheaper than Winchester in case that matters to you.

Winchester is more homogenous and is primarily working class but with some folks that commute to the DC area.

[Anonymous]

^Edit: Also, traffic in Hburg can be horrendous when classes are in session during normal times.

[Anonymous]

Also check out:

Staunton (they have a good hospital in fishersville and then UVa is right over the mountain for the big things).

Roanoke, surprisingly nice, very beautiful setting, decently connected to the rest of the world with an Amtrak station and an airport large enough for jets.

Lynchburg seems to attract DC retirees and there are beautiful inexpensive houses there, but their hospitals are third world, would need to go to Charlottesville or Richmond for important procedures

Abingdon is way down there but I think it’s a hidden mountain gem city in Virginia: close enough to I-80 but also close to the beauty of big stone gap, Burke’s garden, etc

[Anonymous]

Charlottesville would be my choice.

[Anonymous]

I’ ve lived in both Winchester and now in Harrisonburg. I like living in Harrisonburg much better. it’s cheaper to live in Harrisonburg. you see the Mountains on a daily basis because the mountains are closer, Only like 25 minutes to Shenandoah Natl Park. Also very pleased with the Healthcare here in Harrisonburg. To me it’s more efficient and more caring.

[Anonymous]

You don’t see many mountains in Winchester, if you want mountains go to Harrisonburg.

[Anonymous]

Winchester is the cutest town! Harrisonburg is strip mall city.

[Anonymous]

Winchester, if live somewhere I could walk around town

[Anonymous]

My fil was at the brightview in staunton and it was a nice fit for him. Staunton is a cute town.

[Anonymous]

Not Harrisonburg if you are concerned with healthcare. Anything truly problematic and you have to go to Charlottesville.