You’ve heard of the incredible towns in Virginia. Richmond, Charlottesville, and Norfolk are all great places to retire, but Roanoke is a city that many people don’t know much about. It’s not as well-known as some of these other cities for retirement, but it has a lot to offer retirees who want something different from their golden years. In this article, we tell you why you should consider a retire in Roanoke, VA, and help you decide if it’s right for you or not!
Natural Beauty
Roanoke is surrounded by mountains and is a great place to hike and bike. The city has many hiking, biking, and walking trails open to the public. You can also go on scenic drives or stroll down streets lined with beautiful trees, flowers, and wildlife.
There are also many lakes and rivers nearby that provide beautiful scenery for fishing or boating activities. There are galore trees in this area—oak trees are common here and dogwoods (a state flower) which blossom during springtime. The views across these natural landmarks make for stunning scenes!
You’ll also find wildlife roaming around here—including deer and foxes! If you want to get close to nature while still enjoying some creature comforts, Roanoke may be right up your alley!
Access To Mountain Activities
The great outdoors is all around you in Roanoke. The Appalachian Trail, which spans over 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine, passes not far from town. Hiking trails are plentiful within the city and surrounding area.
Additionally, there are many parks in and around Roanoke that offer outdoor activities such as canoeing on the Roanoke River Greenway and kayaking at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. If you’re looking for something less strenuous than hiking or kayaking, you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at one of our many museums or theaters for live music performances.
Diverse Economy With Strong Job Growth
The Roanoke Valley has a diverse economy and is growing rapidly. The unemployment rate is low at 2.6%, which is below the national average of 3.8%.
Average housing costs vary depending on where you live within Roanoke City limits; however, there are several affordable areas within reasonable commuting distance from downtown amenities like work/play spaces along one’s commute route home or elsewhere in town should one want to spend more time away from their home base during evenings/weekends instead of driving long distances every day just so they could go grocery shopping halfway through their weekdays when stores are closed anyway!
Historic Downtown Area, Local Farmers Market
The downtown area has great restaurants and shops as well as many historic buildings to explore. There’s also a farmers market every Saturday, where farmers from all over come together in one area to sell their produce and products. This gives locals another chance to interact with each other outside of work or school! It’s an excellent place for people watching too—you never know what might happen there!
Low Crime Rate
Roanoke’s crime rate is incredibly low. According to the FBI, Roanoke has a violent crime rate that’s 426.82 per 100,000 population, lower than the national average, and below Virginia’s average. With such a low crime rate, you can feel comfortable leaving your home unlocked when you leave for work in the morning or running errands on your lunch break without worrying about someone breaking in or stealing something from your home.
Peace And Serenity
Roanoke is a quiet city. If you’re looking for a place to relax, Roanoke is the perfect spot. Its green spaces and quiet neighborhoods make it the perfect place for those who want to get away from big city life. You’ll never feel rushed or hurried when walking through this mountain town’s streets, making it an ideal place for retirees who want to slow down and enjoy life at their own pace.
