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A retired Kiplinger Personal Finance writer says she and her husband expect to stay in Northern Virginia, citing nearby healthcare, public transit and familiar community ties. A 2024 Transamerica survey found 62% of retirees stayed in their pre-retirement homes, but the writer notes that costs and changing needs could make her own plan impractical later.
A retired Kiplinger Personal Finance writer says she and her husband expect to stay in Northern Virginia rather than move to a traditional retirement destination, pointing to nearby medical care, public transportation and community ties. Her account, published by Seniors Guide, describes a personal decision, while a 2024 Transamerica survey cited in the report found that 62% of retirees remained in the home they had before retirement.
The writer said she had spent years researching retirement destinations, including college towns, beach communities and places popular with Americans living abroad. She and her husband considered where they might want to live, including places they enjoyed visiting, but now think they will stay near Washington, D.C. Their reasons include living less than two miles from a major hospital center, access to specialists across the metropolitan area, and proximity to a Metro station and bus stop. She said ride-sharing services could offer another option if driving becomes difficult.
The report also lays out costs and limits of that choice. The writer says the area has a higher cost of living than many parts of the country and that rising home values have pushed up their property taxes. She notes that Virginia does not tax Social Security benefits, while most other types of retirement income face a top state tax rate of 5.75%; eligible retirees may deduct up to $12,000. Those details describe her household’s considerations, not a calculation of what every retiree would pay.
The Transamerica survey offers a broader snapshot: 62% stayed in their pre-retirement home. Among retirees who moved, the report says, 36% wanted to be closer to family and friends, about one-third downsized, and about one-quarter moved to a lower-cost community. The supplied report does not give the survey’s sample size or field dates, so those figures should be read with that limitation in mind.
How Location Shapes Retirement Options
Where a person retires can affect access to healthcare, transportation and support, as well as housing and taxes. The writer’s example shows why the appeal of a lower-cost or scenic destination may not settle the decision: a move can also mean losing proximity to familiar doctors, public transit, neighbors or family. These are practical trade-offs, not a single formula for choosing where to live.
Remaining in place may preserve routines and relationships, but it does not guarantee that a home or neighborhood will remain suitable. The writer says she is keeping open the possibility of moving if aging in place becomes impractical. Her account also points to the value of local connections: she describes helping older neighbors with snow shoveling and hopes others may help her in the future.
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Survey Results and Personal Choices
The Seniors Guide report is written by Sandra Block, identified as a contributing editor at Kiplinger Personal Finance. It recounts her own retirement planning after years of covering possible destinations. Her conclusion is provisional: she and her husband think they will stay, but she says they may reconsider as circumstances change.
The survey numbers provide context rather than a forecast for any particular household. The reported reasons for moving include family and friends, downsizing and lower living costs, while Block’s reasons for staying include healthcare access and transit. Her comparison with her rural hometown illustrates how services differ by place, but it is an individual observation, not a national measure of rural access.
“For now, I think our plan is manageable, but I’m also aware of the need to be flexible.”
— Sandra Block
What Could Change the Plan
The report does not establish whether Block and her husband will remain in Northern Virginia long term. She says their neighborhood could change or aging in place could stop being practical, but does not specify what circumstances would prompt a move. The article also does not provide a detailed household budget, future care needs or an assessment of how accessible their home is.
The survey figures are attributed to Transamerica’s 2024 survey, but the source material supplied here does not state its sample size, methodology or exact survey dates. The reported percentages therefore cannot answer how representative the findings are of all retirees or how preferences differ by income, health or location.
Planning for Future Needs
Block describes making more use of her current area by visiting parks and museums, enrolling in adult education and getting to know neighbors. She does not report a planned move or a specific future decision date. Her next steps, as described, are to enjoy nearby amenities while staying open to a change if the home or local support becomes inadequate.
For retirees weighing similar choices, the report highlights questions to examine: whether medical care and transportation will remain accessible, whether housing costs are sustainable, and whether family or neighbors can provide support. The article does not offer individualized financial or health guidance, and the right balance will depend on each household’s circumstances.
Key Questions
How many retirees stayed in their pre-retirement home?
The report cites a 2024 Transamerica survey finding that 62% of retirees were still living in the home they had before retirement. The supplied material does not give the survey’s sample size or field dates.
Why does the writer plan to stay in Northern Virginia?
She cites nearby hospitals and specialists, access to Metro rail and buses, and the possibility of using ride-sharing services if driving becomes difficult. Familiarity and neighborhood ties also feature in her account.
Why do some retirees move, according to the report?
Among retirees who relocated, the cited survey found that 36% wanted to be closer to family and friends, about one-third downsized, and about one-quarter moved to a lower-cost community.
Does the writer rule out moving later?
No. She says the current plan is manageable but that she and her husband may reconsider if their neighborhood changes or aging in place is no longer practical.
Source: rss
