Williamsburg, Virginia

What It Is Like to Retire in Williamsburg

Williamsburg, Virginia is a great place to retire as is evidenced by its selection by Money Magazine as #5 on its list of “Best Places to Live”. Colonial Williamsburg is actually a living representation/restoration of the 18th century colonial capital. If you are a history buff and you love antiques, this is the place for you. Shops and cafes in the downtown area look like museum places but are all functional. In fact, it looks like Patrick Henry or Thomas Jefferson could be that customer at the next table.

Williamsburg is a very desirable place to live for anyone, but particularly for active adults 55+ who have the time and inclination to live a slower lifestyle. Williamsburg has a population of just over 15,000 souls (2020), and more than 4 million visitors.  Williamsburg is located in James City County in southeastern Virginia. Norfolk is 41 miles away. Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown make up America's Historic Triangle. For a list of profiles on over 600 cities and towns go to reviews of the best retirement communities. Here are reviews of towns like Northern Neck and Charlottesville.

Where to Retire in Williamsburg and Home Prices

Retirees can choose to live in an antique home in the downtown, or in one of the 55+ or upscale developments nearby.  See links at top left for Williamsburg active adult communities. Real estate is very expensive in Williamsburg. According to Zillow, the median home value was $424,000 in late 2023. Property taxes are low.

What Is Special about Williamsburg

You get to live in an 18th Century Museum. College of William and Mary, proximity to the beaches of Virginia and North Carolina; many upscale housing opportunities for retirees, including many apartments, great shops, Busch Gardens

What Is Not Special about Williamsburg

Williamsburg is so desirable that is has become expensive. The tourists can make it crowded.

Who Will Like Retirement in Williamsburg

People live in Williamsburg who like being in an antique atmosphere and don’t mind the continual presence of tourists. Typically residents like older homes and are interested in colonial U.S. history..

Local Economy Is Driven by

Tourism, retail, education, real estate.

Climate and Physical Environment

Williamsburg is just inland on the coast of southern Virginia. It is flat with many waterways. The average July high is 89 degrees and the average January low is 28.  July is the wettest month. For help on how to retire in Virginia or towns like Alexandria and Charlottesville

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

A lot of Williamsburg’s culture revolves around its colonial setting. History buffs will find everything they need here. The College of William and Mary has many cultural offerings. The Williamsburg Regional Library is extremely well funded and has more than 281,000 volumes. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at William & Mary (formerly the Christopher Wren Association), offers courses to members 50 and older who have a desire to continue academic learning.

Crime

Crime rate is very low in Williamsburg.

Medical facilities

There are at least 2 hospitals in town, including Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center and Riverside Doctors' Hospital. Richmond and Hampton have additional hospitals, including the Veterans medical center in Hampton.

Transportation

Newport News/Williamsburg Airport is about 25 minutes away. Norfolk Airport and Richmond Airports are less than an hour away.

Valuable Links

Williamsburg Convention and Visitors Bureau City of Williamsburg