One Of The Best Places For Retirees Is A Breathtaking Virginia Town Full Of Art

Anyone who is thinking of retiring soon is probably thinking about where they should be living in order to make the most of their golden years. This person might also be thinking about just how much they need to retire comfortably, as well as how to stretch their budget to get the most out of their fixed income. Both of these considerations are important when you leave the workforce and thankfully, there is a place that is perfect for retirees who are cultured, artistic, and still looking to get the most out of life: Roanoke, Virginia.

Believe it or not, this historical town was named the number one affordable and beautiful place to retire along the East Coast by GOBankingRates, with a study that found 20% of the population is age 65 or older and a livability score of 75. Not only that, but as of 2023, the total monthly expenditures for a retiree in Roanoke was under $2,000.

Retirement looks different today than it did about 40 years ago, with inflation making the cost of everyday items and services go up, as well as additional expenses added due to advancements in technology and healthcare. Luckily, living in Roanoke — a town known for its history — retirees can find that their cost of living tends to be lower, about 9% compared to the rest of the country, according to PayScale.

Apartments.com noted that when it comes to living in Roanoke, housing costs are 23.7% below the national average, with rents ranging from $769 to $1,541 as of July, 2025. Additionally, retirees living in this small Virginia town pay 2.8% less for groceries and 2.5% less for transportation, making it an incredibly affordable place to call home. If you are looking to have an easy life that's not too expensive, Roanoke might be the place for you to retire, where a single person can live for $31,200 annually, as calculated by BestPlaces.

Some people try to avoid various stages of retirement as a retiree, while others lean in and embrace not only their age, but their interests as well. That's why Roanoke is the ideal place for a retiree who might consider themselves a connoisseur of arts and culture. The official Visit Roanoke website has listed a number of different places retirees can go to experience concerts, live performances, and many other forms of artistic expression in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains.

Venues like the Mill Mountain Theatre offer family friendly entertainment for just $23-$31 per seat while the Taubman Museum of Art is an eye-popping building of modern architecture that always has free general admission. Music lovers can take in local shows and bands at the Jefferson Center, Berglund Center, or 5 Points Music Sanctuary, where general admission for a variety of acts tends to be in the range of $31.22 per person. All of these artistic homes make Roanoke a cultural hub for retirees who like to spend their time enjoying the finer things in life without spending a fortune to do so.