Population: 79,812
Cost of living: 90.3 (national median = 100)
Median home price: $180,450 (national median: $185,000)
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Healthy highlight: More than 18 miles of trails on a 300-acre greenway running through the city
Lynchburg's natural beauty makes it easy for retirees to stay active. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and overlooking the James River, the City of Seven Hills has more than 18 miles of urban trails for hiking, running and biking. Blackwater Creek Trail, for instance, hugs a creek and passes a waterfall and a historic train tunnel on its way through the city. Lynchburg was named the outstanding runner-friendly community by the Road Runners Club of America in 2011.
12 Great Places to Retire for Your Good Health
- Naples, Fla.
- Lynchburg, Va.
- Billings, Mont.
- Greensboro, N.C.
- Omaha, Neb.
- Nashville, Tenn.
- Columbus, Ohio
- Seattle
- Austin, Tex.
- Philadelphia
- St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Augusta, Ga.
Just steps away from the Blackwater trail is Lynchburg's historic downtown, where 120-year-old warehouses are being renovated into everything from artist studios and lofts (two-bedroom units rent for about $1,000 a month) to galleries and restaurants. The Lynchburg Community Market is open five days a week and features a bustling farmers market and live music every Saturday morning. The Lynchburg Is for Locavores program spotlights fresh food from local farms.
Lynchburg is also home to several theater groups, a symphony and an opera company, and it hosts a series of riverfront concerts and arts festivals. The community has raised more than $16.6 million to restore the historic Academy Theatre on Main Street, which will be the marquee building for a busy arts center. With five colleges in town and several more nearby, opportunities for cultural, educational and athletic events abound.
Kids and grandkids can have hours of fun at the Amazement Square children’s museum, a block from the river in a renovated Civil War–era building. And the whole family can enjoy the Lynchburg Hillcats, a minor-league baseball affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Smith Mountain Lake, Wintergreen ski resort and the Appalachian Trail are all within an hour's drive, and Amtrak gets you to Washington, D.C., in 3 1/2 hours.
Health care centers around Centra Health, a nationally recognized health care system. Its flagship hospital specializes in cardiology, emergency medicine, orthopedics, neurology and neurosurgery.
Virginia doesn't tax Social Security benefits, but it does tax residents on their incomes, including federal and military pensions, at rates up to 5.75%. Residents 65 and older can deduct up to $12,000 per person, depending on their income.
-
Ask the Editor — Tax Questions on the New Senior DeductionAsk the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, we answer tax questions from readers on the new $6,000 deduction for taxpayers 65 and older.
-
These Summer 2025 Back-to-School Tax-Free Weekends Start NowSales Tax Over a dozen states offer back-to-school shoppers a sales tax holiday this summer.
-
457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2025Retirement plans There are higher 457 plan contribution limits for state and local government workers in 2025. That's good news for state and local government employees.
-
Medicare Basics: 12 Things You Need to KnowMedicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
-
The Seven Worst Assets to Leave Your Kids or Grandkidsinheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2025SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $70,000 in 2025, up from $69,000 in 2024.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up. Here's what you need to know.
-
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2025simple IRA The SIMPLE IRA contribution limit increased by $500 for 2025. Workers at small businesses can contribute up to $16,500 or $20,000 if 50 or over and $21,750 if 60-63.
-
457 Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
-
Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2025retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2025 increased, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.
