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A retired Kiplinger writer says she and her husband expect to remain in Northern Virginia, citing access to hospitals, specialists and public transportation. A 2024 Transamerica survey found 62% of retirees stayed in the home they lived in before retiring; the writer says her own plan could change if staying becomes impractical.
A retired Kiplinger Personal Finance writer says she and her husband plan to remain in Northern Virginia rather than move to a traditional retirement destination, citing nearby medical care and transit while acknowledging higher housing costs and taxes. Her account, published by Seniors Guide and distributed by Tribune Content Agency, offers one household’s reasoning alongside survey data showing many retirees stay put.
The writer, Sandra Block, says she and her husband considered places they had researched and visited over the years, including college towns, beach communities and overseas destinations. After discussing their options, they concluded they would probably stay near their current home, just outside Washington, D.C. Block presents the choice as a plan rather than a permanent commitment.
A 2024 survey by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that 62% of retirees were living in the home they had occupied before retiring. Among retirees who moved, the survey reported that 36% wanted to be closer to family and friends, about one-third downsized, and about one-quarter moved to a community with a lower cost of living. The report does not provide further survey methods or a more detailed breakdown in the material cited.
Block says their location puts them less than two miles from a major hospital center and a Metro station, with a bus stop near their home. She contrasts that access with her rural hometown, where some residents may drive more than an hour to see a cardiologist and public transportation is unavailable. The comparison is her personal account, not a measure of access across all rural or urban communities.
How Location Shapes Retirement
The decision to stay or move can affect access to health care, transportation, social ties and daily expenses. Block’s account illustrates why a destination that looks attractive for a vacation may not be the best fit for a household’s long-term needs. A nearby hospital and reliable transit can matter more as driving becomes harder or medical needs change, though those services do not by themselves settle whether a location is affordable or suitable.
The survey figures also offer readers a useful distinction: moving for retirement is not the only common path. Staying in a familiar home may preserve local relationships and routines, while a move can bring a smaller home, lower expenses or closer contact with family. The figures describe reported reasons among movers; they do not show that one choice produces better financial or health outcomes.
For Block and her husband, the trade-off is specific to their circumstances. They have access to urban services but face higher living costs and property taxes. Other households will have different finances, family needs, health considerations and local options. The report supports weighing those factors, not a universal recommendation to remain near home.
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The Couple’s Local Trade-Offs
Block says the Washington-area location provides a concentration of specialists and public transportation. If the couple eventually stops driving, she says Metro rail, buses and ride-sharing services could help them continue getting around. Those are practical considerations in their decision, alongside familiarity with the area and the possibility of exploring local parks, museums and adult education after retirement.
There are costs. Block notes that Virginia does not tax Social Security benefits, but most other retirement income is subject to state income tax at a top rate of 5.75%, with eligible retirees able to claim a deduction of up to $12,000. She also says their property taxes are high, reflecting an increase in their home’s value. These details describe the writer’s stated circumstances and the rules cited in her report; individual tax obligations depend on eligibility and personal finances.
Her plans include getting to know more neighbors and helping older residents with tasks such as snow removal. She describes those local connections as part of the appeal of staying, while also recognizing that neighborhood conditions and personal needs can change over time.
“For now, I think our plan is manageable, but I’m also aware of the need to be flexible.”
— Sandra Block
accessible public transportation devices
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Whether Staying Will Remain Practical
Block does not say how long she and her husband expect to stay or what circumstances would lead them to move. She says their neighborhood could change and that aging in place might eventually stop being practical. The report does not specify what health, financial or housing changes would trigger a reassessment.
The cited survey provides broad proportions and reported reasons for moving, but the supplied material does not detail its sample size, field dates, question wording or margin of error. It also does not establish whether staying close to home is more affordable or beneficial for retirees overall. The couple’s experience should not be read as a forecast for other households.
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Reviewing the Plan Over Time
Block describes no scheduled move or other immediate next step. She plans to keep using and exploring local amenities, take adult education classes and build ties with neighbors while the couple’s current arrangement works for them. Their next decision point will depend on whether their home, neighborhood, costs and access to services continue to meet their needs.
For readers weighing a similar choice, the report points to questions to revisit over time: how easy it is to reach medical care, whether transportation remains available without driving, what housing and tax costs are manageable, and whether family or community support is nearby. The article does not prescribe a particular answer, and no future relocation by Block and her husband has been announced.
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Key Questions
What does the article say about where Sandra Block plans to retire?
Block says she and her husband will probably stay in Northern Virginia, near Washington, D.C., rather than move to another retirement destination. She describes this as their current plan and says they may reconsider if staying becomes impractical.
How many retirees stayed in their pre-retirement home in the cited survey?
The 2024 Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies survey found that 62% of retirees were staying in the home they lived in before retiring. The supplied report does not include detailed survey methods.
Why does Block say staying near home suits her household?
She cites nearby hospital care and specialists, access to Metro rail and buses, and the option of ride-sharing. She also values becoming more involved in local activities and getting to know neighbors.
What are the downsides of staying in Northern Virginia?
Block points to a higher cost of living and high property taxes. She also notes that Virginia taxes most types of retirement income, while Social Security benefits are not taxed under the rules described in her report.
Does the report recommend that retirees stay near home?
No. It presents Block’s personal decision and reasoning, along with survey figures about retirees’ living arrangements. It does not establish that staying is the best choice for everyone or compare outcomes across households.
Source: rss
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