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A Seniors Guide report by Kiplinger contributing editor Sandra Block describes her decision to remain in Northern Virginia in retirement, citing nearby healthcare and public transportation while acknowledging higher housing and tax costs. A 2024 Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies survey found 62% of retirees stayed in the home they lived in before retiring; the figures describe survey respondents, not a rule for where retirees should live.
Most retirees surveyed in 2024 stayed in the home they occupied before retiring, according to the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. In a report published by Seniors Guide, Kiplinger contributing editor Sandra Block describes choosing to remain in Northern Virginia, saying nearby healthcare and transit weigh against the area’s higher living and housing costs.
The survey found that 62% of retirees were still living in their pre-retirement home. Among retirees who moved, the most commonly reported reasons included being closer to family and friends, downsizing, and moving somewhere with a lower cost of living. The source reports that 36% wanted to be closer to family and friends, about a third downsized, and about a quarter moved to a lower-cost community. The report does not provide further details about the survey’s sample or methodology.
Block says her household’s decision reflects practical considerations rather than a claim that one location suits everyone. Their home is less than two miles from a major hospital center and a Metro station, with a bus stop nearby. She contrasts that access with her rural hometown, where she says residents may drive more than an hour to see a cardiologist and public transportation is unavailable.
There are costs to staying put. Block notes that Northern Virginia is more expensive than many parts of the country, and says her property taxes have risen with the value of the home. She also cites Virginia’s tax treatment: the state does not tax Social Security benefits, while most other retirement income is taxed at a top rate of 5.75%, with a deduction of up to $12,000 available to eligible retirees.
Healthcare and Transit Shape the Choice
The report highlights how retirement location can affect access to medical care, transportation and social support, not just housing costs or scenery. Remaining in a familiar area may preserve relationships and make it easier to reach doctors, shops and community activities. For someone who can no longer drive, nearby transit or dependable rides can become especially relevant.
Those advantages do not settle the financial question. A higher-cost area may strain retirement income, while moving to a cheaper place could mean longer trips to specialists or less access to transit. The survey figures offer a snapshot of where respondents live and why some moved; they do not establish which choice produces better health, finances or quality of life.
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A Personal Choice, Not a Formula
Block writes that she spent years researching retirement destinations for Kiplinger, including college towns, beach communities and overseas locations. She says that even after considering places she enjoyed visiting, she and her husband expect to remain near Washington, D.C. Their decision reflects the services and connections they already have, alongside the trade-offs they accept.
The report describes other paths as well: friends who moved to be closer to adult children, people who relocated to the Midwest for lower costs, and a couple who downsized into a 55-plus community. These examples are personal accounts, while the 2024 Transamerica survey supplies the broader figures. Neither source says that retirees should stay or move in every case.
“We’ll probably stay where we are – in Northern Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C.”
— Sandra Block, Kiplinger contributing editor, in the Seniors Guide report
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Costs and Needs May Change
The source does not give the survey’s full methodology, sample size or the exact wording used to ask retirees about moving. The reported percentages should be read as survey findings, not as a complete picture of all retirees or a forecast of future decisions.
Block says her current plan is manageable but does not provide a household budget or specify what financial or health changes would prompt a move. It is also unclear whether their neighborhood’s services, affordability and social connections will remain the same as they age. The report does not compare outcomes for people who stay with those who relocate.
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Revisit the Plan Over Time
Block describes her immediate approach as making more use of the area: visiting parks and museums, taking adult education classes and getting to know neighbors. She also recounts helping older homeowners with snow clearing, a small example of the informal support that can matter to people who remain in a community.
Her report points to a decision that may need review rather than a one-time answer. A retiree’s health, income, transportation needs, family circumstances or local services can change. Block says she and her husband may reconsider if aging in place becomes impractical; the source gives no timeline or planned move.
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Key Questions
How many retirees in the cited survey stayed in their pre-retirement home?
The 2024 Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies survey found that 62% of retirees were living in the home they had before retirement. The report does not include the survey’s sample size or detailed methodology.
Why did some retirees move?
Among people who relocated, the report says 36% wanted to be closer to family and friends, about a third downsized, and about a quarter moved to a community with a lower cost of living. These figures are reported from the survey and do not describe every retiree who moved.
What are the benefits of staying near home described in the report?
Block points to nearby hospitals and specialists, public transportation and familiarity with the area. These are features of her Northern Virginia circumstances, not a guarantee that staying will suit other retirees.
What costs can make staying difficult?
Block cites the higher cost of living and rising property taxes in her area. She also notes Virginia’s tax rules for retirement income; the effect on any individual depends on eligibility, income and personal circumstances.
Does the report recommend that retirees stay close to home?
No. It presents Block’s personal choice and survey findings, while describing reasons other retirees moved. The report does not compare outcomes or establish that staying or relocating is best for everyone.
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