Abingdon Gains National Acclaim as Ideal Retirement Town
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The secret’s out: This is a terrific place to retire.
In its November/December 2005 issue‚ Where to Retire magazine praised Abingdon as an “undiscovered haven.” The Wall Street Journal on Jan. 23‚ 2006‚ featured the town as an ideal retirement community‚ with stunning vistas‚ a thriving arts community and a charming downtown.
“We’ve gotten a lot of inquiries lately – people from other states have been calling to request relocation packets and retirement information‚” says Suzanne Lay‚ executive vice president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
“The main attraction is the quality of life here‚ from the arts and education to abundant natural resources and a mild climate. Abingdon is a small town with a lot of the amenities of a large metropolitan area‚” Lay says‚ “without massive traffic jams.”
Other pluses include attractive housing options for seniors‚ including the new ElderSpirit Community‚ where nearly 40 residents in 29 private residences pledge to help care for one another in their later years.
Dene Peterson‚ a former nun‚ teamed up with the local Federation of Communities in Service organ ization to plan and build the ElderSpirit Community‚ which opened in June 2006.
“I’m 76‚ and when I looked at places to retire 10 years ago‚ I couldn’t find a place I liked‚” Peterson says. “I wanted an active‚ meaningful lifestyle among friends‚ but I saw elderly people in high-rises dying without anyone even knowing who they were.”
The ElderSpirit Community‚ which sits on the outskirts of Abingdon adjacent to the Virginia Creeper Trail‚ offers a refreshing alternative. Residents can choose from duplexes‚ townhouses and apartments‚ and there’s a common house where they can eat together and hold discussions on topics such as spirituality and the role of elders in the world. The non-denominational community is open to people of any faith.
“We define spirituality as the relationship with ourselves‚ our environment and a higher being‚” Peterson says. “We’re an active community with a good variety of ages‚ and we share a really meaningful lifestyle.”
Each resident at the ElderSpirit Community donates four hours per week to the community‚ whether it be by land scaping‚ cooking‚ teaching an art class‚ giving a fellow resident a ride to the doctor or “whatever it takes to help each other‚” she says. “When people eventually become frail‚ our ideal is they will be able to die at home with a mutual support system.”
The ElderSpirit concept has been well received. All 29 homes have been reserved‚ and a second such development is planned locally within three years. “We’re looking for land now‚” Peterson says.
Retirees also are attracted to the area for the Abingdon Senior Center‚ where they can participate in numerous programs and volunteer opportunities.
“We recently made quilts for hurricane victims along the Gulf Coast‚ and we also have a group of volunteers and staff that does Meals on Wheels‚” says Polly Wirt‚ executive director.
Between 300 and 400 adults ages 50 and over frequent the senior center each month for activities such as ballroom dancing‚ exercise classes‚ crafts‚ and a monthly game night and covered-dish supper.
The senior center also offers health screening‚ walking paths‚ day trips and a self-service library with books‚ games‚ puzzles and music.
For those who want to further their education‚ the College for Older Adults offers classes on a variety of topics for just $35 for a six-week session.
“Classes are taught by volunteer instructors‚ and seniors can learn about a number of interesting things – they can learn to speak Spanish or learn about opera‚” the chamber’s Lay says. “The number of participants at the College for Older Adults has grown by leaps and bounds every semester.”
“[The Barter Theatre] is only one of the myriad attractions and achievements‚ both long-running and recent‚ that have made this town of 8‚000 inhabitants one of the most desirable places in the region to visit and retire. In fact‚ there are so many activities‚ educational opportunities‚ social events‚ festivals‚ fundraisers and worthy volunteer organizations in Abingdon that many residents are hard pressed to decide how to divide their time.”
– Where to Retire magazine‚ November/December 2005
“The combination of breathtaking views‚ a small-town feel and cultural depth are drawing retirees to this hardscrabble part of Virginia. New students are swelling the rolls at the local College for Older Adults‚ the Abingdon Newcomers Club is getting bigger‚ and two-story brick homes are starting to spring up alongside cow pastures.”
– The Wall Street Journal‚ Jan. 23‚ 2006
Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by Antony Boshier
