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Retirement Living In Nelson County - Virginia


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Area Description

Located in the geographic center of the state, Nelson County is approximately two hours from Richmond, three hours from Washington, D.C. and four hours from Charlotte, North Carolina. The elevation ranges from about 500 feet above sea level near the James River to more than 4,000 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The climate is moderately warm in the summers, and winters are moderately cool, with relatively low amounts of snow. Wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries, as well as numerous fruit orchards abound in the area, mixed with rural farms and valleys east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There's lots of outdoor recreation including hiking, with 45 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the county, Crabtree Falls, kayaking on the Tye, Rockfish or James Rivers, fishing, hunting, and biking being popular activities. Wintergreen Resort offers skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and tennis and golf in the warmer months, plus a month-long classical music festival on top of the mountain. Lodging options include bed & breakfasts, cabins and vacation rentals, two campgrounds and a variety of restaurants are available too, with everything from gourmet to BBQ, pizza, pub food and more. Waltons Mountain Museum is in Nelson County, as well as the Oakland Museum with exhibits on Hurricane Camille in 1969. Numerous venues offer live music and events throughout the year, and there's always something to do.

Includes Cities/Towns: Afton, Arrington, Gladstone, Lovingston, Montebello, Nellysford, Norwood, Piney River, Roseland, Schuyler, Shipman, Tyro, Wingina.

Region Characteristics





Area Amenities

Things to Do, Recreation & Fitness
   There's lots of outdoor recreation including hiking, with 45 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the county, Crabtree Falls, kayaking on the Tye, Rockfish or James Rivers, fishing, hunting, and biking being popular activities. Wintergreen Resort offers skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and tennis and golf in the warmer months, plus a month-long classical music festival on top of the mountain. Many visitors come to the area to visit our breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries, and to pick up bushels of fresh peaches or apples from our farms and orchards, some of which are pick-your-own. Historic venues include the Waltons Mountain Museum, Oakland Museum (with Hurricane Camille exhibits), Pharsalia, Oak Ridge Estate, Swannanoa Palace, the Rockfish Valley Foundation Natural History Center and our many historic districts and areas: Lovingston, Schuyler, Afton-Greenwood, South Rockfish, Norwood-Wingina and Warminster along the James River. Many festivals, events and live music are offered year-round by venues around the county.

Cultural Activities
From antiques, to fine arts and crafts galleries, a farmer's market with craft vendors, artisan and artist studios, and music festivals like the Wintergreen Performing Arts Summer Music Festival, there's something for everyone in Nelson County. The Nelson Memorial Library offers free films for family viewing. Local and regional artists play live music at our breweries, wineries and other venues, so it's always easy to find entertainment close to home! Plus, Charlottesville and Lynchburg are within a 45 minutes drive, for additional cultural opportunities.

Public transportation
Amtrak train transportation is available in nearby Charlottesville, and closest (regional) airports are in Charlottesville and in Lynchburg. Taxi and limousine services are listed on nelsoncounty.com

Medical Facilities


University of Virginia (UVA) in Charlottesville
Lynchburg General Hospital (Lynchburg)
Stoney Creek Family Medicine (Nellysford)
Blue Ridge Medical Center (Arrington)


What Will The Climate And Weather Be Like If I Retire In Nelson County, Virginia?

For those of you that retire in Nelson County, you will enjoy warm summers, a cool fall, a cold winter and a temperate spring!

Winter temperatures are cold with averages in the mid 30's and highs in the upper 40's. Nights are cold with lows in the mid 20's. Expect some rainy days in the winter.

If the weather in the spring is too cold for the outdoors, enjoy some indoor activities in Nelson County such as a visit to a museum, dining, nightlife or some shopping. Spring temperatures are cool with averages in the mid 50's and highs in the mid 60's. Nights are cold with lows in the low 40's. Expect some rainy days in the spring.

Summertime in Nelson County is a great time to enjoy your retirement with a day at the lake, an outdoor concert, a local festival or other outdoor activity! Summer temperatures are mild with averages in the low 70's and highs in the mid 80's. Nights are cool with lows in the low 60's. Expect some days above 90°. Humidity may feel "sticky" with muggy evenings. Expect some rainy days in the summer.

If you retire in Nelson County, you can look forward to fall weather activities such as biking on a bike path, hiking, enjoying a walking path and more! Fall temperatures are cool with averages in the mid 50's and highs in the upper 60's. Nights are cold with lows in the mid 40's. Expect some rainy days in the fall.

Monthly Temperature Ranges

 Month  Low  Avg  High
 Jan  24 F°  35 F°  45 F°
 Feb  26 F°  37 F°  49 F°
 Mar  32 F°  45 F°  57 F°
 Apr  41 F°  54 F°  67 F°
 May  51 F°  63 F°  75 F°
 Jun  60 F°  71 F°  83 F°
 Jul  64 F°  75 F°  86 F°
 Aug  63 F°  74 F°  85 F°
 Sep  55 F°  67 F°  78 F°
 Oct  44 F°  56 F°  69 F°
 Nov  35 F°  47 F°  59 F°
 Dec  27 F°  37 F°  48 F°

Monthly Average # of Hot and Cold Days

 Month  Days Greater Than 90 F°  Days Less Than 32 F°  Days Less Than 0 F°
 Jan  0  25  0
 Feb  0  22  0
 Mar  0  16  0
 Apr  0  5  0
 May  1  0  0
 Jun  4  0  0
 Jul  8  0  0
 Aug  6  0  0
 Sep  2  0  0
 Oct  0  4  0
 Nov  0  13  0
 Dec  0  23  0

Rain & Humidity

 Month  Rainfall  Rainy Days  Humidity
 Jan  3 "  8  24 %
 Feb  3 "  8  25 %
 Mar  4 "  9  31 %
 Apr  4 "  9  40 %
 May  4 "  11  52 %
 Jun  4 "  9  62 %
 Jul  4 "  10  65 %
 Aug  4 "  9  64 %
 Sep  4 "  7  58 %
 Oct  4 "  7  47 %
 Nov  4 "  8  36 %
 Dec  3 "  8  28 %

Snow

 Month  Snowfall  Snow On Ground Days  Snowy Days
 Jan  5 "  4  2
 Feb  5 "  4  2
 Mar  2 "  1  1
 Apr  0 "  0  0
 May  0 "  0  0
 Jun  0 "  0  0
 Jul  0 "  0  0
 Aug  0 "  0  0
 Sep  0 "  0  0
 Oct  0 "  0  0
 Nov  1 "  0  0
 Dec  3 "  3  1


Natural Disaster Areas

Cost of Living for Nelson County, VA

Nelson County, Virginia cost of living for Housing, Healthcare, Transportation, Taxes, Utilities, etc.:

 Cost of Living

Demographics

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Age

Senior Housing Options





 Single family homes, cabins, some apartments, condos and vacation homes at Wintergreen Resort, and Rosewood Village, an over-50 community. Stoney Creek (part of Wintergreen Resort) is also mainly a retirement community in Nellysford.

Senior Assistance in Nelson County, VA

Nelson County, Virginia offers the following assistance for seniors:
The Nelson Center offers a JABA day program for seniors, and has a Physical Therapy facility. There are some home care services that operate in the county, including physical therapists and nurse visits. Jaunt buses also offer transportation to nearby areas. Medical transport services available.

What Job or Volunteer Opportunities Does Nelson County Offer For Retirees?

Job opportunities include working for local tourism venues, for community organizations, private companies, in the schools and churches.

Volunteer opportunities are available through various non-profit organizations, including the SPCA, Habitat for Humanity, fire depts, garden clubs,food pantries, museums, and community centers.

Additional Information

Visitor Information

Relocation Information


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