Blog Post

Maybe the best places to live aren’t the ones that ask you to choose. A good small town can give you dinner at a locally owned restaurant on Friday, a farmers market on Saturday and a familiar face waving from across the street on Sunday, while keeping the places you need within easy reach.

Across Virginia, towns with deep roots are attracting 55+ homebuyers for exactly that reason. They offer history without feeling stuck in the past, culture without the crowds and a sense of community that’s increasingly difficult to find.

Cornerstone Homes has chosen some of these places for its 55+ communities. And while Glen Allen, Smithfield and Abingdon are decidedly different, each makes a compelling case for putting down roots.

Glen Allen & Hanover County: Room to Grow Something Good

Just outside Richmond, Hanover County has long offered a little breathing room without requiring residents to give up the advantages of the capital region.

Here, Chickahominy Falls takes that connection to the land one step further.

Virginia’s first and only 55+ agrihood was created around Woodside Farms, a working farm that puts fresh food and the land at the center of community life. Trails wind through natural spaces. Neighbors gather around food, activities and shared interests. And Woodside Market brings the farm close to home with fresh offerings, prepared foods and weekly meals.

Yet Richmond’s restaurants, museums, cultural attractions, healthcare and shopping remain nearby.

It’s a distinctly Virginia combination with a little country, a little city and plenty of room in between.

Smithfield: History Along the Water

Head southeast and the scenery changes.

Smithfield is the kind of Virginia town where history isn’t tucked away behind museum doors because it's just part of the streetscape.

Its historic downtown, locally owned shops and restaurants, waterfront setting and mature trees give the town a sense of place that simply can’t be manufactured.

Church Square by Cornerstone Homes fits naturally here.

This intimate 55+ community offers low-maintenance, main-level living in an established setting just minutes from downtown Smithfield and the waterfront. Residents can enjoy the neighborhood clubhouse and a close-knit community at home, then head into town for lunch, shopping or an afternoon near the water.

For buyers who have spent years surrounded by traffic and development, Smithfield offers something increasingly valuable: space to slow down without feeling removed from everything.

Abingdon: A Small Town With a Serious Arts Scene

Then there’s Abingdon.

Set amid the mountains of Southwest Virginia, this historic town has earned an outsized reputation for arts, food and culture.

The Barter Theatre has been drawing audiences for generations. The Virginia Creeper Trail begins here, offering miles of some of the region’s most beautiful scenery. Downtown brings together galleries, restaurants, shops, historic architecture and a steady calendar of events.

And at Villas at White’s Mill, much of it is remarkably close to home.

Located just a couple of blocks from downtown Abingdon, this 55+ community offers a rare opportunity to pair a low-maintenance new home with the character of an established Southern town.

Dinner downtown doesn’t require making an evening of the drive. A performance at the Barter can become a regular outing rather than a special occasion. And when the mountains begin changing color each fall, one of Virginia’s prettiest seasons unfolds practically outside your door.

Choosing a Home and a Hometown

At 55+, homebuying priorities have a way of changing. Square footage may matter a little less than how you’ll use it. Maintenance matters more. So does being near the people, places and experiences you enjoy.

And location takes on a different meaning.

It isn’t simply about proximity to an office anymore. It’s about what you’d like to be close to when the day belongs to you.

Maybe that’s a working farm and trails through the Virginia countryside. Maybe it’s a historic waterfront town. Or perhaps it’s a Saturday at the farmers market followed by dinner and a show in the mountains.

That’s the beauty of Cornerstone Homes’ 55+ communities across Virginia. The homes are thoughtfully designed for the way you want to live now—and the places beyond your front door give you plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy it.

Explore Cornerstone Homes’ 55+ communities in Glen Allen, Smithfield and Abingdon, Virginia, and find the hometown that feels right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About 55+ Living in Virginia

Where does Cornerstone Homes offer 55+ communities in Virginia?

Cornerstone Homes offers thoughtfully designed 55+ communities in some of Virginia’s most appealing destinations, including Chickahominy Falls in Hanover County, Church Square in Smithfield and Villas at White’s Mill in Abingdon. Each offers its own sense of place, from farm-centered living near Richmond to historic small towns rich in culture and character.

What should I look for in a 55+ community in Virginia?

Start with the way you want to spend your days. A thoughtfully planned 55+ community should offer a home that suits the way you live now, along with a location, amenities and opportunities to connect that complement your interests. Low-maintenance living, main-level living and access to dining, culture, recreation and healthcare may also be important considerations.

What makes small-town Virginia appealing for 55+ living?

Virginia’s smaller towns offer an inviting balance of history, natural beauty, local restaurants and shops, cultural experiences and a genuine sense of community. Places such as Smithfield and Abingdon offer plenty to see and do while maintaining the character and ease that make small-town living so appealing.

Are Cornerstone Homes communities designed specifically for adults 55 and better?

Yes. Cornerstone Homes specializes in creating 55+ communities designed around the priorities of today’s active adult homebuyer, with thoughtfully planned homes, low-maintenance living and communities that make it easier to spend more time enjoying the people, places and pursuits that matter most.