Spend Your Golden Years on Lake Anna
By Arielle Patterson, Updated by Kelsey Thomas
When you reach a certain age or point in your career, you begin to think about retirement. The ideal retirement lifestyle involves endless days of relaxation in peaceful surroundings. Many retirees decide to relocate to a new locale that better suits their retirement interests and budget. If you’re thinking about retiring to a new place, consider beautiful Lake Anna.
In 2018, AARP ranked Virginia as one of the fifth “Best States to Retire.” The state was praised for its array of leisure activities, access to natural settings, historical attractions and more. All of this can be found near Lake Anna. Main factors that come into play when deciding where to retire include cost of living, climate, activities and most importantly, proximity to medical facilities.

Cost of Living near Lake Anna
Virginia is well-known for being a “retirement-friendly state.” Social Security income is not subject to Virginia’s income tax, and sales tax ranges from 5.3% to 6%, depending on the county. With the money you save, you can decide which Lake Anna community is right for you, as there are plenty to choose from in the area. Would you like to spend your days by the water or in a more secluded, wooded area? Homes in Lake Anna range from cozy cottages and family homes to waterfront adobes.


Spotsylvania, Louisa and Orange all border Lake Anna and are fantastic places to retire to. The three counties range from rural to suburban with a majority of residents owning their own homes. The medium home value is slightly above the national average, but is lower than neighboring counties and larger cities. Property taxes on homes in the Lake Anna area are well below the state and national average. Retiring to Lake Anna also offers the opportunity to start completely fresh and build your own dream home.
Lake Anna Climate
The average climate near Lake Anna is similar to the rest of the mid-Atlantic. Snow isn’t uncommon near Lake Anna, as it usually snows about once or twice per month during the winter. The weather begins to warm up as early as April, when temperatures can reach about 71°F. Temperatures increase throughout the spring and summer months and reach an average high of 90°F in July. Fall ushers in changing leaves and balmy weather, with an average temperature of 70°F.
Activities near Lake Anna
With over 200 miles of shoreline and even more to do on land, your life doesn’t have to stop just because you’re retiring. Anglers can spend their days fishing for Lake Anna’s local catch, like striped bass, catfish, crappie and more. Once you master your line, enter one of the local or regional fishing competitions that take place in Lake Anna year-round. There’s so much more to do on the water, too. Go boating, jet skiing, tubing, wakeboarding and more on the lake to maintain an active lifestyle. Canoeing and kayaking are more relaxing activities that get you closer to nature. Your family will also love visiting you at Lake Anna and spending their days on the lake or exploring the area’s natural surroundings.

Off the water, Lake Anna is home to Lake Anna State Park. This is the perfect backdrop for a day of hiking through wooded forests and spotting the wildlife. There are also many historical sites, golf courses and more nearby. The counties around Lake Anna offer a lot of charm, but you may start to yearn for some of the amenities of a larger city. If you decide to retire at Lake Anna, you will be just around the corner from several cities, including Charlottesville, Culpeper, Fredericksburg and Richmond, all of which you can find premier shopping, dining and entertainment.
Proximity to Medical Facilities
Of course, we all want our years in retirement to be fun and games. However, a major factor that cannot be ignored is health and wellness, making it important to be close to medical facilities. When it comes to living in Lake Anna, you’re in good hands.
There are multiple hospitals and urgent care facilities with great patient care, including Culpeper Regional Hospital, Martha Jefferson Hospital, Prime Care Urgent Family Care, Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center and University of Virginia Health Systems. No matter which county you decide to settle in, you can be at ease knowing that medical establishments are close by and easy to get to for check-ups or emergencies.
If your golden years include the companionship of a pet, you’re also close to the Lake Anna Veterinary Hospital. They are highly rated and take great care of all animals. So not only do you have access to medical facilities, but so do your furry friends!
So what are you waiting for? Relax and enjoy easy living by retiring at Virginia’s beautiful Lake Anna. The serenity awaits you!