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Forest, Virginia
Leafy, Quiet Forest is Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Scenic Central Virginia and is Popular with History Buffs
In the Blue Ridge Mountains of beautiful central Virginia, Forest is a quiet, leafy town outside of Lynchburg. The site of wonderful Poplar Forest, one of Thomas Jefferson’s summer residences, Forest draws history buffs throughout the year.
Bordered by farmland and woodlands, Forest is still and well-manicured with low density neighborhoods and brick homes on large lots. There is no real downtown but shopping venues and service providers are scattered here and there. Rick's Antique General Store is always a fun place to spend an afternnoon. Residents usually travel into Lynchburg for shopping, dining and other amenities. Two golf courses have a Forest address. In the autumn, the surrounding hills explode with vivid reds, yellows and oranges, giving Forest a picture-postcard quality.
Population: 11,500 (city proper)
Age 45 or Better: 37%
Cost of Living: 4% below the national average
Median Home Price: $395,000
Climate: Forest has hot summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures are in the 70s, 80s and 90s with frequent rainfall. Winter temperatures are in the 30s, 40s and 50s with occasional snowfall.
Public Transit: No
Crime Rate: Below the national average
Public Library: Yes, and it has book discussion groups, writing groups, computer classes and more.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients: No, but Lynchburg General Hospital, seven miles outside of Forest, accepts Medicare patients.
At Least One Hospital Accredited by Joint Commission: No, but Lynchburg General Hospital, seven miles outside of Forest, is accredited by the Joint Commission.
Political Leanings: Conservative
College Educated: 45%
Is Virginia Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Somewhat
Cons: None
Notes: Forest's popualtion has remained steady within the last decade. Churches are plentiful. Home prices have increased 3% since a year ago.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes
Virginia:
The Commonwealth of Virginia is on the southern Atlantic coast. Nicknames include Old Dominion and Mother of Presidents (eight American presidents were born here). The motto for the state is Sic Semper Tyrannis, meaning Thus Always to Tyrants. This motto is on both the state's seal (designed in 1776) and the state's flag (first used in the 1830s).
The Virginia Company established the Colony of Virginia and Jamestown in 1607. The state was one of the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolution and joined the Confederacy during the Civil War. Richmond was even named the Confederate capital. Today, the Virginia General Assembly is the oldest continuous legislative body in the Western world.
Western Virginia has a distictly rural, southern feeling while eastern Virgina is home to military installations and northern Virginia is where many Washington, D.C. lobbyists and government workers live.
The Blue Ridge Mountains, Chesapeake Bay, the Shenandoah Valley and miles of eastern shore beaches are Virginia highlights.
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