Want 'green' in the golden years? Head for the Beach

Posted to: News Virginia Beach

The Virginian-Pilot
© May 8, 2008

VIRGINIA BEACH

With its parks and expanding network of trails, the Beach is becoming used to "green" designations.

The latest came from U.S. News & World Report, which named Virginia Beach one of its 10 Greenest Places to Retire alongside such locations as San Diego; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Raleigh, N.C. " Virginia Beach boasts the most playgrounds of any city in the country, which could come in handy for outings with visiting grandchildren," the article said.

Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Curtis said the "most parks" status likely was based on statistics from the nonprofit Trust for Public Land. The trust routinely includes the Beach among its top 25 cities with open space. Whether the Beach has become a retirement destination isn't clear. About 10 percent of the Beach's residents are 65 years or older, about the same as in Norfolk and Chesapeake, according to census data.

It takes a lot of green

Submitted by georges61555 on Thu, 05/08/2008 at 5:29 pm.

It takes a lot of green to retire to VABeach.

Va Beach wha?!?

Submitted by rlesley74 on Thu, 05/08/2008 at 5:18 pm.

Since when did Va Beach have all of these alledged parks and nature trails? Been here on the plus side of 14 years and only know of a couple of these. And I know of atleast an equal number of them in Norfolk, so not really seeing this being a good or "green" place to retire at all. Yeah still leaning more towards an actual "southern" state thats alittle more dependable on the weather and taxes for retirement options.

Green Virginia Beach

Submitted by VBTom on Thu, 05/08/2008 at 4:10 pm.

I look forward to my retirement in Virginia Beach even more now.

WHAT!

Submitted by Patriot on Thu, 05/08/2008 at 1:12 pm.

You gotta be kiddin me! Overpriced property values, tax upon tax upon tax. Who did this evaluation? someone on Va Beach city council?

VAB Greener? Not for Long

Submitted by Stefb757 on Thu, 05/08/2008 at 9:12 am.

I relocated from NYC - the concrete jungle - to VAB - for the trees and open spaces and what's happening?! Everytime I turn around the powers that be are approving yet another mega mall or mega whatever and clearing out the trees. Just look at Princess Anne Rd and now by Dam Neck. It's disgusting how the once beautiful Virginia Beach landscape is being ruined for greed.

Best Places to Retire

Submitted by rht457 on Thu, 05/08/2008 at 8:57 am.

Jacksonville, FL. No State Taxes, Lower Utilities, No Personal Property Tax. No transportation problems, and No jet noise. Job growth around the Mayport area looks good for the future. I've lived in Hampton Roads all my life, I'll be leaving in four years. Good Luck HR.

VABeach

Submitted by georges61555 on Thu, 05/08/2008 at 6:55 am.

I will hand it to VABEACH for their parks and playgrounds, something Norfolk doesn't believe in, and I do believe we should all be trying to live greener. Anything we can do to cut gas, power bills, and cleaner air works for me, but the report didn't mention all the flaws of the Beach. VABEACH would be the last place I would go to retire.