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Adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg, where costumed
actors stroll throughout 173 acres, 80 original structures and
dozens of reconstructed 18th century buildings, is Merchants'
Square, a delightful 18th century retail village with more than
forty shops and restaurants. Here residents mingle with
tourists and enjoy attending summer evening concerts or dining at
outdoor cafes. Other shopping consists primarily of a
large selection of outlet stores, another reason tourists come to
Williamsburg. Even Colonial Williamsburg, which never
closes, is pleasant place for an evening stroll back in
time. And while this is a southern destination, it
does not fit the typical southern town image. Locals
have a unique Tidewater accent, "inherited" from early
English settlers, and sweet tea is not served everywhere! The
Christopher Wren Association, sponsored by the College of William
and Mary, offers classes to those age 55 and better who have a
desire to continue academic learning. Currently, 1,600
people belong to the Association, and the membership fee is $85
per semester. Classes are taught by current and retired
College of William and Mary professors, as well as others, and include such
titles as "The End of Colonialism and the Cold
War," "Greeks in the Western Mediterranean" and
"Fall in Love with Italian Opera."
There are no grades, but these classes
are not for slackers. A car
is really needed in Williamsburg. There is a bus system, but
it is geared toward tourists and does not frequently travel where
the locals go (i.e., the grocery, the bank, etc.). The
crime rate is below the national average, something always
appreciated by retirees, and Williamsburg is very tidy and clean
(littering just does not seem to happen). The Historic
Triangle Senior Center is located in the James City/Williamsburg
Community Center and offers fitness programs, transportation
services and a variety of classes. Call (757)
259-3232 for more information.
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The new $96 million Sentara Williamsburg Regional
Medical Center is a welcome addition to the Williamsburg
health care scene and has 145-beds; specialties include
heart care, nephrology, minimally invasive surgery, cancer
care and orthopedics. This facility is
patient-centered and has soft lighting and water fountains,
as well as all-private rooms with overnight
accommodations for family, creating a comforting environment. Call
(757) 984-6000 for more information. Further medical
care can be found in Newport News or in Richmond. |
The weather in Williamsburg is seasonal; summers are hot and humid (temperatures can reach the
90s but average in the low 80s), and winters are relatively mild
(temperatures average in the 30s and 40s). The area
receives an average of six inches of snow per year and nearly
fifty inches of rain per year. The average relative humidity
is 80% in the mornings and 55% in the afternoons. Fall
colors are spectacular. There are drawbacks to
Williamsburg as a retirement spot. It is experiencing
growing pains, and traffic is sluggish, particularly near the
center of town. Dining options are not overwhelming; most
restaurants are geared toward families and kids.
Nightlife is practically non-existent, which can be considered a
pro or con. And this is not a place to come if seeking a job
in retirement; wages are low, and many jobs are taken by college
kids. Sometimes it gets a little noisy around the William
and Mary campus, and, of course, there are many, many tourists. Retirees
who come here, though, seem to love it, soaking up the history,
natural beauty and picturesque surroundings. Even the
tourists who come do not seem to be a huge bother once
one knows how to avoid them by finding where the locals hang
out. Luckily, residents seem more than
ready to divulge this information to newcomers who are ready to settle
down in this enticing hamlet. Return
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