“Money” magazine, in its online Sept. 9 issue, ranked the Town of Vienna and its environs as the 19th healthiest place in the United States in which to retire. What makes Vienna so healthy for seniors? For starters, it’s the trails, parklands, recreational opportunities and what Mayor M. Jane Seeman refers to as the “walkability” of the town and surrounding area.
“Pretty much everything you want or need is at your disposal here … groceries, medical offices and emergency centers, social activities, shopping,” said Seeman. “To me, it’s worth a bit more to live here.” Seeman noted the easy accessibility to Washington, D.C. by car or Metro, and to a major international airport.
The magazine cited the ease in which locals “stroll from their homes into town for an evening in Vienna's charming downtown.” There’s the “skinniest park in Virginia” going through Vienna, the Washington & Old Dominion trail, just 100 feet wide, drawing runners, walkers, moms with strollers and bicyclists. The historic Freeman House on Church Street earned an accolade from “Money,” as did Wolf Trap Farm National Park for the Performing Arts. Vienna’s proximity to the nation’s capital counts as a plus, too.
“I’ve lived here since 1951,” said former Town Councilwoman Maud Robinson. “I think it’s wise to retire where you’ve laid down roots, where you made friendships and have been a part of the community.” Robinson, who continues to volunteer with Historic Vienna, Inc. and to actively support Vienna, said that a wonderful part of living in Vienna is having friends of all ages. “And we have activities that all ages can participate in, as well.”
“Money” considered recreational resources for healthy, active lifestyles and doctors and hospitals to provide appropriate medical care to seniors. The magazine incorporated Vienna-area Zip codes, including Wolf Trap Farm National Park, and from that standard incorporated data from Fairfax County. It notes, countywide, 2,447 doctors, 149 hospitals within 30 miles, and a life expectancy at birth to 80.70 years.
“We look out for one another in Vienna,” said Seeman. “We have communities, neighborhoods.”

See http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/moneymag/0909/gallery.bpretire_healthcare.moneymag/19.html for data on Vienna and the complete list of healthiest retirement regions.