Danville has once again been named a top retirement destination in the United States.
Last week, Where to Retire magazine listed Danville as one of “8 Great Small Towns” to relocate. The feature profiled eight cities that appeal to retirees who want to settle into a slower pace, avoiding crowds and traffic.
“These smaller communities offer a laid-back lifestyle with less time constraints, a lower cost of living and even the opportunity to walk to your destination – no cars necessary,” said Where to Retire Editor Annette Fuller.
“There’s no skimping on the basics of daily life, and they have a natural beauty that can’t be found in larger cities,” Fuller continued. “Each of our towns presents its own personality through a variety of events, festivals, classes, concerts and art exhibitions. Knowing your neighbors and a little small-town politeness also go a long way.”
In the article, Danville was featured as a town that boasts a “wonderful blend” of preservation, tradition and progress. “Old buildings have been repurposed and the shops and restaurants have something for everyone, including a microbrewery and bourbon bars,” the article states.
In recent years, Danville has received a lot of media attention as a top place to retire.
In September 2013, Where to Retire magazine listed Danville among “American’s 100 Best Places to Retire.” In 2011 and 2012, CNN/Money magazine ranked Danville among the “25 Best Places to Retire.” Bankrate, Inc. named Danville one of “10 Great Places to Retire in the U.S.” in October 2010, and Best Boomer Towns continues to rank Danville among the “Best 21 U.S. Places for Retirement” for Baby Boomers to thrive.
“I am very glad to see this result again,” said Danville-Boyle County Economic Development President and CEO Jody Lassiter. “This type of publicity just doesn’t come unexpectedly; it takes building relationships with and responding to the requests of publications with an interest in us.”
Part of the Danville-Boyle County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s mission has grown to encompass marketing to potential retirees. Each year, the CVB advertises in publications with a high percentage of readers who are nearing the age of retirement, such as Reader’s Digest.
CVB Executive Director Jennifer Kirchner said the main demographic of leisure travelers coming to Danville are retirees looking to relocate.
“Our work at the CVB focuses our marketing efforts on showcasing the quality of life in Danville and Boyle County,” Kirchner said. “Through our efforts, we build relationships with the media that, in turn, helps us gain these coveted rankings and brings attention to our county.”
Mariel Smith, Information Services Coordinator for the CVB, said she receives calls every week from people requesting information about retiring in Danville. Smith also said the CVB has recently expanded and improved efforts on Facebook, which research shows is increasingly the social media platform choice for baby boomers and those of retirement age.
“We have implemented a weekly content calendar that highlights all of our locally-owned restaurants and shops, as well as festivals, special events, and attractions that make our county a desirable retirement community,” Smith said.
Small towns like Danville are attractive to retirees who seek a quiet, slower pace, but who also want to settle in a town with plenty of activity.
“Today, visitors, baby boomers and millennials are looking for many of the same things, such as walkability, unique restaurants, and lively downtowns; therefore, we can have a targeted message across publications to keep our branding consistent,” Kirchner said.
For more information on Danville’s retirement community, click here. For more information on Where to Retire magazine, click here.
From the Danville/Boyle County Economic Development Partnership