Change of Scenery

The threat of hurricanes led Warren and Barbara Cain to leave their retirement home by the sea in Hilton Head, S.C., and head to the peaceful mountain countryside in Charlottesville. Their home in Keswick Estate offers the friendly and relaxing atmosphere they longed for.

“We always thought Virginia was beautiful,” Barbara says. “The healthcare at UVA is outstanding and there’s lots of history around, which we love.”

The two built their home and their daughter helped with the interior design. Wanting to support regional companies, the Cains used art and furniture from local artists and craftsmen; their slate countertops and fieldstone exterior came from Virginia.

In their retirement years, the Cains have not slowed down. They enjoy volunteering for numerous organizations and gathering with friends and neighbors for group activities. Warren plays golf, serves on the advisory board at Keswick Estate and volunteers at church. Barbara, who was part of the International Piano Competition while living in Hilton Head, has been able to continue utilizing her passion for music as a guild and board member of the Ash Lawn Opera. She also participates in exercise classes and relaxes by the pool when her grandchildren visit.

“If you sit around and think, ‘I’m retired, therefore I’m going to wind down,’” Warren says, “then you’ll wind down. Or, you can stay active and not miss a beat.”

Since moving to Charlottesville three years ago, the Cains say they have been able to get out and enjoy the town, as well as travel to Washington, D.C., and they take a train from Charlottesville to New York at least once a year.

“We still haven’t gotten to everything yet,” Barbara says. “But we will.”