"It is ideal for those older adults who have all the infrastructure and all the surrounding environment is supportive of healthy aging," Baik says. "However, some older adults have different experiences, and they may stay in their places without their choice because they do not have enough financial resources."

However, we do know that Hamilton Lombard, a demographer with the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, says if there’s anything that can dramatically change the migration patterns for rural Virginia, it’s remote work.

"Overall, the statewide growth rate has decelerated over the last few decades, and it’s expected to hold true to that pattern,” Sen says. “That assumes the commonwealth continues to experience lower birth rates, higher death rates and fewer people moving into the state.