As you near retirement, you may be thinking about moving to a city with warmer winters, or more affordable housing to stretch your retirement income. Maybe you’ve dreamed of living in a scenic region, such as a coastal city or town near mountainous terrain with lots of natural places to explore.
If so, you’re not the only dreamer in your generation. American Baby Boomers moved more than any other demographic in 2019, according to United Van Lines’ 43rd Annual National Movers Study, which tracks the state-to-state migration patterns of the moving company’s customers. People aged 55 to 74 years old accounted for nearly half of United Van Lines’ clientele moving to a different state.
Before you hit the highway toward your dream destination, it’s wise to know as much as possible about a city’s housing market and cost of living. That’s why The Hartford Extra Mile put together this list of affordable places to retire in the United States.
You’ll find a bit of everything on our list, from less-expensive cities in pricey regions to Midwestern cities where you can buy a luxury home for less. We cover cities you may not have heard of, along with a few familiar faces from affordable cities lists.
“Affordable” doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone, of course, so we took that into consideration. Some cities are affordable because the region where they’re located is crazy expensive. Others have managed to keep their cost of living down, despite having many desirable attributes.
Our Methodology for Finding Affordable Places
Extra Mile analyzed Q4 2019 cost-of-living data for the 266 urban areas analyzed by The Council for Community and Economic Research, which collects data on housing, utilities, health care, groceries, and other consumer goods and services from participating cities to calculate an overall composite cost-of-living score, which is then published in its Cost of Living Index (COLI).
Average home prices listed in COLI are based on a four-bedroom, 2,400 square foot home. For cities not indexed in COLI, we used the median (rather than the average) house price listed on Realtor.com, a national source of real-estate listings. For context, keep in mind that the average national sales price of houses sold in the last quarter of 2019 was $382,000, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Affordable Places to Retire
Ready to see where you can afford to retire? Here are 22 cities where you may be able to make your retirement income last years longer.
1
Spokane, Washington
Average Home Price: $399,000
Population: 220,000
Pros: No state income tax
Cons: High sales and use taxes and
Cold, snowy winters
Spokane, a mid-size city in eastern Washington that’s located 20 miles west of Idaho, has significantly lower home prices than Seattle, where the average home price is $814,000. Spokane’s cost of living is close to the national average, while Washington is one of a handful of states with no state income tax.
The Spokane River runs through downtown Spokane, which gets around 48 inches of snow in the winter but only around 16 inches of annual precipitation, leaving many sunny days to explore Spokane’s Finch Arboretum, Riverside State Park, golf courses, hiking trails, and other recreational activities.
2
Boise, Idaho
Average Home Price: $349,000
Population: 219,000
Pros: Scenic community and abundant recreational opportunities
Cons: Cold, snowy winters
You can find smaller, more affordable towns in Idaho, a state known for its natural beauty, mountains, and some of the best trout fishing in the United states. If you enjoy having the dining, culture, and entertainment choices of a larger city, Boise, where the cost of living is 2% lower than the national average, could be a fine retirement destination.
Boise offers plentiful recreation, including the Boise Greenbelt, a 25-mile walking and biking trail through 850 acres of parks and nature along the Boise River. Boise also scored in the upper half of the Gallup-Sharecare State of American Well-Being Index, with high scores in feeling safe, enjoying life, and community pride.
Oregon is an expensive state to live in, particularly in cities like Portland, where the median home price is around $460,000, according to Realtor.com. If you’re looking for an affordable base to explore this state’s forests, waterways, wildlife, and lighthouse-dotted shorelines from, Salem, located in northwestern Oregon, has relatively affordable house prices compared to other cities in the state.
Retiring in Salem puts you around 100 miles from Oregon’s coastal towns and 50 miles south of Portland’s big-city amenities and quality health care options. Oregon doesn’t tax social security benefits, and the state also offers a deferred property-tax program to qualified residents aged 62 and older.
4
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Average home price: $344,000
Population: 473,000
Pros: Natural beauty, and more affordable than Denver
Cons: Cold, snowy winters
Colorado’s majestic mountains, rivers, lakes, and streams set beneath a vast blue sky beckon plenty of retirees. While Denver, where the average house price is $515,000, may be out of reach, Colorado Springs’ cost of living is right around the national average.
Colorado Springs, located 70 miles south of Denver, has 1,200 acres of parks, trails, and natural-beauty spots, and ranks well on the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index when it comes to community satisfaction and good health. Recreational activities in surrounding parks and mountain ranges abound, and include the ability to explore the red-rock formations of Garden of the Gods or drive to nearby Pike’s Peak.
5
Tucson, Arizona
Average home price: $327,000
Population: 546,000
Pros: Warm winters, scenic vistas, and no tax on social security
Cons: Sizzling summers
You’ll enjoy warm winters and sunny days in Tucson, where the overall cost of living is 3% lower than the national average. You’re also a leisurely road trip away from Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon for cooler weather during Tucson’s scorching summers. Want to vacation in California? Hop on a plane, and you’ll be there in 45 minutes.
Smaller, less congested, and with better air quality than Phoenix, Tucson offers Southwestern culture, museums, and a variety of dining options. In the city, you can enjoy folk and jazz festivals, the symphony, ballet, numerous entertainment venues, museums, and a wealth of outdoor recreational activities.
6
San Antonio, Texas
Average home price: $260,000
Population: 1.5 million
Pros: Warm winters, no state income tax, and no tax on Social Security benefits
Cons: Hot, humid summers
San Antonio offers many ways to make the most of your retirement income. Not only is the city’s overall cost of living 11% lower than the national average, but Texas residents don’t have to pay income tax and the state doesn’t tax retirees’ Social Security income.
San Antonio offers plentiful health care options, parks and recreation opportunities, and arts and culture venues. You can even explore the city by strolling the scenic 15-mile Paseo del Rio River Walk. San Antonio also ranked high on the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index for residents’ sense of purpose and community pride.
El Paso, located in southwestern Texas near the Mexican border, ranked 15th out of 186 cities in the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index. More specifically, the city scored high for sense of purpose, love and relationships, community enjoyment, and good health.
El Paso offers abundant sunny days, mild winters, and housing costs well below the national average. In El Paso, you’ll find concerts, plays, music and dance festivals, and plenty of authentic Mexican food.
8
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Average home price: $294,000
Population: 560,000
Pros: Arts and culture, and scenic setting
Cons: Cold winters with some snow
The cost of living in Albuquerque is 12% lower than the national average. This central New Mexico city’s high-desert climate is ideal for those who hate rainy days. Albuquerque’s cultural offerings include museums, a vibrant performing-arts community, the National Hispanic Cultural Center, and the New Mexico Philharmonic.
Bordered on the east by the Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque offers many outdoor and recreational activities. You can also enjoy balloon-filled October skies every year when Albuquerque hosts the International Balloon Fiesta, a massive gathering of hot air balloons.
9
Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky
Average home price: $272,000
Population: 620,000
Pros: Vibrant city, and affordable cost of living
Cons: Cold, snowy winters
You’ll find plenty of art museums, galleries, concert venues, and affordable neighborhoods in this south-midwestern hybrid, where the cost of living is 6% less than the national average. Bon Appetit Magazine even sniffed out this city’s vibrant dining scene, recognizing Louisville as one of the “foodiest” small cities in America.
You can enjoy all four seasons in Louisville, from hot summers to cold, snowy winters. Louisville offers more than 100 public parks and outdoor music festivals, including Abbey Road on the River, the largest Beatles tribute and 60s music festival in the world, which takes place in nearby Jeffersonville, Indiana.
10
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Average home price: $211,000
Population: 268,000
Pros: Very inexpensive housing
Cons: Cold, snowy winters
If you’re looking to stretch your retirement income, a move to Fort Wayne could do the trick. You’ll find a slower Midwestern pace, a small-town feel, friendly people, and minimal traffic congestion here.
You’ll also get more house for the purchase price in Fort Wayne, compared to other cities. Housing costs are nearly 40% lower than the national average, and the overall cost of living is 14% lower than the national average.
11
Kansas City, Missouri
Average home price: $268,000
Population: 491,000
Pros: Health care access, and affordable housing
Cons: Cold, snowy winters
You’ll find affordable, older homes on tree-lined streets in Kansas city, along with concert venues, sports facilities, and more than 100 parks. Kansas City, where the cost of living is 4% lower than the national average, also has one of the nation’s largest holiday-light displays, which takes place in the famed Country Club Plaza shopping district.
Winters are typically cold and snowy, with the occasional spurt of mild weather. However, this city’s international airport is easy to navigate for winter getaways. Plus, two metro-area hospitals, the University of Kansas Hospital and St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, consistently rank on the U.S. News & World Reports Best Hospitals list.
Harrisonburg, known as “The Friendly City,” is nestled in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, a 30-minute drive from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and Allegheny Mountains to the west.
Located 130 miles west of Washington, D.C., Harrisonburg has a vibrant downtown with farmers’ markets, museums, and events and is closely located to historic Civil War sites. Harrisonburg is also a very walkable community, with plenty of bike and walking trails to help you stay fit.
13
Charlottesville, Virginia
Average home price: $404,000
Population: 48,000
Pros: Senior-friendly community, and located close to mountains
Cons: Higher-than-average cost of living
The cost of living is around 3% higher in Charlottesville than the national average, but this small city’s quality of life is a standout. Charlottesville, Virginia ranked #5 of 186 cities on the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, scoring high for sense of purpose, good health, community enjoyment, social relationships, and ease of financial management.
Located in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville is home to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Virginia, which offers courses and schedules tailored to seniors. There is plenty to keep you busy in Charlottesville, a city with arts and culture, excellent dining choices, local vineyards, and more than 30 wineries.
14
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia
Average home price: $309,000
Population: 450,000
Pros: Affordable housing, and close proximity to east coast cities
Cons: Heavy traffic, and cold, snowy winters
It’s tough to find affordable housing in a beach city, but in Virginia Beach, a coastal town at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, home prices remain affordable to many. In fact, Virginia Beach features a cost of living that’s 6% lower than the national average.
Tourists flock to the sandy beaches in Virginia Beach, so there are plenty of restaurants, shops, entertainment options, and outdoor activities. There are also many choices for quality health care in the Norfolk-Virginia Beach area, including Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, a highly ranked hospital in Norfolk.
15
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Average home price: $372,000
Population: 301,000
Pros: Arts and culture, and relatively inexpensive cost of living
Cons: Cold, snowy winters
If you’re looking to retire in a city that’s affordable, yet close to the east coast, Pittsburgh has a cost of living 3% higher than the national average yet has much to offer its residents. House prices are affordable for the eastern region, and arts and culture opportunities abound with numerous theaters, museums, and concert venues.
U.S. News & World Report ranks University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Presbyterian Shadyside 15th on its list of top hospitals in the United States. Another plus for Pittsburgh: Seniors 65 and older ride free on Pittsburgh’s bus and rail systems.
16
Rochester, New York
Average home price: $305,000
Population: 206,000
Pros: Summer events and activities
Cons: Cold, snowy winters
If you love four seasons, festivals, affordable housing, and lots of snow — as in roughly 90 inches of snow a year —Rochester offers all of that, with an overall cost of living that’s 2% below the national average. Rochester also has theaters, museums, performing arts centers, and concert venues. Golf Magazine and the National Golf Foundation named Rochester one of the 10 Best Golf Cities in America.
Outdoor activities abound in summer months, including boating on Lake Ontario, since Rochester sits on the southern shore of the Great Lake. Rochester also hosts more than 100 music, arts and cultural festivals each year.
Savannah, located in Southeastern Georgia, has mild winters as well as proximity to popular coastal cities and beaches, including Hilton Head Island, which is 45 minutes away. Plus, house prices are affordable, and the overall cost of living in Savannah is 11% below the national average.
Savannah has a large national-landmark district and many historic homes, along with world-class golf courses, shopping, and museums. Georgia is tax-friendly for retirees, with no tax on Social Security and generous tax rules for retirement income.
18
Knoxville, Tennessee
Average home price: $264,000
Population: 187,000
Pros: Mile winters, and low income-tax burden
Cons: Climate can trigger seasonal allergies
House prices in Knoxville are nearly 30% lower than the national average, and the overall cost of living is about 17% lower than average. Winters are mild, for the most part, and you’d be only an hour from Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as other popular recreation destinations.
Seniors pursuing life-long learning can audit classes for free at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Tennessee doesn’t tax earned income but has a limited income tax on certain income from interest and dividends.
19
Winston-Salem, NC
Average home price: $224,000
Population: 246,000
Pros: Retiree-friendly, and moderate winters
Cons: Slightly higher-than-average rainfall
North Carolina was one of the top ten states people moved to in 2019, according to the United Van Lines Study. Winston-Salem, with a cost of living 10% lower than the national average, draws plenty of retirees, thanks to its warm winters, affordable housing, small-town feel, and abundant cherry blossoms in the spring.
You’ll find plenty to do in this college town, where you can explore the vibrant downtown and historic heirloom gardens, partake in the city’s craft-beer scene, and visit more than 45 wineries in the region.
20
Daytona Beach, Florida
Average home price: $253,000
Population: 69,000
Pros: Affordable housing. warm winters, and no state income tax
Cons: Hurricane region, and hot, humid summers
Daytona Beach is one of the more affordable cities in Florida, with a cost of living that’s 10% below the national average. Daytona Beach ranked well on the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, scoring highly in purpose, supportive relationships, and good health.
Home of the Daytona 500, this beach city appeals to more than motorsports enthusiasts. It offers museums, a performing-arts center, antiques and farmer’s markets, as well as art festivals. Health care options include AdventHealth Daytona Beach, a highly rated medical and surgical facility.
21
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Median home price: $252,000 (Realtor.com)
Population: 195,000
Pros: Affordable housing, warm winters, and no state income tax
Cons: Hot, humid summers, and hurricane region
This laid-back beach city on the Atlantic Coast of southern Florida boasts warm winters, miles of white-sand beaches, and affordable house prices. Port St. Lucie ranked high on the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, scoring best on sense of purpose, social relationships, financial management, and good health.
Port St. Lucie offers multiple waterways and coastal inlets, and hosts the New York Mets annual spring training. No state income tax frees up money for retirement adventures.
22
Greenville, South Carolina
Average home price: $259,000
Population: 66,000
Pros: Close to mountains, and mild winters
Cons: Fewer healthcare options than larger cities
If you like mild winters and nearby mountains, lakes, and rivers, Greenville, located in northwest South Carolina, could be the town for you. Smaller, less crowded, and more affordable than larger southern cities like Charleston, Atlanta and Charlotte, Greenville is a three-hour drive from South Carolina beaches.
Greenville ranked high for good health and community enjoyment on the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, and the overall cost of living is around 5% less than the national average. Retirees get plenty of fresh air and sunshine along the city’s Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 20-mile, multi-use trail system along the Reedy River.
Retiring Right Where You Are
Now that you know how far your retirement income would stretch across 22 American cities, don’t dismiss the option right on your doorstep: retiring right where you are.
Sticking around to retire in your own city, complete with an established social network, roads where you know all the shortcuts, and all your favorite shops and restaurants, could be your best option. If you agree that’s the case, you can always fund your retirement travel with all the money you would have otherwise spent on relocation.
Would you retire in another city or stay where you are? Share your experiences with others in the comments.
I see your article was updated in January 2022. According to REDFIN, the current median price for a home in the Boise area is now $525,000 — a far cry from the $349,000 listed in your article. We’ve lived here for 35 years. Prices have gone from reasonable to outrageous in the last few years. It’s not quite as affordable as some people are led to believe.
What an interesting article, thank you for being so thorough and varied, you gave me a lot more to consider. I wish there had been more pics of scenery and seasons though, as that is where the tug on the heart lies. Thanks again. RP
I was VERY DISAPPOINTED with this list! All the places listed had mean home price ranges not lower than $225,000. Surely there are more affordable, senior friendly places out there with homes priced lower than $200,00. Shameful
I live in Winston Salem, NC (#19) and I think it’s important to note that the area has more churches than any other in NC. The influence is pervasive and can be off-putting for those people who aren’t religious. One of the first questions people ask is “What church do you belong to?” In general, I understand it’s appeal for retirees, but I plan on retiring to a warmer climate and one not as conservative-leaning and religious.
I live near Boise, Idaho. It was a nice, quiet city 10 years ago, then it was discovered. Property prices doubled, taxes tripled, and traffic problems escalated. It’s still a great place to live, but not as nice as it once was.
We are trying to discourage people from moving here, but to no avail. Houses and apartments are springing up like weeds, the roads are now inadequate, and once quiet farm roads have become busy highways. Please don’t move here.
The article is clearly weighted towards certain areas.
Clarification
1. Virginia Beach does not have cold snowy winters. It’s on the coast. It averages just 6 inches of snow a year with most years having no snow ❄️.
2. I believe SC doesn’t tax Social Security, right? That should have been as it was for others.
Entertaining to read, perhaps fact checking should have been done.
Colorado Springs is a great city with Army, Air Force bases and Academy, but you do not mention that smaller communities within less than an hour from a fairly big city living that are very laid back, cheaper, and senior friendly. Why are you focusing on only well known city names when there are tons of towns in each state? We have Pueblo, CO, Florence, CO, Canon City, CO to name a few that would be great for seniors.
Wonderful information. Thank you for caring for seniors. Keep up the good work. I love the comments too, very informative.
I retired to DC about 15 years ago. It may be expensive, but I love it here. Weather is mild, many free events and places like the Smithsonian. Many intellectually simulating events , like the think tanks with highly respected speakers. Many restaurants, Many doctors. Many colleges. Sports teams for baseball, hockey, football. Hiking and biking trails.
What about Western Iowa??
The comments are interesting. Whether you agree with or live in one of the 22 cities sited, I think the idea of retiring right where you are is an excellent choice. Instead of tying up your retirement funds in a new location and ending up with a more costly mortgage payment, stay where you are and use the savings to knock a few things off your bucket list.
Thank you for the comment, Jerry!
I’m looking for a retirement home in North Carolina 1 or 2 bedroom with a outdoor backer nee CHARLOTTE , NC my be 20 min from Charlotte. ASAP .
Saddened by no mention of Conway AR. Much cheaper than Salem OR, I’m sure.
Thank You
Iris Jean
I would like to see more cities with no state taxes & the no tax on your social security like it was years ago. I do prefer the southern states with no snow!
Would most retirees really want or need a 4-bedroom home? Or that much sq footage? One of the things I most appreciate right now (82-yr old widow) is my attached, heated garage great for when I’m bringing in groceries or other shopping items.
Lived near Boise, ID for twenty-two years. Beautiful area, some snow in winter but not harsh conditions. Often wish I had moved back there after our parents passed away but didn’t like the drastic increase in housing prices or the fact that they tax retirement income.
Everyplace has its’ pros and cons.
Thank you for the comment!
I see Greenville, SC made the list. Very little snow, winters aren’t too cold, downtown is great, no tax on SS. Housing cost varies from $150-K to $1.0 M. I’ve lived here for over 50 years and have witnessed Greenville go from the Textile City of the World to a major automotive giant. Not to far from the mountains to the West and only a few hours East to Myrtle Beach. What can I say…. it’s a great place to live!!
I still think northern NH is the place to be,VT,Canada,and Maine around you,warm summers cold winters,but great snowmobiling and 4 wheeling ,and hunting and fishing,,and not a lot of people so we are nice communities,around us in Pittsburg/Clarksville NH….JBsr & Carol Bond
I am Black. My state is expensive. Former legislators took pension payments out from my first check on. Then put the money in a general pot and spent it. That’s Dem’s, Repub’s, and Independents. There’s no way I could afford a home in any of those price ranges. I also paid into Security Security and a 403b. Other than 8 years with the feds, I never earned more than $52,000/year. We only paid (before interest, of course) $69,900 for our working class neighborhood home. Thirty years later, we may only get $110,000 for it. The outlook is disappointing.
I notice Tampa Florida did not make list. Any reason? Is social security taxed?
What happened to The Queen City of the West, Cincinnati? Some of the areas mentioned sound interesting, no state taxes and no taxes on SS which Ohio has. I’d think there are plenty more places especially without the snow factor.
Would have expected more cities in the sunshine state.
We do get a lot of rain, humidity and heat in the rainy season plus hurricanes sometimes.
However, it’s a beautiful state except for the price of healthcare and drugs.
Good luck to all our retirees where ever they decide to live.
We live in Colorado Springs. I personally don’t think it’s very affordable.
I saw nothing about the fine state of Arkansas. I live in Hot Springs Village, just about 40 miles west of Little Rock. Taxes are low and the climate is tolerable. Snow is seldom around in the winter, the one downside is that June, July and August can be quite humid, but rest of the year is great.
Thank you for the comment!
Just moved from Seattle area to New Bern, N.C. Bought a new 1900 sqft house and a Hyundai from the sale of our Seattle area home.
Living expense are estimated to be about 17% less here.
Unfortunately the people who move to Tucson to save money vote against school funding and road improvements putting us near the bottom for education and social services funding.
Life in Kansas City and love it. Little bit of winter, little bit of summer and spring and fall are just fantastic. And we are in the middle of the country. Easy to get to either coast and both borders. Go Chiefs
I’ve lived in the Richmond, Virginia area all my 78 years (except while spending 4 years in the Air Force). While I don’t recommend living IN the city of Richmond, I highly recommend the outlying counties!! Great governments, excellent neighborhoods, and great schools!! I spent nearly 50 years as a police officer here, and safety (in the counties) is PRIORITY # 1 !!!
My town made the list ! I retired out of northern VA some years ago and now live in Harrisonburg VA (#12). It’s a GREAT town, low cost of living, only a day trip away from DC, great health care, a major university, James Madison, with 23,000 kids, only 20 minutes from the Shenandoah National Park, good airport connections to Chicago and DC and lots of restaurants and wineries near by. I do volunteer work on the Appalachian Trail in the summer and teach skiing at Massanutten, our local ski area (12 minutes away,) in the winter. A major highway, Route 81 runs through town and will take you north (via route 66) into DC or south into Charlotte, NC. Charlottesville, VA, home of Thomas Jefferson and the University of VA is less than an hour away to the East and Lake Anna, a major recreational Lake, lies to the south. If you’re a history buff, two major Civil War battles, Cross Keys and Port Republic, were fought very close by, with the famous Battle of the Lost Shoes, fought a few miles up Route 81. We have a country club and several public golf courses within 5 miles People here are very friendly and work hard to promote a good image of the town and the area.
You guys missed the boat entirely. There is no place better to retire/live that is affordable, safe, and fun living than Laguna Woods, California. Laguna Woods village has 5 swimming pools, 2 golf courses, performing arts theater, numerous arts and graft centers. Close to one of the best hospitals in USA, and only a few miles from the beach. Check out their web site.
Sounds beautiful. Thank you for the comment!
Jut south of Daytona is a small little town of New Smyrna beach. You can live in the country within 12 mile of the beach. Summers are hot, but the beach is close. Wonderful winters, we never have to shovel it!
I do not understand if there is no state tax in some of the states, then how would there ever be social security benefit taxes?
Would like a place with public transport, no crime, less severe winter , no flood or fire. Is there any small town that matches these?
Albuquerque’s climate is very nice. There are four seasons winter’s are very mild hardly and snow accumulated for more than a day or two. Crime and corruption in both the city and state levels are atrocious. Between the federal govt and all of the indiginess land ownership the state taxable land area is about 50% .
Try Bloomington In for retirement. It is a college town with so much to offer through Indiana University. Housing is getting higher but not any higher than any of the towns listed. Look our city up on the internet, I think you will be impressed.
I am originally from Enfield Connecticut, (37 years ago) and moved to Tucson AZ. I soon fell in love with this beautiful state. In fact Arizona has a town or city that reflects many of the New England States “Oak Creek Canyon = Vermont, Flagstaff = Mane, Tucson = Enfield CT and on it goes. I’m going on 84 and feel in my 50’s. Arizona is home to me.
All of these places are either cold and snowy, or hot and humid. How about listing some places that offer a good climate for people with COPD.
What about Las Vegas, NV? Nevada doesn’t have a state income tax. Lots of hotels, buffets, entertainment…hot summers, but beautifully mild winters.
I would have liked some research on apt/ condos. Retirement is about less work? Thanks for what you did share
I, also thought Delaware would be on the list!?
Nice article. I would have liked the writer to include cancer rates in areas also. I would think that Delaware didn’t make the list because it has a high cancer death rate. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/cancer_mortality/cancer.htm
As I’ve aged, (gracefully 😏) my body appreciates warmer climates with a beach, not too far away. I left the bitter cold & cloudy Columbus, Ohio for Port Charlotte. FL. I was surprised that not one Gulf (Gold) Coast city in SW FL was mentioned. That’s ok though, less is more for us 😁🏖🌞🌴
How about Sedona, Arizona. It’s been my dream to live there.
Glad to see Tucson ,AZ on the list. We moved here from CT 15 years ago. Yes the summers are hot not warm but hot. It is however a dry heat. That part is true. Not like the humidity of CT. There is much to do here. The yearly gem show. People from all over the world attend. The rodeo ,concerts ,plays and golf. The only missing element is the ocean. You can however drive or fly to California beach’s. They are a hop skip and jump away. The other beach down the road is Rocky Point ,MX. The cost of living is definitely lower than the east coast of New England.
I live in El Segundo, California, just south of LAX. I LOVE it here, and NO snow, so clearing of sidewalk and driveway — and where we live, no wildfires.
This is an interesting list but, it’s only 22 cities in all of the grand United States of America (North America). I was raised in California and still reside here, I just retired in March. California isn’t what it used to be, trying to find anything affordable here is out of the question, taxes are high and population growth, traffic/gridlock is so bad it’s not worth investing time, money or energy going anywhere. It’s turned into a mega metropolis full of chaos, I am happy to live in a very rural north desert community far away from it all.
I’ve done my own research over the past 5 years. It’s actually a fun little project taking into consideration all of the aspects of what are important for a Joyful Quality Retirement life.
This short list is a nice way to start thinking about what’s really important, writhing it down and looking at the different areas around the US that are excellent and affordable for the young or old.
Not Henderson NV or Las Vegas NV! There is skiing, hiking, trails, etc. No state income tax, and really low property taxes. In addition, you can buy tickets to the best shows in the world.
Plus Henderson has been voted one of the safest cities in the country.
I am disappointed in only one place in mo..Kansas city!
Columbia MO is the center if the US..COLLEGE TOWN.!
Many choices for culture..activities..schools excellent, excellent health care.
Easy access to MCI and STL airports..and the median home price must be lower or comparable to your other city’s.
I have lived here for years and hope no one else finds out about it!
Spokane, Washington is WEST of Idaho, not east.
Good catch. This has been updated. Thanks Nancy!
What about Millsboro Delaware
What no beautiful cities in southern Utah
Cost of living is not a factor if it is too cold to go out and drive on icy roads, or too warm to go out. I live in Kansas. KC, Missouri has one of the highest murder rates in the USA. I want to be safe and comfortable no matter what the cost!
You have an error about snow in the VA Beach Norfolk area. It is not snowy in the winter. Most winters are snow free. When it snows it is usually a dusting to an inch. We do have raining winters.
How welcoming are the cities in the list towards minorities? That is something that must be considered by people of color.
Yes, San Antonio, nestled between the Texas Hill Country for a great getaway and great scenery and the Gulf Coast for great fishing and hot fun in the Summertime. Also a popular destination for Snowbirds. Close proximity to Austin and surrounding small towns for world class BBQ, finger licking good. 🙂👍
There are so many nice suburbs and smaller cities/towns across this nation that are affordable, within 1/2 hr of a hospital, and affordable that don’t have snowy winters, which most seniors hate. My parents loved and lived in Sun City and Sun City West outside Phoenix. Countless amenities for senior.
Albuquerque is very mild in winter and the sun shines nearly every day of the year…………….
Not a geography major, but if Harrisonburg is east of D.C., seems like you would need a houseboat😬
Bob – Thanks for catching this! It’s been updated.
I think I will stay right here in Kalamazoo MI! I love the 4 seasons and cost of living here is reasonable.
From Medford OR, we were tired of rain, snow and gray months on end. Sold house and bought our 5th wheel. We traveled from 2013 until 2019. Loved every moment. We didn’t care for Arizona, not enough green, too hot for year-round and expensive. After spending several winters in Florida, we settled on the Leesburg area in Lake County. It’s north of center state and about dead center east to west. Even during Hurricane Irma this area had little damage. Insurance companies rate it the safest location in the entire state. We have a generator on hand in case of power outages. It’s far enough away from Disney that we aren’t a part of the tourist madness. Cost of living reasonable, medical care easily available and only an hour to Orlando Intl Airport if we want/need to travel. It was in the traveling for those 6 years that we were able to explore and find what worked for us. Happy retirement everyone.
We lived in Daytona Beach for 2 years. Experienced 2 hurricanes, found only 4 good restaurants in the vicinity, lots of poverty and racism. Couldn’t leave fast enough.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, has a very agreeable climate at 7000 ft. elevation. Population in the City is ? 80K and the entire surrounding area perhaps another 100K. The population is diverse: Anglos, Spanish, native Americans.
We have lived here for over 50 years.
Winters: dry and cold; some snow with good skiing. Cost of living? Moderate: groceries are high (everywhere now?). Housing: in decent neighborhoods: 400-600K. This place is not for folks with very tight income.
Based on the housing cost parameters I can see why Victoria, Tx didnt get a mention. Housing costs here for a 2400 square foot 4 bedroom home, are inder 200,000. We are close to the gulf coast, fishing, sailing and world class aquariums. We enjoy mild winters, with hot humid summers that are perfect for year round gardening. Population around 92,000.
No state income tax and we are situated between San Antonio and Houston. Come on down
I plan to stay where I am as long as it’s feasible for us.
Home is a 3-generation rural home near Franklin, Indiana. Nearly 20 years ago, I left college teaching to move closer to family & start my own small business. I contributed to the design & building this house with my daughter, son-in-law and the expected first grandchild. Family now includes three teen boys & a large geriatric dog. My ‘Grammie Suite’s’ view is of tall old-growth trees. My son isn’t far away. At age 75, I maintain part time work in my post retirement dream job. My living area provides plenty of room and privacy when needed, even during a pandemic!
Proviso: This life-style won’t be for everyone. A 40 plus year career elder care informs who I am and the decisions I’ve made along my way. I’m still learning!
I have been to or lived in most of the cities on your list. My hands down favorite is Louisville Ky. Mild winters, lots of culture events and the friendliest people you will ever meet. Louivillians have parties for every event, post derby, pre derby, derby, tax day, Thanksgiving Eve, post Thanksgiving, holidays, birthdays, any any other reason you can think of. Want directions? In Louisville, people don’t tell you how to get there, they will actually take you there. Get stuck in a mild snow storm? 3-8 people will stop to help you, and one will inevitably have a pick up with a chain, and will pull you out of a snow embankment. Traffic? It’s a 20 minute city. You can get anywhere in Louisville in 20 minutes. I left there crying all the way to Chicago, just so I could be closer to my grandchildren. My career took me everywhere from San Diego to NYC, but Louisville is the best kept secret in the US.
Too many cities in the north with snow. I live in Tyler, Texas and we have about 100,000 people and 3 major hospitals. We are half way between Dallas and Shreveport and only 5 hours from the beaches. Most of our winters are mild and we occasionally get snow, but it may only last one day. We usually have all 4 seasons. A great place to retire.
What about Warner Robins Georgia? Very low crime rate. Plentiful health facilities. Near Robins Air Force Base for those retired from the military. Home prices are not out of reach. A wonderful laid back kind of city.
I just bought a condo in Stuart Florida. This is closer to the Atlantic Ocean. Port St. Lucie is approximately 10 miles from the ocean and is being developed rapidly without adequate drainage during serious rainy weather. Stuart is located in Martin County which has lower income taxes. It’s a smaller city but has a very nice little city with a theater and many good restaurants along the water. Very accessible to all. During the winter free concerts are held every Sunday along the water. There are two hospitals affiliated with Cleveland clinic and Port St. Lucie amenities are within an easy drive. Now I have let out the secret. There are very high priced communities here but also very nice affordable condos here and close by if you get a good realtor. If you sell your house through a good realtor up north and you want to locate to this area have them recommend a good realtor in the area that way you will get a realtor that will be honest with you.
Guess all of NE is out! How about north country in NH, VT. Me?
I live just north of Green Bay Wisconsin. Housing cost isn’t that bad. Lots of elbow room , if you like that. Medical care is good here. Yes we have snowy cold winters but if you are retired you really don’t have to go out. If you can’t make an appointment due to weather everyone is very understanding. Lots of hunting and fishing, year around. Trails for exploration, year around. 100s of lakes and rivers again year around fun. Yes state, local and some counties have taxes. Great place to live.
Good information. I find lists like this consistently lack the very most important consideration for me, and, I would imagine, more AARP potential retirees than you might be considering. Is the location LGBT friendly? Can you imagine retiring to a location and finding a generally hostile and / or intolerant population? Most of us keep up with this kind of thing on our own, but wouldn’t it be nice if AARP at least pretended to care about the issue?
Thought I would find out where to move for a better cost of living and here I am in the number one place/city. Who would have thought? It is a beautiful place, especially north of town. I don’t like the cold winters. Montgomery, TX has a about 25% less cost of living then Spokane and better winters if a person enjoys a warmer climate.
Not Delaware, or suberbs of Philadelphia? Interesting
Would you believe, I am a resident of Boise, Id., no need for me to move in order to live in a city on the list, don’t need to do any packing !!! Boise is a lovely city, truly growing and expanding, thus property prices have escalated dramatically. Can happily say I bought my home in 1991, long before values increased.
If a person is moving from a warm climate, keep in mind, we do have snow which requires clearing of driveways and sidewalks.
Best Wishes for great happiness, no matter where you reside.
What town besides San Antonio in Texas?
Disappointing article. Why so much snow? Obviously the cost of heating a home in some of these environments not taken into affordability consideration, let alone the depression from not being able to leave home unless you own a dog sled. Flawed research in my opinion.
Not one place in California!!