どこで引退するかを選ぶのは簡単なことではありません。巣の卵の大きさ、好みのライフスタイル、住宅費、アメニティへのアクセスを考慮する必要があります。そして、退職後の収入に対する州税を忘れないでください。
24/7ウォールストリート 医師や歯科医の数、家の価値の中央値、生活費などの医療や経済的要因に基づいて、米国の各州で引退するのに最適な郡のリストをまとめます。
退職後の計画を立てるのに最適な都市をいくつか紹介します。
ミズーリ州の州都は、歴史的な魅力と素晴らしいダウンタウンが特徴で、古い建築物やトレンディなショップやレストランがあります。
ジェフシティもかなりまともな場所です。husker_whoはRedditに次のように書いています。「この地域には州立公園がたくさんあります。私は毎週末、ケイティトレイルを走っていました。その後、北に約20分でロックブリッジ州立公園があります。 、素敵なトレイルがたくさんあります。文化的なイベントはそれほど多くありませんが、コロンビアまではわずか30分で、常にたくさんのことが行われています。セントルイスとカンザスシティの両方からわずか数時間です。」
収入が85,000ドル未満の場合、社会保障給付はShow Me Stateで課税されません。また、他の形態の退職所得には免税が適用される場合があります。
ボールドウィン郡の最大の都市は、温暖な気候と短く穏やかな冬を提供します。 National Council for Home Safety and Securityによると、アラバマ州で最も安全な都市の1つと見なされています。
ダフネはまた、モビール湾の夏の間、ブルークラブ、エビ、魚を浅い海岸線に押しやるジュビリーとして知られる現象のために、「ジュビリーシティ」というニックネームを獲得しました。この素晴らしいイベント、またはあなたが捕まえることができるすべての新鮮なシーフードをお見逃しなく。
Redditor campb029は、「それは良い、安全で、家族に優しい生活であり、いくつかの良いビーチに非常に近い場所にあります」と述べ、ガルフショアーズ、オレンジビーチ、ペンサコーラビーチは車で1時間以内、フロリダのデスティンとフォートウォルトンは約1時間半。
ループ川沿いのコロンバス市には、ゴルフ、公園、地域病院が簡単にアクセスできます。
ポーニーパーク、または「ネブラスカのピクニックの首都」は、約153エーカーをカバーし、ウォーターパーク、サッカーとトラックスタジアム、ディスクゴルフ、遊び場、釣り、スケートパーク、テニスコート、バレーボールコート、さらには冬のアイススケートを備えています。
プロパティ値はかなり低く、約$ 175,000です。また、州は退職者に税金を課すという点で現在のところ高く評価していませんが、2022年に施行される新しい法律により、退役軍人は退職後の収入に税金を支払う必要がなくなります。
フォーブス かつてシェリダンは「カウボーイ州で最もクールな小さな町」と呼ばれていました。そのユニークな西部のショップ、飲食店、ロケーションのおかげで、ビッグホーン国有林から車で30分強です。
市内には病院があるので、健康管理のために遠くまで車で行く必要はありません。シェリダンのショッピングシーンには、ユニークな小さな店や骨董品店、全国の大手小売店があります。
シェリダンは州の他の地域に比べて高価であり、リバートンではより安い住宅を見つけることができることを覚えておいてください。
マリン郡はカリフォルニアで最も健康な郡の1つであり、郡の議席であるサンラファエルも例外ではありません。カイザーパーマネンテ医療センターは、老年医学などのプライマリケア分野で200人以上の医師と看護師を提供しており、10万人以上の会員にサービスを提供しています。
アウトドアの魅力も欠かせません。街はサンフランシスコ湾にあり、近くにはビーチや公園があり、サンディマリンファーマーズマーケットは州で最大のマーケットの1つです。
サンラファエルの居住者であるクロードバウドインはQuoraで、「ゴールデンゲートブリッジからわずか20分、サンフランシスコのほぼすべての場所から1時間です」と述べ、「サンラファエルのダウンタウンにもさまざまな場所で食事をすることができます。テラリンダのように、特にイタリア料理とアジア料理。」
ただの注意点—このハンタードン郡の自治区は煙やタバコがありません。ニュージャージーは全体としてヘルスケアへのアクセスで高く評価されており、ハンタードンメディカルセンターまで車でわずか5分です。
100を超える鉄道模型が展示されている、近くのノースランズミニチュアワンダーランドをチェックして、すべてのショッピングニーズに対応するリバティビレッジアウトレットマーケットプレイスに立ち寄ってください。
あなたの社会保障はニュージャージー州の所得税法にはカウントされませんが、その他の退職所得は部分的に課税されます。ただし、住宅所有はかなり高額になる可能性があるため、落ち着く前に[十分な住宅ローン金利を確保]していることを確認してください。
ロッキー山脈に位置するこのスキーリゾートの町には、裕福で裕福な人々が頻繁に訪れますが、アスペンの数百万ドルの家の1つを買う余裕があれば、素晴らしい景色と高級レストランやブティックを楽しむことができます。
「町に住む場所を見つけて手に入れることができれば、それが最良のシナリオです。車がなくてもできるからです。食料品店、レストラン、郵便局、スキー場が徒歩圏内にあります。バス停は町のすぐそばにあり、地元の乗り物を無料で利用したり、谷を数ドルで下りたりすることができます」と、QuoraのCarenGoodrichは書いています。
コロラド州はまた、退職者にとって非常に税制上有利です。毎年、課税所得から最大24,000ドルの退職所得を差し引くことができます。
サンファン諸島群島にあるこの商業の中心地に行くには、水上飛行機またはフェリーに乗る必要があります。小さなお店、レストラン、パブがたくさんあり、ゴージャスな自然の風景に囲まれています。
アーキテクチュラルダイジェスト フライデーハーバーをワシントンで最も美しい町と呼んでいますが、その理由を理解するのは難しいことではありません。ウォーターフロントの景色、小さなお店やレストラン、歩きやすさが特徴です。
ワシントンには所得税がないため、社会保障給付と退職所得は非課税ですが、フライデーハーバーの資産価値は非常に高くなっています。場所は犠牲になりますが、ウェナチーにはもっと安い宿泊施設があります。
リノは、カジノやリゾートがあるラスベガスの縮小版と言えますが、ゴージャスな山の景色と広大な砂漠を提供する単なるゲームの町ではありません。
「世界最大の小さな街」と呼ばれることも多いリノのダウンタウンとミッドタウン地区は、ショッピングオプションやレストラン、バーがたくさんあり、都会の休暇に最適です。 580エーカーのランチョサンラファエルリージョナルパークでは、9月のグレートリノバルーンレースなど、年間を通じてイベントが開催されます。
「あなたがアウトドア派なら、リノは素晴らしいです。冬にはいくつかのスキーリゾートにアクセスできます。たくさんのウォーターアクティビティ、マウンテンバイク、夏のハイキング」とRedditでmountainaitaは書いています。
犯罪率が比較的低いため、オハイオ州で最も安全な都市の1つと見なされているメディナ郡のブランズウィックは、クリーブランドやアクロンなどの大都市への便利なアクセスも提供しています。
ブランズウィックには、スーザンハンブリーネイチャーセンターや森林に覆われたノースパークなどの緑地があり、ブランズウィックメディカルセンターは街の中心部にあります。
オハイオ州は社会保障を州の所得税から免除しており、住宅は少し高価ですが、州での生活費は比較的低くなっています。より安価なオプションについては、ポートクリントンをご覧ください。ポートクリントンも水に近接しています。
シェナンドアバレーのウィンチェスターは芸術の中心地であり、コンサート、フェスティバル、その他の文化イベントを一年中開催しています。また、アパラチアトレイルなどの自然のアトラクションへの玄関口でもあります。
市内には、医療センター、ショッピングモール、ジムバーネットパークなどのいくつかの公園があり、フィットネストレイル、ディスクゴルフコース、遊び場、屋内プールと屋外プールがあります。また、ウィンチェスター旧市街には魅力的なショップやレストランがあります。
バージニア州は、退職者に対してかなり税制上有利であると考えられています。州は社会保障給付に課税しませんが、退職金口座と公的および私的年金からの引き出しに対して部分的に課税されます。
ニューメキシコ州は、引退の最悪の州の1つと見なされていますが、課税された引退収入、高い財産犯罪、貧弱な医療アクセスのおかげで、サンタフェ市はそれを推奨することがたくさんあります。
ロッキー山脈のふもとに位置するサンタフェの見事な日干しレンガの建築、芸術と文化の中心地、そして冒険好きな人のためのバルーニングやパラセーリングなどの豊富なレクリエーションの機会は、退職者にとって魅力的です。
TheShadyTacoはRedditに次のように書いています。「遅いペースを探しているなら、サンタフェは良い選択肢です。サンタフェの人口統計のほとんどは古く、ナイトライフはあまりありませんが、信じられないほどの量のバーがあり、それがあなたのものであればクラフトビールは不足していません...それは文化がかなり豊富で、通常はいくつかあります季節を問わず、ある種のイベントが開催されます。」
スノーバードは毎年晴れたツーソンに群がります。急速に成長している大都市圏であり、生活費が比較的低く、素晴らしい山の景色が見られます。
また、砂漠の動植物や古代の岩面彫刻があるサワロ国立公園など、素晴らしい歴史的および文化的アトラクションもあります。美味しいメキシコ料理も楽しめます。ただし、オールドプエブロには欠点がないわけではありません。FBIのデータによると、アリゾナ州で最も犯罪率が高い国の1つです。
「多様性、芸術、文化、食べ物や飲み物の選択肢は素晴らしいです。また、基本的に町のどこからでも山やトレイルシステムに簡単に入ることができます。これにより、トレイルにアクセスするために町を車で1時間以上かかることがないため、ツーソンはユニークです」とRedditのBaginaJonは書いています。
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この美しい街は、質の高い生活、緊密なコミュニティ、美しいトレイル、マスコマ湖の景色で知られています。
レバノンには、ダートマスヒッチコックメディカルセンターもあります—米国による評価ニュース 州で最高の病院として、そしてノリスコットンがんセンターとして。
「アウトドアが好きなら、住むのに最適な場所です。バーリントン、バーモント、モントリオールに近接しています。活動：山のもの、乗馬、ホッケー。ほとんどのリンクには、毎日8ドル程度の大人のスケートがあります（夏を除く）。ボストンから数時間、ニューヨークまで車で数時間です」と、あるRedditorは言います。
このアトランタ郊外は、2011年にゴルフカートの流行で注目を集めました。ほとんどすべての家族が、学校に行ったり、食料品を手に入れたりするために、市内の100マイルの多目的パスのネットワークをこれらの小さな車で走り回りました。
この風変わりな傾向とは別に、この街には小さなブティック、大規模な全国チェーン、100以上のレストラン、8つのホテルがあります。ハーツフィールドジャクソンアトランタ国際空港からも車で約30分です。
ファイエット郡は、温暖な気候、犯罪率の低さ、素晴らしいレクリエーションの機会でも知られています。また、郡の公式サイトでは、ピーチツリーシティを「国内で最も成功した計画都市」と呼んでいます。
ミズーリ川沿いにあるサウスダコタ州の美しい首都は、米国で最も人口の少ない首都の1つであり、ウォルマートのスーパーセンターや診療所などの必需品を保持しながら、すべてから逃げようとする退職者に最適です。
川沿いのグリフィンパークには、ピクニックシェルター、野球場、ビーチ、プール、スケートパーク、テニスコートがあります。
サウスダコタ州には州の所得税はありません。つまり、社会保障、年金、その他の形態の退職所得はすべて非課税です。消費税もかなり安いです。
ルーグーティーの街は、美しい樹木が茂った丘と小道がある、風光明媚なマーティン郡のペリータウンシップにあります。
街は、ボート、釣り、キャンプ、水泳ができる630エーカーのウェストボッグズパークからわずか5分です。ルーグーティーには、レストラン、シティプール、公園、4,000人以上が座れるジャックブッチャーアリーナがあります。
Hoosier Stateは、固定資産税が低く、生活費がまともであるため、退職者にとってかなり手頃な価格です。年金と退職後の貯蓄からの収入は課税されますが、社会保障は免除されます。
This census-designated place in Hartford County features green, open spaces like Harford Glen Park and the Maryland Golf and Country Club. The University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health center is just a short drive away as well.
“Bel Air has breweries, bars and restaurants. Plenty of shopping. Everything you need is 5 miles away. There are cool walking trails and parks. They have a farmer's market in town and you can buy fresh produce from local farms within a short drive. Crime is low,” says tamescartha on Reddit about the Bel Air area.
Home values can be a bit pricey, however, so for more affordable options, look to Hagerstown, where the median home value is just $174,043.
This small city on the Deschutes River offers skiing adventures in the Cascade Mountains, glorious green spaces such as Drake Park and old volcanic sites and caves.
“It is an outdoor meca. World-class mountain biking, hiking, horse trails, skiing of every kind, Cascade lakes for water sports, whitewater rafting/kayaking, and Mt. Bachelor is one of the largest ski areas in North America with snow that lasts till Memorial Day (or longer),” says Steve Sickler on Quora.
However, home values in Bend are staggeringly high — at around $600,000, according to Zillow — so if you’d like to enjoy Oregon’s natural beauty but in a more affordable location, try La Grande by the Umatilla National Forest.
Believe it or not, New York City’s fantastic health care system and access to amenities can make it an ideal retirement spot.
“NYC is wonderful for old people. Excellent public transportation, great hospitals, a plethora of doctors and specialists, lots of services that provide nursing care, etc. Also, the walkability, even if you can't walk very far or fast, means you can still get out to socialize, get groceries for a much longer span of time, whereas in the suburbs, having to drive everywhere when your eyesight and instincts are rusty is unsafe and eventually leads to isolation,” says PigeonProwler on Reddit.
That said, the Big Apple is generally considered one of the most expensive cities to live in across the country, so if you’d rather not take a chunk out of your retirement fund to deal with rent or high mortgage payments, consider the small town of Corning instead.
The “Jewel of the Delta” is another secret gem for retirees. The median home value is just $46,947, according to Zillow, and the state won’t tax you on your property or Social Security benefits.
The tiny city nestled about halfway between Little Rock and Memphis offers both delightful recreational activities and lovely historic sites.
It’s also close to Village Creek State Park, which offers almost 7,000 acres of forested hills and boasts 33 miles of trails amid campsites, indoor and outdoor theaters, picnic areas and pavilions.
If you seek the comfort and convenience of a city with accessible amenities such as high-quality hospitals and scenic views, consider relocating to this waterfront city.
“Portland is big enough to find fun things to do:concerts, sports, restaurants, outdoors, ocean activities, White Mountain is 1.5 hours away, shopping, etc. But it's not so big you have to deal with crowds, traffic and the like,” writes Tom Coyne on Quora.
That said, the city is pretty expensive, with typical home values upward of $400,000, so a retiree on a fixed income might be better off settling down in Augusta, the state capital.
If you can afford the high cost of living, this beachside community in Kauai County offers wonderful shopping and dining options plus live music and water sports.
Hawaii itself is also recognized nationwide for its excellent health care system, taking the top spot for access and quality, according to US News 。
“The BEST part about Kaua‘i … Even when money is tight, we can drive over to the beach about 5 minutes away and enjoy nature. We can swim, hike, sit in the sand, go to the mountains, play in the river and just enjoy a simple life,” writes Kapa‘a resident Regina Floyd on Quora.
This picturesque resort town by Payette Lake in Valley County has it all for nature lovers. Visitors flock to the upscale Shore Lodge every year for its lovely suites and spa pools and to enjoy McCall’s water sports and skiing adventures.
McCall also offers several annual cultural and artistic attractions such as music festivals, boat shows, carnivals and parades.
“McCall is great. If you like the outdoors, it's the place. Skiing, hiking, boating, chilling. Good food everywhere for (normally) good prices. Plus, mostly nice people. Lots of tourists. Shore Lodge is very nice as well,” says Redditor _retro_future.
This borough in the heart of the Brandywine Valley is just a half hour from Wilmington and 45 minutes from Center City Philadelphia and offers excellent shopping and dining options downtown.
Retirees can enjoy golf, gardens, wineries, breweries and outdoor adventures at gorgeous parks such as the 2,606-acre Ridley Creek State Park, which offers guided nature walks, hiking, fishing, biking and horseback riding.
Locals advise avoiding all the college kids — West Chester is home to a public university — but Allottafachina on Reddit says the city’s an “awesome area” and “If you aren't super strapped for cash, check out the restaurants and bars. Great food at some of the older-crowd places. Even if you go about 15 minutes out of town (more so East than West), you're still in a highly populated area, with great food/shops.”
Haines could be a great retiree destination — if you don’t mind the frigid winters and pricey groceries that come hand-in-hand with living in the Frontier State — as it offers plenty of outdoor activities throughout the year and gorgeous scenic views.
Kristine Harder on Quora recommends the fantastic scenery and says “there are fabulous acoustics in the Chilkat Center for the Arts, and the Arts Council is quite active.”
Alaska is also an income tax-free state, which means you won’t owe anything on your Social Security benefits or pension money. There’s just one health care center in Haines, however, so for more amenities and health care access you might be better off settling down in the big city of Anchorage, which is about 756 miles away.
Horse and liquor enthusiasts can head to Versailles in Woodford County, known for its “bourbon, wine and bloodlines.”
Aside from horse farms and bourbon and wine tours, visitors will find shopping and dining options, and the city is less than a half hour’s drive from Lexington. You’ll find cheaper housing and rental options farther south in Danville, the county seat of Boyle County, however.
The state of Kentucky is also tax friendly for retirees. Your Social Security and up to $31,110 in retirement income is exempt from the state income tax.
If you’re willing to battle North Dakota’s brutally cold winters and high housing costs and put up with taxed retirement income, Bismarck’s not a bad place to settle.
The serious crime rate is relatively low and it’s also considered a major center for both retail and health care. Two major medical facilities in the city include CHI St. Alexius Health-Bismarck and Sanford Medical Center Bismarck, which rank highly for adult specialties.
The city of Fargo is a bit more affordable, however, plus it has landed on Forbes’ Best Places to Retire list for 10 years in a row, due to its high number of doctors per capita and good air quality.
Newport on Aquidneck Island, sometimes called the “Sailing Capital of the World,” offers plenty of attractions to lure both mariners and retirees.
Snag fresh seafood at the local eateries and check out the Gilded Age mansions along Bellevue Avenue. Residents also enjoy a fairly moderate climate with highs of 65 and lows of 23 degrees Fahrenheit.
In Rhode Island, you’ll need to contend with high property taxes and an estate tax, however, and Social Security and retirement income gets taxed as well. On top of that, home values are a lot higher in Newport than the rest of the state, so you might be better off settling down in Providence.
Monroe’s county seat is a friendly small town just a 20-minute drive away from downtown St. Louis. It offers quiet, historic charm with big-city bustle just in reach.
Compared to the rest of the country, it’s relatively cheap to live in Waterloo. The median home value is $209,058, according to Zillow, and health care is considered affordable as well.
Senior amenities include medical services and assisted living and nursing facilities, and locals enjoy lovely parks, shopping and dining opportunities and community events. There are also museums and golf courses and a weekly farmer’s market.
The city of Seaford, nestled along the Nanticoke River, calls itself “the Perfect Place to Start,” but it could also be the perfect place for a retiree if you enjoy a slower pace of life.
The city has several parks, an 18-hole public golf course and a sports complex, and you’ll find plenty of dining and shopping options on High Street. Seaford also offers more than 500 retail stores and service-based businesses, a hospital and several support clinics and elderly care.
The Diamond State also doesn’t tax Social Security benefits or levy a sales tax, so it’s quite affordable for someone on a fixed income.
This state capital in the Rocky Mountains got its start during a gold rush in 1864 — and while it’s not quite as thrilling in the 21st century, it’s still an ideal location for a retiree.
“The outdoor activities are unlimited, basically. Close to whatever you could possibly imagine. It’s a great town for someone who loves the outdoors and being close to nature. It’s not overly huge either, it’s honestly a perfect size. It’s a perfect place for a true Montana experience,” says justtakemetovegas on Reddit.
Aside from all the natural beauty, take a stroll down the Historic District to admire the preserved architecture, or head downtown for the art galleries, stores, dining and microbreweries.
Surrounded by rivers and bayous and wooded parks, “Camellia City” offers plenty of distractions for a retiree. Seniors also pay reduced utility fees, according to the city website, and Louisiana doesn’t tax Social Security benefits or public pension income.
Slidell is just a few miles from the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain and a short drive from the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge and North Shore Beach Park.
Don’t miss out on community events such as the Bayou Jam Concerts and Slidell Movie Nights, tours at the Honey Island Swamp, and the Olde Towne Slidell district, which offers restaurants, shops, galleries and museums.
Once a shipbuilding town, it’s now a largely residential city, and its downtown area teems with college students from the private liberal arts Wesleyan University.
It usually costs more to live by the water, but the median home value in Middletown isn’t high compared to the rest of the state. You won’t lack for green space, either, with two state parks and several golf courses nearby. But if you have your heart set on this city or another to retire in, start your retirement plan now to save and invest toward that goal.
“Middletown is fabulous. It's a diverse, mixed income community with vibrant neighborhoods and a lot of arts and culture. Wesleyan is a gem for its Center for the Arts shows and performances … Restaurants abound on Main Street … People care in this community. It takes some time to uncover the hidden gems, but you'll find them,” writes Catherine S on Quora.
This coastal resort community lies along the sparkling shores of Little Traverse Bay and boasts lovely Victorian architecture and stunning harbor views.
Michigan doesn’t tax Social Security benefits and also lets you deduct significant amounts from other retirement income. However, you will have to deal with high property taxes, plus the median home value in Petoskey is higher than the rest of the state.
Most Redditors recommend the city for its scenic views — iriebutterfly recommends you “walk around downtown and go into Fustini's Oils and Vinegars for tasting, Reusch Jewelers for dreaming and the marina for lovely views. Second, drive through Harbor Springs up to 119N to the tunnel of trees. Check out Sturgeon's Bay/Lake Michigan for beautiful beach views. End at Leg's Inn for a delicious Polish dinner.”
You’ll enjoy both affordable housing and delightful scenery if you choose to make your retirement home in this small mountain town in Tucker County.
Close by lies Blackwater Falls State Park in the Allegheny Mountains, which boasts 20 miles of hiking trails and its dark cascade falls, colored by the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles.
Keep in mind that Parsons is a bit out of the way from the rest of the state, however; the nearest hospital is about a half hour’s drive away. And Social Security and other forms of retirement income get partially taxed in West Virginia.
Barre’s more than just a small granite town — the housing options are more affordable compared to the rest of the state, and outdoor recreational opportunities are within reach as well.
The 26,000-acre Groton State Forest is about 20 minutes away. It encompasses seven state parks and more than 17 miles of hiking trails and more than 20 miles of gravel roads and multi-use trails for mountain biking and horseback riding.
“You have quick access to the highway, there are retail centers, there are entertainment centers, there are bars, and loads of places to go hiking around the area. And the Barre City Police Department and Barre Town PD are highly responsive,” writes coffee_stained_note on Reddit.
You might recognize this small community for its location on Martha’s Vineyard island — a beachy summer enclave frequented by celebrities and former presidents, such as Reese Witherspoon and Barack Obama.
Check out the historic lighthouses, delightful farms and fresh seafood, all within easy reach.
You could make this charming vacation destination your year-round retirement home if your nest egg is big enough to afford the staggeringly high prices. The median home value on Zillow is just under $1 million.
If not, you’re better off in Worcester, which is still a bit pricey but under Massachusetts’ $500,000 median.
This small town south of Kansas City, Mo., is perfect for a senior seeking a slower pace of life.
Check out the historic gazebo and water fountain in the park square, surrounded by shops and restaurants. And for green spaces, look to all the parks, including the 12,000-acre Hillsdale State Park, which features a small beach and playground area.
Although Paola certainly has its pros, retirees on a fixed income can find more affordable housing in Topeka, where the median home value stands at $138,955.
Florida has long been lauded as a retiree haven, thanks to its tax-friendliness, sunny climate and beaches, but it’s not the cheapest state to live in. North Port isn’t so bad, however, with a median home value of $245,415.
North Port features more than 26 parks and open spaces, including the 8,500-acre Myakka State Forest, canoeing and kayaking opportunities on the Myakka River and the city’s freshwater canals and several hiking, mountain biking, horse riding and bird watching trails.
You’ll have to drive about 20 minutes outside the city to reach the nearest hospital, however. North Port includes a children’s hospital and urgent care center within city limits, but for general care look to Port Charlotte and Sarasota.
You get the best of both worlds in Mequon, a residential suburb that lies alongside Lake Michigan and is just 30 minutes away from the big city of Milwaukee.
You won’t lack for outdoor opportunities. The 438-acre Mequon Nature Preserve has some lovely walking trails amid restored forests, prairies and wetlands, while Virmond Park offers gorgeous bluff views of Lake Michigan.
Homes in Mequon cost more than double the state median, however, so retirees on a fixed income might prefer something in Watertown.
The “Singing River” city along Mississippi Sound is Mississippi’s busiest port and includes a population of about 20,000 residents. While you usually pay more to live by the water, the median home value in Pascagoula is less than $100,000.
Check out Pascagoula Beach Park, which features a playground, picnic pavilions, a seasonal splash pad, fishing pier and trail. Visit the local seafood restaurants for fresh, delicious fish sandwiches and shrimp baskets.
The state of Mississippi exempts all forms of retirement income from taxes, and property taxes are relatively low as well.
Chattanooga, a city in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, is dubbed “The Scenic City” for a reason. Take in the breathtaking views at Rock City Gardens and Ruby Falls and visit historical attractions such as the Tennessee Valley Railroad.
The city claims it has “the most productive affordable housing program in the nation” and has won three national awards for outstanding "livability.” Health facilities close at hand include the high-performing CHI Memorial Hospital.
“Lots of outdoor activities, new niche restaurants popping up, relatively good music scene given the size of the city, relatively close to other cities/destinations for weekend getaways, minor league baseball and soccer teams are pretty popular,” says Timmers86 on Reddit.
This sleepy Tulsa suburb was an agricultural town until the 1960s, and today residents enjoy relatively low home values with easy access to the big city.
There’s a Walmart superstore here, and you can check out Archery Park and the local sports complex for recreational opportunities. The closest hospitals are about 20 minutes away in Tulsa.
Oklahoma in general is quite affordable for retirees — it offers low property taxes, the state exempts Social Security retirement benefits from taxes, and it offers a $10,000 deduction toward other types of retirement income.
Asheville, tucked away in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, boasts a thriving arts scene that earned it the title “The Paris of the South.” It also has incredible eateries and scenic views.
The temperate climate and fresh mountain air means you’ll also get some relief from the sweltering summers and frigid winters of other states.
“There is a lot of natural beauty and outdoor activities (hiking, biking, paddling, camping) within an hour or two's drive. For the size of the town, there's lots of great food and drink. There's a good spread of old people and young people — both college-aged kids and retired folks. Lots of comfortable, friendly, close-knit neighborhoods,” writes one Redditor.
Lake City, situated on Lake Pepin, is often called the birthplace of waterskiing — local Ralph Samuelson made history when he first performed it in 1922.
Aside from water sports, residents enjoy restaurants, small town shops and the surrounding bluffs and parks, particularly the 250-acre Hok-Si-La Park, which features walking trails, campgrounds and a beach.
The U.S. travel site Only In Your State ranks the city as a top retirement destination as well for its high population of retirees, low housing costs and crime rate and convenient access to grocery stores, libraries, restaurants and recreational activities.
Stark red rock formations, arches and mesas lie beyond Moab, a town uniquely positioned between two national parks. However, there’s a lot to love within the city limits as well.
Aside from adventuring around nearby Arches and Canyonlands national parks, which offer hiking, biking, climbing and whitewater rafting, residents have access to some smaller city parks, a hospital, urgent care center and several eateries.
Unfortunately, Utah taxes Social Security benefits and other retirement income, and property values are relatively high — the median home value in Moab is $386,351.
Retire to this port city with its blend of historic buildings, horse-drawn carriages, boat tours and beaches. Walk along The Battery for delightful seaside views and the 12-acre Waterfront Park with its unique giant pineapple fountain. And check out the top shopping and dining spots in the area.
Among the hospitals in the city are MUSC Health-University Medical Center, nationally ranked and considered high-performing for adult specialties.
However, drawbacks to living in the city include oppressive summer heat and high home values. Retirees on a fixed income may find more affordable options in Columbia.
Davenport, once dubbed "The Most Livable Small City in America," is actually Iowa’s third largest, and it’s a vibrant, modern community with a bustling downtown.
Housing is pretty cheap, with the median home value at just $147,545, according to Zillow, and Davenport’s Genesis Health System placed second in IBM Watson Health’s 15 top health systems list in 2021.
“What Davenport is, is a diversified small city with a very sound economic base, lots of nice-to-excellent neighborhoods, filled with hard-working and trustworthy and reliable people. Good churches, good schools, good stores, good jobs,” says Kent Aldershof on Quora.
Boerne, a German-founded town named for author and publicist Ludwig Börne, is a hidden gem in Texas Hill Country.
Enjoy the outdoors at Boerne City Lake Park, which includes a fishing pier, boat dock and a butterfly garden, and the wooded Cibolo Nature Center. Take a guided tour of the limestone Cascade Caverns, just 3 miles outside Boerne.
Texas doesn’t have an income tax, so you won’t owe money to the government for your retirement income or Social Security, but property taxes are high, plus Boerne’s median home value is almost double the rest of the state. You might find more modest prices in the College Station area, but you’ll have to deal with lots of college students roaming around as well.
