These Southern spots are real jewels in the landscape, and it's high time you started exploring one or two (or all of them!). From metro areas on both coasts to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, these are the priciest cities in the U.S. to call home. She previously served as editor of the "Starting Out" column, focusing on personal finance advice for people in their twenties and thirties. Should we cut my sister out of the family inheritance? Outdoor activities are very important. Asheville, North Carolina is located in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a part of the larger Appalachian range. It's where you can ha We love small mountain towns, privacy, colder weather. Plus, living costs are low while incomes are high, at an average $97,958 a year for residents age 60 and up. From when to retire to how much to save, here are expert-backed answers to crucial retirement questions. Flagstaff, Arizona. Asheville is a popular retirement spot, and over a quarter of the population is age 60 or older. But if you crave adventureand don't mind long winters and vast swaths of wildernessit pays to live in Alaska. Gunstock Mountain Resort in neighboring Gilford, for example, offers camping, ziplining and snow sports, as well as fairs, events and dining options. Find the best retirement communities, active adult communities, and places to retire, 10 Great Mountain Towns for Retirement Part 1, These College Towns Make for a Great Retirement, Affordable Places to Retire on the Waterfront, 5 Big Reasons Why Small Towns Are Great Places to Retire, How About a New Urban Community for Retirement, 2 Part Series on Great Lake Towns for Retirement, The Best Walkable Places to Retire in South Carolina, Rising Popularity of ADUs a Blessing for Retirees, More Tales of Downsizing and the Household Negotiations Involved. How do I make it last? Winters here would be a touch warmer than Michigan and Maine, with average highs around freezing. Mesa offers modest living, with a median rent of $1,646, and some homes selling at less than $200,000. We would like to have a vegetable garden. The Best States: Where Are Retirees Moving to? This city is known for its vibrant art scene, historical sites, and architecture such as the Biltmore Estate and the Basilica of St. Laurence. Combine the culture and arts scene that comes with the university with a quaint historic shopping and restaurant district, great weather and all those mountain activities for an A-plus experience. The citys Market Square Downtown District hosts an expansive list of restaurants, retailers, parks, and greenspaces. (By comparison, the country's smallest state in size, Rhode Island, hosts more than a million peopleabout 871 people per square mile.) Photo: Nathanael Hovee/EyeEm/Getty Images, The Best Budget Getaways In The South For 2023, Best Lake Towns To Retire To in the South, Five Reasons To Visit Lexington, Virginia, 32 Charming Mountain Towns To Visit This Fall, 20 Southern Destinations For Your Next Long Winter Weekend, 12 Mountain Getaways to Take with Your Girlfriends This Fall, Explore These Virginia Towns Along the Blue Ridge Parkway This Fall, The Greatest Day Trips To Take In Every Southern State, 10 Charming Tennessee Towns Everyone Should Visit This Year, 10 Prettiest Places for Fall Foliage in Tennessee, 18 Perfect Fall Girlfriend Getaways To Plan Immediately. And nearby is the tallest peak in Georgia,Brasstown Bald, which welcomes hikers, nature lovers and picnics too. An eco-friendly vibe permeates the town, from the businesses bolstering the city's economy, such as household-products maker Seventh Generation, to the local food movement feeding the neighborhood. You forgot Hot Springs Village, Arkansas in the Ouitchita mountains. If youre willing to look beyond the Aspens,Park CitiesandJacksonsof the country, there are a number of mountain towns with a cost of living you can actually afford. Taxes and living costs in this area are high. Showcase Listing It's also home to a lively arts scene, with lots of live music and plenty of parks, museums, galleries, and restaurants in town. By Dan Burrows Hunting, fishing, hiking are excellent. In town,Historic Old Townoffers shopping and restaurants, and theres no shortage of events taking place year-round, including the July 4 Jamboree Days, fishing derbies at Lake Gregory, theMountain Fun Runners Car Show, a paragliding competition, theRedlands Bicycle Classicand more. To get the No. If rising before the sun to get in an early ski run or mountain bike adventure before work sounds like your idea of bliss, the mountains are calling your name. Welcome to Cresswind Charlotte! This isnt always the case, but many mountain towns tend to be on the smaller side, which can mean fewer town resources with cultural offerings Fires and natural disasters. That adds up to favorable odds for a balanced budget. Laid-off Meta cafeteria workers ask for the same severance as the companys employees, Why a change of scenery can be life-changing in retirement, Lawmakers consider plan to raise Social Securitys full retirement age to 70. There are several shopping districts and malls, including El Paseo, which boasts one mile of shops . You also may want to be close enough to potential jobs, should you decide to seek some extra income. From most of them you can look up and see mountains rising above, while in others they are just a short drive away. Only 10.1% of the entire state's population is age 65 and up compared with 14.9% of the whole U.S. You could even walk between the two along the Southern Bangor and Aroostook Trail. Whether you're partial to exploring the great outdoors or focusing on wine country, you have plenty of optionsyou don't even have to choose one over the other. You can almost every kind of lifestyle environment in beautiful Burlington. New York, All that comes with below-average costs, but also below-average incomes. Seattle is nestled in the Northeastern region of the state near Olympic National Park and the Cascades Mountain Range. Hiawassee, Georgia. You can find a bright retirement in Albuquerque. And it backs up the claim, offering a downtown full of restaurants, nightclubs, art galleries and music venues, on top of its well-known casinos. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Williamstown, Massachusetts. The small city of Corvallis, located about 85 miles south of popular Portland, offers a similarly laidback lifestyle, but with smaller crowds and relatively lower costs. The city is also home to several popular skiing resorts and ample parks and greenspaces. But at least that's more affordable than capital city Honolulu, on Oahu, where living costs are a steep 101.1% above the national average. Aroostook County also has more people than Delta County, at nearly 68,000, but it covers an area the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Readers, where do you think Lisa and her husband should retire? Tax Breaks Wildfires, blizzards, and landslides are just some of them. Not so great for older people. Cresswind_Charlotte The surrounding Ozark Mountains afford residents outdoor recreation and natural wonders to enjoy while the downtown area, home to the University of Arkansas, provides restaurants, shops and a lively music and arts scene, including the Walton Arts Center. One friend of ours thought he wanted to live in a great town in western Colorado, only to realize that the winter sun was hidden by tall peaks until mid morning and disappeared again in late afternoon. If you're age 65 and up, you can take WVU courses, for credit or not, at a discount. The problem? 1. We can't think of a better place to put down new roots than these fun-loving, laid-back communities. I agree that 55places and its affiliates, partner providers or agents may call, text, or email me about my inquiry, which may be made with automated means. Knoxville is also bordered by the Tennessee River on the southern end of the city, providing residents and visitors alike with access to the waterfront and scenic views. Mount Rainier National Park is about 150 miles away, but you can find plenty of peaks, including Badger Mountain, Candy Mountain and Jump Off Joe Butte, nearby. There are plenty of cultural attractions, from a sculpture trail to a symphony orchestra. Great Places to Retire Early Near the Beach. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean, home sales averaged $260,000, as of May 2022, making beach living seriously affordable. Few aspiring retirees have enough saved to buy a retirement home in Aspen, Colorado, or Jackson, Wyoming. Home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, the Redstone Arsenal and the Huntsville campus of the University of Alabama, the city offers a robust economy and a highly educated population. Palm Springs has many natural attractions as well as dining and shopping for homeowners to take advantage of. Undoubtedly, many of you have considered the Grand Canyon State for its retiree-friendly climate and beautiful natural scenery. Disadvantages Colder winters. Coravllis is home to more than a dozen wineriesnaturally, being in the heart of the Willamette Valleyas well as four craft distillers for whiskey, vodka and more and six breweries right in town. Time to drop the disability coverage and review your other plans. Weve gathered 25 of the best places for snowbirds, including cities in Florida, Arizona, California, Texas, South Carolina, and Nevada. Denver offers 14,000 acres of parks nearby in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, with ample opportunity for hiking, biking and exploring. At one point,Utahsoldest city was home to more millionaires per capita than any other place in America, but the current median home cost is just $188,100, compared to $354,300 in nearby Salt Lake City. When it's time to pack up your things and start a new adventure, try one of the South's mountain towns on for size. The overall cost of living is 1.2% below the national average, according to Sperling's BestPlaces, making it much more affordable than Manchesterabout 50 miles southwhere living costs are 13.2% above average. Other outdoor recreation abounds nearby, too. Ogden is not as well known asPark City, UT, but offers some advantages and similarities to that resort town for a lot less money. Copyright 2023 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. Although many people dream of a retirement near the beach, in a small town, or even the downtown of a city, there are plenty of baby boomers whose ambition is to retire near the mountains. Theres good reason more than 45 movies and TV shows (The Sandlot, Everwood, Con Air, Drive Me Crazy) have been filmed here. If a move from one state to another is in your future, you could save big bucks by relocating to one of these states where the tax bite is light for middle-class families. RSS feed for comments on this post. Juneau, Alaska. Read the in-depth tour our very own Flo Williamson wrote up on the area. Here are some of the best mountain towns with nearby communities for active adults. I used the MarketWatch where should I retire tool to help me find some options, choosing median rents for a two-bedroom place below $600 (the lower the better) and counties with fewer than 50,000 people. Rents across Delta County are much cheaper than around Iron Mountain, where median incomes are higher and median rents are well above $600. Blacksburg is a great college town for retirement. Published 8 December 22. Pittman Center Wikipedia/Brian Stansberry If you insist on going out west, start with southeastern Idaho, particularly Bear Lake County. Loner types should love the Cowboy State. Copyright 2006-2023 Topretirements.com. Foodies will enjoy retiring in Palm Desert with 150+ restaurants offerings cuisine of all types. The state of Washington is known for being a picturesque place for nature lovers, and its also home to some of the countrys most popular peaks, such as Mount Rainier. degree in English from the George Washington University. Asheville, North Carolina Residents of Asheville and the surrounding area can easily visit the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. Bethel, Maine Population: 2,650 Average Age: 48.8 Median Home Price: $178,500 Median Rental Price: $1,310 (3-bedroom) Retirees living in Bethel, Maine will have no problem convincing the family to come visit! The Best Active Adult Communities for Boaters. Mentone, Alabama. By David Muhlbaum We want to buy a home on 10 wide-open acres and live on $50,000 a year where should we retire? Where should we retire? Those looking to explore everything the Appalachian Mountains have to offer will enjoy living in Asheville. Look for ways to trim costs and keep items in solid condition to stretch retirement dollars. I understand that my consent is not a prerequisite for buying a property. Twin Falls, Idaho. And the Granite State's tax situation for retirees is solid, too. This mountain resort town in Colorado draws tourists for its sports and views. Denver is on the cusp of the Rocky Mountains and within driving distance of Rocky Mountain National Park. on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Other strengths of the area include high employment and economic stability, as well as quality infrastructure, with well-funded transit for older adults, highly rated nursing homes and ample continuing care. Salt Lake City in Utah is one of the countrys most prominent mountain towns as it is located along the border of the Oquirrh Mountains. Blacksburg, Virginia. Im looking for a cannabis-friendly red-leaning state with no state income taxes where should I retire on $60,000 a year? Upside of the relative crowds of the capital city: no lack of activities. The top of Lookout Mountain is just a 15-minute drive from downtown. Las Vegas may not be the first city on the list when it comes to mountain views, but Sin Citys location along Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area puts homeowners within reach of the McCullough Range and the Spring Mountains. Communities | A popular vacation spot, Highlands is a small North Carolina town near the Appalachian Mountains. At the higher altitudes there might even by snow in summer. Recreation. Note this is Part 2 of Mountain Towns for Retirement, see Further Reading at end for 10 more. Its location atop the Snake River Canyon provides for outdoor activities including boating, fishing, hiking, golf, whitewater rafting and skiing. Although skiing on Mount Werner is the main draw here in the winter and spring, the. Youll find trails, hell find deer hopefully they wont find your vegetable garden. It can cost your family thousands of dollars each year if you end up in one of the worst states for taxes after a move. 10 Myths That Could Sink Your Retirement. Southern California is a dream location for many active adult homebuyers for a variety of reasons such as warm weather and close proximity toSan Diego and Los Angeles. And America's mountain majesties can be found in many locations all over the country. Silvia Ascarelli is a senior news editor for MarketWatch based in New York. The capital of Alaska is on the coast beneath mountains as they rise away from the coast. Tahoe, California. Tucked between and Plott Balsam Mountain Range and the Blue Ridge Parkway,Sylva is a small but quaint town lined with cafes, galleries, bookstores, breweries, and antique shops. Residents of the city and the surrounding area can easily visit the Blue Ridge Mountain Range, which is home to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mount Mitchell, as well as several waterfalls, hiking trails, and waterways. Niche reports some of the most economical real estate for retirees in the area, with the median home value at $175,400 way under the $244,900 national average. For example, the median home value in the U.S. is $229,000, according to Zillow; in California, it's $548,600; and in Carlsbad, it's (brace yourself) $860,700. Located 100 miles fromDenverand resting at 10,150 feet, the nations highest-altitude incorporated city is home to 50 historic structures, eight museums and plenty of outdoor adventure options. Buyers Market vs. Sellers Market: Whats the Status Right Now? Some popular attractions within city limits include the Denver Art Museum, Coors Field, and The Denver Central Market. Housing costs for retirees in Knoxville are the biggest factor bringing down costs, at nearly 30% below the national average. Reviews | The good news for those of us lacking a few extra zeroes in our bank accounts? Chattanoogais a low-cost, interesting city of about 170,000 people in southern Tennessee. Published 11 January 23. real estate Besides boating, it offers world class skiing and hiking at nearby areas like Squaw Valley and Mammoth Lakes. This town in Georgia near both North and South Carolina offers the best of two lifestyles its on Lake Chatuge with 150 miles of coastline. The town is near giant Whitefish Lake and surrounded by big mountains. Daytona Beach has a population of nearly 75,000 and 20% of people are age 65 and up. Debt and waiting until a financial situation improves are top justifications financial advisors hear. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Up in northern Arizona and not too far from the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff almost became Americas movie capital. Another popular mountain town in Arizona is Prescott. Lets take a look at what it means to live in an age-restricted community, and whether its important enough to you as you begin or continue your search for a new home. Williamstown is in Berkshire County. Heres what you need to know about moving to Puerto Rico for retirement. Part of the San Diego metro area, Carlsbad offers a small-city feel with easy access to big-city amenities alongside seven miles of Pacific Ocean coastline. And being the capital city, you can find plenty of attractions to keep you busyworld-class restaurants, professional sports teams and an array of museums, theaters and other cultural attractions. On top of its friendly-tax status, most parts of Tennessee have below-average living costs across the board for retired residents. Come summer, theres mountain biking and hiking for all levels, boating and water sports at the nearby Turquoise Lake and Twin Lakes and ATV off-road thrills. But while Cheyenne is hardly a bustling metropolis by headcount, the population density is much higher at about 2,200 people per square mile. You can also find 40 parks and more than 50 miles of hiking trails, including the variety of options covering the Rancho La Costa Preserve's Denk Tank Mountain, the highest point in Carlsbad. Unlike some of the state's other top retirement. Steamboat Springs, Colo. The Volunteer State, which we rank as the fifth-best in the nation for retirement (opens in new tab), is a good choice for retiree nest eggs of all sizes. Many retirees dream of moving to a scenic beach setting or an ideal countryside landscape, but those looking for a mountainside retirement have plenty of options to choose from. A north Georgia mountain town with an old soul, Blue Ridge is a fun town for retirees. As sweater weather rolls in, now is the most idyllic time to escape to the mountains. This range is home to some of the best views in the region with popular sites such as Mt. Plus, you can choose among a host of retirement communities with ocean views. But don't expect total isolation. These savings vehicles allow you to make tax-deferred contributions and your earnings grow tax-free. ) Fewer cultural resources. Like much of Californiawhere living costs are 69% above the national average, making it the second-most expensive state in the country behind only HawaiiCarlsbad and the whole metro area is a pricey place to live. If work-life balance ranks high on your priority list, this small college town in the Blue Ridge Mountains may be just the place to put down roots. Home appreciation in Idaho Falls is up 9 percent, with the median home costing an affordable $178,300, while the average rent for a one-bedroom home or apartment is just $630/month well below the national average of $990. Average winter highs will be below freezing; average summer highs are in the mid-70s. Or you can enjoy more leisurely paths of the Huntsville Greenway system. The bigger and better child tax credit for 2021 is gone, replaced by a new set of rules for taking the credit on 2022 returns. The area to save, here are expert-backed answers to crucial retirement questions fun town for retirees Knoxville! 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