Housely
When the subject of retirement comes up the conversation inevitably shifts to overseas destinations and retreats. It’s understandable, as affordability, comfort, relative safety, and having plenty to see and do are important for a happy retirement. However, there are many places in the U.S. that are perfectly suited for retirees. The nation’s best cities to retire have a reasonable cost of living, median home price of less than $200,000, an abundance of outdoor activities and entertainment options, a population where at least 20 percent of residents are 50 and older, and crime rates below the national average. Here are the top ten U.S. cities for retirees.
1. Northfield, Minnesota
Just 40 miles south of the bustling city of Minneapolis is Northfield, a college town where about 29 percent of residents are 50 or over. The colleges and universities in the area offer over 125 enrichment and higher education courses that are geared towards retirees, and there’s other activities to enjoy in town. If you want to experience even more shopping, dining, or entertainment just take a short trip into Minneapolis. Living in Northfield you’ll enjoy a lower crime rate, median home prices of $172,500, and a lower cost of living.
2. Prattville, Alabama
For southern hospitality and a range of fabulous golf courses, few places beat Prattville, Alabama. There are 24 golf courses within 30 miles of its center, including three public championship courses, and the city lies in the middle of Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The cost of living is low in Prattville — the median home price is $150,415 and property taxes average less than $500. 32 percent of residents in the area are 50 or over.
3. Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City is one of the best cities for retirees in Michigan and it has a wealth of outdoor activities including Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, sandy beaches, and the Grand Traverse Bays. It’s a great place to be if you want to retire on the lakefront, and median home prices are less than $160,000. Traverse City’s Front Street has lots of shopping and entertainment and there’s also City Opera House, Dennos Museum Center, and many vineyards and wine tours to keep retirees entertained.
4. Tyler, Texas
Tyler has been acknowledged by the state as being a great retirement community, and it’s among the best cities for retirees in Texas. Not only does it offer one of the lowest costs of living in the nation, Tyler has many renowned public golf courses including Pine Springs Golf Club and Oak Hurst Golf Course. The Caldwell Zoo, Tyler State Park, American Freedom Museum, and Brookshire’s World of Wildlife are just a few of the other activities many retirees in the city enjoy.
5. Bluffton, South Carolina
Bluffton, South Carolina is the one city on this list with a median home price that exceeds $200,000 — homes in the area average about $230,000. However, it has a low average property tax of $1,711 and South Carolina doesn’t tax Social Security benefits. Plus, there are many amenities and activities available for retirees that make living there pleasant. Bluffton sports 47 miles of riverfront and is great for fishing, has a close knit, friendly community, artsy vibe, and over 26 percent of the population is 50 or older.
6. Dover, Delaware
Those who appreciate a city with a small town feel but still want plenty of things to do may enjoy retiring in Dover, Delaware. It has many amenities, attractions, and museums including First State Heritage Park, The Schwartz Center for the Arts, Dover International Speedway, and Biggs Museum of American Art. The median home value in this quaint city is $166,600 and property taxes average less than $1,000 per year. There’s also no sales or property tax in Delaware, so your retirement dollars will stretch a bit further there.
7. Asheville, North Carolina
The esteemed Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is located in Asheville and is hosted by the University of North Carolina. Here, retirees can choose from over 200 courses that are apart of the life transition program, which aims to help make retirement more enjoyable and fulfilling. There are no degree requirements, tests, or grades given, and courses range from music and film to fitness, science, and creative writing. Sights and attractions available in Asheville include the North Carolina Arboretum, Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest, and the Folk Art Center. The median home price for the area is $200,000.
8. Sarasota, Florida
Florida has long ranked among the best when it comes to states with great cities for retirees, but many of them are quite expensive. Sarasota, considered by many to be Florida’s cultural capital, is affordable and has tons to do and plenty of beaches to explore. The arts scene in the city includes the Sarasota Ballet, a well regarded opera, the Florida West Coast Symphony, and the Sarasota Music Festival. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, the Classic Car Museum, and the South Florida Museum are just a few of the other fun and interesting attractions there. There’s no state income tax in Florida and the median home price in Sarasota is $136,000.
9. Boise, Idaho
If you’re into visual and performing arts and love to take part in festivals and community events, consider Boise, Idaho for your retirement destination. It’s one of the best Midwestern cities for retirees and has a vibrant arts and festival scene including Opera Idaho, the Boise Art Museum, Boise Philharmonic, and the famous annual Shakespeare festival. There are 17 museums within a 30 mile radius of the city’s center, and prime shopping and excellent restaurants are also in the area. Boise’s median home price is $184,500 and the average property tax is $2,309. More than 33 percent of the residents in the city are over 50 years old.
10. St. George, Utah
St. George is in southwest Utah and is an excellent place to retire if you enjoy the outdoors or want to be surrounded by natural beauty. National parks, great hiking spots, over 182 miles of biking trails, mountains, dining, entertainment, and much more can be found in and around the city. It’s an affordable place to live with a low crime rate and plenty to keep retirees active. The median home price in St. George is $195,000, and $1,542 is the average amount that homeowners pay per year in property taxes. 32 percent of the population in the city is over 50.
References
http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml
http://www.city-data.com/
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