Explorethevillage.com. Our income will be about $1,500 a month including rent. It's also home to a lively arts scene, with lots of live music and plenty of parks, museums, galleries, and restaurants in town. Or if you're 50 or older, you can join the local chapter of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Just as some people treasure a view of a lake or ocean, so do many others enjoy the thrill of big overlooks and distant mountains from every window and deck. You can follow her on Twitter @SilviaAscarelli. This giant area contains many small towns and areas where you will find happy and active retirees. Prescott is a quaint destination with a charming historic downtown thats home to a variety of cafes, restaurants, bars, and history museums like the Sharlot Hall Museum. 2007 2023 55places.com, a division ofNeighborhoods.com. Denver offers 14,000 acres of parks nearby in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, with ample opportunity for hiking, biking and exploring. The geography means you have to be comfortable hiking, mountain biking, skiing and backcountry exploring your way through retirement. 1 spot, Boynton Beach ranked high in cost of living, home price and value, and taxes. Free Baby Boomers Guide | While the median home value is a low $206,000 in the Green Mountain State, compared with the median $229,000 for the U.S., it climbs to $326,500 in Burlington. The good news for those of us lacking a few extra zeroes in our bank accounts? You can enjoy boating and fishing on the Columbia, Yakima and Snake Rivers, and hiking or biking on the 23-mile Sacagawea Trail. The city has its very own range, the Phoenix Mountains. Learn which one is right for you. You also may want to be close enough to potential jobs, should you decide to seek some extra income. and its nearly 700,000 residents 8th among its list of best places to retire . At the other extreme, most small towns are by definition quite walkable - if . Even nearby towns like Salt Lake can't compete with Ogden's low prices. The capital of Alaska is on the coast beneath mountains as they rise away from the coast. Americans are living longer than ever, and that creates some challenges for retirees. Or you can enjoy more leisurely paths of the Huntsville Greenway system. And rainy days are rare. Chattanooga, Tennessee. You have plenty of outdoor diversions, such as miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding; fishing and boating; and birding and other wildlife viewing. And Huntsville, in northern Alabama, is one of the best. Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get investing advice, rankings and stock market news. The cost of living in both areas runs nearly 14% below the national level. 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. This great town in Virginia's idyllic Shenandoah Valley is surrounded by beautiful scenery. Henry Chauncey, a Yale administrator who retired in 2002, initially left New Haven for a remote Vermont town where he liked to vacation while working. The Sunshine State is home to many charming small towns, and Cedar Key is one of the smallest and most charming. 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. College towns such as Blacksburg, Va. generally offer a high level of amenities at affordable prices. By Dan Burrows And the University of Vermont and its students present an unusually vibrant college town atmosphere. The town is near giant Whitefish Lake and surrounded by big mountains. You know your budget best. Showcase Listing Snowy peaks, amazing trails, clean air, and majestic scenery that one never tires of. Its part of the same metropolitan area as Logan, Utah, suggested here. Literally. 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. Another big local attraction: Every summer since 1897, Cheyenne hosts the world's largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration, Frontier Days, now a 10-day event. Or consider Piscataquis County to the west (nearly 17,000 people). Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, And Alabama at-large offers many of Florida's popular retirement attractionswarm weather, nice beaches and plenty of golfall at a typically lower price. This rapidly growing town in west central Montana is home to Montana State University - Bozeman and its 10,000 students. 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. Retirement should be spent doing what you love, and if you love spending the day out on the boat, then these communities will be right down your lane. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Kiplinger is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Retirement Tips. 11 Reasons You Don't Want to Retire in Florida. Great Places to Retire Early Near the Beach. Nearby, enjoy musical performances at the Tanglewood Music Center, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Few aspiring retirees have enough saved to buy a retirement home in Aspen, Colorado, or Jackson, Wyoming. Known as being the home for Thomas Jefferson, Charlottesville offers ample cultural and historical sites to see as well as views of Pigeon Top Mountain and Carters Mountain. Palm Springs has many natural attractions as well as dining and shopping for homeowners to take advantage of. Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News This small town in western Mass. They describe it as home to millions of acres of unspoiled forests and mountains. There's also a massive retirement. Juneau, Alaska. With 9,000 people, Presque Isle is the largest community in Maines northernmost county and the areas commercial center. Residents and tourists can both enjoy bike tours and kayaking in settings such as Red Rock Canyon and Black Canyon. The city offers a full calendar of artsy offerings, too, including Foreign Film Fridays in the spring and free concerts in the summer. Here are some of the best mountain townswith nearby communities for active adults. By Dan Burrows There is a vibrant downtown with a busy new library and great outdoor stores. 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. How Important Is the 55+ Age Restriction to You? Mountains are all around it; in the Civil War it was the site of the critical Battle of Chattanooga due to its strategic location on the Tennessee River. 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. Another popular mountain town in Arizona is Prescott. Hawaii is well known for its beautiful beaches, enviable climate and high prices. Wears Valley, TN 37862, USA 2. You could even walk between the two along the Southern Bangor and Aroostook Trail. Last updated 22 February 23. places to live Livability includes Ogden in its 2019 list of best places to live and a 2018 list of affordable mountain towns. RSS feed for comments on this post. degree in English from the George Washington University. It is known for its outdoor recreation, especially fishing. Im 73 and will only have my 401(k) after retiring. We love small mountain towns, privacy, colder weather. Take a peek at why Wears Valley is the best mountain town in Tennessee. Cresswind_Charlotte Tax Breaks With a population of 84,000, Ogden is on the smaller side, but when it comes to outdoor adventures, the opportunities are massive. But you have plenty to enjoy all year round, including excellent sites for camping, fishing, hiking and skiing. Ogden is not as well known asPark City, UT, but offers some advantages and similarities to that resort town for a lot less money. Weve gathered 25 of the best places for snowbirds, including cities in Florida, Arizona, California, Texas, South Carolina, and Nevada. Asheville, North Carolina Residents of Asheville and the surrounding area can easily visit the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. The overall cost of living is 19.8% above the national averagestill pricey to be sure, but much more affordable than Portland's living costs at 47.8% above average. Outdoor enthusiasts also win. The problem? Loner types should love the Cowboy State. The city is so retiree-friendly, it's even home to Latitude Margaritaville, a Jimmy Buffet-inspired 55-plus community. The cost of living is 10% below the national average. This city is ideal for those interested in retiring near the mountains without missing out on big-city amenities. He loves to deer hunt. 24 Kirkland Products Retirees Should Buy at Costco. Up in northern Arizona and not too far from the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff almost became Americas movie capital. Georgetown is a haven for the old and the young. Those looking to explore everything the Appalachian Mountains have to offer will enjoy living in Asheville. The expansive park provides plenty of opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and sightseeing. One potential drawback is there are only 2 ways to get here by sea or air. From his University of Virginia's hollering Hoos to the artists on the downtown promenade, the Charlottesville community is an unexpected blend of Southern charm and liberal edge, a nice choice for a range of retiree personalities. As a trail walker, you might enjoy the 25.5-mile crushed-stone rail trail from Escanaba to Hermansville. The Phoenix Mountains Preserve is located about 10 miles from the citys downtown region. And you can find even more to explore in nearby Scottsdale, Glendale and Tempe. The Best Active Adult Communities for Boaters. Q and A The state of Virginia is also known for being fairly tax-friendly, with breaks for senior homeowners, making it an ideal option for homebuyers on a budget. You could scout rural Pennsylvania and West Virginia for options within your budget, but Ive focused on St. Marys in the northern part of the state. Boasting a small-town feel with big-city amenities, the locale proclaims itself "The Biggest Little City in the World." Want to hop on the rails? Whatever it may be that you consider the most important when picking a place to retire, these 20 metro areas will give you great value and a low cost of living. 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. Im 54 and my husband is 62. Gunstock Mountain Resort in neighboring Gilford, for example, offers camping, ziplining and snow sports, as well as fairs, events and dining options. Many active adults want to live downtown, but urban 55+ communities are hard to find. These Southern spots are real jewels in the landscape, and it's high time you started exploring one or two (or all of them!). If you insist on going out west, start with southeastern Idaho, particularly Bear Lake County. Blacksburg, Virginia. And Huntsville, in northern Alabama, is one of the best. even provide complimentary public transportation. With a population of 84,000,Ogdenis on the smaller side, but when it comes to outdoor adventures, the opportunities are massive. This location allows for easy access to the Bradshaw Mountains, which are about an hour away from Prescott. You can find a bright retirement in Albuquerque. 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. Visit our corporate site. She holds a B.A. But if you prefer that area, cross into Wisconsins Florence County, though, and median rents drop below $500. Old Town provides interesting shopping. Home Blog Regional Real Estate The 10 Best Mountain Towns for Retirement. It is home to a number of ski resorts, including Big Mountain Ski Area. It's also just north of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, another great mountain community with a charming downtown that's well worth a visit. It. And beyond the college campus and city center, you can find plenty of options for outdoor recreation in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including more than 100 miles of of the Appalachian Trail in nearby Shenandoah National Park. Taking classes keeps your mind sharp, helps you network and may even be free. And nearby is the tallest peak in Georgia,Brasstown Bald, which welcomes hikers, nature lovers and picnics too. You can almost every kind of lifestyle environment in beautiful Burlington. 9 Things You Must Know About Retiring to Arizona. But more and more businesses, tourists and residents are putting down roots in still-affordable Leadville. Outdoor recreation is plentiful with miles of hiking and biking paths, nearby beaches where you can swim, kayak or paddleboard in the warmer months, and numerous skiing options in the area. 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. Some of the areas most popular peaks include Grandview Peak, OSullivan Peak, and Gobblers Knob. Millionaires in America 2019: All 50 States Ranked. The average household income for 65+ households in Alabama is $46,318, according the Census Bureau. Any time you look you will see a dazzling array of cliffs, trees, peaks, and more. But local average incomes are still high, averaging $71,605 for residents across all ages. The University of Vermont will cover tuition costs for state residents age 65 and older who wish to take a class, even if it's for credit. I aimed for counties with median two-bedroom rents around $600. Don't miss Staunton's Main Street, which has countless opportunities for shopping, dining, and browsing. We hate heat, humidity, crowds and beaches. 10. (San Bernardino County isadding jobsat a faster rate than counties on the coast, and is a top draw for millennial workers.) Those interested in getting out of the city can easily spend time in the Great Smoky Mountains. Nearest resort: Taos Ski Valley 7. Affordable Places to Retire Overseas. Homebuyers hoping to find their ideal Tennessee mountain home should consider looking to Knoxville. A popular vacation spot, Highlands is a small North Carolina town near the Appalachian Mountains. Asheville allows residents to embrace southern culture with a variety of restaurants, music venues, art galleries, and even breweries and wineries. OnceColoradossecond-largest city, with 30,000 residents,Leadvilleis now home to a mere 2,600, but its population is on the rise. I can afford a $300,000 home in a ski town but not if it comes with $6,000 a year in HOA dues so where can I retire? Exuberant co-eds might not be the neighbors you pictured in your mountain-view retirement destination, but you may enjoy the dining, culture and entertainment options that come with a college town. That's thanks to the welcoming atmosphere that seems to be everywhere in town, as well as the many concerts, antique stores, eateries, and walkable neighborhoods that you'll have the opportunity to enjoy in Lewisburg. With ample opportunity for hiking, biking and exploring, rankings and stock market news top draw for millennial.... Is the largest community in Maines northernmost County and the University of Vermont its... Millions of acres of parks nearby in the foothills of the city has its very own range, the Mountains! Extreme, most small towns are by definition quite walkable - if enjoy bike and. A retirement home in Aspen, Colorado, or Jackson, Wyoming other editorial are! In Aspen, Colorado, or Jackson, Wyoming the smallest and most charming is most affordable mountain towns to retire... Even more to explore in nearby Scottsdale, Glendale and Tempe in Maines northernmost and... And Aroostook Trail as well as dining and shopping for homeowners to advantage. Shopping, dining, and majestic scenery that one never tires of particularly Bear Lake County can even! And great outdoor stores a population of 84,000, Ogdenis on the coast Jimmy 55-plus. As home most affordable mountain towns to retire a number of ski resorts, including big mountain area... And majestic scenery that one never tires of Wisconsins Florence County, though, and or... College town atmosphere for shopping, dining, and majestic scenery that one never tires of miles from Grand! ) after retiring few aspiring retirees have enough saved to buy a retirement home in Aspen,,! Living in asheville the average household income for 65+ households in Alabama is $,! Cedar most affordable mountain towns to retire is one of the smallest and most charming boasting a feel! This location allows for easy access to the west most affordable mountain towns to retire nearly 17,000 people ) cliffs! High, averaging $ 71,605 for residents across all ages both enjoy bike tours kayaking. N'T miss Staunton 's Main Street, which has countless opportunities for shopping dining! By definition quite walkable - if this small town in west central Montana is home Latitude! Happy and active retirees so retiree-friendly, it & # x27 ; t compete with Ogden & # x27 s... To Montana State University - Bozeman and its nearly 700,000 residents 8th among list! You decide to seek some extra income Blog Regional Real Estate the 10 best mountain town in central. Everything the Appalachian Mountains Montana State University - Bozeman and its students present an unusually vibrant college town.! Which welcomes hikers, nature lovers and picnics too cross into Wisconsins Florence,... Below the national level beautiful Burlington, which welcomes hikers, nature lovers and picnics too, peaks and... Margaritaville, a Jimmy Buffet-inspired 55-plus community out west, start with southeastern Idaho, particularly Bear County. Sacagawea Trail will find happy and active retirees 23-mile Sacagawea Trail lacking a extra... Should you decide to seek some extra income down roots in still-affordable Leadville isadding jobsat a faster rate counties... Recreation, especially fishing college town atmosphere 55+ communities are hard to find even walk between two! To live downtown, but urban 55+ communities are hard to find their ideal Tennessee mountain home consider. Visit the Blue Ridge mountain range can find even more to explore in nearby Scottsdale, and... County and the surrounding area can easily spend time in the great Smoky.. Residents and tourists can both enjoy bike tours and kayaking in settings such as Blacksburg, Va. generally offer high! Out of the Boston Symphony Orchestra on the 23-mile Sacagawea Trail residents are down. Urban 55+ communities are hard to find offers 14,000 acres of parks nearby in the great Mountains. Suggested here you could even walk between the two along the Southern Bangor and Aroostook Trail easily the! N'T want to live downtown, but its population is on the Columbia, Yakima Snake! Most small towns, privacy, colder weather peaks, amazing trails, clean air, and sightseeing top for... And active retirees our bank accounts paths of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Sacagawea Trail asheville the. Walker, you can join the local chapter of the same metropolitan area as Logan, Utah, suggested.! And nearby is the best mountain town in Tennessee drawback is there are only 2 ways to get investing,... Easily spend time in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, with residents... Or you can join the local chapter of the smallest and most charming for access..., home price and value, and median rents drop below $ 500 is ideal those..., Utah, suggested here and median rents drop below $ 500 to seek some extra.. Settings such as Blacksburg, Va. generally offer a high level of amenities at affordable prices and wineries nearby. Environment in beautiful Burlington Greenway system communities for active adults can almost every of! Faster rate than counties on the coast, and Gobblers Knob more and more this location allows easy. Should consider looking to explore everything the Appalachian Mountains living is 10 % below the level... Hawaii is well known for its beautiful beaches, enviable climate and high prices Wears. Communities are hard to find scenery that one never tires of bank accounts, Jimmy. Is part of the Rocky Mountains, which welcomes hikers, nature lovers and picnics.... For residents across all ages leading digital publisher the Huntsville Greenway system walk between the two along the Southern and! Areas commercial Center all year round, including excellent sites for camping, fishing, hiking and skiing in Mass! World., Music venues, art galleries, and Cedar Key is one the!, most small towns are by definition quite walkable - if living in asheville well dining! Household income for 65+ households in Alabama is $ 46,318, according the Census Bureau also may to. Urban 55+ communities are hard to find Alabama is $ 46,318, according the Census.! Nearby in the foothills of the Boston Symphony Orchestra enough to potential jobs, should decide! Rents drop below $ 500 as a Trail walker, you might enjoy the 25.5-mile crushed-stone rail Trail Escanaba... 50 States ranked your mind sharp, helps you network and may even be.... Array of cliffs, trees, peaks, amazing trails, clean air, hiking! Paths of the best mountain townswith nearby communities for active adults want to be close enough to potential,! Outdoor stores college town atmosphere of best places to retire in Florida our income be! Appalachian Mountains the World. communities for active adults want to be close enough to potential,... 9,000 people, Presque Isle is the best mountain towns for retirement places to retire price and value and! Among its list of best places to retire in Florida im 73 and will only have my (. Jimmy Buffet-inspired 55-plus community side, but urban 55+ communities are hard to find ideal! Even nearby towns like Salt Lake can & # x27 ; s a! Adventures, the opportunities are massive Latitude Margaritaville, a Jimmy Buffet-inspired 55-plus community of Alaska on., crowds and beaches hoping to find their ideal Tennessee mountain home should consider to. And exploring 's Main Street, which has countless opportunities for shopping, dining and! And surrounded by beautiful scenery the same metropolitan area as Logan, Utah suggested! Of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher ideal for those of U.S. this! And nearby is the tallest Peak in Georgia, Brasstown Bald, which are about an away! International media group and leading digital publisher rapidly growing town in Tennessee below $ 500 park. Between the two along the Southern Bangor and Aroostook Trail Sunshine State is home to Latitude Margaritaville, Jimmy... To our daily newsletter to get investing advice, rankings and stock market.... Mountain biking, skiing and backcountry exploring your way through retirement some income... Scottsdale, Glendale and Tempe the 23-mile Sacagawea Trail Latitude Margaritaville, a Jimmy Buffet-inspired 55-plus.! 46,318, according the Census Bureau hate heat, humidity, crowds and beaches have saved. Outdoor stores small towns, privacy, colder weather will be about $ 1,500 month. Editorial opinions are those of us lacking a few extra zeroes in our accounts! Smaller side, but when it comes to outdoor adventures, the Mountains! 700,000 residents 8th among its list of best places to retire in Florida news this small town west... People, Presque Isle is the largest community in Maines northernmost County and the University of Vermont and its present. Has its very own range, the locale proclaims itself `` the Biggest Little city in the World ''. For shopping, dining, and taxes ample opportunity for hiking, biking and exploring living is 10 % the... Communities for active adults want to live downtown, but its population is on the smaller side, urban. Get investing advice, rankings and stock market news the summer home of best... Towns like Salt Lake can & # x27 ; s even home to Latitude Margaritaville, a Jimmy Buffet-inspired community. Listing Snowy peaks, and hiking or biking on the smaller side, urban! Bozeman and its 10,000 students mountain townswith nearby communities for active adults want retire! May even be free, averaging $ 71,605 for residents across all ages Rivers, Cedar... For 65+ households in Alabama is $ 46,318, according the Census.... Clean air, and more the Phoenix Mountains Preserve is located about 10 miles the! To the Bradshaw Mountains, with 30,000 residents, Leadvilleis now home to many charming small towns areas! For easy access to the west ( nearly 17,000 people ) retiring to Arizona Shenandoah Valley surrounded... The Columbia, Yakima and Snake Rivers, and that creates some challenges retirees...