It's also just north of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, another great mountain community with a charming downtown that's well worth a visit. There are several shopping districts and malls, including El Paseo, which boasts one mile of shops . To get the No. 11 Reasons You Don't Want to Retire in Florida. Greylock rises to 3,500 above town. Nestled among the mountains, youll find plenty of ski runs (the town hosted three venues during the 2002 Winter Olympics) and hiking and mountain bike trails, plus nearby lakes and rivers for water sports and nearly 40 parks in the area. Senior insurance needs are different. Washington is also known for being a tax-friendly state with no broad-based personal income tax. Another feather in its cap: The Milken Institute rates Provo as the best large city for successful aging, noting the area's vibrant economy and safety, as well as the population's healthy lifestyles and high levels of volunteering among older adults. Steamboat Springs, Colo. Of our 50 picks, these 20 retirement spots across the U.S. offer the added benefit of nearby peaks and valleys to explore. Living in such close proximity to those beautiful outdoor playgrounds often comes with a hefty price tag. As a trail walker, you might enjoy the 25.5-mile crushed-stone rail trail from Escanaba to Hermansville. Durango, Colorado. Years before either of these we stayed at 8000 feet in Montana and climbed above 9000 with no remarkable distress. Learn how to stop stressing about money matters and start enjoying your free time with these pro tips. Whitefish, Montana. Whether you're looking to fly fish or see a show, take up a new hobby or develop an old one, the close-knit communities in these mountain towns have plenty of opportunities for you to get involved, meet someone new, and make a fresh home in a beautiful place. Average summer highs are in the upper 70s to 80 degrees. Your income puts you just above the minimum to be eligible for health-insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, but you may want to ensure the state you pick has expanded Medicaid eligibility so you qualify for health insurance that way too. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. You also may want to be close enough to potential jobs, should you decide to seek some extra income. Regardless of which stage you're at in your retirement planning, it's important to save as much as you can in a tax-advantaged account like a workplace 401(k) plan or an IRA, which you can open at several banks. 24 Kirkland Products Retirees Should Buy at Costco. Asheville, North Carolina is located in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a part of the larger Appalachian range. There's so much to do in and around Gatlinburg, which means it's easy to keep the retirement blues at bay. And the local lifestyle is still priceless. Comparative assessments and other editorial opinions are those of U.S. News We highlighted one great retirement destination in each state (opens in new tab), taking into account living costs, safety, median incomes and poverty rates for retirement-age residents, as well as residents' sense of well-being and the availability of recreational and health care facilities. Few aspiring retirees have enough saved to buy a retirement home in Aspen, Colorado, or Jackson, Wyoming. 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. Taxes and living costs in this area are high. The 10 Best Mountain Towns for Retirement, Password requires min. TrackBack URL. Agriculture, specifically Idahos famous russet potatoes and wheat, is key here, but so is tech: its the home of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, the countrys premier center for nuclear energy and research development. The cost of living in both areas runs nearly 14% below the national level. 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. Seattle is home to famous sights and attractions such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the Museum of Pop Culture. 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. A popular vacation spot, Highlands is a small North Carolina town near the Appalachian Mountains. Blacksburg is a great college town for retirement. So check yourself out for at least a week in any higher elevations (Ive talked with people with similar difficulties in the upper Appalachians at only 5-6000 feet). Sitting above the Snake River Canyon, this town is known as the hub of the eight-county Magic Valley region. This great town in Virginia's idyllic Shenandoah Valley is surrounded by beautiful scenery. Boasting a small-town feel with big-city amenities, the locale proclaims itself "The Biggest Little City in the World." Could you live in the mountains, or would you prefer lower altitudes or the coasts. Called the Scenic City, it is home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Hunting and fishing are also popular local activities. even provide complimentary public transportation. 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. 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. (San Bernardino County isadding jobsat a faster rate than counties on the coast, and is a top draw for millennial workers.) Pair that with a strong local arts scene (First Friday Art Strollstake place monthly; catch live music at the downtown amphitheater; find annual events ranging fromPioneer Daysto theBlues & Brews Festival to aChristmas Village); great shopping along Historic 25th Street; and great dining options, breweries and distilleries for a well-rounded experience. They describe it as home to millions of acres of unspoiled forests and mountains. We love small mountain towns, privacy, colder weather. Yes, Coloradoboasts its fair share of ski resort towns known for drawing the rich and famous:Aspen,Vail,Breckenridge,Tellurideand the like. But if you prefer that area, cross into Wisconsins Florence County, though, and median rents drop below $500. Some of the citys sights to see include Watson Lake and the Watson Woods as well as Lynx Lake Recreational Area. The site lists Parade Road-Old North Main Street and Weirs Beach-Lakeport as the safest neighborhoods in Laconia. Where should we retire? Williamstown, Massachusetts. It has a charming downtown area, and the Nantahala National Forest stretches out in all directions, which means that Highlands offers the best of all worlds. Yes, New York (rated #1 most walkable large city by walkscore.com at 85), Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, and San Francisco are great cities for walking. Hiawassee, Georgia. 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. 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? Help | Published 11 January 23. real estate This Western North Carolina town is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Chattanooga, Tennessee. Newsletter Archive | Altitude means an escape from hot summers, even in some otherwise warm states. Lower humidity. Best Parent Student Loans: Parent PLUS and Private. Asheville is a popular retirement spot, and over a quarter of the population is age 60 or older. She holds a B.A. 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. For flexibility and a sense of purpose, consider these jobs for people over 50. It's also home to a lively arts scene, with lots of live music and plenty of parks, museums, galleries, and restaurants in town. The city is also home to several popular skiing resorts and ample parks and greenspaces. Livability explores what makes small-to-medium sized cities great places to live. Housing is notably affordable: The median home value in the city is $173,200, compared with $407,400 for all of Massachusetts and $592,300 for Boston proper, according to Zillow. I admit Im concerned about utility bills in colder places unless you find a well-insulated home. Travel Like a Millionaire on a Retirement Budget! Williamstown is in Berkshire County. Do be very careful to test outmountain elevations before committing. Those looking for a mountainside retirement on a budget will have plenty of options in Seattle. 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. 12. This city is ideal for those interested in retiring near the mountains without missing out on big-city amenities. We dont spend money but look to nature as our entertainment. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, By signing up, I agree to 55places.com privacy policy and terms of use. You can enjoy boating and fishing on the Columbia, Yakima and Snake Rivers, and hiking or biking on the 23-mile Sacagawea Trail. The area's resorts and marinas are also popular among residents of Gardnerville Ranchos, a small Nevada town near Lake Tahoe that's home to a surprising number of millionaires (opens in new tab). Some popular attractions within city limits include the Denver Art Museum, Coors Field, and The Denver Central Market. Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin are in neighboring Penobscot County. Whether youre interested in a low-maintenance single-level residence, an active lifestyle or age-qualified community, an intimate enclave, or anything in between, we can help you make your next move the best one yet. A drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway or a visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests is sure to restore your sense of wonder. Tax Breaks Foodies will enjoy retiring in Palm Desert with 150+ restaurants offerings cuisine of all types. 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. The colonial town's mood is quiet and calm, but its location on the eastern coast of the island and near active volcano Mauna Loa offers plenty of opportunities for adventure. This giant area contains many small towns and areas where you will find happy and active retirees. This lovely Virginia town is an ideal place to retire not only because of its settingnestled in southwest Virginia in the state's stretch of the Blue Ridge Mountainsbut also because of all there is to do in and around town, including shows at the Barter Theater, hiking trails along the Virginia Creeper Trail, and an artistic community that opens its arms wide to newcomers. Living near a mountain range is an ideal choice for homebuyers hoping to explore the outdoors and enjoy the recreational opportunities close to home. 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. Old Town provides interesting shopping. Don't miss Staunton's Main Street, which has countless opportunities for shopping, dining, and browsing. Take the Blue Ridge mountains of western NC for example, where retirees experience snow and colder temps than do those who live in the rest of the state. More difficult transportation. One potential drawback is there are only 2 ways to get here by sea or air. By Joy Taylor Weve gathered 25 of the best places for snowbirds, including cities in Florida, Arizona, California, Texas, South Carolina, and Nevada. One of the first questions many retirees ask before making their move is if the active adult community is pet friendly.While many age-restricted communities have different rules when it comes to pets, retirees are sure to find the ideal 55+ community that caters to pet lovers. Residents and tourists can both enjoy bike tours and kayaking in settings such as Red Rock Canyon and Black Canyon. Retail trade, construction and health care are the leading occupations, while many workers in tourism fields make the commute to Vail, the Eagle Valley and Summit County. 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