Many of today’s retirees are looking for a different lifestyle than previous generations. As life expectancy increases, it is no longer enough to settle down in a retirement home for your golden years.
Plenty of countries outside the U.S. promise affordability for adventurous retirees as well, but if you’re looking to stay within the 50 states, check out this list of retirement locations you might not have thought of.
1. Arizona
For years, retirees have flocked to the Grand Canyon State for year-round warmth and sunshine alongside low taxes and cheaper housing. Yet if the usual Del Webb-Sun City lifestyle is not for you, remember you have many more options.
Phoenix and Tucson are great for boomers seeking mild winters, calm urban villages, vibrant local art scenes, and lifelong learning opportunities at highly-ranked colleges and universities.
2. Delaware
With a mild climate, low taxes, great healthcare options, and a selection of beautiful beaches in the mid-Atlantic region, Delaware has subtly and quietly become one of the nation’s newest retirement hotspots.
For a cosmopolitan atmosphere complete with intriguing art galleries, delectable restaurants, and great beaches, give Rehoboth Beach a try. For more affordable housing, Wilmington offers both ample natural beauty and a big-city culture.
3. South Carolina
Of course, the Palmetto State has become a prime retirement hotspot thanks to its lovely beaches, uniquely charming cities, and (mostly) lower housing costs.
Its capital city of Columbia may be its best-kept secret for great Southern living: inland, with a temperate climate, great outdoor parks and spaces, and tuition-free lifelong learning courses for age 60+ locals at the University of South Carolina. But if you prefer living near the beach, Charleston has big-city sophistication and small-town coziness rolled into one picture-perfect package.
4. North Carolina
From the mountains to the sea, the Tar Heel State may be the most underrated state for retirement relocating. For big-city living without breaking the bank, the banking hub of Charlotte has a robust cultural scene, most of the state’s best healthcare institutions, and reasonable housing costs. Try Wilmington for relatively affordable coastal living alongside a wide array of museums, performing arts venues, and music festivals.
5. New Mexico
With gorgeous landscapes and a unique culture that celebrates artistic creativity, it’s no wonder why New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment. Silver City has a treasure trove of art galleries, restaurants, theaters, and outdoor recreation options, as well as a surprisingly low cost of living. If you have a more robust budget, Santa Fe has it all: a top-tier local arts scene, spectacular natural scenery, and unrivaled culinary treasures.
6. Tennessee
If you’re looking for somewhere with a little more winter and much more fun, the Volunteer State may be the sweet spot. For a big city full of rocking music and a meager cost of living, Memphis is where it’s at. For more laid-back living with a vibrant local arts scene, easy access to the Appalachian Mountains, and a strong healthcare sector, try Johnson City.
7. Nevada
It’s become a poorly kept secret that multiple large retirement communities lie beyond the Las Vegas Strip. Yet, even if you want to avoid settling into the usual house by the golf course, Las Vegas has several cool urban neighborhoods that place you in the heart of Southern Nevada’s cultural revolution. If you don’t mind some snow during winter, Carson City and the Carson Valley in Northern Nevada have a rich cultural scene and many outdoor recreational options.
8. Georgia
If you want to head south for milder weather but don’t want the typical “retirement life,” Georgia might be the sweet spot for better weather and cultural opportunities. If you want to settle in the big city, it’s hard to beat Atlanta’s colorful neighborhoods and thriving cultural scene. Savannah, however, may be perfect if you enjoy a quieter life near the beach without sacrificing sophistication.
9. Michigan
Michigan can be a strong choice for boomers who want a lower cost of living and don’t mind cold winters. For robust local arts and cultural scenes, the college town of Ann Arbor and the thriving city of Grand Rapids are massively underrated gems. For ample outdoor recreational opportunities and a tasty farm-to-table culinary scene, head to Traverse City and Leelanau County.
10. Oregon
Despite what you’ve heard, Oregon is a great place to live your best life if you prefer four-season living over the typical warm-weather retirement destinations. For year-round arts and cultural activities, it’s hard to beat Ashland, home to Southern Oregon University and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Or, try Florence for its stunning beaches, lush forests, and unique small-town charm for tranquil coastal living.
11. Texas
As the nation’s second-biggest state, the Lone Star State provides a ton of options for retirement. For more of a small-town experience, ample outdoor activities, and more affordable wine-country living, Fredericksburg places you in the heart of Texas Hill Country. For big-city living, it’s hard to beat Houston’s immense cultural wealth and top-notch healthcare infrastructure.
12. Florida
Thanks to the state’s warm climate and low taxes, Florida has been the go-to spot for Americans to retire for decades.
If you want to settle down in the Sunshine State without the typical master-planned community, cities like Gainesville and Tampa offer a wealth of artistic and cultural institutions alongside affordable housing options. If you have a larger budget to work with, Miami has all the worldly sophistication and beautiful beaches you could ever want.
Your Golden Years Really Can Have Plenty More Golden Opportunities
In years past, retirement typically meant leaving the old family house behind, moving into a vaguely Mediterranean-style house by the golf course in an age-restricted community, socializing at the senior center, and heading to the diner for the “senior special” breakfast deals. But now that baby boomers are entering into this realm, it shouldn’t surprise us that boomers are quickly redefining what it means to live in retirement.
Whether your ideal for living your golden years involves pursuing your artistic passions, enjoying incredible local food and wine, exploring beautiful parks and forests, or embarking on exciting new urban adventures, you have many more options than you think across the United States. These are the best years of your life, so you should get out and live it up.