Key Takeaways
Retirement should mean finally having time for morning hikes, afternoon bike rides, and the kind of active lifestyle you couldn’t have tied to a desk or factory floor. Almost 40% of retirees move at some point around the time they leave the workforce, and many are often looking to do the things they couldn’t do while working.
Fortunately, there are towns across the U.S. that are great for retirees wanting a sense of community, natural beauty, and a fitness-friendly environment without relocating being a financial burden.
1. Lexington, Kentucky
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Jacobson Park offers scenic green spaces and recreational opportunities beyond Lexington’s urban landscape.
With a population of just over 320,000, Lexington’s nickname as the “Horse Capital of the World” means it’s not just a retirement destination for music lovers. You’ll find equestrian culture woven into daily life, from morning rides through horse farms to the thundering excitement of Keeneland Race Course.
The city’s appeal extends to outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, thanks to its hundreds of acres of parks and nature reserves, as well as easy access to fishing and boating on the Kentucky River. Lexington is also affordable, as the median home price of $319,000 is more than $40,000 less than the national median of $360,000.
Average rent runs lower than the national average at about $1,500 a month, according to Zillow, about $400 less than the national average. The Economic Research Institute (ERI) also puts its cost of living is 3% below the national average. In addition, Kentucky also offers compelling tax advantages for retirees, including exempting your Social Security benefits from state income taxes.
2. Venice, Florida
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Venice’s location along Florida’s Gulf Coast provides access to waterfront activities and scenic coastal views.
Venice has earned a reputation as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World” thanks to fossilized treasures that wash up on its beaches, giving beachcombers almost daily finds on shoreline walks. It’s also easy to maintain an active lifestyle in Venice, thanks to the city’s dozens of parks, cycling trails, and the nearby Intracoastal Waterway. As a bonus, Florida is ranked among the states best-prepared to handle a growing population of retirees.
Besides the weather, retirees are drawn to Florida for its tax benefits—the state has no income, estate, or inheritance taxes. Venice, nestled on Florida’s Gulf Coast and home to just 23,000, is more affordable than many other coastal communities statewide. The median home price sits above the national average at about $378,000, though prices have come down in recent years. Area communities like Gateway and Pinebrook offer significantly lower housing prices.
3. Cañon City, Colorado
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The Arkansas River flowing through southern Colorado creates opportunities for white-water rafting and scenic natural beauty.
Colorado is a haven for lovers of the outdoors, but some of the bigger cities, like Denver, have relatively high costs of living. Founded during Colorado’s gold rush era, Cañon City retains its historic downtown character while serving as the gateway to some of the state’s most rugged and beautiful wilderness areas.
The town has a population of around 17,000 and a median home price about 10% lower than the national average at about $333,000. ERI estimates its cost of living is about 15% below the national average.
Best of all, residents have easy access to excellent parks such as Temple Canyon and the Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area, and hiking trails are nearby. In addition, the Arkansas River rushing through town has made Cañon City one of the country’s whitewater rafting capitals, where you can watch kayakers tackle rapids while drinking coffee from a great downtown coffee shop.
4. Mesa, Arizona
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Mesa’s desert location in the Phoenix metropolitan area offers mountain views, opportunities for hiking and biking nearby, and abundant sunshine throughout the year.
Despite the desert setting, Mesa offers a surprising array of outdoor activities: hiking in the Superstition Mountains, kayaking on nearby lakes, and exploring ancient Hohokam archaeological sites are all within a 30-minute drive. During times of the year when much of the country is battling snow and ice, Mesa retirees spend their time hiking at Usery Mountain Park and enjoying afternoons on one of the 200 nearby golf courses, making it a magnet for cold-weather refugees seeking year-round activity.
The median home price, $429,000, is approximately 19% higher than the U.S. median home price, although better deals can be found in neighborhoods like Linda Vista and Camino del Rey. In addition, despite an overall cost of living about 4% higher than the U.S. as a whole, ERI data shows that food costs are below the national average.
Additionally, Mesa’s healthcare system and community centers are well-equipped to support an aging population.
5. Richland, Washington
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Richland is part of a tri-city area that hosts endurance sports events that draw athletes of all ages to the Columbia River region’s trails and waterways.
Richland, Washington, a 65,000-person city in the south-central part of the state, has a much drier and sunnier climate than much of the Pacific Northwest. This makes it home to a booming winery scene and a passionate community of cyclists, kayakers, and trail runners who take full advantage of the pleasant climate and waterfront access.
The median price of a home in Richland is $463,000, though its cost of living is 4% below the national average and 16% less than the state as a whole. ERI ranks its state taxes as the 7th lowest in the U.S., and rents are affordable, about $1,785 on average—almost $200 less than the national average.
A bonus is that Richland acts as a medical hub for southeastern Washington and is home to three major hospital systems.
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