Ithaca is a small picturesque town in the upstate New York Finger Lakes region. With nearly 6,000 miles of coastline, ranging from the rough waters of the Pacific Ocean to the tranquil turquoise seas of the Caribbean, Mexico has more than enough beaches to keep everyone happy. Springfield, Massachusetts. If you need to break or get out of a lease, this is what you need to know. Median Home Price: $333,741. Part of Mississippi's "Secret Coast," Ocean Springs is a beach town that features white, soft sand and a vibrant downtown, packed with boutiques, music and great restaurants. Pronounced "Bowfort" (not "Bewfert" like its South Carolina namesake), this colonial-era village embraces its pirate history. A housing bubble burst isnt imminent, but here are the factors to keep an eye on. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. Transplants relish the island's quiet beaches, which are bounded by rolling dunes and sapphire waves. And the town you choose to make your home has to suit you and your family. The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. Beyond that, Exeter has a number of historic churches, including one dating back to the 17th century, and its also home to the American Independence Museum. Kyle Valenta October 27, 2017. Year-round homes start around $350,000 and reach nearly $4 million. The shallow and sedimentary conditions of the beach expose thousands of ancient shark teeth every day. There are many long white beaches, some quite hidden and far from the crowds of the boardwalks and the main beaches. 04 of 13. Get matched with a financial advisor today at Datalign and get on the path to financial success. While low for this list, thats not a bad number overall. It also ranks first on our list of the best places to retire in Georgia. South Carolina's low country is a popular place to retire, thanks to its low cost of . This Gulf Coast tourist haven has clean beaches, great fishing, and fantastic fowl. This college town is home to the University of Oregon, which has the largest library in the . We do not manage client funds or hold custody of assets, we help users connect with relevant financial advisors. At extreme high tides or after winter storms, the water pushes up to to 50 feet in the air. However, unemployment is high, so this may be a better bet for those who can work remotely. If you're interested in retiring near the ocean without the humidity of a tropical . Middle River is under a half hours drive away from the big, bustling city of Baltimore, but the quiet town will give you all the R&R you deserve in your retirement. and We've ordered each town from most to least populous to help you find your perfect slice of paradise. In Alabamas Gulf Shores, you can indulge and relax and even partake in an adventure or two. Livability score: 78. 2. If you know you want to be on the East Coast, check out our lists of the best places to retire in. Best East Coast beach towns. Not only are there East Coast cities where living is affordable, but the new move toward working from home also makes changing cities while keeping your job more accessible than ever before. 2. Jacksonville, Florida. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. One-Time Checkup with a Financial Advisor, 7 Mistakes You'll Make When Hiring a Financial Advisor, Take This Free Quiz to Get Matched With Qualified Financial Advisors, Compare Up to 3 Financial Advisors Near You. Activities are also important to a happy retirement, so we looked at the number of recreation centers per 1,000 residents. 25. If you can telecommute or work remotely, you can easily access towns and cities that might have seemed impossible dreams. If you're wondering where to retire along Florida's east coast, consider cities like Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Port St. Lucie, or Boynton Beach. The median house price listing is $235k, but there are small gems to be found in this delightful town. Shimmering shorelines, renowned golf courses, impeccable dining that's what awaits you on Kiawah Island. Fintech company SmartAsset compared data for 218 beach towns and put together a list of the most affordable 50. Get personalized advice from a financial advisor that understands your needs. Great Neck also comes in second in terms of retirement communities, with 3.76 per 1,000 residents. In the downtown area, youll discover some lovely early-1900 buildings and exhibits at the Historical Museum. Its white sandy beaches and crystal blue water combined with the Island's historic charm make it one of the top small beach towns in . Located about an hour north of Atlanta near the shores of Lake Lanier, Cumming is not just the best place to retire on the East Coast it's also the second-best place to retire in the country. Though a four-bedroom on the beach will set you back $1,650,000, a two-bedroom right next to downtown can be purchased for just $249,900. The historic city boasts a vibrant downtown with shops and restaurants, 15 recreational parks (including a golf course), and waterfront views from both the mainland and the peninsula across the water. The East Coast is diverse, so you'll have plenty of choices among seaside locales, bustling urban centers, places that provide Southern charm and towns known for their fall colors. Key Biscayne, an island off the coast of Miami, is a great place to explore the Atlantic Ocean. Laidback New Smyrna Beach is a peaceful beach community of 23,000 located in the northern portion of Florida's east coast. Lets hit the beach. Fairfax lands in third with 2.91 retirement communities per 1,000 residents. Buyers looking for a deal can get into a one-bedroomhome starting around $125,000 or even a four-bedroom right next to the water for $349,000. This coastal city has some of the best fishing in Texas you can choose between charter boat services, surf fishing at Bryan Beach or the Brazos River. Cast a line at the International Fishing Pier, explore the trails around the Deerfield Island Park and taste fresh salmon and scallops at one of the high-end oceanfront restaurants. This hamlet on Long Island is tied for the second highest tax burden on this list but it also has the second-highest number of medical centers per 1,000 residents. It has a little bit of everything.. Get advice on your investment portfolio from a certified professional through Datalign. 6 Best East Coast Road Trips for Fascinating History, Beautiful Beaches, and . Making your dream retirement a reality takes money, though, and saving enough money takes planning. You wont need to splurge on your new digs, however. Seals actually do galumph around on the shore. Hoi An has mountainous surrounds on one side and some of the most beautiful, undisturbed pieces . Youll find plenty of activities to keep you occupied in and around the City of Discovery, from casinos and boat charters to beaches and trails. You, too, can be the Prince of Bel Air the one closer to the Atlantic than the Pacific, that is. Next: 10. Seniors age 65 and over make up 21% of the towns population. While beachfront properties are premium, the median house price listing for Myrtle Beach is $250k, while the median household income is $43,200. Healthcare is obviously very important to seniors, so we considered the number of medical centers per 1,000 residents in each city. 10. Just an hour away from the bustling Big Apple lies Long Beach, New York. Overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan, Saugatuck is home to several serene beaches that feature soft sand, rolling dunes and peaceful atmospheres. Just like many of you dreaming about a coastal dream life, we can make this a reality through information and inspiration! Ogunquit is said to have the prettiest . She writes about food, travel, and real estate for Zagat, FoodNetwork.com, BBC Travel, and more. Consumer and homebuilder sentiment in the Boise region appears to be less than optimistic, but the labor market is strong and home prices are starting to trend downward. The median house price listing is $235k, but there are small gems to be found in this delightful town. 2 . Due to its attraction as a tourism center, much of the economy relies on tourism. Seniors age 65 and over make up 18% of the population. Consider Hobe Sounds gorgeous sandy beaches, green parks and abundant golf courses if youre settling down in the Sunshine State for your retirement. The 10 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast. Retirees look for affordable communities where they can fill their time with purposeful activities and social connections, keys to a long, healthy life, says Hale. Redeem your points for cash or gift cards. They can help identify fixes which may help your sales price. Just bear in mind that as a resident you will have to contend with crowds of tourists, especially in the summer. Population: 1,864,138 Share of population age 60+: 18% Median Monthly mortgage cost: $1,819 Median Monthly Rent: $1,008 The homes in Nashville tend to be more affordable than many of the other cities across the U.S. and as a result, Nashville is becoming more appealing for those retirees that want to experience the wealth of activities that are available in addition to the obvious tax benefits. Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The Falls Lake State Recreation Area is less than 30 minutes from Durham, and the coastal Atlantic Ocean beaches are about three to four hours away, making this one of the best places to retire in North Carolina near the beach. 2. Nestled between Pensacola and Panama City, Fort Walton Beach includes some of the best deep sea fishing charters in the nation. The median home value in Lynn Haven is $200,100 and youll fork over around $1,553 each year in property taxes and $1,210 in monthly housing costs. Big Shell Beach - Great for seashell picking and photo ops, not for sunbathing. If you want to retire to coastal Georgia, Tybee Island is an ideal spot. Vietnam offers one of the lowest costs of living in the world. A two-bedroom condo right near the hospital and within walking distance to Ocean Beach can be had for just $99,000 and $209,900 can fetch a three-bedroom Cape Codder with a master bed and bath on the first floor, blocks from the water. And Pensacola in particular is affordable with a significantly lower than average cost of living, home prices that hover around $140,000, and reasonable property taxes. Cape Coral was named one of the top 25 places to retire by . Dont miss the National Naval Aviation Museum, the worlds biggest naval aviation museum, which houses over 150 restored aircrafts. You can take a motorized kayak down the Indian River, go horseback riding on the beach or check out the historic waterfront downtown area for shopping, dining and more entertainment options. Work in that sector is constantly rising with the influx of more than 20 million visitors each year. To find the best places on the East Coast to retire on Social Security alone, GOBankingRates used SSA data to identify the average monthly benefit as $1,828.30 -- $3,656.60 for a couple. If you have never been to this area it truly is beautiful. Located about an hour north of Atlanta near the shores of Lake Lanier, Cumming is not just the best place to retire on the East Coast its also the second-best place to retire in the country. The city's median home value is just $173,900 versus $262,900 in . 11 Best East Coast Beach Towns. Home security experts say simple fixes can up your safety quotient. 3 . There are 5.42 medical centers per 1,000 residents. It's also great for retirees, with lots of recreation areas and a high ratio of doctors' offices to people. A median house price for those age 60 and older is $160,200. Located on Virginia's eastern shore, Cape Charles is an inviting small town with picturesque piers and sidewalks for strolling and biking. Join here. The town also leads this list with 1.79 recreation centers and 8.59 retirement communities per 1,000 residents. This Maryland town does have the highest tax burden of any city on this list at 18.9%, which you should be sure to take into account when calculating your cost of living. Many of the retired residents of Hyannis move into their former summer homes, but there are still plenty of boomers relocating to the area. New Smyrna Beach was the center of intense real estate speculation during the 1920 . The Most Affordable Places to Live on the East Coast. You could also be saving $1,000 a year or more by choosing the right home insurance policy online. Tax burden is also important, especially for older people living on a fixed income or off of retirement savings, so we looked at the overall tax burden in 2018. Bethany Beach, Delaware. The cost of living in Savannah is 12.1 percent less than the national average with the average home value at $134,600. Canva. Vero Beach. The artsy, quintessentially Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast leads the nation in affordable coastal cities, with four places landing in . Amateur and pro surfers can experience decent waves along the Cocoa Beach Pier, especially at the end of hurricane season, which is generally September-December. But while many beach communities are cost-prohibitive, a surprising number are within reach for those who aren't millionaires. You might even catch a glimpse of a dolphin or sea turtle, or catch some Spanish mackerel along the fishing pier. The median household income in Swansboro is $48,922. Valletta is the tiny capital city of Malta, a country composed of three islands in the Mediterranean Sea about 60 miles south of Sicily. Use these cleaning tips to get rid of dust buildup and improve the air quality in your home. It probably won't come as a surprise to hear that Florida does exceptionally well in the retirement rankings across the board. The median home value is $161,700 and the median annual property tax is $1,1986 a bit more expensive compared to Gulfport but youll pay about $737 in housing costs each month. Maui water is, Read More Is Maui Water Safe To Drink?Continue, Are you dreaming of a mid-winter vacation to somewhere warm, wishing you could go exploring or surfing? Just south of Sarasota, quiet and charming Venice is the ideal retirement spot for those looking for a slower pace of life. You can go fishing for speckled trout and flounder at Sabine Lake and keep a look out for warblers and thrushes at Sabine Woods. LindaZ74 / Shutterstock. Its an amazing retirement destination with its white sand beaches, casino resorts, championship golf courses and museums and historic sites. And now that the coronavirus pandemic makes it unwise to socialize except at a distance, its more important than ever to be able to settle into a forever home where youre free to enjoy the fresh air, long walks on the beach, and the soothing sound of crashing waves. Hilton Head Island, known for its beaches and golf courses, is a great place to retire. It's a hidden gem located along the Atlantic Ocean coast. "It's a popular gay retirement . Our next dilemma: Is Seaside or Cannon Beach better? Despite the Crisis, Homeowners Remodel to Ride Out Pandemic in Comfort, How the Coronavirus Is Changing Some Boomers' Real Estate Plans for the Better. Welcome to Coastal Dream Life, a website dedicated to helping you achieve your dreams of white sandy beaches and fresh ocean breezes in style. Beach cities in the U.S. can't be mentioned without a nod to Miami. Theres still a chance to grab a relatively affordable property here and relocate to this subtropical city with its miles of azure coastline. . This Mississippi Gulf coast town is a haven for retirees because it has a relatively low cost of living paired with a laid-back atmosphere. Whether youre looking for a quaint seaside town tucked away with hidden, unspoiled beaches or a booming coastal city with access to all your cultural, travel, and entertainment needs, theres a place waiting for you. Ready to take a long stroll down the list together? Only about 1 square mile, the popular beach area has a small-town feel and was named as a best place to retire by the AARP. With some of the best beaches, lively downtowns, wildlife, and natural scenery, one will get the long-craved escape at one of these less-crowded gems. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Population: 18,406 Medium home value: $349,691 Perfect for: Retirees, and middle age Vero Beach is one of the safest beach towns in Florida that nested between the Atlantic and the Indian River.This hidden gem in Florida had 26 miles of gorgeous public beaches. The town itself has a tax burden of 18.90%, the second highest on this list. Fort Pierce, located on the Indian River Lagoon, is known for its excellent fishing and beautiful beaches. Myrtle Beach, SC. SmartAssets services are limited to referring users to third party advisers registered or chartered as fiduciaries ("Adviser(s)") with a regulatory body in the United States that have elected to participate in our matching platform based on information gathered from users through our online questionnaire. Living out your golden years in this city wont cost you much, when the median monthly housing cost is only $981. . Buckroe Beach and Park, which offers jet ski, kayak and paddle board rentals, also presents sparkling views of the Chesapeake Bay. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. In Essex, the median home value is just $191,400 compared to the states median home value of $370,300, according to Zillow. They include this three-bedroom on the water for $275,000 and this two-bedroom cottage for $219,000. The median contract payment is $1,173 per month, while monthly costs for a mortgage-free home are $433. You can stroll around the downtown center and the Historic District and check out the art galleries, antique shops and Greek eateries around the area. Median home price: $221,917. Please be aware that some (or all) products and services linked in this article are from our sponsors. Great golf courses, medical facilities, beaches, state parks, and places to fish, kayak, and hike lure retirees from across the country. Photo credit: iStock.com/FatCamera, iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages, iStock.com/FatCamera. Springfield residents benefit from plenty of high-quality health care options within driving . It takes 15 minutes to get to everything Myrtle Beach has to offer without having to worry about traffic and stuff.. Seniors age 65 and over make up 18% of the population. Homes start in the $200,000 range, and its possible to snap up a townhome with an onsite dock such as this sprawling three-bedroom for $274,000 or this $350,000 three-bedroomwith water views. Portland, Maine. New Hyde Park is another Long Island town, meaning residents will have access to New York City. And it turns out, they share some common features that are particularly attractive for folks who are no longer congregating by the water cooler. As a leading port, the headquarters of four Fortune 500 companies, and a banking industry legacy, Jacksonvilles median household income is $54,701. Hendersonvilles 1.34 recreation centers per 1,000 residents earns it second place on this list, so there will be plenty to do. 7. Maui island is easily one of the most beautiful islands in the world. The former fishing village is bordered by a beautiful marsh shoreline and dotted with wooded areas. Best Places 2022-2023 Rank: 117 Metro Population: 698,537 Median Home Price: $333,741 Average Annual Salary: $55,710. #25 Best Places to Retire in North Carolina. The median home price listing is $255k, and the median income for a family in Fort Pierce is $35,198, and as a port city, the harbor sees a high volume of commerce. A number of factors went into determining the best places to retire on the East Coast. It's a popular Michigan summer vacation spot . Foodies can dine at some fantastic seafood and steak spots and outdoor activities range from bird watching to ziplining. Fernandina Beach, Florida. . A lifetime of coastal living has taught me that the weather can often have all four seasons in a single day. Housing costs for retirees in Knoxville are the biggest factor bringing down costs, at nearly 30% below the national average. 1. There are currently more than 74 million boomersof which 10,000 per day are hitting age 65, according to the Pew Research Center. To hit the soft sand of beautiful Atlantic Beach, locals have to drive about seven minutes across the bridge. Are you confident in your retirement savings? Retirees can get into active adult communities like Bay Crossing in a $239,000 two-bedroom condo all the way up to a fully kitted-out four-bedroom for $620,000. Chances are you already know the country's most famous beach destinations . With characteristics that appeal to both your lively and laid-back sides, there's a place to call home on this list for any and every beach-bound retiree. Or perhaps youre planning a big move and want to relocate permanently. 3. The last price GOBankingRates measured was monthly healthcare cost, which averaged $415. The average single-family home here costs less than $200,000, one reason Liveability.com ranked Bismarck among its top 10 places to retire in 2017. The Bay Area Hospital treats patients of all ages, including geriatric medicine and services for the elderly and disabled. Springfield residents benefit from plenty of high-quality health care options within driving distance. The 25 Best Beaches in America, According to You! Settling down in this small coastal town wont blow your budget either. Most folks probably dont imagine spending their beachy retirement huddled up under layers of sweaters and blankets, but theyre missing out.