Plus, theres almost seven rooms per house on average, so youll have lots of space. There are plenty of spas, salons, restaurants and live entertainment to enjoy, and you can grab fresh produce and seafood at the Fresh Market on Tuesdays. Instead, the 55-plus crowd has been seeking out budget-conscious, beach alternatives with plenty of outdoor activities and (often) a temperate climate in which to settle down for good. [ x] Then . With that in mind, here are the top 10 best places to retire on the East Coast. Retirees are undoubtedly drawn to these areas by the active, beach lifestyle, says Danielle Hale, chief economist for realtor.com. And locals are willing to fork over that kind of money for a reason. Thats not all. It's one of the best places in the country to retire because it has plenty of medical care, social opportunities, retirement centers, and recreation activities nearby. Living in a tiny house may sound like a great way to save, but some details require a hefty investment. https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/, https://www.census.gov/data/developers/data-sets/acs-5year.html. Doing laundry is already a chore, and it's worse if your laundry room is a mess. A median house price for those age 60 and older is $160,200. In Bay St. Louis, homes are valued at around $172,600 and youll pay around $1,140 in annual property taxes and $782 in monthly housing costs. Learn how to handle home improvement projects in a way that protects both your home and your bottom line. Average income for population 65+: $70,291. The median home value is $168,600, property taxes will cost you around $1,567 each year and housing expenses come to about $870 a month. Im going to run through several options of affordable East Coast towns. Deerfield Beach sits on the southeastern Florida coast and boasts an award . SmartAsset does not review the ongoing performance of any Adviser, participate in the management of any users account by an Adviser or provide advice regarding specific investments. Myrtle Beach is a popular vacation destination but its also pretty affordable to live in on a permanent basis. 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. Here are 25 gorgeous beach towns in the U.S. where you can retire on a budget. Use these cleaning tips to get rid of dust buildup and improve the air quality in your home. 1. There are many groceries and other amenities available and coffee shops, restaurants, and cultural activities. SmartAsset Advisors, LLC ("SmartAsset"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Financial Insight Technology, is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser. There are lots of great golf courses too, and plenty of fresh seafood to enjoy in area restaurants. Seaside, Read More Is Seaside Or Cannon Beach Better?Continue, Coastal cities often paint a picture of beautiful people, sunshine, and great food. The New Castle Historic District has a number of historic buildings, including an arsenal built in 1809 in preparation for the War of 1812. 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. These firms could be great to partner with. 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. Check out the 21 nicest small towns to visit in . The stunning gulf coast area is well known for its beauty, and Coastal Living voted ocean Springs as one of the 10 Happiest Seaside Towns in 2015. The last price GOBankingRates measured was monthly healthcare cost, which averaged $415. 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. Tuckpointing can give your brick walls or chimney a facelift while helping to ensure the structural integrity of your home. Upload a picture of your shopping receipts to the free Fetch app, and start earning points today. It also has the fourth-fewest medical centers per 1,000 residents, though 7.27 medical centers per 1,000 residents is still not a bad number overall. Atlantic City, New Jersey. Seaford is home to a number of parks where you can experience the great outdoors. Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live on the East Coast using 2022 data from Niche's. . St. Marys, St Marys, GA 31558, USA. The county seat of Nassau County, Fernandina Beach is just north of Florida's beautiful Amelia Island. The stunning Olympic National Park, with its lush green forests, hot springs and glacier-capped mountains, lies nearby as well. In the downtown area, youll find several historic sites, tasty eateries and live arts performances, and you can go fishing, paddling, surfing and sailing on the blue-green waters that sweep the beach. Seaford doesnt fare as well when it comes to retirement communities, though, as its 0.14 retirement communities per 1,000 residents puts it near the bottom of this list in that metric. Times have changed drastically in 2020 and 2021, but it neednt all be bad. Each town has fewer than 20,000 full-time residents (according to the 2010 census), direct access to beaches and water, and notable family-friendly attractions. Whether you're looking for a spot to relocate to during the next few years or you are dreaming about places to put down roots decades from now, it's always the right time to explore retirement destinations, especially when those places come with surf, sand, and sea breezes. 10. #11. Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina boast beachfront towns with well-priced properties and a high livability score. 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. Homes are on the pricier end the median home value is $243,100, the most expensive on this list but youll only pay around $799 in annual property taxes and $901 in monthly housing costs. The welcoming atmosphere and colorful boutique-lined downtown are draws for seniors, who make up more than a quarter of the town's population. Stroll along white sand beaches, browse the boutiques and galleries in Old Town and cast a line for speckled trout or red snappers at one of the numerous fishing piers. The 25 Best Beaches in America, According to You! Cape Coral was named one of the top 25 places to retire by . Known for its boardwalks, casinos, and beaches, Atlantic City is the place to choose if you want the high life within a short distance of some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline along the Jersey Shore. 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. When considering a place to retire, you should take a look atdifferent financial factors, including tax burden, healthcare facilities and other costs. Gulfport is one of Mississippis biggest cities, so you wont lack for amenities. 7. 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. Just south of Sarasota, quiet and charming Venice is the ideal retirement spot for those looking for a slower pace of life. If small and quaint is not your style, Jacksonville, with its vast area and large population, might be more your pace. Oak Island is a nice quiet area to retire in. If hunting for shark teeth wont keep the grandkids occupied, chances are nothing willbut you could always try taking them to the arboretum or Historic Venice Train Depot, or take them for a boat ride. Chances are you already know the country's most famous beach destinations . Often named one the best coastal towns in Maine, Kennebunkport has it all. We list the top 25, ranked from least to most affordable. While low for this list, thats not a bad number overall. Average Annual Salary: $52,970. But while many beach communities are cost-prohibitive, a surprising number are within reach for those who aren't millionaires. Are your retirement savings on track? Our next dilemma: Is Seaside or Cannon Beach better? This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information. To help you determine the place in this part of the country that's the best fit for you, we looked at the metro areas within 100 miles of the Atlantic coast that rank highest among the Best Places to Live, which considers factors including affordability, job market, desirability and morning commute, among others. These areas are active, scenic, and rich . This town is about 15 minutes from the Atlantic Coast, so if youre a fan of windy days by the ocean then Exeter fits the bill. Historic Lewes has a more natural, small-town feel and (slightly) lower home prices. If you want to visit one of the many beaches in Oregon, you may be wondering which of their many beaches is considered the safest! Making your dream retirement a reality takes money, though, and saving enough money takes planning. The citys tax rate comes in at just 11%, so you wont have to worry about sending too much of your cash to Uncle Sam. It's a hidden gem located along the Atlantic Ocean coast. Where is the best place on the East Coast to retire? Bel Air is also clearly popular among older people. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Median home list price: $145,050. Choosing new windows is a delicate balance between features, efficiency and cost. As a retirement town, Lewes has lots of draws, including no sales tax and the third lowest real estate tax area in the country. With homes valued at around $168,300, the median housing cost is $1,209 a month and the median annual property tax is $2,265. Fairfax is close to Washington, D.C. and the myriad cultural options that our nations capital has to offer, including the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian museums and the National Mall. Many of them seek out single-story homes with attached garages right around the golf course, marina, and beaches. The median home value in Fort Walton is $185,900, while annual property taxes will cost you around $1,366 and monthly housing costs amount to about $1,049. Retirees can take the grandkids on whale watching tours or picnic at one of the many parks or the beach. 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. Due to its attraction as a tourism center, much of the economy relies on tourism. Sarasota, with its pristine Gulf beaches, cracked its way into the top towns thanks to its high number of doctors' offices (12.4) and recreation centers (3) per 1,000 people. National parks, preserves and wildlife refuges are all plentiful . The median home value in the city is quite low just $113,600 and youll pay around $908 in annual property taxes and about $655 in monthly housing costs. It also ranks first on our list of the best places to retire in Georgia. The median home value in the area is $216,100 and youll pay around $848 in yearly property taxes and $912 in monthly housing costs. The laid-back city boasts a restaurant- and shop-lined Main Street, which spills out to a nice pier and beach. Just an hour away from the bustling Big Apple lies Long Beach, New York. It might be time to review that far-away dream of life on the coast and waking up to the sound of waves and gulls and having a look at the affordability of East Coast beach houses. Here's a list of real estate firms to consider working with. Located on Virginia's eastern shore, Cape Charles is an inviting small town with picturesque piers and sidewalks for strolling and biking. The cost of living is lower than the national average, and there's easy access to great medical care, international airports, and active adult housing. Finding the most affordable city or town for a beach home on the East Coast is down to more than just property prices, so its impossible to pick a single One-Size-Fits-All Town. And the relative affordability of homes in these towns means more of a fixed income is left over for fun, which probably makes the case for sticking around.. Located in western Massachusetts, Springfield is roughly 60 miles from the coast via Connecticut. Whether you prefer white sand beaches or majestic mountain ranges, read on to discover the best places to retire on the east coast. America's gold stockpile has fueled curiosity and conspiracy theories. Housing costs for retirees in Knoxville are the biggest factor bringing down costs, at nearly 30% below the national average. 4 ways to earn big returns outside the stock market, 10 tactics to keep your summer vacation on budget, Costco shoppers: Beware these tricks the warehouse giant uses to make you spend more. Theres an outlet shopping center and a casino. A move to the East Coast may bring you closer to family, give you access to the right job or simply fit the vibe you're looking for. Bay St. Louis lures visitors and new residents with its inviting downtown and easy access to community gathering spots, like local art galleries and restaurants. Datalign matches you with vetted registered advisors that can help you improve your investment portfolio and grow your retirement savings safely. Seabrook Island, South Carolina. Check out the local parks, like Wilson Point and Kingston Point, and eateries such as Vinces Crab House and Carsons Creekside. A good idea to find remoter, less expensive properties is to look in the areas surrounding these towns and find your own hidden East Coast gems. By the numbers: Population . And we go over some of the numbers taken from Census Bureaus 2019 five-year American Community Survey as well as what makes each city so great to retire in. Sink your toes into sugar-white sand beaches that are reportedly composed out of fine quartz grains from the Appalachian Mountains. Go swing dancing at the Casino Ballroom and fishing at the Bert and Walter Williams Pier. Lewes and nearby Rehoboth Beach have become one of the hottest LGBTQ retirement destinations on the East Coast. Metro Population: 698,537. The Maya mountains provide a gorgeous backdrop for the tranquil lagoon. The lowest average on our list is Shreveport, Louisiana, at $374.77. Forbes compared nearly 800 locales in America, on everything from housing costs and taxes to healthcare, air quality and climate change and natural hazard risk. 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. Leisure World, a gated retirement community located just 12 minutes from the sands of Seal Beach, offers some serious deals. If youve ever wished you could just pack up and head to the beach instead of staring out at the same dreary cityscape, perhaps that dream could become a reality. Total monthly expenditures: $2,073.51. These beach towns are prime spots for living out your golden years by the sea. Outdoor living that keeps the bugs out can be a great addition to your home, but it may cost more than you think. For those working in finance, this city may be the best choice. Work in that sector is constantly rising with the influx of more than 20 million visitors each year. 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. The beaches are long strands of white sand, offering perfect coastal views. . And the town you choose to make your home has to suit you and your family. Dont worry this article compares them in detail. 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. Many tourists visit this island but are its resources up to standard? 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. Unique View: The quintessential fishing village of Cape Porpoise, Maine. Fort Pierces unspoiled shores and palm tree lined sidewalks also make it one of Americas most picturesque (and affordable) beach towns. If youre considering a retirement in any of these places, you should start planning now. 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. 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. The cost of living in Savannah is 12.1 percent less than the national average with the average home value at $134,600. Flickr Evangelio Gonzalez. Dominated by the Biloxi bay Bridge, Ocean Springs stunning Front Beach stretches to Ocean Springs Harbor and provides extended areas of white sands, fishing piers, and gorgeous views of the gulf. Live everyday like youre at a summer resort at Ormond Beach in Florida and enjoy clear blue waters and peachy orange sands. A financial advisor can help you create a financial plan for your retirement goals. A range of sand and surf that stretches from Maine to Florida. It's also great for retirees, with lots of recreation areas and a high ratio of doctors' offices to people. U.S. News also named Melbourne its tenth best city to retire in and one of the safest places to live and ranked it highly for quality of life.