15 of the Most Underrated Cities That Would be Great in Your Golden Years
One issue many retirees encounter when approaching their golden years is where they want to retire. Many people and couples look to downsize their lives and create a new normal for their non-working years after raising their children.
Most will look to find an apartment or smaller house than they’ve lived in during their career, both to save money and todownsize their space to fit their not-so-busy lives. But where do you live during those years of leisure and quiet? Do you stay in the town where you raised your family and visit friends in the community? Or do you move to a new town, build friendships, and enjoy new experiences?
Finding the right place to spend your last years, when work is only what you want to do, and life slows down to an easypace, can be an essential part of truly enjoying your golden years. But how do you decide? For those of you wondering where you might want to retire in the next year or two, we’ve curated a list of our top spots around the US worthy of your consideration.
1. Athens, Georgia
Located just East of Atlanta, Athens, Georgia, offers the feel of a college town and all the amenities that go with it. You’ll enjoy access to entertainment, eateries, shopping, and the hustle and bustle of an American college town.
There are 11 colleges and universities in and around Athens, making it a true mecca of education. You can’t beat the gorgeous weather, and you’ll be close enough to Atlanta that you can easily take a day trip for that big-city feel. You will have to pony up some cash in the area, though, as prices are high in this college town, with the median home price being $401,875.
2. Minneapolis, Minnesota
If you love the college town feel with a winter landscape, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is where you can retire. You can enjoy that college-town feel with 12 colleges in the Twin Cities area and 45 within 30 minutes of the city.
As of February 2024, the median home price in Minnesota was $325,000, and an individual’s cost of living was $2240 a month. While it’s in the top 13% of most expensive cities in the world, it’s also in the top two percent of best places to live in the US and the first most liveable city in Minnesota.
3. Eagle, Colorado
If you’re looking for picturesque beauty as a backdrop to your retirement years, Eagle, Colorado, will fit the bill. However, it’s a costly place to live. A typical home in the area is around $866,200, rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $3,990, and the cost of living is 53.5% higher than the national US average.
While living in Eagle may cost you a mint and suggests a median salary of at least $121,200 for a single person or $165,960 for a family, it also offers great activities like skiing, hiking, mountain views, and a quiet life with a low population of 7,353 as of 2024.
4. Killington, Vermont
Killington, Vermont, is a retirees paradise if you want an all-four-seasons approach to life. Gorgeous in the fall when the leaves turn color, picturesque in the winter when skiing is all the rage, and perfect in spring and summer when fishing is your life, Killington has something for everyone.
The cost of living in Killington is also 9.9% lower than the national average. That means rent, food, gas, childcare, transportation, healthcare, and taxes are considerably cheaper in Killington than in the US overall.
5. Indianapolis, Indiana
Squeezing an already tight budget can feel like giving up on your dreams. However, places like Indianapolis, Indiana, can help you stretch your money if need be. With a cost of living 14.3% lower than the US average, money goes further here for items like rent, utilities, transportation, etc.
Housing is affordable here, with the median home price hitting just $230,000. Fall also brings beautiful foliage as the seasons change. If you have an aversion to cold weather, this might not be the place for you; however, if winter landscapes are your jam, Indianapolis will oblige you.
6. Astoria, Oregon
Migrating to Astoria, Oregon, is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it is perfect for the outdoor type who wants access to waterways. Right on the Columbia River, with the Pacific Coast close by, there is much to offer in the outdoor activity area.
However, the cost of living is 7.7% higher than the US average, with the median home price at $438,000. Astoria is only about 1% more expensive than the average across the rest of Oregon. So, if money isn’t an issue, Astoria might be the new retirement location you’ve been dreaming of.
7. Arlington, Texas
Located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington is a great option if you want to be close to city living. With a warm winter climate, you can enjoy watching the Dallas Cowboys play at AT&T Stadium.
Median home prices here are around $339,977, and the cost of living puts Arlington in the top 25% of most expensive cities worldwide. However, the average salary in Arlington is enough to cover 2.5 months of expenses. So, if your nest egg is solvent enough, this city is worthy of your consideration.
8. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Full of untapped potential, Pittsburgh is an excellent place for anyone looking to retire in the Northeast. You’ll get the full expanse of all four seasons and some excellent entertainment opportunities, including the Andy Warhol Museum.
Pittsburgh is also noted for its cost of living. The average salary here is enough to cover 2.1 months of necessary billslike rent and utilities, and home prices here are around $250,000.
9. Green Valley, Arizona
Retiring in Green Valley, Arizona, can be cool and groovy (at least at night from October through March). With a cost of living that’s 3.0% lower than the US average and 8.8% lower than the average for the whole state, Green Valley could be the place for you.
Median home prices in this area are $291,600, and a comfortable retirement can be yours for $55,800 for a family or $39,600 for a single person.
10. Ann Arbor, Michigan
Just outside Detroit, Ann Arbor, Michigan, is home to the University of Michigan and the UofM hospital (one of the best in the state). It is also one of the top 17% of most expensive cities worldwide. The average monthly spend for necessities, including rent, for a single individual is $2104.
Thankfully, the average monthly income is enough to more than cover that cost, and home prices in the area are at $455,500, a 34.7% jump from the national average of 338,100. However, for the college town amenities and proximity to the Huron River Water Trail, there’s plenty to keep you busy in your golden years.
11. Greenville, South Carolina
If you’re an urbanite who occasionally likes to dabble in nature, Greenville, South Carolina, is calling your name. This beautiful city offers a “best of both worlds” approach to urban living, with an active city life and hiking trails for nature lovers.
Greenville is among the top 14% of most expensive cities in the world, and home prices hover around $401,000. However, when money doesn’t matter, the atmosphere is everything.
12. Reno, Nevada
If you don’t mind the higher cost of living, where housing prices reach half a million, or living in one of the most expensive cities in the world, Reno, Nevada, it is a fun place to call home.
Although quieter than Sin City, it still offers plenty of casinos and nightlife to keep you entertained. Alternatively, you could take a drive south and explore Lake Tahoe. Great for hiking and fishing in the summer or skiing in the winter, the Lake Tahoe region can accommodate you.
13. Port Charlotte, Florida
It takes an average yearly income of $56,880 to comfortably live in Port Charlotte, Florida, where housing prices average between $296,500 and $367,000.
Situated close to the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa, and Fort Myers, Port Charlotte offers lower prices for necessities like food, housing, and transportation. She is just a hop and a skip away from city life.
14. Louisville, Kentucky
Welcome to the Bluegrass State and home of the Kentucky Derby leg of the Triple Crown. If you’re into horse racing (or betting), Louisville is the perfect place to settle down in your golden years. The median home price is $259,000, and the cost of living puts Louisville in the top 21% of most expensive cities in the world.
However, at just $1918 for a single person, including rent, utilities, food, and transportation, it’s moderately reasonable compared to the US average of $2433.
15. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Prices in Virginia Beach are excellent for a tourist town. Still below the US average cost of living, a single person can enjoy retirement for $2109, including rent, utilities, food, and other necessary basics.
Sand beaches, the echo of history, and an active night scene offer plenty for retirees to enjoy during their leisure years. If you like swimming in the Atlantic Ocean, bathing in the sun on a sandy beach, or hitting the downtown pub for a pint with friends, you’ll love settling down in Virginia Beach.
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