I would add, respectfully, do we really need yet another listing of mostly Florida sites? Apart from Grand Rapids, any of us who dislike steamy, hot weather would find little pleasure here. We understand the criteria of cheap housing and know that serves many people. But surely many others would look to cooler places with superior educational, cultural and medical facilities to those offered in some of these listings. Again, not quarreling with the list for what it is; just would appreciate seeing perhaps more “unconventional” listings in the future, please. Thank you.

Editor’s response: Perfectly understandable that you have regional preferences. This particular list was stacked towards Florida because real estate there is now so cheap. But to answer your request I have a suggestion. Recommend you use our Retirement Ranger http://www.topretirements.com/index.php?r=user/ranger/questions to create your own list. When you take the 10 point quiz, recommend you select all environments that are acceptable to you (urban, suburban, college town, etc), choose “No Preference” in most situations except where it really matters to you (e.g.; cost of living, minimum Jan Temperature, Above average culture, etc). I just took it a few times that way and came up with 97 towns from our database that are above average culture, below average cost of living, and have lower than average tax burden. BTW, once you are logged in to the Ranger you don’t have to wait for the email to see the answers – just click on “Recent Results” link. And you can take it as many times as you want – it’s free. Good luck, and thanks for the suggestion

July 25th, 2012 | #

I agree about the criteria other than price. As I research possible retirement locales, climate, crime rate and medical care are all concerns. Transportation to health care and shopping when you are alone, elderly and unable to drive have also been considerations when I looked at lovely and affordable places in North Carolina. Availability of religious institutions and swimming/ health club facilities for a non-golfer like me are also a consideration, as well as activities for older seniors who want to be with sophisticated and globally focused people is another concern.

July 25th, 2012 | #

Anyone know anything about the retirement prospects of Adrian MI?

July 25th, 2012 | #

Mt. Airy, NC also has first class municipal services, two major parks, two 2.2 mile waterside fitness greenways, and a comprehensive fitness and recreation center with both indoor and outdoor Olympic sized swimming pools. It has an award winning medical center that can handle all but brain and open heart surgery.A local regional history museum, along with a high powered arts council offer a variety of activities pleasing to retireees. A 25 minute drive will put a Mt. Airy retiree on the campus of an award winning community college. As the core city of one of the top 100 Micropolitan Statistical Areas in the US, it provides an extremely wide variety of professional, technical and skilled services, as well as a very wide variety of commercial stores and services.Breathtaking mountain views and lush municipal and private sector landscaping make Mt. Airy a vision of pleasing natural attraction.

July 25th, 2012 | #

Does the median cost of 55+ housing vary from the median cost of housing in general? A friend who lives in Phoenix thinks the 55+ housing fell farther and is coming back slower than their general market. But that’s one person’s opinion. I also have a friend who lives in FL who says she’s found in some areas the housing might be less – but the 55+ communities can be more than other housing types. Again, this is just her impression.

So it raised the question for me if it were true that the 55+ median cost might not be the same as the overall median in any given area, and could be either more or less? Anyone have any ideas on this?

I love Topretirements. It’s one of the few sites where the info isn’t driven by other interests (ie advertising or real estate sales, etc). However, because I live in the Pacific Northwest and would prefer to stay in the western/southwestern part of our great country, I don’t find a lot of specific information. So I wonder if most of the readers of this site are from the middle to eastern/southeastern parts of our country and that’s what drives where the interest it – or has the readership from those areas grown more because that’s where the focus was to begin with?

Just wondering – and hoping that there might be more articles for areas my way in the future.

July 25th, 2012 | #

I live in Clearwater, FL and have looked in this area (Tampa, St. Petersburg, etc.) and have not found any areas that I could AFFORD and would like to retire in…. $139,000 for a house with a pool is only in neighborhoods that I would not want to live in…..

July 26th, 2012 | #

The Grass Is Always Greener
I can relate to PC Reich’s comments. I’m in my 70s and live in Roanoke, VA. It’s a nice place. I’m near the trolley line (free) that goes downtown (library, assortment of retuarants, healthcare services, museums, etc.). The weather is moderate, although being from New England, I miss the winter season. The housing market has not been affected like most of the country, so prices are stable, i.e., no great bargains. Nearby Smith Mtn. Lake offers great water activities. Check it out.

July 26th, 2012 | #

My brother lives just north of Tampa, in the Land O Lakes area as they were building his development about 10-15 years ago. I have visited the area off of Brenford Place (street name). I think this was the more affordable housing. There were some homes during the real estate boom era for as low as $100,000 as well as some homes into the $300,000 and above around 2005, I believe. I do not remember the name of the development but you could mapquest directions to get to Brenford Place.

July 27th, 2012 | #

My husband and I spent 2 days looing at Delaware Coast to live. Not sure yet and will go back to look more. Anyone have any comments on the area, Lewes, Long Neck, Bethany?? golf is important and it does not look like there are a lot of courses there. Looking to be our of the hussels of the shore but not too far.

July 27th, 2012 | #

My husband and I live in Ocklawaha, Florida at Lake Weir Living.
We relocated from the Northeast last year. Lake Weir Living gives tremendous value to your dollar.Our home was at least 100k less than other brand new homes in Florida. Our builder, Joe Thompson is awesome and does not cut corners on quality. We researched many retirement developments and single homes in Florida. At LWL we enjoy the freedom of choosing what “we” want and doing things our way without having to pay HOA or follow the confines of retirement living.
Retirement should mean freedom and that’s what we have found at LWL,

July 27th, 2012 | #

keep “20 Great Affordable Towns for Retirement” aside… i would like to know what would be a good amount for retirement plan when some one is as old as 62

July 28th, 2012 | #

Sunny: You are correct. I like some of the information on Top Retirements but it’s focus is on Florida and many of us in the mid-west don’t want to go there.

We are headed to Texas and it is pretty much void of info. on our location.

July 28th, 2012 | #

I would like to see info on Arkansas towns.

July 28th, 2012 | #

I would like to suggest that we create a blog of state of information. Then folks like myself and others can obtain, share and communicate on a variety of States. For example, I have been trying to gather any details on Retirement in Athens, GA. Does anyone, have information at all to share? I see same requests like this for TX and MI. I know I am in NJ right now and could offer information on that location. Look forward to some response.Susan

Editor’s note: Good suggestion Susan. We suggest that folks use our State Forums to share this information, which would be a fantastic addition to this site. For example if you go to the Forum at http://www.topretirements.com/Forum.html you will see on lower left a list of all the states (and many countries). So if you then click on a state like Georgia you will see a list of towns, plus a general category for the state (e.g.; Georgia in General). So you can post on either the town or the state in general, take your pick. You do need to be logged in as a Member in order to protect the Forum from spammers and self-promoters. Thanks!

July 29th, 2012 | #

Sunny
I agree – I live in Washington state and prefer to live in the Northwest mainly for climate reasons. From the east but do not want to go back Into high humidity states. I would love to see more on this sight about retirement communities, etc. For the Northwest. Hope some people from this area get on board. Norh Carolina, Florida etc. Are out for me.

July 29th, 2012 | #

@John, Good suggestion above, “We suggest that folks use our State Forums to share this information, which would be a fantastic addition to this site.” I don’t think no one knows how much time it takes to get all the information that you already do.

Creating a page of this type that you mentioned above within your blog, will save many lots of time trying to recreate a wheel that already exists. Thank you again for all that you do!
- Neil

July 30th, 2012 | #

Is there any way to list religious and political conditions? No sense moving where you will never agree…

July 31st, 2012 | #

Check out census data at http://www.city-data.com.

August 1st, 2012 | #

[...] a conversation about the virtues (or not) of living in small towns after looking at a list of the Top 20 places for Affordable retirement – and listening to a podcast on the Kunstlercast, extolling small town living. Here were Four [...]

March 2nd, 2013 | #

[...] both coasts. Florida and the Southeast tend to be inexpensive. See also our Blog article: “20 Great Affordable Places to Retire” (the bottom of that article has links to more “affordable” [...]

March 13th, 2013 | #

[...] further reading “20 Most affordable Places to Retire” Topretirements state retirement guides IRS Minimum IRA Distribution [...]

April 15th, 2013 | #

Is ranking on medium selling price of homes of any value in determining the real prices of homes in an area? An area with a lot of cheap run down homes will have a low medium price but that doesn’t mean that you can find a quality home in that area for a price any cheaper than an area with a higher medium price. I don’t think this ranking is worth much.

April 17th, 2013 | #

I began reading Top Retirements when I first signed up, but now I only skim through some and don’t read much anymore. Why, you ask? Well, most comments seem to center around the east coast area. I am only interested in Nevada, California, Oregon, and Washington. Perhaps geographical sections for retirement comments would cause me to “READ” this site again.

April 18th, 2013 | #

Yes! Western States! This whole site is so east coast focused. I have a slight interest in Florida but am much more interested in Arizona, Nevada, California. Slight interest in Northwest, if a dry area.

April 19th, 2013 | #

I am with Ginger! This website if for those who love Florida!! So little information about any of the other beautiful parts of our country. Florida is flat, humid (all year round), not really an attractive state, with lots of traffic everywhere. Other than the fact it has no state income tax, I do not see the appeal. Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado just to name a few have so much beauty and appeal to them. I say good-by to this website.

April 20th, 2013 | #

I too prefer the Southwest for retirement versus both the East and Southeastern U.S. I think it’s easier for those that already live in the eastern part of the country to focus on an area they consider closer to family and friends. Since I live in Minnesota and my body dislikes humidity my focus will be to spend my winters in a warm but not humid area like Arizona, Nevada or parts of the states that suround them. Unfortunately for those of us that prefer warm and dry the majority of those that currently comment here are heavily focused on the east coast and I’m ok with that. We just need a few more like minded folks to share their interest in the Southwest.

April 20th, 2013 | #

As you say, people on the east coast will go south mainly because it’s closer to our loved ones. Santa Fe and the Oregon coast are two places I truly love but can’t imagine moving that far from my family….is what it is.

However, this site does list a lot of information about the west coast in their states and communities tabs.

April 20th, 2013 | #

There are those of us who are going other places. We are moving to Texas from Wisconsin. We read but don’t comment because this is an east coast blog.

April 20th, 2013 | #

I say YOU All come and check out Arizona…Beautiful, sunny sunny sunny, no humidity, nice people, lots to do! Close to California and Las Vegas, and the Pacific Ocean! Perfect for me. I lived on the East Coast and South the majority of my life..would never move back. Terrible weather, and Florida is sooooo humid. We all have an opinion!

April 21st, 2013 | #

Loralee–were do you live in Arizona? I lived for six years in Cairo, Egypt and found I loved the desert climate. Sunny every day–looked like noon at 6AM and it seemed to affect me in a positive way. I used to have camels and loved riding into the desert at night beyond the pyramids…lovely memories. One concern….do you have water issues? Also how is it living in a border state? I know about dry heat (carry bottled water everywhere) and A/C is also used everywhere. Also how friendly are people in Arizona. Lots of activities is a real plus. No one wants to be bored.

April 21st, 2013 | #

There are many comments about Texas, many are not positive, nevertheless, they are here. I have also seen quite a few about AZ, and the ones I have seen about California, are positive except for the cost to live there. We are moving to the east Coast because of what we can afford and the type of weather we are looking for. We have family all over, so thank goodness for airplanes. We are originally from New York and have lived in California, Las Vegas, CT, and find we fit better on the East Coast for a variety of reasons.

April 21st, 2013 | #

Arizona is brutally hot in the summer, so hot, you don’t want to be outside, unless you get up into higher elevations. Water is an issue and will become more so in the future as more people move there. AZ is not close to the Pacific ocean, unless you are comparing the distance from the east coast! You better like dry wrinkled skin if you live in a desert climate. The Southwest is very dry, the Southeast is very humid. There is no “perfect” state for. All states have their pluses and minuses. You have to decide what you prefer the most and then look for those areas and cities that will provide those things.

April 21st, 2013 | #

To Ginger, I currenty live in the Salem area in the heart of the Willamette Valley in Oregon. We too are looking. Florida is a slight consideration but everytime we discuss it, it gets shot down due to the humidity. It is miserable there in the summer, not to mention the alligators, bugs, and snakes!! It is not so much the rain here but the gray dreary overcast skies. 60-70 days of sunshine. However east of the Cascades in the Bend/ Sisters area and Central Oregon that has some of the most spectacular scenery and realtively dry and sunny. BUT the winters are COLD !! We have currently been looking in the southwest but trying to find a place not quite as hot as Phoenix, that stays sunny and warm in winter. Ya I agree this site is mostly east coast focused.

April 21st, 2013 | #

After enjoying this site for about the past 2 years, I thought that I would
summarize the end of our trail with regards to our retirement locale. We started
out with an open mind, having traveled extensively prior to our search. Then
we took the last 2 years to visit the top contenders. Our biggest driver was warm
weather – I want nothing to do with winter, and we will be snowbirds, so we
aren’t concerned with the hot summers of the West or South as we will be back in
the Midwest. We immediately eliminated California because of its taxes,financial
status and unacceptable (to us) value system. We gave Texas a try, loved Austin,
but felt it was too isolated. Texas being so big, it would be too difficult for
us to explore. It seemed all we did also in Phoenix was drive, and had friends
there who told us it is difinitely a driving lifestyle there. Plus, it was soooo
brown. My eyes and sinuses were misesrable being so dried out. The warmest
winters are definitely in the South (we had previously lived in Knoxville, but
even that wasn’t warm enough in winter). So, yes, we, too, considered Florida.
Being from the Midwest, we ventured toward the West coast where things are a
bit more laid back. We did tremendous amounts of research. It turned out to be
an easy decision, even though we made 4 trips there before finalizing on
Sarasota. It was number one last year, number two this year, and there is a
reason for that. It has a WOW factor. For someone who asked previously (when do
you know it’s the right place), – if you can’t feel it in your bones, then it’s
not. We have purchased a lot, and will be building. So, there is a definite sigh
of relief and now we can begin the fun part.

April 21st, 2013 | #

“Florida is a slight consideration but everytime we discuss it, it gets shot down due to the humidity. It is miserable there in the summer,…”

Mark,

It is easy to assume that FL will be hot and humid in the summer, but if you live in a town by the water, it’s not necessarily so. I had family living in West Palm Beach and Near Miami, and was surprised at how often their weather in the summer was much better than our up here in PA. Granted WC Fields has poked fun at Philadelphia summers, but I can’t remember once when their weather was worse than ours in terms of heat and humidity.

I’ve been using Weather.com to keep an eye on weather in areas of interest. The averages that you get reported on websites don’t give as good an indication of what the weather is like there as real time weather reports do.

For me, the furthest south I’ll probably head is N GA, at least as long as I am fit enough to continue hiking and kayaking. Great taxes, great weather, great rivers…as long as they do not get drained in an effort to provide water to Atlanta.

April 22nd, 2013 | #

RE: Texas retirement. I lived in San Antonio for 14 years for work and education reasons and had a difficult time tolerating the oppressively hot and humid weather (6 months- April- late October). I also missed the cultural arts that are so abundant in my present location (Wash DC) and found the general population of Mexican Americans uninterested in intellectual or education matters. The city is now nothing but large and small shopping malls up and down the interstates and the River walk, while pretty,is overly price and crowded. Politically, it tends to be rather conservative.

The only city in Texas that I like is Austin. It’s a vibrant, intellectual city with a progressive lifestyle and many opportunities for education and self improvement. The cost of living is relatively low and real estate is quite affordable. Politically it’s more liberal that other areas of TExas. The only down side is again the very hot weather for 6 months of the year.

If you are considering moving to Texas, I recommend you travel there and check it out before moving there for good. Hope this helps.

April 22nd, 2013 | #

The Florida humidty is not an assumption. I have spent a lot of time there. Having been in the Pac NW (39 years)including Alaska (11 years) we just can’t handle it. It makes me sick to my stomach. I have visited a friend several times who lives in Tampa/ St/ Petersburg and it is almost always hot and humid, except winter (not bad) I did work in Northeast (Duluth) Ga. and really liked the area, but 6+ lanes of freeway are a little intimidating. Hawaii was a little humid, trade winds keep it comfortable

April 22nd, 2013 | #

found some late comments about locationds to retire very informative..we plan to move and retire there ‘full time’..and although ‘blogs’ about weather are helpful it seems that once peplole move to fla they are not interested in this site as they have made the choice…consequentl, no ‘full timers’ provide input about the summer weayher and living in it..we did not want 2 homes and become snowbirds..we feel in todays times to own one home is enough..and thanks for all comments thus far..looking forward to more details about fla weather in summer..especially in the south..

April 23rd, 2013 | #

The discussions on this blog have helped me to focus and distill my relocation objectives down to a single priority: Determine the right lifestyle balance of stimulating cultural, mental & physical activities that are conveniently accessible. Other factors become secondary. Discussion anyone?

April 23rd, 2013 | #

Can anyone help me with finding a place in Florida where it’s common to rent a place for a few months during the winter that’s furnished and near a beach. My husband and I hate the cold but still want to keep our home in Michigan and be here in the summer where it”s not as humid and hot as Florida is in the summer.South Carolina would also be another choice. I’m also open to any other suggestions. It needs to be in the mid range in cost, nothing over the top. Just some where to be comfortable and in nice surroundings. Thanks to anyone that help, this is new to us as my husband is not quite retired yet. We want to have time to check places out so we’ll be ready when the time comes.

April 23rd, 2013 | #

Hi Trish

Check out both the coastal areas of North and South Carolinas. I have a second home in Murrells Inlet which is the most southern area of Myrtle Beach SC and I enjoy it during the winter months.
Yes the Carolinas are hot and humid in the summers like most places on the East coast. The Carolinas offer both mountains and the ocean something Flordia does not offer. The Raleigh NC area has much to offer like shops, theater, great restaurants and is well cultured wih a bustling life but nothing compared to big cities of the North!
Hopefully this helps you.
Guy Long Island, NY

April 23rd, 2013 | #

Julie,

I have lived on both southern coasts of Florida and can tell you first hand the East Coast is more enjoyable due to the cooling Atlantic breezes. I now reside in dfw in Texas and the summer here is brutal. Now when I visit south east coast of Florida in the summer it’s enjoyable compared to the south west coast of Florida and Texas. We can’t wait to relocate to Florida.

April 23rd, 2013 | #

Trish- I couldn’t help but think about the place we just bought in Florida. It’s furnished, near a beach and would be a reasonable rental. My husband hasn’t retired yet so we just go when we can. We have never discussed renting it out and would certainly have to talk it over. If you would like to give me your email address we may be an option.

April 23rd, 2013 | #

Trish, look at Vacation Rentals By Owner (www.vrbo.com). I’ve rented a number of properties directly from the owners (or their property managers) using this website. There are homes, apartments and estates available world wide.

April 23rd, 2013 | #

Looking at the comments about the humidity in Florida got me to wondering about the interior of the state. The Villages, Ocala, and Leesburg active retirement communities are in the interior. These places seem to be extremely popular, in spite of their humid interior location. Could anyone from those areas comment on the heat/humidity from late Spring to October? How do you handle the heat if you are year round residents? I guess you just get used to it someway?? Also, I read that the crime rate in Ocala is DOUBLE the national average!? Is that a true perception of the overall town, or just certain areas that need to be avoided (wherever they are)? Thanks!

April 23rd, 2013 | #

Constance, I lived in the Orlando area for 15 years and can definitely say that from May through October, the humidity sets in on top of temps in the 90′s. I used to think of these times as our “winter”. If you wanted to do anything outdoors, you would do it before 9AM or after 5PM. Otherwise, you would stay indoors, unless you were in a pool or the beach.
From what I understand, the Ocala area is in a lower geographical area than Orlando and can get even hotter and mor humid in e summer.
You can get somewhat used to it, but some days are just brutal and endless. Now, we rent in the Orlando for January and February, the best time of the year.

April 24th, 2013 | #

Thanks Bill! I guess we will live at the pool,beach since we are moving to Stonecrest in Summerfield,Fl. soon. We love the tropical weather of Florida-I lived the Yucatan, Mexico for several years (years ago, though) and know how humid it can be. Thank God for air conditioning, huh!?;-) For anyone looking for a Very reasonably priced, active adult community only 2 miles from The Villages’ amenities you might want to check out Stonecrest. The houses are bargains and the HOA fee is one of the lowest around!! Another bonus is that you can go anywhere on a golf cart!!And it has a year round indoor pool!1 Jan Clements is an absolutely wonderful realtor with Keller Williams real estate. You cannot go wrong with her!

April 24th, 2013 | #

Mark…I really like the Tucson area, which is not flat like Phoenix. Tucson is surrounded by mountains and much of the landscape there is not just flat desert, but beautiful, big saguaro cacti and flowering shrubs. Quite pretty. And, it is a university town with lots of activities. But it is hot in summer (not as hot as Phoenix). Or, you could look at a higher elevation like Sedona or Prescott, but then you will get a cooler winter and some snow possibly. Let me just mention that when the humidity is very low, the heat doesn’t feel as hot. I lived in LV for 5 years, and it had to get over 110 before I felt the need for air conditioning; otherwise my ceiling fans were enough. Of course May thru September you don’t spend much time in the sun.

April 25th, 2013 | #

About FL weather. My wife and I seriously considered relocating to FL for quite some time. One of my brothers has lived near Cape Kennedy for 14 years and I attended college many years ago in Boca Raton. We were considering Ormond Beach (East) and Sarasota (West). Part of my research included keeping an almost daily log of time, temperature, high temp for the day, relative humidity, and dew point from June 9, 2011 to August. Data was kept for Cocoa Beach, FL/Melbourne and Annapolis, MD, where we lived. My objective was to have a day-to-day comparison.

Results: Number of days the dew point was 70% or higher (officially – extremely uncomfortable) FL = 153 out of 260 days. MD = 45 out of 263 days. This metric was revealing. Conclusion for those who do not enjoy oppressive heat: Rent in FL for 2-4 months and live 8-10 months farther north.

April 25th, 2013 | #

Ooops! Data kept from June 9, 2011 to August 18, 2012.

April 25th, 2013 | #

There is no getting around it, Florida is miserable in summer. I lived there for 23 years. Every summer, for four or five months, I asked myself why I was still there. I finally relocated to the mountains of north Georgia and have loved it. For health reasons, I am now having difficulty handling the cold winters here (nothing like the true north where I grew up, but still cold). So, now we are discussing being in FL again. We did spend this winter there and I did not miss the cold wet winter at all; it was very nice. However, I do not want to be in FL in the summer. It’s only gotten hotter down there and on summer visits its been 96 in Orlando plus the unbearable humidity. If you are there just for winter it’s great. If you’re considering a full time move to the state I highly recommend you spent June through at least August there before making that commitment. People who live there, for the most part, complain about it the heat and saturating humidity during the summer. You do not get used to it.

April 27th, 2013 | #