Check out the 21 nicest small towns to visit in . Making your dream retirement a reality takes money, though, and saving enough money takes planning. Photograph: Shutterstock. Theres an outlet shopping center and a casino. Bel Air is also clearly popular among older people. Here's how to do it and how much it costs. Jim has run his own advisory firm and taught courses on financial planning at DePaul University and William Rainey Harper Community College. 11 Best East Coast Beach Towns. 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. Stacker looks at the 50 best places to retire on the East Coast, analyzing data including population, age, income, household values, and rent. Just bear in mind that as a resident you will have to contend with crowds of tourists, especially in the summer. Myrtle Beach is a popular vacation destination but its also pretty affordable to live in on a permanent basis. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. Dont miss the National Naval Aviation Museum, the worlds biggest naval aviation museum, which houses over 150 restored aircrafts. These spots are livable, picturesque, and inviting. It prides itself on being a laid back coastal community, free of crowds and pollution. Live everyday like youre on vacation in Dunedin. Its stunning beaches, lush tropical forests, and majestic mountains make it easy to see why Maui is such a popular destination. 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. 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. More: 4 ways to earn big returns outside the stock market. The large community has various purchase restrictions, including a minimum age, and in some cases requires all-cash transactions; but to buy in another part of the desirable beach town would cost at least $700,000. Oak Island is a nice quiet area to retire in. Here's a look at the highest-rated coastal towns to retire. 20. It only takes 3 minutes to connect with an advisor who puts you first. 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. Looking to buy a home in Virginia? Best alternative to Kiawah Island. Due to its attraction as a tourism center, much of the economy relies on tourism. The towns top spot is the sandy Rocky Point Beach and Park, which spans 375 acres on the Back and Middle Rivers and boasts a beautiful view of the Chesapeake Bay. Hilton Head Island, known for its beaches and golf courses, is a great place to retire. 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. (opens in new tab) Popular Local Beaches: Beaches at Goose Lake Park, Jewell Lake, Little Campbell . Population 8,252. The median house price listing is $235k, but there are small gems to be found in this delightful town. 11 . If youre wondering whether you should pick Hawaii or Florida, our guide should help you decide. Keep a lookout for ospreys, eagles and great horned owls flying overhead. 1. Information and timely news from our team of trusted money specialists. In the downtown area, youll discover some lovely early-1900 buildings and exhibits at the Historical Museum. Whether seeking history, solitude, or a vibrant nightlife, the East Coast has got it all in the unique little towns speckling its pristine shorelines. Ah, Florida: warm weather, beaches, and no state income tax. The content provided on Moneywise is information to help users become financially literate. ROBBIE CAPONETTO; PROP STYLING: RACHAEL BURROW; HAIR AND MAKEUP: CELINE RUSSELL/ZENOBIA, The Best Budget Getaways In The South For 2023, Venice Is the Laid-Back Florida Beach Town With Plenty of Personality, Best Lake Towns To Retire To in the South, The Best Beach Towns In The South To Visit This Winter, The Best Places for a Dreamy Retirement in the South. Here's a list of real estate firms to consider working with. Springfield residents benefit from plenty of high-quality health care options within driving distance. Often named one the best coastal towns in Maine, Kennebunkport has it all. With the draw of the water (Fairhope is on Mobile Bay) and a downtown with unique restaurants and boutiques, it's one of the best places in the state, maybe even in the whole country, to retire. Despite its small size, this quaint town boasts many small businesses and eateries and offers plenty of water sports from the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. Just 15 minutes south of the bustling tourist shops, boardwalks, and mini-golf courses of Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet offers retirees a quiet respite from that popular vacation town. The city is home to the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, where residents can view a lighthouse built in 1825. It has got a population of over 13,000 people, a third of whom are above the age of 65. 2. This places Exeter second to last on the list in that metric but is still a fairly good number in the grand scheme of things. At extreme high tides or after winter storms, the water pushes up to to 50 feet in the air. Jacksonvilles booming city will suit those who want access to some beautiful stretches of coastal areas but need to have an urban playground and a travel hub on their doorstep. Retirees can take the grandkids on whale watching tours or picnic at one of the many parks or the beach. Despite the Crisis, Homeowners Remodel to Ride Out Pandemic in Comfort, How the Coronavirus Is Changing Some Boomers' Real Estate Plans for the Better. Due to its small size, Swansboro will best suit those working remotely or in the tourism industry. If you are looking for a place with below-average home prices to live in as a retiree, then Daytona Beach in the Sunshine State is a great solution for you. If you want to retire to coastal Georgia, Tybee Island is an ideal spot. Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Datalign matches you with vetted registered advisors that can help you improve your investment portfolio and grow your retirement savings safely. Fernandina Beach, Florida. Next: 10. 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 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. While low for this list, thats not a bad number overall. 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. In addition to its proximity to Naples, Pelican Bay is less than an hour from Fort Myers and only two hours away from Miami. 14. Eugene, Oregon. 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. 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. Jacksonville offers all the big city comforts and cultural entertainment, a growing craft beer scene, and the most extensive urban park system in the US, as well as coastal zones. The final city on our list of the best places to retire on the East Coast is another Delaware locale, New Castle. 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. However, this small seaside town has recreational opportunities and scenic views that far surpass what youd expect from a location that requires such a small budget to live in. 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. Long Beach, NY. In minutes, you can connect with a local or remote advisor and get a free initial consultation. The book includes university towns like Lawrence, Iowa City and Athens, Georgia, which have part-time student populations approaching 30,000. A bonus: The average morning commute for Springfield residents is just 23.3 minutes, allowing locals to spend more time at home. Doing laundry is already a chore, and it's worse if your laundry room is a mess. Beaufort, North Carolina. Great Neck, New York. Springfield, Massachusetts. Port Arthur houses the Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge, which covers 8,972 acres of saline to brackish marsh and is inhabited by a variety of fish and fowl. Metro Population: 698,537. Fernandina Beach- Distance to the coast 0 miles. You might even catch a glimpse of a dolphin or sea turtle, or catch some Spanish mackerel along the fishing pier. Suppose you must choose between Huntington or Newport Beach for the family holiday and dont know which is better. 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 . 1. Unlike it's nearby but totally separate . Sink your toes into sugar-white sand beaches that are reportedly composed out of fine quartz grains from the Appalachian Mountains. Upload a picture of your shopping receipts to the free Fetch app, and start earning points today. It is home to Floridas number one state park, Honeymoon Island, which boasts emerald green waters and pristine white beaches. 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. The mild weather, coastal scenery, good airport, and myriad amenities have made Murrells Inlet a desirable retirement destination for Northeasterners seeking a break from high tax rates and harsh winters. Next: 25. New Smyrna Beach was the center of intense real estate speculation during the 1920 . 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. Head to the local restaurants for some fresh gulf seafood or book a charter and reel in some fish yourself. Because Cumming is close to Atlanta, you can take advantage of all of the arts and entertainment options the city offers, including professional sports games and museums. 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. 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. From the various multicultural neighborhoods and their attendant restaurants to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for sports and concerts, entertainment is not far from New Hyde Park. 6 Best East Coast Road Trips for Fascinating History, Beautiful Beaches, and . Hawaii and Florida offer stretches of awe-inspiring coastline, with beaches, It can be tough to pick one with so many lovely places to choose from the miles of pristine beaches in California. Pelican Bay is a beautiful town on Florida's Gulf Coast. Its home to lots of shopping, plenty of restaurants, nice golf courses, a great sailing scene, and beautiful beaches. Tuckpointing can give your brick walls or chimney a facelift while helping to ensure the structural integrity of your home. 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. Biloxi, Mississippi, ranks at the top of our list as the most affordable beach town in America. Atlantic City, New Jersey. This coastal city includes over seven miles of white sandy beaches and offers plenty of leisure activities and facilities for seniors. Located in western Massachusetts, Springfield is roughly 60 miles from the coast via Connecticut. If youre worried about weather-related damages the city has suffered from some pretty intense storms in the past make sure to compare home insurance policies online for a good rate that gets you the right coverage. As a leading port, the headquarters of four Fortune 500 companies, and a banking industry legacy, Jacksonvilles median household income is $54,701. The city also houses the Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park, where you can see an 18th-century plantation. And explore the scenic trails at the Clam Bayou Nature Park. Newark also has the third-lowest number of recreation centers per 1,000 residents with 0.12. A financial advisor can help you create a financial plan to pay for your East Coast retirement dream. It's also great for retirees, with lots of recreation areas and a high ratio of doctors' offices to people. Many locals also take whale watching tours by boat, view masterpieces at Coos Art Museum, swing a 9-iron, or watch the pros play golf at the Bandon Dunes Resort, home to the Curtis Cup. It has a little bit of everything.. Flickr JR P. Darien is one of the premier coastal towns in Georgia. They include this three-bedroom on the water for $275,000 and this two-bedroom cottage for $219,000. There are lots of great golf courses too, and plenty of fresh seafood to enjoy in area restaurants. Eugene, Oregon. The citys Memorial Hospital, which offers senior services, is within easy reach. Read on for the 25 Best Places to Live on the East Coast. casual place with mountains on its east side and seven miles of often empty beach on its west side, Rockaway Beach is a world unto itself. The Kennebunk River adds even more waterline charm to the small shops, elegant ship captains' homes, and fishing ports of this vibrant Southern Maine town of 3,474. 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. Nestled between Pensacola and Panama City, Fort Walton Beach includes some of the best deep sea fishing charters in the nation. You may find yourself wondering, though, where exactly you want to spend your golden years. Its a popular gay retirement community, says Russell Stucki, real estate associate at Re/Max Realty Group. Get personalized advice from a financial advisor that understands your needs. Boasting 10+ miles of pristine beaches with temperate weather year . Shocker, right? Ocean Springs, Mississippi. You can go fishing for speckled trout and flounder at Sabine Lake and keep a look out for warblers and thrushes at Sabine Woods. Here are the top 10 budget-friendly spots that offer access to the ocean: 1. Located at the mouth of the Thames River, this seaport citythe second-largest whaling port in the world back in the Moby Dick daysboasts a historic waterfront district that has become the creative hub of the city with art, music, and design venues, unique boutiques, and more than 30 restaurants. Photo Credit: Julie McCool. 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. Get matched with a financial advisor today at Datalign and get on the path to financial success. It does have the third highest tax burden at 18.4%, though. 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. Best places to retire in America. It has 22.99 medical centers per 1,000 residents, the third highest number of medical centers of any city on this list. The median home value in the city is $153,000 and youll pay about $1,220 in property taxes each year and $723 in housing costs every month. If you're looking for one of the prettiest beaches on the East Coast, you'll love vacationing on Fernandina Beach, located on Amelia Island off the eastern coast of Florida. The scenic views blow everyone away, and it's filled with waterfront parks, historical monuments, and entertainment for all ages. Fernandina Beach. There are 5.42 medical centers per 1,000 residents. It's a popular Michigan summer vacation spot . Have a question? Placencia is a haven for beach connoisseurs. Or perhaps youre planning a big move and want to relocate permanently. Get advice on your investment portfolio from a certified professional through Datalign. When considering a place to retire, you should take a look atdifferent financial factors, including tax burden, healthcare facilities and other costs. You kind of have the best of both worlds [in Murrells Inlet] if youre looking for a nice, affordable area to retire to, says Jeremy Jenks, vice president of sales at Keller Williams The Trembley Group. In Ocean Springs, the median home value is $174,000, the median annual property tax is $1,445 and the median monthly housing cost is $1,021. Hampton, which the town website describes as a city with an old soul and a youthful enthusiasm, features some lovely historic attractions and museums, golfing and boating opportunities and fantastic dining options. 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. The median annual property tax sits at $2,573 and youll pay around $1,216 in housing costs each month.