This small mountain city on the shores of Lake Champlain is a picturesque setting for tree-hugging retirees. Whether you're partial to exploring the great outdoors or focusing on wine country, you have plenty of options—you don't even have to choose one over the other. The University of Vermont will cover tuition costs for state residents age 65 and older who wish to take a class, even if it's for credit. And even more is on the way with a $94 million plan in the works to redevelop a historic train depot property on the riverfront into a modern mixed-use complex of offices, apartments, retailers and restaurants. © 2007 - 2020 55places.com, a division of Neighborhoods.com. While much of New York comes with above-average living costs, Rochester proves more affordable, slightly below average for retirees. And it backs up the claim, offering a downtown full of restaurants, nightclubs, art galleries and music venues, on top of its well-known casinos. For more urban offerings, Mankato is still a small city, but development is on the rise, and the local economy is growing fast. But local average incomes are still high, averaging $71,605 for residents across all ages. Average price of a semi-detached house in January 2020: £368,831 (from Home.co.uk). Revitalization efforts have been pushing especially hard over the past several years, looking to expand the area's appeal beyond the annual Masters golf tournament in April and its accompanying celebrations and tourism revenue. Buderim, Bribie Island). In the East Gallatin Recreation Area, you can even enjoy a small beach at the pond along with rock climbing, hiking and fishing. A furnished, larger apartment on the beach can cost three times as much. A large number of community groups and clubs, medical services and proximity to Adelaide. The Garden State offers a number of appealing retirement destinations for those who can afford it. And nearby, you can relax or play waterside, despite the state's landlocked position. Whether or not you like to gamble, retiring to Reno can make you feel like you've hit the jackpot. You can also check out the beaches at Aurora's Cherry Creek State Park and at the reservoirs in Aurora and Boulder—all within a 30-mile radius of Denver. In Ocean City, the cost of living for all residents is a whopping 62.2% above the national average, according to Sperling's BestPlaces. Average price of a semi-detached house: £225,328. Madonna's … Frinton and Brightlingsea are the best known, but Walton-on-the-Naze is relatively inexpensive, and smaller and friendlier with its quaint streets, tea shops and museums. Dorset is just behind West Sussex in the retirement index, and has the third-highest population density of pensioners in the UK. Housing expenses are notably low, with costs for retirees falling 20% below the national average. The Kansas City metro area straddles two states and offers a wide range of attractions for people of all ages including retirees. It is also a popular surfing destination. The more popular coastal beaches of North Carolina, such as those in the Outer Banks and the Emerald Isle, are a three- to four-hour drive from this metro area. You can also find 40 parks, more than 50 miles of hiking trails and a full calendar of artsy offerings, including Foreign Film Fridays in the spring and free concerts in the summer. Responsible Life Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register (https://register.fca.org.uk/) under reference 610205. Southshore Falls is home to the 14,000 square-foot Wellspring Club, which includes a fitness center, lagoon-style pool, and tennis courts. Also for many, that dream seems impossible. The community includes a clubhouse with game room, billiards, ceramics studio, outdoor pool, and several sports courts. An eco-friendly vibe permeates the town, from the businesses bolstering the city's economy, such as household-products maker Seventh Generation, to the local food movement feeding the neighborhood. Unsurprisingly, we’re starting on Florida’s … And while the state's tax situation leaves something to be desired, low living costs are attractive. And it's a fairly easy drive, usually taking less than two hours, from the Melbourne CBD. In 2018, the payment was $1,600 per person. Commercial airport, a range of shops, and medical facilities. Indeed, the Milken Institute, a think tank, ranked the metro area the 12th best big city for successful aging in large part due to Denver’s healthy and active senior population. The mix of retirement cities is sure to surprise you. Ocean City is a particularly attractive spot, evidenced by the high share of seniors who have already chosen to reside there. They can do this with a specialist mortgage, known as lifetime mortgage. With single-family homes from the mid $100s to the high $100s, it’s a great option for a budget-friendly, relaxing retirement. Residents can spend their time on the water or walking the beach while paying about $1,000 per month for rent. Tucked between Lake Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam Lake, Laconia has been dubbed "The City on the Lake," home city to New Hampshire's Lakes Region. The north-east coast of Essex has several towns with easy access from London but also beautiful ‘Constable Country’ greenery and beaches. Chapel Hill rates safer, with just 1.8 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. But yes, it's going to cost you. Boston, Mass., was also named one of the best beach areas to retire. House prices are a fraction of those in exclusive areas such as Sandbanks, and its low crime rates and magnificent Jurassic Coast are a major attraction, as is arguably the best weather in the UK. Active arts scene, diverse range of medical facilities and a relaxed village feel. [See: 10 Tips for Finding a Great Place to Retire.] Living costs throughout Alaska are significantly higher than is typical across the continental U.S. If you're thinking about heading to one of Delaware's popular beach towns for retirement, brace yourself for sticker shock. Better yet, consider instead the more affordable Milford, where overall living costs are about the same as the national average, according so Sperling's BestPlaces. Condos in the community start in the mid $100s and go up to the mid $300s. Montana State University's Bozeman campus is home to about nearly 17,000 students. And of course, the Ocean State has plenty of beaches for a relaxing retirement. Matapeake, on Kent Island, is a nice exception, about 30 miles from Easton. The Bowyers have also found there is a good sense of community, with supportive and caring locals. Middletown, Conn. City population: 46,747. Of course, you have to be able to afford it. Phillip Island is famous for its little penguins which waddle up the beach each night to the delight of tourists. Jill Weeks is the co-author of several editions of. It has two miles of sandy beaches, and is part of the Jurassic Coast, a designated area of natural beauty. It’s also a great area for active adults looking for seafood, nightlife, and golf. There are few things they miss from their previous life in Melbourne, and the only frustration is that occasionally, at peak times, it can take quite a while to get off the island. On the bright side, between 2009 and 2018, there have been only two murders in town, according to the community's police department. In Hilo, on the Big Island, the overall cost of living is 36.4% above the national average, according to Sperling's BestPlaces. The lapping waves. With its low living costs and generous tax breaks for seniors, Georgia ranks third among our Best States for Retirement, behind only Hawaii and (surprisingly) South Dakota. UK homeowners aged 55 and over, who have paid off all or most of their mortgage, may find that they can release equity from their homes to help manage their finances in later life. But the city is also prepared to assist its aging residents with about 30 health-care and social service facilities per 1,000 seniors, compared with about 19 per 1,000 seniors in the U.S. Buying a second home using equity release, How to pay off a mortgage using equity release. Colorado ranks fourth in the United Health Foundation's senior health rankings, and Denver plays a healthy role in that rating. Outdoor recreation is plentiful with miles of hiking and biking paths, nearby beaches where you can swim, kayak or paddleboard in the warmer months, and numerous skiing options in the area. From Philip Island to Margaret River, we've compiled the top locations to retire in Australia. Despite the cold winters (and equally harsh tax situation), the Land of 10,000 Lakes can offer some nice waterfront retirement spots, including Mankato, about 90 miles southwest of the Twin Cities. Its 1,127 attached and single-family homes start in the mid $100s and go into the high $200s. Richland's metro area includes Kennewick, both of which qualify as great retirement destinations. There are many communities in the Tampa Bay Area that provide homeowners with a retirement by the beach and Southshore Falls is perhaps the most modern. The universities play a big role in those two advantages and also boost up the local cultural and recreational scenes, like in many college towns. *Data for the Hartford metropolitan statistical area, which includes Middletown.