Photo credit: iStock.com/FatCamera, iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages, iStock.com/FatCamera. This coastal city has some of the best fishing in Texas you can choose between charter boat services, surf fishing at Bryan Beach or the Brazos River. Eugene, Oregon. 6 Best Beach Towns in Florida - Moving to Florida However, what really makes this port town ideal for the 55-plus crowd is the easy access to quality health care. Head to the local restaurants for some fresh gulf seafood or book a charter and reel in some fish yourself. The median home value in the city is $122,300 and youll pay around $1,069 in annual property taxes. 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. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. No wonder its a favored destination for older Americans eyeing the golden expanse of work-free years ahead of them. Im going to run through several options of affordable East Coast towns. Daytona Beach is a tourists dream gorgeous beaches, fun rides and arcades and live music and theater productions. Living on the coast doesnt have to be a fantasy reserved only for the wealthiest. 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 city incorporates the city of Coronado Beach. 50 Best Beach Towns to Live in | Stacker It's home to one of the most relaxed stretches of shore in the area, with a laidback surf feel and a welcoming community, but it also offers access to the city comforts of Charleston, just a 20-minute drive north. 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. For bird watching opportunities, head to the Freeport Wetlands Trail & Bird Observatory, and go hit the links at the Freeport Golf Course. Its also near Lake Lanier, a reservoir where you can boat, swim and enjoy the beach. With fewer than 100 residents, Round Top is the tiniest of the small art towns. It only takes 3 minutes to connect with an advisor who puts you first. Centrally located on the Chesapeake Bay side of the Eastern Shore, Onancock is an inviting small town that was founded in 1680. The median home value in Freeport is a mere $81,100 and youll pay just around $479 in monthly housing costs. Photograph: Shutterstock. Ithaca is a small picturesque town in the upstate New York Finger Lakes region. As a retirement town, Lewes has lots of draws, including no sales tax and the third lowest real estate tax area in the country. It's also great for retirees, with lots of recreation areas and a high ratio of doctors' offices to people. Ithaca, New York. 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. Times have changed drastically in 2020 and 2021, but it neednt all be bad. Population 8,252. 10 Best Beach Towns To Retire In The World - Coastal Dream Life So many beaches. Oak Island is a nice quiet area to retire in. Laidback New Smyrna Beach is a peaceful beach community of 23,000 located in the northern portion of Florida's east coast. If youre wondering whether you should pick Hawaii or Florida, our guide should help you decide. Unlike it's nearby but totally separate . Living in a tiny house may sound like a great way to save, but some details require a hefty investment. Fort Pierce, located on the Indian River Lagoon, is known for its excellent fishing and beautiful beaches. Daytona also made it to 15th place on U.S. News ranking for the best places to retire. 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. Biloxi, which sits right next to Gulfport, is Americas most affordable beach city, according to SmartAsset. To learn where the best cities to retire or live in Florida to be the safest from hurricanes, . 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. 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. Lynn Haven, situated just north of Panama City, is a half hour away from some gorgeous beaches and St. Andrews State Park. It also ranks first on our list of the best places to retire in Georgia. Seniors age 65 and over make up 18% of the population. The town, formed in 1889, has about 1,400 residents; the number swells, like most beach towns, in the summer, with local hotspots Donovan's Reef, the Rumrunner and Tommy's Tavern & Tap among the . That means you can expect to be surrounded by people of a variety of ages if you retire here. You might even catch a glimpse of a dolphin or sea turtle, or catch some Spanish mackerel along the fishing pier. The scenic views blow everyone away, and it's filled with waterfront parks, historical monuments, and entertainment for all ages. Located on Virginia's eastern shore, Cape Charles is an inviting small town with picturesque piers and sidewalks for strolling and biking. We list the top 25, ranked from least to most affordable. Beaufort, North Carolina, one of the Southeast's oldest and most charming beach towns, is at the southern tip of North Carolina's Crystal Coast. Seabrook Island, South Carolina. Retirees are undoubtedly drawn to these areas by the active, beach lifestyle, says Danielle Hale, chief economist for realtor.com. 21 Top East Coast Beaches to Visit - US News & World Report The median house price listing is $235k, but there are small gems to be found in this delightful town. In any case, let us discuss some of the best beach towns for retirement in Florida. 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. 20 Best Places on the East Coast for a Couple To Live on Only a Social Curb appeal is important, but it's also about safety. If you're wondering where to retire along Florida's east coast, consider cities like Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Port St. Lucie, or Boynton Beach. It has got a population of over 13,000 people, a third of whom are above the age of 65. 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. In Essex, the median home value is just $191,400 compared to the states median home value of $370,300, according to Zillow. 1 / 100. Metro Population: 6,129,858. Williamstown, Massachusetts . This gorgeous little Gulf Coast town with Mediterranean-inspired architecture is a total dream, so much so that it ranks highly in multiple surveys on happiness and well-being. Beyond that, Exeter has a number of historic churches, including one dating back to the 17th century, and its also home to the American Independence Museum. Spending your retirement on the beach can be a dream come true. Best Places to Retire on the East Coast | Stacker 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. 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. It probably won't come as a surprise to hear that Florida does exceptionally well in the retirement rankings across the board. In order to uncover the research, the team at Showers To You ranked over 50 locations on a variety of factors including average house prices in . The tax burden in Cumming is on the high side, though, at 18%. Orlando Is America's Top Travel DestinationHow Hard Has Its Real Estate Market Been Hit? Ah, Florida: warm weather, beaches, and no state income tax. At $217,100, Port Angeles median home value is less than half of the pricey state median and the median annual property tax stretches just over $2,000. These spots are livable, picturesque, and inviting. For a retiree, the city also offers some great dining experiences and outdoor activities like hiking and golfing, and it doesnt cost that much to reside there. The 10 Most Affordable Beach Towns, 2021 Edition - realtor.com 2. Not every retiree wants to live in the heart of the big city but this lovely unincorporated community by the water offers the best of both worlds, lying just 20 minutes away from Baltimore. The median house price listing is $235k, but there are small gems to be found in this delightful town. Long Beach, NY. Get personalized advice from a financial advisor that understands your needs. Median home price: $221,917. Middle River is also home to aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. The Most Beautiful Beach Towns in Florida That Aren't Miami When looking for a beach town in South Carolina to relocate to, set your sights on Folly Beach. The Best Places To Retire In 2021 - Forbes 17 Cutest Small Towns On The East Coast USA - Follow Me Away 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. Looking to buy a home in Virginia? And locals are willing to fork over that kind of money for a reason. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. For an elegant retirement, you can't do much better than life on Kiawah Island. You, too, can be the Prince of Bel Air the one closer to the Atlantic than the Pacific, that is. Located in western Massachusetts, Springfield is roughly 60 miles from the coast via Connecticut. 11 Best East Coast Beach Towns - WorldAtlas Hendersonville also topped our list of the best places to retire in North Carolina. In general, the further north you go, the more expensive the towns will become. Here's a list of real estate firms worth checking out. 25 Most Affordable Beach Towns in the U.S. | Far & Wide For the purposes of this book's third edition, a small art town has a full-time population of 65,000 or fewer. State's tax rating for retirees: Most Tax Friendly. To come up with this list, our data experts looked at more than 1,300 towns on the water, pulled off the places that are located on lakes or riversthis list is all about tasting the salt in the ocean breezeand cut the selections to one place per state, for a wider variety of options. 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. The median home value is $382,900 in Chapel Hill and $229,900 in Durham. As an extra perk, Seafords annual Christmas Parade is the biggest on the Delmarva Peninsula. Shocker, right? Jacksonville, Florida. Lets hit the beach. Join here. Great Places To Retire Near The Beach 2023 - Retirable Here are the top 10 budget-friendly spots that offer access to the ocean: 1. Here's a look at the highest-rated coastal towns to retire. 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. 2022 1-bedroom rent: $1,266.29. 1. 5 Small Towns on Virginia's Eastern Shore for a Quiet Coastal Retreat Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Whether seeking history, solitude, or a vibrant nightlife, the East Coast has got it all in the unique little towns speckling its pristine shorelines. 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. Where can I retire on the Georgia coast? - 2023 Aside from the lovely beaches, you can visit the local falls and hiking trails. With delicious food and growing wine culture, a remnant of French occupancy, world-class beaches, and some of the friendliest and most peace-loving locals you will meet. There are many long white beaches, some quite hidden and far from the crowds of the boardwalks and the main beaches. Or go swimming at Sunset Beach and Fred Howard Park. J.A. 35 Best Cities To Retire on $3,000 per Month | GOBankingRates If you're interested in retiring near the ocean without the humidity of a tropical . It probably won't come as a surprise to hear that Florida does exceptionally well in the retirement rankings across the board. . Youll find several delicious eateries such as Simply Seafood Market & Oyster Bar for scallops and shrimps and PoFolks if youre in the mood for some homestyle American comfort food, as well as your regular fast food joints. Florida would appeal to anyone looking for a great place to live that offers easy access to Orlando and Florida's east coast beaches. If you want a town with people of diverse ages, though, New Hyde Park might fit the bill. Springfield, Massachusetts. Affordable Beach Towns East Coast To Live - Coastal Dream Life Finally, knowing that the ability to form a community with likeminded people is important to many retirees, we looked at both the number of retirement communities per 1,000 residents and the percentage of a towns total population made up of seniors. Springfield residents benefit from plenty of high-quality health care options within driving . The historic city boasts a vibrant downtown with shops and restaurants, 15 recreational parks (including a golf course), and waterfront views from both the mainland and the peninsula across the water. 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. 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. Use these cleaning tips to get rid of dust buildup and improve the air quality in your home. You may find yourself wondering, though, where exactly you want to spend your golden years. Here, we've collected 15 of the cheapest beach towns to live in throughout the U.S., based on median home values under $300K. It overtook 2020's winner Gulfport, a Magnolia State neighbor located approximately 13 miles west. The median home value in Tarpon Springs is $209,400 and the median monthly housing cost adds up to $943 slightly pricier than Hobe Sound but youll pay around $1,847 in property taxes each year. Pensacola, Florida. It is built on high ground between two harbors overlooking . Retirement Advice | Best Beach Towns to Retire in the US | HGTV Key Biscayne, an island off the coast of Miami, is a great place to explore the Atlantic Ocean. Welcome to Coastal Dream Life, a website dedicated to helping you achieve your dreams of white sandy beaches and fresh ocean breezes in style. The city's median home value is just $173,900 versus $262,900 in . Fernandina Beach. Best places to retire on the East Coast - MSN The Most Affordable Places to Live on the East Coast. 15 Best Lake Towns in America - Travel + Leisure 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. Chances are you already know the country's most famous beach destinations . Its home to lots of shopping, plenty of restaurants, nice golf courses, a great sailing scene, and beautiful beaches. Often named one the best coastal towns in Maine, Kennebunkport has it all. This is not a typo: Southern California does, in fact, boast affordable retirement homes right near the coast. Population: 18,406 Medium home value: $349,691 Perfect for: Retirees, and middle age Vero Beach is one of the safest beach towns in Florida that nested between the Atlantic and the Indian River.This hidden gem in Florida had 26 miles of gorgeous public beaches. Redeem your points for cash or gift cards. Go swing dancing at the Casino Ballroom and fishing at the Bert and Walter Williams Pier. 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! If you love beach towns, then Jacksonville might be one of the better options for you. Consider cost of living and your love of the outdoors if you're thinking about a move to Seattle. New Smyrna Beach was the center of intense real estate speculation during the 1920 . Ask our Retirement expert. 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. America's gold stockpile has fueled curiosity and conspiracy theories. The 10 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast. A famous tourist destination that attracts millions to its beaches and golf courses, Myrtle Beach is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US. Retire Comfortably. Best Places 2022-2023 Rank: 117. The 10 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast - Cond Nast Traveler Several wonderful beaches spring to mind, with Seaside and Cannon Beach foremost for me. 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. Siesta Key, Florida - Population: 5,573 (16% age 55-64 and 54% age 65+) 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. Some towns may appear a better option on paper, but things like safety, commute, and job scarcity may influence you to choose a city with a higher cost of living or more expensive properties. This suburban beach town is best known for its . Though Morehead City is on the mainland, protected from storms by a barrier island, the city proper isnt known for its beaches. Atlantic Beach, Florida. See which metro areas on the Eastern Seaboard offer the most for residents. The peninsula is 16 miles long, with the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Placencia lagoon to the west. It's one of the most affordable cities on the East Coast with a high livability rating. 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 it's also the second-best place to retire in the country. Big Shell Beach - Great for seashell picking and photo ops, not for sunbathing. Tuckpointing can give your brick walls or chimney a facelift while helping to ensure the structural integrity of your home. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. Real Estate. 17 Best Beach Towns in the U.S. - Travel + Leisure And now that the coronavirus pandemic makes it unwise to socialize except at a distance, its more important than ever to be able to settle into a forever home where youre free to enjoy the fresh air, long walks on the beach, and the soothing sound of crashing waves. Vietnam offers one of the lowest costs of living in the world. 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. Get advice on your investment portfolio from a certified professional through Datalign. This is not an offer to buy or sell any security or interest. You could also be saving $1,000 a year or more by choosing the right home insurance policy online. Thats not all. Turning your retirementinto a reality takes money. Seals actually do galumph around on the shore. 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. The county seat of Clallam is situated between Americas border with Canada the city of Victoria is just a ferry ride away by the gorgeous Salish Sea. The Best Places to Retire on the East Coast | Kiawah Island It also ranks first on our list of the best places to retire in Georgia. Live everyday like youre on vacation in Dunedin. The Maya mountains provide a gorgeous backdrop for the tranquil lagoon. 7. 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. The Best Secret Beach Towns in Mexico. 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. The book includes university towns like Lawrence, Iowa City and Athens, Georgia, which have part-time student populations approaching 30,000. If you bought Google stock when it was cheap, Key Biscayne, just a few miles out in the water from Miami may be the ultimate town for beach lovers in Florida. 1. Flickr JR P. Darien is one of the premier coastal towns in Georgia. 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. Best French Beach Towns.