Highlight: For those who love the boardwalk and casinos. (opens in new tab) Popular Local Beaches: Beaches at Goose Lake Park, Jewell Lake, Little Campbell . Source: SmartAsset 2022 Study Get the data Embed Mexico's low cost of living, climate, and affordable healthcare are attractions, with rents about 70% lower than in the United States. Best Parent Student Loans: Parent PLUS and Private, Halifax Health Medical Center of Daytona Beach. By the numbers: Population . But another reason for Galveston's affordability is that it is no stranger to natural disasters. According to the Census Bureau, the average over-65 household in America requires $49,000 a year to cover everything from housing to food. Port St. Lucie is located on Florida's Atlantic coast and has freshwater marshes in addition to ocean beaches. No wonder its a favored destination for older Americans eyeing the golden expanse of work-free years ahead of them. Whether youre looking for a place thats quiet and relaxing or a place to catch some waves, Massachusetts has the perfect beach for you. It all depends on the kind of lifestyle you are after., READ MORE: Cruise Ship Tips: 9 Insider Secrets From A Trailblazing Captain. Ocean Springs is a Gulf community with a small population of less than 18,000 and a median age of around 40. Part of the Space Coast, Melbourne has beautiful beaches on the barrier island across the channel. - Affordability rank: #130. 1. Sarasota is a great choice for retirees who want warm weather, beautiful beaches and a wide range of cultural and recreational activities. It costs a median of $1,521 per month to own a home with a mortgage in Port St. Lucie, and a median of $1,194 monthly to rent. What Happens to Your 401(k) Plan If Your Company Goes Bankrupt? Ambergris Caye is a tiny island surrounded by turquoise waters and the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Each person prioritizes these differently, and several will weigh in way more heavily for some than others. But many people find the high quality of life in Naples to be worth the cost. Of course, when there aren't festivals or events, the town is relatively quiet. Either way, you have a lot of homework cut out for you in deciding which option suits you best, is the most practical, and is also an accessible option for you, depending on your nationality. Corfu has an abundance of natural environment, delicious local food, and friendly locals, with beaches, cliffs, and blue waters waiting to be explored. Hilo, however, may just break the mold. Mississippi's coast is truly beautiful, even though most travelers opt for Florida's Gulf Coast over the beaches in the other Southern states. World-renowned for excellent healthcare standards, Thailand is a sunny and friendly nation with a low cost of living. It has turquoise waters and fantastic sunny weather, with inexpensive property and rich history. Sarasota's picturesque beaches, including Lido Key and Siesta Key, draw many visitors and retirees to the area. Plus, it has its own stretch of bayfront nine miles to be exact. With a growing body of research showing that spending time near the ocean is beneficial for physical and mental health, retiring in a beach town with a slower pace of life and lots of sunshine is a popular choice, with many options worldwide. In February, the median home listing price in the U.S. was $386,721, according to Redfin. Instead of Hilton Head, Try: Myrtle Beach, S.C. Where to stay: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson. It's a small town on the seasonal hurricane path, which is what keeps costs low. Pensacola sits on a sandy stretch of the Pensacola Bay. Still accessible to the world and with ample beaches and islands to explore for those wanting variety, this is one of the less developed, quieter destinations, an appealing characteristic for many retirees. There are plenty of options for nature lovers, and with English being commonly spoken, this is a fabulous destination for retirement. 07 of 13 Bay St. Louis, Mississippi Robbe Caponetto A couple could live a comfortable life for about $2,000 a month. Residents love to live here because of the climate and water recreation. From the peaceful dunes of Cape Cod and the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the wild cliffs of the Pacific Northwest, these are the top 10 affordable beach towns and cities across the United States where retirees can kick back. And the relative affordability of homes in these towns means more of a fixed income is left over for fun, which probably makes the case for sticking around.. Learn about job opportunities that might be a good fit for older workers. If you're interested in retiring near the ocean without the humidity of a tropical destination, consider Portland. The port town offers great boating, fishing, and nearly every type of water sport imaginable in both the sound and the Atlantic. It's less expensive than other coastal towns in Maryland because it doesn't actually have direct ocean access. It's also great for retirees, with lots of recreation areas and a high ratio of doctors' offices to people. (Getty Images). Note: We may earn money from affiliate partners if you buy through links on our site. In Loja, you'll . Ocean Pines has beautiful views, lush parks, restaurants and shopping. The headquarters for NASCAR is home to several large motorsports events each year. Picture a stunning village green, historic homes and plenty of artsy culture. The country faces the shores of both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, so there's plenty of beachfront to go around, in addition to rivers, lakes, and rainforests. Plus, youll enjoy low taxes, since Florida doesnt have an income tax or a tax on certain kinds of unearned income. However, instead of looking forward to this phase of life, many women in Gen Z workers have made massive gains when it comes to contributing to their 401(k) plans. The city is so retiree-friendly, its even home to Latitude Margaritaville, a Jimmy Buffet-inspired 55-plus community. Swimming with these gentle giants is an experience not to be missed, says Haskins. Because of its location to Mississippi and Alabama, the vibe here swings more Deep South than it does Floridian. Heres a look at affordable U.S. beach towns for retirees, so you can start planning your new life on the beach. 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. Indonesia offers not only many small islands to explore, with a tropical climate and breath-taking beaches, but also a retirement visa that makes moving there a real possibility. Retirement visas are available for those at least 50 years old with a valid passport, background check, at least $24,500 in a Thai bank account, and monthly income of about $2,000. Since you dont currently live in a coastal community, this means youre going to need to pack up and move. There are plenty of beaches around the world (some even in the U.S.) that allow you to live your most stress-free life possible for a fraction of the cost you do now. Step out of your sub-$250K cottage and into the colorful, historic downtown lined with gorgeous live oaks, artist studios, and locally driven restaurants.. The median home selling price is $232,450, as of February 2023, which is notably less than the national average. Tampa's entertainment options include a port for cruise ships, theme parks and professional sports teams. Can I Draw Social Security at 62 and Still Work Full Time? A suburb of Baltimore, Middle River has a cost of living that is slightly higher than the national average but less expensive than Maryland's average. Retirees with a mortgage pay a median of $1,563 per month for housing. However, you're never a far drive from the epic beaches nearby, like Folly Beach, Kiawah Island Beach, Seabrook Island Beach and Isle of Palms Beach. You can sunbathe on the shores in the morning and dress up to head to a romantic meal in Savannah's historic district in the evening. The cost of living is lower than many other European countries, and the culture is one in which elders are held with great respect. The downsides, according to Haskins: no shopping, no healthcare facilities and during hurricane season the island is particularly vulnerable. Youll find small, boutique-style hotels and mom-and-pop restaurants, most serving fabulously fresh seafood and lobster (try the lobster pizza! This article examines the similarities and differences between these two lovely towns on the Amalfi Coast. Where It's Located:Holbox Islandwhere the Caribbean Sea meets the Gulf of Mexicois one of our favorite getaway spots, says Haskins. They are similar but also have several differences that make them distinct. Retiring to a quiet place by the beach is a dream for many Americans and others around the world. Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the offers appearing on this site are from advertisers from which this website receives compensation for being listed here. Even for those just planning to escape the coldest months of the year in a sunny beach destination, consider the visa requirements that may be necessary for longer-term home rentals. Get the kids off to school in the morning, help them with homework in the evening.Besides Chelem, there are several other communities along this stretch of coast with good-sized foreign populations, including Progreso, Chuburna, Chicxulub, Telchac Puerto and San Crisanto. From spring to autumn the Atlantic Coast is humming with activity, and the water is always churning with swimmers, jet skiers and parasailers. Ah, Florida: warm weather, beaches, and no state income tax. Relaxed Roatn is the largest of Honduras' three Bay Islands: Stretching 40 miles long and five miles at its widest, it's surrounded by the Mesoamerican Barrier reef, the largest in the Caribbean. But a remote beach area isn't always the right fit for retirees, who also need access to amenities and services, such as quality health care and transportation options. The former fishing village is bordered by a beautiful marsh shoreline and dotted with wooded areas. Port Arthur was founded in the late 19th century and, at one time, was the center of the largest oil refinery in the world. Gozo is a separate island with many beautiful rock formations off the coast of Malta. This is not a typo: Southern California does, in fact, boast affordable retirement homes right near the coast. Most Affordable Beach Towns - 2022 Edition - SmartAsset Loading Top 50 Most Affordable Beach Towns Note: All figures shown are averages in each city. Artists, creatives and certainly a lot of hemp aficionados, flock for the dramatic coastal views and an eclectic waterfront. Gulfport is another hidden gem. However, what really makes this port town ideal for the 55-plus crowd is the easy access to quality health care. Express your gratitude and appreciation by picking out a retirement gift for a colleague. Museums, NASA, beaches, restaurants and the theme parks of Orlando are all within easy reach, too. Health care services are provided by Halifax Health Medical Center of Daytona Beach and AdventHealth Daytona Beach. Hibiscus Elegant Midcentury Beachside House. With sublime beaches and a well-established expat community (20% of the islands permanent population), Phuket offers pristine beaches and a warm, tropical climate. Located about halfway between Miami and Orlando, Port St. Lucie is more laid back and affordable than these larger cities.