It can be difficult to choose where to spend your sunset years, and as popular retirement centers like Florida fall out of favor, many are looking for new directions.
A new list compiled by Realtor.com and GoBankingRates has revealed nine lesser-known retirement destinations with affordable real estate and low crime rates.
From Arizona to North Carolina, they offer a cheaper, small-town alternative to the increasingly expensive classic hotspots.
Topping the list is Bermuda Run, North Carolina, with just 3,210 residents and an average age of 57, the town is a fun-loving retiree’s paradise.
In second and third place are two cities with the same name: Sun City. The first, in Arizona, has low home prices, while the second, in Florida, is one of the most affordable destinations in the state.
Topping the list is Bermuda Run, North Carolina, with just 3,210 residents and an average age of 57, the city is a fun-loving retiree’s paradise.
The small community is filled with southern charm and natural beauty spots
The list, first compiled last year by Realtor.com and updated with this year’s figures by GoBanking Rates, ranked destinations based on retirees’ wish lists.
They assessed home prices and taxes, but also took lifestyle into account, looking for places with warm weather, a friendly community and amenities such as pickleball courts, golf courses and gardens.
At the top of the list was Bermuda Run in North Carolina.
The small community is filled with southern charm and natural beauty spots.
And with a median home price of just $311,000, it’s one of the cheapest places to move to.
The city hosts a host of community events, from live concerts in the square to volunteer opportunities at local schools.
Bermuda Run draws many people from the Northeast, thanks to the area’s low property taxes and the fact that the state does not tax Social Security benefits.
In second place is Sun City, Arizona, which has a tight-knit community of fellow retirees with an average age of 72.
Once called the ‘Original Fun City’, the city was founded in 1960 as an over-55s community.
It’s now engulfed by Phoenix’s sprawl, meaning residents have easy access to all the big city amenities while enjoying a more leisurely pace of life at home.
For avid golfers, there are even relaxed laws about driving carts on the road.
In third place is another Sun City, but this one is located in Florida.
Located about 30 minutes south of Tampa, this is a more typical retirement center with beautiful local beaches and excellent healthcare facilities.
But it’s one of the cheapest options available for a retirement town in the state, with a median home price of just $329,900.
In fourth place is another city in Arizona called Green Valley.
The town of Sonoran Desert, 30 minutes south of Tucson, is a mountainous retirement community with golf courses and plenty of wildlife for avid bird watchers.
In second place is Sun City, Arizona, which has a close-knit community of fellow retirees with an average age of 72
In third place is another Sun City, but this one is located in Florida. Located about 30 minutes south of Tampa, this is a more typical retirement center with beautiful local beaches and excellent healthcare facilities.
In fifth place is Manchester, New Jersey, one of the only recommended cities in the Northeast, chosen for its mix of coastal living and suburban comfort.
In eighth and ninth place are Laguna Woods (pictured) in California and The Villages in Florida, both of which are more expensive but known for their senior-oriented design
In fifth place is Manchester, New Jersey, one of the only recommended cities in the Northeast, chosen for its mix of coastal living and suburban comfort.
Next on the list is King City, Oregon, which offers quick access to the hustle and bustle of Portland while maintaining close proximity to the outdoors.
Residents can reach the Tualatin River and the 230-acre Cooper Mountain Nature Park in minutes, or participate in community garden projects closer to home.
In seventh place is South Pasadena, Florida. This destination is slightly more expensive, with an average home price of $349,900 and an average age of 68.
In eighth and ninth place are Laguna Woods in California and The Villages in Florida, both of which are more expensive but known for their senior-oriented design.
They both have minimum age requirements and bespoke facilities with healthcare and activities suitable for the older population.