If the draw of nearby destinations likeYellowstone,Grand Teton National Parksor theCraters of the Moon National Monumentisnt enough to lure you to this small town in EasternIdaho, maybe the promise of a symphony, opera, museums, zoo and minor league baseball teamseal the deal. The small city of Corvallis, located about 85 miles south of popular Portland, offers a similarly laidback lifestyle, but with smaller crowds and relatively lower costs. These Southern spots are real jewels in the landscape, and it's high time you started exploring one or two (or all of them!). These cities located in or near the mountains have opportunities for outdoor recreation as well as a reasonable cost of living that will help your retirement savings stretch further. Agriculture, specifically Idahos famous russet potatoes and wheat, is key here, but so is tech: its the home of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, the countrys premier center for nuclear energy and research development. Few aspiring retirees have enough saved to buy a retirement home in Aspen, Colorado, or Jackson, Wyoming. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Visit a quote page and your recently viewed tickers will be displayed here. Knoxville is also bordered by the Tennessee River on the southern end of the city, providing residents and visitors alike with access to the waterfront and scenic views. . A drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway or a visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests is sure to restore your sense of wonder. 2007 2023 55places.com, a division ofNeighborhoods.com. Seattle is nestled in the Northeastern region of the state near Olympic National Park and the Cascades Mountain Range. All that comes with below-average costs, but also below-average incomes. It can cost your family thousands of dollars each year if you end up in one of the worst states for taxes after a move. Plus, you can choose among a host of retirement communities with ocean views. Nearest resort: Mammoth Mountain 9. There are several shopping districts and malls, including El Paseo, which boasts one mile of shops . If work-life balance ranks high on your priority list, this small college town in the Blue Ridge Mountains may be just the place to put down roots. Sitting above the Snake River Canyon, this town is known as the hub of the eight-county Magic Valley region. Another popular attraction in the area is Dollywood, a theme park modeled after Dolly Parton and her early life growing up in Tennessee. Coravllis is home to more than a dozen wineriesnaturally, being in the heart of the Willamette Valleyas well as four craft distillers for whiskey, vodka and more and six breweries right in town. With a population of 54,334,Idaho Fallsis the states fifth-largest city that sits along the Snake River at the western edge of the Rocky Mountains, has been named one of the best places to raise kids, is home to the College of Eastern Idaho,and offers all sorts of outdoor fun, from camping and hiking to fishing and snowmobiling. Theres also world-class art at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCa, for short) in North Adams. Is one of the cheapest places to live in the U.S. right for you? A part-time career could mean a stressful future if you don't use some of these tips to prepare for retirement. Few aspiring retirees have enough saved to buy a retirement home in Aspen, Colorado, or Jackson, Wyoming. Those looking for a mountainside retirement on a budget will have plenty of options in Seattle. To get the No. Home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, the Redstone Arsenal and the Huntsville campus of the University of Alabama, the city offers a robust economy and a highly educated population. Privacy | Published 11 January 23. real estate even provide complimentary public transportation. When homebuyers think of living mountainside, Colorado may be one of the first places on their list, and for good reason. Great Places to Retire Early Near the Beach. Situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Knoxville, this gated lakefront community offers space to grow and explore the iconic wilderness of the region. The home of the Hokie Nation, Virginia Tech University, is bustling and vital. The nature lovers of Denver can visit the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests with popular trails such as the Arapaho Glacier Trail and Beaver Reservoir Trailhead at their fingertips. Treat this as your starting point to look at the many small towns in rural Maine. Join Us | Whether you're partial to exploring the great outdoors or focusing on wine country, you have plenty of optionsyou don't even have to choose one over the other. Enter your email to be added to our mailing list. The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Best Place to Live, What a Budget of $300,000 or Less Will Get You in 10 Cities Across the Country, 6 Affordable Islands You Can Actually Live On, 10 Best Cities for Antique & Flea Market Lovers, 10 People On What Its Really Like to Leave NYC for a Smaller City, Copyright 2010-2023 Livability - Journal Communications, Inc, 5 Gorgeous Mountain Towns You Can Actually Afford, Best Neighborhoods in Greater Idaho Falls, ID. Henry Chauncey, a Yale administrator who retired in 2002, initially left New Haven for a remote Vermont town where he liked to vacation while working. Plus, being the largest city in Alaska, it offers more amenities including numerous theaters, museums and shopping centers, on top of all the outdoor recreation you'd expect. Train aficionados can enjoy the area's railroad history and displays of locomotives, including the world's largest steam engine (also retired). How do I make it last? It is home to a number of ski resorts, including Big Mountain Ski Area. Heres Why Urban 55+ Communities Are So Rare. Newsletter Archive | OnceColoradossecond-largest city, with 30,000 residents,Leadvilleis now home to a mere 2,600, but its population is on the rise. It is home to the Shoshone Falls, The Niagara of the West. One friend of ours thought he wanted to live in a great town in western Colorado, only to realize that the winter sun was hidden by tall peaks until mid morning and disappeared again in late afternoon. 55places Mortgage is a joint venture between Mutual of Omaha Mortgage and 55places.com. She holds a B.A. Albuquerque, New Mexico. But, because they are expensive and congested, they will only appeal to a small segment of retirees. With Dollywood just next door, you'll never be at a loss for entertainment. This city is known for its vibrant art scene, historical sites, and architecture such as the Biltmore Estate and the Basilica of St. Laurence. Restaurants are full and people are on the street at 9PM. There's also a massive retirement. Tucked between Lake Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam Lake, Laconia has been dubbed "The City on the Lake," home city to New Hampshire's Lakes Region. If youre willing to look beyond the Aspens,Park CitiesandJacksonsof the country, there are a number of mountain towns with a cost of living you can actually afford. Taos, NM - Average Home Cost: $401,864. We love cats and dogs, reading and being alone together. Published 27 February 23. recession Some of the areas most popular peaks include Grandview Peak, OSullivan Peak, and Gobblers Knob. Wears Valley, TN 37862, USA 2. Adventure abounds in Boone, which is filled with cozy cabins, hiking trails, galleries, museums, and parks. Learn how to stop stressing about money matters and start enjoying your free time with these pro tips. Living in such close proximity to those beautiful outdoor playgrounds often comes with a hefty price tag. 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. Called the Scenic City, it is home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. By Dan Burrows Active Adult Communities | There are many things to consider before selling your own home. Pigeon Forge, one of Tennessee's favorite towns, is a longtime favorite spot for vacationers, but it's also a great spot to retire. 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. By Dan Burrows These great spots are surrounded by incredible views, great hiking trails, gorgeous fall foliage, and more restaurants, art galleries, museums, music venues, and parks than you'll know what to do with. Flagstaff, Arizona. Cresswind inspires active adults to live life to the ful Life at Heritage Shores is full of amenities, activities and social opportunities. But given that youre looking for a rental in a small town, where you find an attractive home may be the deciding factor. Other strengths of the area include high employment and economic stability, as well as quality infrastructure, with well-funded transit for older adults, highly rated nursing homes and ample continuing care. Home prices in so many mountain towns have climbed with COVID-19 and the freedom to work remotely. See "How We Picked the Best Places for Retirement" at the end of the list for details on our data sources and methodology. Cadence_at_Lansdowne With 9,000 people, Presque Isle is the largest community in Maines northernmost county and the areas commercial center. This range is home to some of the best views in the region with popular sites such as Mt. The historic city of Charlottesville, Virginia is located near the Southwest Mountains and Shenandoah National Park. Asheville, North Carolina is located in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a part of the larger Appalachian range. They describe it as home to millions of acres of unspoiled forests and mountains. Homes, Townhomes, Condos: $139.9K - $2.8M Lots: $20K - $595K The undulating vistas of the Smoky Mountains make for an idyllic backdrop to life at Rarity Bay on Tellico Lake. Loner types should love the Cowboy State. Whether youre interested in a low-maintenance single-level residence, an active lifestyle or age-qualified community, an intimate enclave, or anything in between, we can help you make your next move the best one yet. And rainy days are rare. Chattanoogais a low-cost, interesting city of about 170,000 people in southern Tennessee. This nature-rich refuge of inviting streetscapes, manicured landscaping and miles of walking trails October 30, 2019 Ahh, the mountains. On top of its friendly-tax status, most parts of Tennessee have below-average living costs across the board for retired residents. Enter the email address associated with your account. Of course, outdoor enthusiasts have more than enough to enjoy, too: The Phoenix Mountains Preserve alone, including Piestewa Peak (2,608 feet) and Camelback Mountain (2,707 feet), offers many hiking and biking trails just 20 minutes from downtown. Phoenix, though, offers a pocket of affordability, plus typically higher incomes. Le Conte and Clingmans Dome. Early Retirement Cities: 21 Great Places Near the Mountains to Retire. Another big draw: Lake Gregory, a beautiful mountain lake sitting at 4,550 feet where you can swim, boat, fish, paddleboard and even ride two 300-foot waterslides. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Retirement may afford you the perfect time to gain some perspective in lifeand what better place to do it than in the mountains? Mentone, Alabama. There is a vibrant downtown with a busy new library and great outdoor stores. There are plenty of benefits to living exclusively among your generational peers, and also perhaps a few challenges. Nestled in the region they are expensive and congested, they will only appeal to a town... Of these tips to prepare for retirement home prices in so many Mountain have! Shoshone Falls, the Mountains to Retire attractive home may be one of the most... 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