The Best Places to Retire in the US in 2023
You reached your golden years, or at the very least, you’re close, and you’re looking for the right place to retire. But where to go? What’s the best place to settle down?
In this article, you’ll find the latest information on the best places to retire in the US. The descriptions below include not only the fun things you can do in these cities but also the educational levels of your future neighbors and the average rent and house values as well.
Scottsdale, Arizona
The first on our list is a little town in Arizona. Scottsdale has been continually ranked as one of the best cities in the United States for retirees. The place has lots of fun options, like tennis courts and desert survival for more active seniors, as well as adaptive recreation senior programs for those who want to take things a bit slower. It’s also one of the best cities to retire to if you’re into golfing, as there are lots of golf courses and the annual Phoenix Open.
The city itself is relatively small, with a population of 254,995. Located in Maricopa County, it has a very suburban feel, with the people leaning slightly conservative. Furthermore, retirees make up 24% of the demographics, a sizable number, so you know you’ll be in good company. Furthermore, 86% of the population has at least some college or associate’s degree.
Within the population, 67% own their homes, while the rest rent. However, Scottsdale seems pricier than the rest of the US. The median home value is $493,200, twice the national median, while rent is $1,452, which is 50% higher than the national median.
Woodlands, Texas
A lovely little place in Texas, Woodlands is the best place to retire when it comes to outdoor activities. It has fair weather (for Texan standards), a children’s museum, as well as options for kayaking, hiking, and biking. It’s perfect for active seniors.
Another small and sleepy town on our list, located in Montgomery country, with a population of 114,532 people, the town leans toward a conservative, suburban feel.
Around 87% of the population has at least an associate degree or some college degree. In fact, 25% of the population has a master’s degree or higher. This is significantly higher than the national average. Therefore, it’s one of the best retirement cities if you want to be surrounded by highly educated people.
Around 14% of the population is 65 or older, so while it may not have as many retirees as Scottsdale, you will still find many friends in your own age group. The median home value is cheaper than Scottsdale but still somewhat pricey, being at $374,800, making it higher by around $150,000 compared to the national average. Rent is $1,558, similar to Scottsdale, around $500 more than the national average.
Clearwater, Florida
Located in Pinellas County, Clearwater is one of the best places to retire in the US near water. It has a host of water-based activities, everything from boating and fishing to kayaking, swimming with dolphins, and checking out the marine aquarium. And, of course, there is that coastal Florida weather to look forward to.
This place has a lot of retirees, where 23% of the population is older than 65. Furthermore, 62% of the population has at least an associate’s degree or some college, whereas half of that number has a bachelor’s degree or greater.
The real estate value here is ever so slightly below the national average, $225,600 being the average home value. Furthermore, the median rent is $1,167, just $70 more than the national median average.
Irvine, California
Irvina is a wonderful place nestled in Orange county. What makes it really stand out is the fact that it has some of the lowest crime rates according to every metric (murder, theft…), making it one of the top cities for retirement when it comes to safety. So, you don’t have to worry when visiting some of its many cultural institutions, like the Five Point Amphitheater or the Irvine Spectrum Center. It’s also home to Orange County Great Park.
Its population is 272,694 at the time of writing this article. Around 10% of the population is older than 65, with 89% having at least some college education or an associate degree. Around 39% have bachelor’s degrees, and 31% have a master’s degree or higher (compared to the national average of 13%). This makes it one of the most educated cities in the country.
Due to its safety and its highly educated population, it’s one the best places to retire in the United States—if you can afford it. The median home value here is $861,700, almost four times the national median. Furthermore, rent is at $2,425, that’s 250% of the national average.
Topeka, Kansas
Topeka is found in Shawnee County. It’s a nice, sleepy, and very affordable place. What makes it stand out when it comes to culture is the museum dedicated to the Brown v. Board of Education Topeka Case, where racial segregation was declared unconstitutional in public schools. And, of course, there is lake Shawnee Park and the Evil Knieval museum.
The city has a population of 125,819, with 18% of its residents being older than 65. Furthermore, 10% have a master’s degree, slightly lower than the national average. The same goes for bachelor’s degrees, where residents are at 19%, while the average is 20%.
However, Topeka is one of the best places to retire in the US on a budget, especially when you consider current mortgage rates. Its median home value is $105,700, less than half of the national average. Median rent is also very low, at $815, which is $281 dollars below the national median average.
Wichita Falls, Texas
Are you a fan of professional wrestling? Then you should come to Wichita Falls and check out the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum. It also boasts the Wichita Falls Ballet Theatre, as well as many wonderful parks.
It has a population of 104,657, with 13% of the population being older than 65. It has a relatively low education level, with 8% of the population having a master’s degree, five percentage points lower than the national average. A further 16% of its population own a bachelor’s degree.
Wichita Falls might be one of the best places to retire in the US on social security due to its low median home value and low rent. Similar to Topeka, its median home value is at $104,800, half the national average, with median rent being at $828, which is $268 below the national average.
Metairie, Louisiana
Located in Jefferson Parish, it’s a lovely place just six miles away from New Orleans. And in case Mardi Gras is too much for you, you should check out Metairie’s “Family Gras,” a toned-down festival with parades, food trucks, and lots of live shows with a family-friendly spin. It’s one of the best places for retirees to live if you want to be near New Orleans but not actually live in NOLA.
It has a sizable retiree population, with 20% of the people living there being older than 65. The town is pretty average when it comes to education, where 65% have at least an associate’s degree or some college education (the national average is 62%).
Real estate values are close to the national average, at $247,300, while the median rent is slightly lower, at $969.
Pompano Beach, Florida
Want to know where to retire if you’re worried about healthcare? Located in Broward County, Pompano Beach is a hidden gem. Filled with historical landmarks and beautiful beaches, it’s the place to spend your golden years. What also makes it stand out is its excellent access to healthcare.
As far as prices are concerned, the median value of a home is $227,600, close to the national median, while rent is $1,314, a bit higher than the median cost of rent in the country.
There is a solid retiree population, with 19% of its residents being older than 65. The city’s educational levels are a bit lower, with 10% having a master’s degree, 16% having a bachelor’s, and 28% having some college education or an associate’s degree.
Overland Park, Kansas
Found in Johnson Country, Overland Park is one of the best places to retire in the US. It boasts two amazing golf courses, and many advanced clinics, with great healthcare options. It’s also a great place to invite your grandkids for a week or two. It has a lot of sports academies, a world-class youth soccer complex, and is just nine miles away from the BBQ capital of the nation.
Overland Park has a median home value of $295,800, close to the national average, with rent being slightly higher at $1,200, roughly $200 more than the national median.
It has a population of 197,106, where 15% are retirees. Educational levels are high, where 24% of the populace has a master’s degree or higher, and 37% have a bachelor’s degree.
Lakeland, Florida
What really makes Lakeland stand out is its marvelous weather. In fact, it’s one of the best places to retire in the US with mild weather. The average temperature in January is around 60 degrees, while the average in July is around 80. It is filled to the brim with walking and hiking trails, all near Lake Toho, Lake Kissimmee, and the Winter Haven Chain of Lakes. If you like to fish, this is the place to retire to.
On the demographic side of things, it has a small population of 115,425 people. It’s also lower in education, where only 9% of the populace has a master’s degree, and 17% have a bachelor’s, both lower than the national average.
However, the palace is also cheap, with a below-the-national median home value of $160,400 and rent being around $1,056, close to the average. With its mild weather, affordable prices, and the lakes that make its name, it’s one of the best places to retire in the US for active adults.
Conclusion
And there you have it, folks—the best places to retire and spend your golden years in America. Keep a clear idea of what you want, check your budget, and get ready to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
