It can be difficult to choose where to spend your final years, and with popular retirement centers like Florida falling 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 properties and low crime rates.
From Arizona to North Carolina, they offer a cheaper, small-town alternative to increasingly expensive classic hotspots.
At the top of the list is Bermuda Run, North Carolina, with a population of just 3,210 people and an average age of 57, the city is a sociable paradise for retirees.
In second and third place are two towns with the same name: Sun City. The first, in Arizona, has low housing prices while the second, in Florida, is one of the most affordable destinations in the state.
At the top of the list is Bermuda Run, North Carolina, with a population of just 3,210 people and an average age of 57, the city is a sociable paradise for retirees.
The small community is full of southern charm and places of natural beauty.
The list, first compiled by Realtor.com last year and updated with this year’s figures by GoBanking Rates, ranked destinations based on retirees’ wish lists.
They evaluated home prices and taxes, but they also considered lifestyle, looking for places with warm weather, a friendly community and amenities like pickleball courts, golf courses and gardens.
At the top of the list was Bermuda Run in North Carolina.
The small community is full of southern charm and places of natural beauty.
And with a median home price of just $311,000, it’s one of the cheapest places to move to.
The city hosts a wide variety of community events, from live concerts on the square to volunteer opportunities at local schools.
Bermuda Run attracts 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 with its average age of 72, has a close-knit community of fellow retirees.
The city was once nicknamed the “Original Fun City” and was founded in 1960 as a 55+ community.
It has now been swallowed up by the sprawl of Phoenix, meaning residents have easy access to all the amenities of the big city, while enjoying a slower pace of life at home.
For golf fans, there are even relaxed laws about driving carts on the road.
In third place is another Sun City, but this one is in Florida.
Located about 30 minutes south of Tampa, this is a more typical retreat center with beautiful local beaches and excellent healthcare facilities.
But it’s one of the cheapest options 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.
Located 30 minutes south of Tucson, the Sonoran Desert city is a mountain retirement community with golf and plenty of wildlife for bird-watching enthusiasts.
In second place is Sun City, Arizona, which with its average age of 72, has a close-knit community of fellow retirees.
In third place is another Sun City, but this one is in Florida. Located about 30 minutes south of Tampa, this is a more typical retreat 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 combination of coastal living and suburban comfort.
In eighth and ninth place are Laguna Woods (pictured) in California and The Villages in Florida, both more expensive but known for their senior-focused design.
In fifth place is Manchester in New Jersey, one of the only recommended cities in the Northeast, chosen for its combination of coastal living and suburban convenience.
Next on the list is King City, Oregon, which offers quick access to the hustle and bustle of Portland while maintaining proximity to the outdoors.
Residents can reach the Tualatin River and the 230-acre Cooper Mountain Nature Park in minutes, or closer to home, participate in community gardening projects.
In seventh place is South Pasadena in Florida. This destination is a little more expensive, with a median home price of $349,900 and a median age of 68 years.
In eighth and ninth place are Laguna Woods in California and The Villages in Florida, both more expensive but known for their senior-focused design.
Both have minimum age requirements and tailored facilities with healthcare and activities tailored to older populations.