If you want a town with people of diverse ages, though, New Hyde Park might fit the bill. To come up with this list, our data experts looked at more than 1,300 towns on the water, pulled off the places that are located on lakes or riversthis list is all about tasting the salt in the ocean breezeand cut the selections to one place per state, for a wider variety of options. Part of YaleNew Haven Health, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital is home to the regions only inpatient rehab unit and a nationally recognized cardiac rehabilitation program. The Kennebunk River adds even more waterline charm to the small shops, elegant ship captains' homes, and fishing ports of this vibrant Southern Maine town of 3,474. 2. Deerfield Beach, Florida. Maui water is, Read More Is Maui Water Safe To Drink?Continue, Are you dreaming of a mid-winter vacation to somewhere warm, wishing you could go exploring or surfing? With some of the best beaches, lively downtowns, wildlife, and natural scenery, one will get the long-craved escape at one of these less-crowded gems. Here, we've collected 15 of the cheapest beach towns to live in throughout the U.S., based on median home values under $300K. The county seat of Clallam is situated between Americas border with Canada the city of Victoria is just a ferry ride away by the gorgeous Salish Sea. Hilton Head Island, known for its beaches and golf courses, is a great place to retire. Our next dilemma: Is Seaside or Cannon Beach better? However, it does have the fewest medical centers per 1,000 residents at just 3.54. Lynn Haven, situated just north of Panama City, is a half hour away from some gorgeous beaches and St. Andrews State Park. Seabrook Island, South Carolina. The median home value is $382,900 in Chapel Hill and $229,900 in Durham. 1 / 100. Oak Island is a nice quiet area to retire in. Florida would appeal to anyone looking for a great place to live that offers easy access to Orlando and Florida's east coast beaches. Forbes compared nearly 800 locales in America, on everything from housing costs and taxes to healthcare, air quality and climate change and natural hazard risk. Whether youre looking for a quaint seaside town tucked away with hidden, unspoiled beaches or a booming coastal city with access to all your cultural, travel, and entertainment needs, theres a place waiting for you. The Harbor City features some delightful art galleries, golf courses, fishing piers, upscale dining, boutiques and beaches. The median annual property taxes add up to $1,267. Overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan, Saugatuck is home to several serene beaches that feature soft sand, rolling dunes and peaceful atmospheres. Kiawah Island, South Carolina. If youre considering a retirement in any of these places, you should start planning now. Fairfax, located in Northern Virginia, is an independent city within the larger Fairfax County. Median home list price: $145,050. Jim Barnash is a Certified Financial Planner with more than four decades of experience. When considering a place to retire, you should take a look atdifferent financial factors, including tax burden, healthcare facilities and other costs. Real Estate. Springfield, Massachusetts. Curb appeal is important, but it's also about safety. Ithaca is a small picturesque town in the upstate New York Finger Lakes region. Eugene, Oregon. This affordable beach town just south of Myrtle Beach has a laid-back feelit began as a fishing villagecomplete with a wooden boardwalk along the estuary and a state park great for bird-watching. Im going to run through several options of affordable East Coast towns. SmartAssets services are limited to referring users to third party advisers registered or chartered as fiduciaries ("Adviser(s)") with a regulatory body in the United States that have elected to participate in our matching platform based on information gathered from users through our online questionnaire. Not only are there East Coast cities where living is affordable, but the new move toward working from home also makes changing cities while keeping your job more accessible than ever before. Located about an hour north of Atlanta near the shores of Lake Lanier, Cumming is not just the best place to retire on the East Coast it's also the second-best place to retire in the country. In the downtown area, youll find several historic sites, tasty eateries and live arts performances, and you can go fishing, paddling, surfing and sailing on the blue-green waters that sweep the beach. With a presale inspection, a home inspector will visit your property before you put it on the market. The tax burden in Cumming is on the high side, though, at 18%. #29. 1. The Maya mountains provide a gorgeous backdrop for the tranquil lagoon. The average single-family home here costs less than $200,000, one reason Liveability.com ranked Bismarck among its top 10 places to retire in 2017. With a dedicated police department, Cannon, Read More What Is The Safest Beach In Oregon?Continue, The advent of Spring is a great time to plan a beach holiday somewhere, and if you havent already got plans, why not consider the magnificent coastline of our own Oregon? Unlike it's nearby but totally separate . Average income for population 65+: $70,291. One of the east coast cities that often gets overlooked but is well worth a visit. Long Beach, NY. It's one of the most affordable cities on the East Coast with a high livability rating. In general, the further north you go, the more expensive the towns will become. There are plenty of spas, salons, restaurants and live entertainment to enjoy, and you can grab fresh produce and seafood at the Fresh Market on Tuesdays. Activities are also important to a happy retirement, so we looked at the number of recreation centers per 1,000 residents. "It's a popular gay retirement . Please be aware that some (or all) products and services linked in this article are from our sponsors. This college town is home to the University of Oregon, which has the largest library in the . You wont need to splurge on your new digs, however. Average Annual Salary: $52,970. Due to its small size, Swansboro will best suit those working remotely or in the tourism industry. Jacksonville, Florida. If you have never been to this area it truly is beautiful. This coastal city has some of the best fishing in Texas you can choose between charter boat services, surf fishing at Bryan Beach or the Brazos River. It has a little bit of everything.. This scenic hamlet in the Beaver State offers many outdoor recreational activities for a retiree, as well as museums, full-service libraries, restaurants and shops, athletic clubs and cultural events. The median household income in Swansboro is $48,922. As a retirement town, Lewes has lots of draws, including no sales tax and the third lowest real estate tax area in the country. The median home value is just under $200,000 and youll pay around $1,527 in property taxes each year and $852 in housing costs every month. Known as the The Friendly City by the Sea, Swansboro has a small population, and the historic town was the setting for Nicholas Sparks novelThe Guardian. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The scenic views blow everyone away, and it's filled with waterfront parks, historical monuments, and entertainment for all ages. While low for this list, thats not a bad number overall. The welcoming atmosphere and colorful boutique-lined downtown are draws for seniors, who make up more than a quarter of the town's population. Many of them seek out single-story homes with attached garages right around the golf course, marina, and beaches. Gulfport is one of Mississippis biggest cities, so you wont lack for amenities. Tax burden is also important, especially for older people living on a fixed income or off of retirement savings, so we looked at the overall tax burden in 2018. Siesta Key, Florida - Population: 5,573 (16% age 55-64 and 54% age 65+) Though Morehead City is on the mainland, protected from storms by a barrier island, the city proper isnt known for its beaches. Fintech company SmartAsset compared data for 218 beach towns and put together a list of the most affordable 50. Chances are you already know the country's most famous beach destinations . Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. And the town you choose to make your home has to suit you and your family. Myrtle Beach boasts 60 miles of golden coastline, celebrity-designed golf courses and decadent seafood restaurants. Photo Credit: Julie McCool. Visiting your beach house a few times a year may give you a different experience to coastal city residents. Ocean Springs has several arts festivals, many restaurants, and artists studios such as Shearwater Pottery tucked away. Cape Coral was named one of the top 25 places to retire by . The median home price listing is $255k, and the median income for a family in Fort Pierce is $35,198, and as a port city, the harbor sees a high volume of commerce. Springfield residents benefit from plenty of high-quality health care options within driving distance. The powdery white-sand beaches are a paradise for sunbathersor those who seek shade under an umbrellaand shell seekers. . Retirees look for affordable communities where they can fill their time with purposeful activities and social connections, keys to a long, healthy life, says Hale. That means you can expect to be surrounded by people of a variety of ages if you retire here. Aside from the lovely beaches, you can visit the local falls and hiking trails. Unique View: The quintessential fishing village of Cape Porpoise, Maine. It overtook 2020's winner Gulfport, a Magnolia State neighbor located approximately 13 miles west. And youll pay around $1,009 in annual property taxes and $455 in monthly housing costs. The welcoming area boasts many gay bars and restaurants, a thriving Pride parade (in years past), and an LGBTQ centerall on the shores of tax-friendly Delaware. For an elegant retirement, you can't do much better than life on Kiawah Island. Both beach towns are lovely,, Read More Which Is Nicer, Huntington Beach Or Newport Beach?Continue, From Rockaway Beach to Lincoln City Beach, there are plenty of popular, family-friendly beaches in Oregon. Some towns may appear a better option on paper, but things like safety, commute, and job scarcity may influence you to choose a city with a higher cost of living or more expensive properties. 2) Key Biscayne Florida. Or go swimming at Sunset Beach and Fred Howard Park. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Located in western Massachusetts, Springfield is roughly 60 miles from the coast via Connecticut. Metro Population: 698,537. From the various multicultural neighborhoods and their attendant restaurants to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for sports and concerts, entertainment is not far from New Hyde Park. This town is about 15 minutes from the Atlantic Coast, so if youre a fan of windy days by the ocean then Exeter fits the bill. #46. This is not a typo: Southern California does, in fact, boast affordable retirement homes right near the coast. However, what really makes this port town ideal for the 55-plus crowd is the easy access to quality health care. Thats towards the bottom of this list, but its still a decent portion of older people if you thats important to you. It takes 15 minutes to get to everything Myrtle Beach has to offer without having to worry about traffic and stuff.. If you are looking for a place with below-average home prices to live in as a retiree, then Daytona Beach in the Sunshine State is a great solution for you. Population: 18,406 Medium home value: $349,691 Perfect for: Retirees, and middle age Vero Beach is one of the safest beach towns in Florida that nested between the Atlantic and the Indian River.This hidden gem in Florida had 26 miles of gorgeous public beaches. It even has an airport and ferry terminal that connects the mainland to Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket. That tax rate is the fifth highest on this list. National parks, preserves and wildlife refuges are all plentiful . Beaufort, North Carolina, one of the Southeast's oldest and most charming beach towns, is at the southern tip of North Carolina's Crystal Coast. The beaches are long strands of white sand, offering perfect coastal views. https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/, https://www.census.gov/data/developers/data-sets/acs-5year.html. You should factor in the average cost of living in that state or area and how that fits your lifestyle and budget. This suburban beach town is best known for its . Mid-Atlantic families love the relaxed boardwalk in the coastal town of Bethany Beach, which is located about 130 miles southeast of Washington, D.C., and less than 15 . Beaches. Consumer and homebuilder sentiment in the Boise region appears to be less than optimistic, but the labor market is strong and home prices are starting to trend downward. If you can do this in one of the most beautiful French coastal towns, enjoying good food, wine, and long beach walks, then it's heaven. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. Thousands benefit from our email every week. Seniors age 65 and over make up 21% of the towns population.