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. Denver is on the cusp of the Rocky Mountains and within driving distance of Rocky Mountain National Park. In 2018, the payment was $1,600 per person. Help | Livability includes Ogden in its 2019 list of best places to live and a 2018 list of affordable mountain towns. Debt and waiting until a financial situation improves are top justifications financial advisors hear. Email Address This is a golfer's paradise with more than 100 courses in the area. As one of the 10 Cheapest States Where You'll Want to Retire, the Heart of Dixie boasts many great spots for affordable living. Salt Lake City in Utah is one of the countrys most prominent mountain towns as it is located along the border of the Oquirrh Mountains. Yes, Coloradoboasts its fair share of ski resort towns known for drawing the rich and famous:Aspen,Vail,Breckenridge,Tellurideand the like. This northwest Arkansas town is nestled in the Ozark Mountains and is a welcoming spot to decamp to during retirement. Median rents in Elk County, where 30,000 people live, are just under $600 a month and are a touch lower than in neighboring Cameron County, which has just 4,500 residents. Idaho Fallsmight not be a mountain town in the literal sense, but asthe closest metropolitan area to any of Yellowstone National Parks entrances, it serves as a gateway to some of the countrys most stunning mountain terrain. In reading coverage of this weeks NY Marathon, I saw that many of Americas top runners live and train in Flagstaff (AZ) because of its altitude and great places to run. Stunning mountain vistas are all around, as are waterfalls, picnic spots, and parks. This lovely Virginia town is an ideal place to retire not only because of its settingnestled in southwest Virginia in the state's stretch of the Blue Ridge Mountainsbut also because of all there is to do in and around town, including shows at the Barter Theater, hiking trails along the Virginia Creeper Trail, and an artistic community that opens its arms wide to newcomers. Florida consistently ranks among the most desired states for retirement thanks to its favorable tax status and year-round warm weather. places to live Subscribe to our daily newsletter to get investing advice, rankings and stock market news. Nestled among the mountains, youll find plenty of ski runs (the town hosted three venues during the 2002 Winter Olympics) and hiking and mountain bike trails, plus nearby lakes and rivers for water sports and nearly 40 parks in the area. 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. The cost of living in both areas runs nearly 14% below the national level. The site lists Parade Road-Old North Main Street and Weirs Beach-Lakeport as the safest neighborhoods in Laconia. The median home value in Hilo is $339,800, according to Zillowstill pricey, to be sure, compared with the U.S. median of $229,000, but much more reasonable than the $676,100 median in Honolulu. It is home to a number of ski resorts, including Big Mountain Ski Area. Seattle is home to famous sights and attractions such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the Museum of Pop Culture. I love to trail walk. Sometimes this can work out well, but in other cases it can be more hassle than its worth. Few aspiring retirees have enough saved to buy a retirement home in Aspen, Colorado, or Jackson, Wyoming. Silvia Ascarelli is a senior news editor for MarketWatch based in New York. This city is known for its vibrant art scene, historical sites, and architecture such as the Biltmore Estate and the Basilica of St. Laurence. The hot springs in the area provide a retreat for relaxation while the areas plentiful golf courses and hiking trails allow residents to easily stay active. At the end of this article we will discuss some of the pros and cons of retiring in the mountains, but first here is our list, in no particular order (theyre all nice!). 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. These mountain towns have majestic peaks and reasonable housing costs. Press | offers a double pleasure it is in the Berkshire Mountains and is home to prestigious Williams College. (Tip: For a hike your visiting guests will, well,love, climb to Heart Rock, a natural wonder at a waterfall where a perfect heart-shaped pool was formed into the cliff by the force of water.). Cheyenne, Wyoming. Its part of the same metropolitan area as Logan, Utah, suggested here. Just as some people treasure a view of a lake or ocean, so do many others enjoy the thrill of big overlooks and distant mountains from every window and deck. The city tends to get 310 sunny days each year through all four seasons. Most of the other Rocky Mountain towns on this list post a much higher cost of living. Some of the areas most popular peaks include Grandview Peak, OSullivan Peak, and Gobblers Knob. 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. But local average incomes are still high, averaging $71,605 for residents across all ages. Tucked between Lake Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam Lake, Laconia has been dubbed "The City on the Lake," home city to New Hampshire's Lakes Region. They describe it as home to millions of acres of unspoiled forests and mountains. And many people aren't able to strike a balance: The poverty rate in Albuquerque among residents age 65 and up is 9.9%, compared with 9.3% for the U.S., but better than the 11.9% rate for New Mexico. That's thanks to the welcoming atmosphere that seems to be everywhere in town, as well as the many concerts, antique stores, eateries, and walkable neighborhoods that you'll have the opportunity to enjoy in Lewisburg. Readers, where do you think Lisa and her husband should retire? This small town in western Mass. The geography means you have to be comfortable hiking, mountain biking, skiing and backcountry exploring your way through retirement. Of course any location can have its share of natural disasters, but living in the mountains can come with serious hazards. on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Unfortunately, the financial setting is not quite as picturesque: Average living costs in Arizona are 12% above the national average, according to Sperling's BestPlaces, while median incomes for seniors with earnings are below average at $50,254. A $30 annual membership gets you access to interest groups, trips, social gatherings and program classes, including local and international history, music, computers and yoga. For flexibility and a sense of purpose, consider these jobs for people over 50. From most of them you can look up and see mountains rising above, while in others they are just a short drive away. Enter the email address associated with your account. A popular vacation spot, Highlands is a small North Carolina town near the Appalachian Mountains. Wears Valley is known for its secret entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and it wears its mantle of fame with pride and a perfectly beautiful rural setting. Blacksburg, Virginia. One of the best places to retire in the west in 2022 is Palm Desert, California. We will email you a link to quickly reset your password. Whether you're looking to fly fish or see a show, take up a new hobby or develop an old one, the close-knit communities in these mountain towns have plenty of opportunities for you to get involved, meet someone new, and make a fresh home in a beautiful place. Mountain towns tend to be smaller and more remote, so your car might be more important to your daily transportation needs than you might have hoped. NY 10036. Homebuyers hoping to find their ideal Tennessee mountain home should consider looking to Knoxville. Disadvantages Colder winters. By David Muhlbaum But at least that's more affordable than capital city Honolulu, on Oahu, where living costs are a steep 101.1% above the national average. 2007 2023 55places.com, a division ofNeighborhoods.com. In Mesa, you can enjoy suburban living in a dry but warm climate. You have plenty of outdoor diversions, such as miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding; fishing and boating; and birding and other wildlife viewing. New York, No wonder the local senior population is well known for being health and active, part of why the Milken Institute, a think tank, ranked the metro area the 12th best big city for successful aging. For another it is less of a resort and more of a community, with a strong local economy. Local crime may be worth noting: While the state sports a low rate of 1.99 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, Laconia's rate is 4.68, even slightly higher than the national median of 4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, according to NeighborhoodScout.com. And beyond the college campus and city center, you can find plenty of options for outdoor recreation in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including more than 100 miles of of the Appalachian Trail in nearby Shenandoah National Park. Medelln is renowned for its lushness, which is something the city aims to maintain by requiring new developments to invest in . South Lake Tahoe, CA - Average Home Cost: $400,288 Average income for population 65+: $51,853 (U.S.: $56,453) As one of the 10 Cheapest States Where You'll Want to Retire, the Heart of . Let us know in the Cmments section below. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Outdoor enthusiasts also win. Treat this as your starting point to look at the many small towns in rural Maine. I may revoke my consent at any time by contacting [emailprotected] Message/data rates may apply. 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