Retirement will be here before you know it and you will have some big decisions to make. First of all, where do you want to spend your retirement years? This can be a challenging decision. There is so much to think about – hot and cold weather, big city or small town, low crime, low tax, health care options and much more.
Read about these great retirement destinations and consider if any of these places tick off all your boxes.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is urban living at its best. If you crave big city life, you should put Albuquerque on your short list. There are so many recreational activities available from skiing to golf. Walk along the Rio Grande while viewing the Sandia Mountains.
Wouldn’t it be great to wake up in the morning and stroll to your favorite cafe for a morning espresso? The city has a great selection of restaurants for a nice night out on the town.
Crime is problematic and is something to be considered. You will have to avoid the problem areas of the city. Apart from this, you will undoubtedly enjoy the diverse offerings of the city, the stunning scenery and the gorgeous weather.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is another place to consider if you are looking for a big city retirement destination. Portland is a vibrant city famous for its many restaurants and bike friendly streets. You will have no problems getting around Portland.
Enjoy the different art galleries and exhibits, the active performing arts scene, the yearly festivals, and the great downtown shopping in the Pearl District.
Portland has brought the outdoors to the downtown by preserving one of the largest urban forests. A short drive out of Portland will bring you to beaches and into wine country. Healthcare is world class in Portland.
St. George, Utah
If the big city life is not what you are looking for, St. George might be perfect for you. This resort area is about two hours northeast of Las Vegas. You will be in good company in St. George, as this area has become a hub for snowbirds and other retirees.
St. George is a golfer’s paradise. You will be surrounded by dozens of courses and St. George enjoys about 300 days of sun per year which means you will get lots of green time.
Zion National Park is located outside of this area and is the perfect place for exploration and hiking on its numerous trails. You will be awed by the carved monolithic pieces in the area around St. George. After a day of hiking or golfing, enjoy a beautiful Broadway show at the Tuacahn Amphitheater.
Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City is another beautiful resort area perfect for retirement. You won’t have to cram into a tiny condo in order to enjoy the water. Lake front houses on the shores of Lake Michigan are very affordable. The sandy beaches of the lake will be perfect for your daily walks or for watching the sun slip away at the end of the day.
Even though Traverse City is not an urban area, it comes with the big city amenities like the Munson Medical Center – a hospital which ranks among the top 100 in the country. The Interlochen Center brings theatrical and dance productions and shows as well as concerts, and art exhibits.
St. Augustine, Florida
Beautiful weather, sandy beaches, and professional golf courses are just some of the things that St. Augustine boasts. St. Augustine is not a huge city, but caters towards retirees and has some great housing options. Flagler Hospital is one of the finest hospitals in the country.
Where to?
There are a lot of beautiful places to choose from and each place is very unique. Do a little research and narrow your list down to the place you want to retire in. What aspects of a retirement place are most important to you?
Sara Miller works for a moving company in Jacksonville – click here for more information. She has helped hundreds of retirees move their lives across the country and relocate to their dream destination.
My wife and I retired ti St. George, Utah 4 years ago. We wanted a place with plenty of sun and plenty of outdoor activities. There are 3 golf courses near our condo and we really enjoy spending time out on the green with our friends. We also like it because it’s not too far from Salt Lake City, where our daughter is and we aren’t far from our son in Vegas, either. If you want a nice little spot to enjoy retirement, this is it!
Hmm. This is article is very unique. I have read a few articles on the same topic on other sites but non usually go with these destinations. Usually, it is more of Miami, Virginia Beach, ect..But, these places definitely seem like they could be good to go to when one is retiring.
You’ve convinced me! 🙂
I was specifically looking for unique destinations – ones that aren’t seen on a million other sites. I think a lot of these places sound just as appealing as all those commonly referenced cities!