Charleston Named the No 1 City in the U s Again No 2 in the World

I am 66, unmarried, and hoping to retire soon. I currently live in Connecticut, where taxes are quite high, and am looking for a less expensive place that is also warmer.

I have cash avails of about $900,000 and another maybe $200,000 in equity in my business firm (simply I might want to go on the business firm for rental income). I'd similar my main source of retirement income to be my Social Security of about $26,300 a year.

I want to travel, so I don't want to spend a lot on housing, and I would similar a small city, no more than 30 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean. I'd also like a metropolis that'southward two hours or less by car from an international airdrome. Information technology would be great if the city has a college or university and/or a mixed population including retirees. Any great ideas?

Thanks,
MAM
—————————————————————————————————————————Dear MAM,

You're role of a large trend: People getting the heck out of the Northeast for cheaper living and warmer weather — many of them to the South. And while the South has its downsides, like sweltering summers, you'll certainly be able to detect a reduced cost of living, mostly mild weather for many months of the year, and enough of good food and culture.

That said, it may exist a bit of a struggle to alive solely on your Social Security — at least if you lot desire a compelling metropolis right by the coast. Simply if you're also getting some rental income from your home, you should exist able to do it, while besides using some of your savings for travel. With that in mind, here are some affordable spots near the ocean that should meet most of your criteria.

Palm Coast, Fla.

A couple walls forth a embankment in Florida near Palm Coast.

iStock

Nestled between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, this nether-the-radar Florida retirement spot — which sits on 70-plus miles of canals and the Intracoastal Waterway — proves that "Florida still can be an cheap place to alive," Annette Fuller, the editor of Where to Retire magazine, tells MarketWatch.

The cost of living is roughly boilerplate for the U.Due south. Median homes in Palm Coast cost around $215,000 (with property taxes that are lower than average for the U.S.), and the median rent for a i-bedroom apartment is nether $one,000, according to Sperling'south All-time Places. (Fuller adds that there is "lots of active-adult housing" in the region.) Another perk in Florida: You'll avert income taxation.

Residents often come up to the area for the Atlantic beaches, just in Palm Coast they notice lots of outdoor activities, likewise, including "lawn tennis, golf, pickleball and fifty-fifty croquet," Fuller says. Palm Coast has more than 125 miles of walking and biking paths, as well as angling and boating. And bird watching is as well popular here, especially at St. Joe Walkway and Linear Park.

Related:People who live on the declension are typically happier than those who don't

Other things to check off your list: There are enough of fellow retirees here, and you tin can get to the Daytona International Airport in a footling over a half-hour by car.

Now for some downsides: Summers are hot and humid, there'due south a chance of hurricanes, and some residents mutter about the rapid growth and sprawl of the area. Plus, if you want to cutting costs farther, in that location are cheaper places to retire in the Sunshine State (especially if you're willing to look inland).

By the numbers:
Population: 82,350
January low/July high: 45°F/ninety°F
Source: Sperling's All-time Places

——————————————————————————————————————Summerville, S.C.

Nearby Charleston is a draw for residents of Summerville, S.C.

iStock

This minor city roughly 25 miles from Charleston recently landed on Forbes' list of the best places to retire, with the publication highlighting its mild winters, above-average air quality, low charge per unit of serious crimes and "sufficient physicians per capita."

What's more, it'due south affordable: The cost of living is "at national boilerplate," Forbes notes, and Social Security income is not taxed in South Carolina. A median home can exist had for about $215,000, with belongings taxes lower than the U.S. average. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages nether $1,000 a month.

Summerville is notable for its greenery. Its streets are lined with gorgeous azaleas and towering pines. It'south also bursting with history: Part of the town is on the National Register of Historic Places. And information technology's got enough of that Southern season to get around: Summerville claims to be the birthplace of sweet tea, and Southern Living recently wrote of information technology: "The all-time ii places in the world to enjoy sweet tea this summer are: 1. Your front porch; and 2. Summerville, South Carolina." Plus, you're close to Charleston, which is renowned for its excellent food and robust culture, has an international aerodrome and is a college town.

The biggest downside for you might be that you're a little over your desired half-hour from the pop Atlantic Ocean beaches (for instance, Folly Embankment is virtually a 45-minute drive from Summerville). But maybe the proximity to Charleston and the relative affordability of Summerville make upwards for that.

By the numbers:
Population: 49,000
January low/July loftier: 35°F/ninety°F
Source: Sperling's Best Places

———————————————————————————————————————Brunswick, Ga., area

A home in Brunswick.

iStock

While St. Simon's, Jekyll Isle and Sea Island (which make up the so-called Golden Isles) garner most of the attention in the surface area, Brunswick — the mainland gateway to those islands — gives you access to their amazing beaches at a fraction of the cost. The cost of living is significantly below average for the U.South., with the median home to exist had for less than $140,000. Social Security income is exempt from Georgia's state income tax.

Downtown Brunswick is known for its celebrated Victorian-era compages (it was named a Main Street City by the National Trust for Historic Preservation) and has more than a dozen historic squares. Plus, you'll find a smattering of local shops, art galleries, restaurants and more in this town of roughly xvi,000 people — equally well as performances at the celebrated Ritz Theatre.

Outdoor activities like bird watching are large here, as Brunswick is surrounded by saltwater marshes. And the Golden Isles are renowned for golf and miles of beaches. Plus, the Golden Isles take a unique vibe — a "blend of formality and down-dwelling ease," Travel & Leisure writes. And Where to Retire mag, which listed Brunswick/Golden Isles among its where-to-retire picks, writes of the area: "Unlike typical touristy E Omnibus beach towns, Georgia's Brunswick and the Aureate Isles are more sedate, with a focus on preservation."

Brunswick is also a college town — the Higher of Littoral Georgia is here — that'due south roughly an hour from Jacksonville, Fla., which has an international airport; and there's a hospital in boondocks (the Southeast Georgia Health Organization).

Ane downside is that criminal offense here is higher than boilerplate (though there are statistically safer neighborhoods and towns in the area to live in, every bit you tin see from this map).

By the numbers:
Population: 16,000
January low/July loftier: 42°F/91°F
Source: Sperling's Best Place

beamanfitte1977.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/im-66-get-26300-a-year-in-social-security-and-want-a-small-city-by-the-ocean-where-should-i-retire-2019-10-01

Share this post