It’s hard to plan for the future when you don’t know what will happen. With the future of Social Security being so uncertain right now, people who are getting close to retirement need to start thinking about their goals and whether they can afford to live the way they do now with the money they have saved.
Downsizing and moving to a cheaper state or town can be one of the easiest ways to make more money in retirement. The new place can still offer all the benefits of getting older, but it will cost a lot less than places like Florida that we usually think of when we think of retirement.
But it can be hard to decide where to go because the country is so big and not all places are as friendly to retirees as we’d like. Real estate agents are a great example of this. This is the list we made based on what they said.
1. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Amy Stockberger, owner and broker of Amy Stockberger Real Estate, likes this town because it has good public transportation, lots of outdoor activities, nice weather all four seasons, and a low cost of living, as shown by the typical home price of $358,000.
She said, “Because we don’t have a state income tax, our way of life is cheaper than in many other states. We also have access to great healthcare, a wide range of attractions, and the charm of the Midwest.”
2. Colorado Springs, Colorado
“Colorado Springs is showing up on more top 10 retirement communities lists than ever before,” says Andrew Fortune, owner and REALTOR at Great Colorado Homes. “But home prices have been flat for the past two years, with prices slowly dropping in the higher sales prices.”
Since Colorado Springs is warmer than the mountain towns, many retired people choose to live there and take their annual mountain vacations. It’s easy to walk around downtown Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, and the cute turn-of-the-century homes are great for retirement.
There are also more homes for sale in the area, which could bring down prices. This town also has low property taxes, which makes it a possible choice for retirement.
3. Surprise, Arizona
Kevin Shahnazari, founder and CEO of FinlyWealth, really likes this small town outside of Phoenix. “Right now there is a small change in the price of Surprise.” Recently, interest rates went up, which decreased demand. This is now a great time for buyers to step in. For 8% less than last year’s market value, I bought a house in Surprise for one of my clients.
Banner Health and the Mayo Clinic both have locations close, so you can get medical care. There’s rarely a need for anything else when there’s sunshine all year and golf carts that can get you around.
Plus, there are no taxes on Social Security benefits, you can deduct an extra $2,500 in other retirement income, and the typical home price is $465,000. It could be a great place to live.
4. Georgetown, Texas
Eric Bramlett, owner of Bramlett Real Estate and REALTOR, wants people to move to this town in the Lone Star State. “Retirees have long been drawn to Georgetown, which has a charming downtown area and a laid-back vibe.” Prices could stay the same or go down as new projects come online, giving buyers a chance to save money.
This town is appealing because it has good healthcare, no state income tax, nice weather, and a typical home price of $423,800.
5. Durham, North Carolina
Rachel Stringer, a real estate agent at Raleigh Realty, wants you to think about this nice place. “Durham could be a good place to retire if you’re looking for a place with good healthcare access and nice amenities.” Even though I wouldn’t expect cheap prices, you might have more room to haggle than in Raleigh.
Durham’s median home price is still a reasonable $439,000. If you want to move, you may be able to get it even cheaper.
6. Macon, Georgia
Bright Buys Houses owner and founder Charissa Bright supports this Georgia town. I think Macon will be a great place for retirees to live because home prices will go down there.
The market is slowing down a bit in this cute city, which gives retirees a chance to find cheap homes and enjoy a calm and easygoing way of life. Its mild weather and low costs make it ideal for retired people who want to live in a cozy area without spending a lot of money.
It’s also cheap to live there, has good healthcare, and a downtown area with lots of shops and restaurants that you can walk to. The typical home price is also very low, at just under $190,000.
7. Cary, North Carolina
Another song from Stringer about North Carolina “Cary has always been a popular place to live, especially for people who want to settle down in a less busy but still close to everything place.” But even there, things are slowing down a bit.
However, the median house price is higher at $624,900. The market may be slowing down, so people looking for a mild climate may want to take another look.
8. Cedar Park, Texas
This town is another choice in the Lone Star State. It is cheaper than Austin and still close to city life. The typical price of a home in this area is $565,000, which is pretty high. However, Bramlett says that as the area continues to grow, “price corrections” could make it even more affordable.
There is no state income tax, it’s close to Austin’s healthcare, and there are lots of parks and shops. All of these benefits are great for retirees who don’t want to live in a big city.
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