When it comes time to retire and enjoy those golden years, Florida is usually a destination that comes to mind – and for good reason. No state taxes and warm weather are two huge inducements.
But Florida’s not the only great retirement location as this Newsmax list of the top 10 retirement destinations shows. Texas also is among the other small group of states that refuse to tax income, and it’s seen a growing number of transplants. Although Tennessee doesn’t tax wages, it taxes interest and investment income, which should be of concern to retirees. But it’s reportedly set to eliminate that also.
Climate, cost of living, quality of life, access to affordable health care and a sense of community all factor in to determine America’s best retirement destinations. Here are Newsmax’s top 10 retirement locations, listed in alphabetical order.
Austin, Texas: The capital of the Longhorn State is blessed with hundreds of parks for seniors to engage in their favorite outdoor activities. Austin’s nearly 200 live music venues specializing in rock, country, and R&B have given it the moniker of the "Live Music Capital of the World."
Zillow reports that Austin has a very hot real estate market, with a $401,999 median home price.
Clearwater, Florida: The cost of living in this beachfront community on the Gulf of Mexico is 3% lower than the average in the Sunshine State. Clearwater has long been one of America’s top vacation destinations, so retiring here means you’re on vacation for the rest of your life.
Whether selecting fresh veggies at the Clearwater Farmers Market, checking out the wildlife at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, or watching the sunset on Pier 60, there’s always something to do in Clearwater.
Zillow reports that Clearwater’s real estate market is also very hot, with a median home price at $235,189.
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas: If big city living is your preference, this Lone Star mega polis offers sports lovers the NFL’s Cowboys, the NBA’s Mavericks and MLB’s Texas Rangers.
Grandparents can take their grandkids to such attractions as the Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park and Six Flags Over Texas when they stop by to visit.
Zillow reports that you can expect to pay about $256,264 for a home in this area.
Fort Meyers, Florida: This has been a favorite retirement destination since the early 20th century, when Thomas Edison and Henry Ford chose Fort Myers to build their vacation homes.
Water babies can find beaches in nearby Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island, and the area also provided the locale for Randy Wayne White’s popular Doc Ford Mystery series of novels.
Home buyers can expect to pay about $224,979 for a home in the Fort Myers area.
Lakeland, Florida: This central Florida city can’t be found on either the Atlantic or the gulf, but is blessed instead with its nearly 40 lakes that dot the area, giving the city its name.
In addition to fishing and exploring the lakes, Lakeland offers nature lovers the Circle B Bar Reserve and art-lovers the Polk Museum of Art. And when the grandchildren visit, Lakeland is within an hour of Disney World, Sea World and Universal Studios.
Zillow reports that the Lakeland real estate market is very hot, with median home prices at $180,750.
Nashville, Tennessee: Nashville offers sports fans the NHL’s Predators and the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, but it’s the city’s music scene that really places it on the map, and one of the reasons Nashville made Business Insider’s list of top retirement destinations.
Day or night you can take in some of music’s hottest aspiring artists on the Broadway strip, and may even bump into some of its most established stars such as Keith Urban or Carrie Underwood. And of course it’s home to the legendary country music venue, the Grand Ole Opry.
The median price of a Nashville home is $289,142, according to Zillow.
Plano, Texas: In addition to exploring Historic Downtown Plano, the area offers outdoor activities at the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve and Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve. Indoor activities can be found at the Angelika Film Center & Cafe and the Interurban Railway Museum.
But retirees say that what they like about Plano most is its peace and quiet.
Zillow reports that a home in Plano will set you back about $345,430
San Antonio, Texas: Old San Antonio offers a wide range of attractions and activities, including the San Antonio Riverwalk and Cruise, the Natural Bridge Caverns, the Ghost Walking Tour, and of course, the Alamo.
If you plan on making the Alamo City your retirement destination, Zillow reports that you can expect to spend about $187,718.
Sarasota, Florida: The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circuses gave Sarasota its Circus City moniker by making it their winter headquarters. Its beaches are praised for their fine white sand and clear, sparkling waters.
Activities are geared more toward the older crowd, where golf, fine dining and shopping abound, the latter two especially in the vicinity of the ritzy St. Armands Circle.
Zillow reports that the Sarasota real estate market is as warm as its beaches, with properties fetching a median $278,893 price tag.
Tampa, Florida: The Tampa Bay area offers attractions like Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and Zoo Tampa. With the motto “Good Beer Lives Here,” new residents might want to do a walking tour of Tampa’s numerous craft breweries, and cigar aficionados will want to check out Ybor City, the “Cigar Capital of the World.”
Hockey fans can enjoy the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning; football fans have the Buccaneers to call their own. And the New York Yankees has made Tampa its spring training headquarters.
Zillow reports that the Tampa real estate market is very hot, with median home prices at $251,387.