If mountain living is on your mind in retirement, there are plenty of places throughout the U.S. that offer an affordable place to settle down.
From Southern charm, to Southwest beauty, here are five of the best affordable mountain towns for retirees.
1. Prescott, Arizona — Prescott tops
a list compiled by Market Watch of best mountain towns for retirees and offers significant savings from other areas of Arizona like Phoenix and Scottsdale. Located in North Central Arizona, the former mining town has plenty of recreational opportunities as it lies at the edge of the Prescott National Forest, Market Watch noted.
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2. Knoxville, Tennessee — Featuring a vibrant academic — and football-loving community — home to the University of Tennessee Volunteers, Knoxville is No. 2 on Market Watch's list of top mountain towns. The city earns a score of 80 on
Sperling's Best Places List for cost of living, well below the national average of 100.
3. Las Cruces, New Mexico — Yet another Southwestern city makes this list,
according to Top Retirements. With 350 days of sunshine annually, this historic area offers a solid climate for retirees.
4. Blue Ridge, Georgia — Located at a triangle where three states — South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee — meet, Blue Ridge Georgia is also a top pick by Top Retirements for mountain living. With just 1,200 residents, this town in the Blue Ridge mountains offers plenty of scenery and also world-class hiking — along with a low cost of living, the website said.
5. Blacksburg, Virginia — Also a college town nestled in the mountains, Blacksburg melds a slow pace with a
strong mix of culture, according to U.S. News.
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The town, home to about 42,000 people, also made Forbes' 2015 list of
best places to live. Forbes wrote: "Blacksburg offers the charm of a small town combined with the modern conveniences of a metropolitan area. Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the community has many restaurants and stores, arts venues, historic attractions and museums, sporting events, outdoor recreation, and a temperate climate. More than half of those who have retired from Virginia Tech since 1990 continue to live in the New River Valley."
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