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Destinations with an Above Average Cost-of-Living

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Cost-of-living takes into account housing, utilities, food, transportation and taxes.

Located along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay in Alabama, charming Fairhope was established in 1894 as an experimental colony by a group of tax reformers; today it is a retirement destination that has won national recognition for its parks, flower beds and dedication to preserving the large moss-covered oak trees throughout town. Many folks, including artists and writers, are attracted to this quaint spot's beauty and sweeping waterfront vistas.

Chico, California

Chico, California (population 79,000, with roughly 200,000 in the surrounding area) is a beautiful city located at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Cascade Mountains in the northern Sacramento Valley and may be a retirement choice for anyone wanting to live in this sprawling state but not wanting to pay the outrageous cost-of-living found in most other areas, including inland cities.

San Diego, California

San Diego (population 1.3 million with 2.8 million in San Diego County) is California's second largest city and the seventh largest city in the United States, so it is not the place for those seeking a quiet retirement away from it all. It is also not a destination without a few problems, including air pollution, congestion and very high real estate prices, but offsetting much of that are the outstanding health care options, balmy Mediterranean weather and a nearly endless array of things to do and see.

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Spectacular mountain scenery, world-famous healing mineral waters and top-notch outdoor recreation are what bring retirees to Glenwood Springs, a vibrant, high-altitude Colorado resort town. President Teddy Roosevelt and gunfighter/dentist Doc Holiday both spent time here, and today active retirees are following in their footsteps. Just down the road from celebrity-soaked Aspen, this mountain hamlet is worth a look.

Cruise Ship Retirement

Retirement on a cruise ship is a romantic idea that is not as far-fetched as it sounds. Within the last couple of years, thanks mainly to an article in a professional medical journal, the notion has started to gain some traction. As of now, there are no "retirement cruise ships," but it is possible to book cruises back to back to create a floating retirement for slightly more than it costs to reside in an average assisted living community. Most seniors we know would choose the cruise ship any day. There is even one resident cruise ship currently in operation.

Peachtree City, Georgia

Recognized as one of the best planned cities in the nation, verdant Peachtree City, Georgia offers retirees a high quality of life, a low crime rate, a wide range of housing prices and a strong sense of community. Green belts, private homes, business parks and 90 miles of paved paths are integrated to create a relaxed city ambiance, one in which golf carts are the primary mode of transportation.

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Coeur d'Alene is home to 35,000 people and is located on beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene in the rugged, northwest corner of Idaho's panhandle. Stumbled upon by Lewis and Clark in the early 1800s, the area's untamed wilderness first drew fur trappers and explorers; today it beckons to those seeking an active, outdoorsy retirement.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Retirees are flocking to this city in the desert, primarily drawn by dry desert air, low taxes and world-class amenities. Hit hard by foreclosures last year, the Las Vegas housing market is poised for a rebound, thanks to tens of thousands of new jobs coming to the city in the next 24 months. Home prices are down 15% from a year ago, but there are signs the market is stabilizing, making this a time to think about buying retirement real estate in this vibrant city.

Meredith, New Hampshire

The picturesque village of Meredith, nestled in the Lakes Region of central New Hampshire, boasts historic charm, a lakefront setting and a quaint New England vibe. Recreation is plentiful and varied; homes are large and historic and antiquing is a way of life. For anyone seeking retirement in an idyllic setting with gorgeous scenery and a lake culture, Meredith may be just the ticket.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico exudes a charm not found in many other areas of the United States and is a sophisticated city in a very laid-back, Western way. A mixture of Anglo, Mexican and Indian cultures, as well as Catholicism and paganism, create a rather mystical feeling, and retirees here enjoy a mellow, somewhat enchanted lifestyle.

Asheville, North Carolina

For anyone desiring retirement in a friendly, healthy, vibrant, small city, Asheville may be just the ticket. This culturally rich metropolis of 70,500 people is snuggled in western North Carolina's misty Blue Ridge Mountains and has been a retirement haven since the late 1800s. Today this southeastern destination boasts a restored, Art Deco downtown, a bustling arts scene, plenty of golf courses, mountain scenery and an historic district with bed and breakfasts, inns and graceful, old homes.

Eugene, Oregon

Located 60 miles from the beautiful Oregon coast, liberal, laid-back Eugene draws retirees seeking a vital city with excellent health care, lush surroundings and a strong sense of environmentalism. Home to the leafy 250-acre University of Oregon, the city also ranks highly when it comes to the arts, outdoor recreation and cultural diversity. For anyone considering retirement on the West coast, Eugene is worth a look.

Roseburg, Oregon

Located on the Umpqua River in scenic, rugged southwestern Oregon, Roseburg is a pretty town that is attracting seniors seeking a beautiful setting, an outdoor lifestyle and traditional values. Downtown Roseburg has undergone a revitalization and is alive and well, and while housing costs are above the national average, there are two new apartment complexes for lower-income seniors. Covered bridges, wineries and waterfalls dot the area, and the Pacific Ocean is only 50 miles away.

St. George, Utah

St. George, Utah is a booming community that beckons to golf enthusiasts, hot, dry weather devotees, artists, professionals and seniors from across the country. Located about six miles north of the Arizona border and roughly 120 miles northeast of Las Vegas, the community has seen rapid growth in the last ten years, and today retirees make up 30% of its population.

Burlington, Vermont

Located on a hill with views of the Adirondack Mountains and overlooking sparkling Lake Champlain, the sixth largest lake in the United States, Burlington, Vermont (population 40,000) is a picturesque New England college town with roughly 4,000 retiree residents who enjoy beautiful scenery, a high quality of life and socially progressive politics.

Charlottesville, Virginia

When Thomas Jefferson retired, he came to Charlottesville, Virginia, and it is easy to understand why. Tucked in lush, hilly terrain, this college town (home to the University of Virginia) draws retirees seeking a vibrant ambiance, a location steeped in history, a mild climate and access to excellent health care.

Anacortes, Washington

Tucked away on Fidalgo Island in Washington's Puget Sound, Anacortes is a picturesque seaport in a stunning locale. Bays, mountains and forests are all around, making this an ideal retirement spot for anyone with a love of the outdoors. Throw in a rich maritime culture, a casual island lifestyle and an emerging arts community, and many a retiree has found his idea of retirement heaven.

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