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Destinations with an Average
Cost-of-Living
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Below Average Cost-of-Living | Spots with
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Spots
Cost-of-living takes into account
housing, utilities, food, transportation and taxes.
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
When explorer Zebulon Pike came west in 1806 and first
spotted Pikes Peak soaring above the Great Plains, this
region at the foot of the Rocky Mountains was wide-open
country, home to Arapahoe Native Americans, antelope and
sweeping vistas. Today, Pikes Peak is the
majestic backdrop for Colorado Springs (population 370,000),
a pretty city in a spectacular setting that attracts
retirees because of its average cost-of-living, clean air,
blue skies, western hospitality and traditional values.
Savannah,
Georgia
Gracious antebellum homes, southern charm
and architectural integrity make Savannah, Georgia
(population 140,000) an elegant city fiercely proud of its
history and unique way of life. To stroll the
two and a half square mile Historic District, a model of
civic pride and restoration for the rest of the country, is
to step back into a simpler, more gracious time.
Moscow,
Idaho
Tucked away in the northwestern
corner of pretty, rural Idaho, Moscow is a college
town so far untouched by the influx of touristy
development and commercialization. A liberal
spot in an otherwise conservative state, Moscow is
welcoming, safe and has a gentle spirit
appreciated by families, students and retirees
alike. The cost-of-living meets the national
average, and the surrounding landscape (The
Palouse) is unusual and striking.
Traverse
City, Michigan
Traverse City (population 15,000) is an
idyllic waterfront community located on the neck of Old
Mission Peninsula, a 20 mile piece of land that juts out into
Grand Traverse Bay, in northern Michigan.
Surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, beaches, cherry
orchards and vineyards, this pretty town boasts a high quality
of life, a charming downtown, an abundance of outdoor
activities, including boating and snow skiing, gorgeous
surrounding scenery, and a lively arts scene with galleries
and museums.
Ithaca,
New York
Vibrant Ithaca, New York (population 29,000 + students) is
known for its high quality of life and liberal social and
political environment. Situated in the center of
New York State on the shore of 40-mile long Cayuga Lake (one
of the Finger Lakes), this lovely college town was once called
"The City of Evil" for its tolerance of gambling,
drinking and swearing. Today, it is less rowdy, growing
economically and has a cost-of-living and youthful ambiance
that appeals to many seniors.
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Swansboro, North Carolina
The cost of a coastal retirement
may be in reach for many in the low-key fishing
village of Swansboro, North Carolina. Dating
from 1783, this picturesque spot has a deep
seafaring history; fishing and boating have always
been, and still are, a way of life. Add
reasonably-priced housing and welcoming residents,
and a Swansboro retirement is worth a look.
Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken, snuggled in verdant
western South Carolina, began to thrive after the Civil War when
Charleston's wealthy plantation owners discovered the area's clean
air and mild winters. Word spread north, and families
with names such as Astor and Vanderbilt soon built magnificent 100-
room "summer cottages." Today retirees find Aiken
a pretty spot with wide boulevards, beautiful historic
homes and gracious living.
Beaufort,
South Carolina
Anyone who has seen the movie Forest Gump
or The Big Chill or GI Jane or The Prince of
Tides has seen Beaufort, South Carolina (population
14,000). This laid back, quintessential southern coastal town
is the second-oldest city in South Carolina (Charleston is the
oldest) and often attracts Hollywood directors in need of a
location that defines Southern romance and seaside mystique.
Austin, Texas
Situated in the southeastern
section of the Lone Star State, Austin is healthy
big city with a cost-of-living that meets the
national average. A high quality of
life, 12,000 acres of parks and green spaces, a
warm climate and a median home price of $185,000
make this college town an attractive choice for
retirement.
Cody, Wyoming
The name Cody, Wyoming (population 9,000) rustles up
images of a place and time far removed from the hectic pace of modern
city life and the stresses it brings. This peaceful spot is in
Wyoming's northwest corner and was named after Buffalo Bill Cody, the
"Wild West" showman and has a definite "Old West"
feel to it even though it is as modern as any other American town.
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