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Destinations with an Below Average
Cost-of-Living
Home | Spots with
Average Cost-of-Living | Spots with Above Average Cost-of-Living | International
Spots
Cost-of-living takes into account
housing, utilities, food, transportation and taxes.
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Eufaula,
Alabama
In the southeastern corner of
Alabama, along the Chattahoochee River and
overlooking a large body of water, is the tranquil
town of Eufaula, once a prosperous trading center
before the Civil War and today home to a bounty of
antebellum homes and a slow Southern pace.
Lots of lake recreation and affordable homes add
to Eufaula's considerable charm.
Bella Vista, Arkansas
Established in the 1960s as a
retirement community, today Bella Vista, Arkansas
is an incorporated city and open to all ages, although retirees
continue to comprise the majority of the
population. The affordable
cost-of-living, serene setting, eclectic and reasonably priced
housing, not to mention eight
lakes and eight golf courses, make this a
retirement spot that is easy to love.
Hot
Springs, Arkansas
Springs, Arkansas (population 36,000)
is a tourist and retirement destination that seems to
receive rave reviews from almost everyone (even Al
Capone enjoyed coming here). Located in central
Arkansas, it has a beautiful setting among lakes and
rolling hills, a mild climate, a lower-than-average
cost-of-living, and it offers the benefits of renowned,
healing mineral waters.
Mountain
Home, Arkansas
Mountain Home, Arkansas (population 11,500) is
a casual, low-key destination that attracts retirees
seeking lots of water recreation, low crime rates,
four fairly mild seasons and affordable
housing. Being snuggled in the Ozark Mountains,
pretty scenery
abounds, and two nearby sparkling lakes entice water-lovers to spend their days fishing,
boating, water skiing and just soaking up the lake
atmosphere. This peaceful spot is worth a look.
Largo, Florida
Florida has its problems with
hurricanes and high insurance rates, but it is
still the top retirement destination in the United
States. This article is written by
the daughter of retirees who have happily settled
in Largo, Florida. For those seeking a
mellow retirement near the beach and within close
proximity of literally thousands of
restaurants, dozens of golf courses and with real
estate priced considerably less than the national
average, Largo is worth a look.
Mount
Dora, Florida
If you enjoy balmy weather and a friendly
small-town ambiance mixed with New England charm, then Mount
Dora, Florida may be the retirement spot for you. This
Victorian town of 10,000 people is nestled on the eastern
edge of six-mile long Lake Dora and is surrounded by rolling
hills, lakes and forests in central Florida (roughly 45
minutes northwest of Orlando). While not specifically
a retirement town, nearly half of the town's residents are
45 years or better.
Athens,
Georgia
Leafy Athens, Georgia is
located in the east central part of the state and is home to
the sprawling University of Georgia. While definitely
a college town, Athens is attracting more pre-retirees and
retirees because of its low cost-of-living, mild weather and
affordable housing.
Iowa City, Iowa
Situated along the banks of the
pretty Iowa River in the rolling farmland of
eastern Iowa, this vibrant, medium-sized,
university city is drawing retirees in search of a
rich cultural scene, below-average housing costs,
top-notch health care facilities, established
neighborhoods and a low crime rate.
Known for its strong literary tradition (and also
for being the home of the Iowa Hawkeyes), Iowa
City provides a high quality of life at an
affordable price.
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Quaint Natchitoches, Louisiana,
the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana
Purchase Territory, was originally settled in 1714
by the French
as a trading post and soon became home to Southern aristocrats.
Nestled in lush lake country, today Natchitoches
offers residents a peaceful retirement in an
historic city with a very affordable
cost-of-living.
Princess
Anne, Maryland
Named for Princess Anne, the daughter of
Britain's King George II, this quaint Maryland hamlet
(population 2,600) was founded in 1733 and to this day
retains much of its cultural heritage. Centrally
located between Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington,
D.C., Princess Anne is a romantic oasis tucked away from the
hectic activity of the east coast.
Holland,
Michigan
Settled by Dutch Calvinist
separatists, idyllic Holland is a bit of the
Netherlands situated on the banks of Lake Macatawa
in southwestern Michigan. Quiet winters,
cooler summers, six million tulips, a strong
religious heritage, a variety of affordable
housing styles and a cost-of-living below the
national average are what bring retirees to this
charming small city.
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Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi is what the state of Mississippi calls a
"Certified Retirement Community." To
qualify for this distinction, Hattiesburg meets a
number of standards, including providing affordable
housing, good health care, accessible public
transportation, strong cultural opportunities and an
active welcoming committee. It's a place many
retirees will want to call home.
Oxford,
Mississippi
There are many reasons to chose to retire in
this historic southern town of 14,000 people, but its
literary tradition is one of its top calling cards.
Oxford, located in rolling hills southeast of Memphis,
Tennessee, is home to the University of Mississippi
("Ole Miss") and has been the inspiration for
numerous writers.
Columbia,
Missouri
Leafy Columbia, Missouri (population
91,000), located roughly half way between Kansas City and
St. Louis, is consistently ranked as one of the best cities
in which to reside thanks to its lower-than-average
cost-of-living, clean air, cultural activities, outstanding
health care and low crime rate. It is a youthful
place, primarily because it is home to three colleges and
universities, including the University of Missouri.
Las
Cruces, New Mexico
Deep in the American southwest
lies the growing metropolis of Las Cruces, New
Mexico, a peaceful city in a green valley
surrounded by mountains. With a rich mix of
Spanish, Native American, Mexican and Anglo
histories, Las Cruces has a distinctive quality
that, when combined with reasonably-priced housing,
wide-open spaces and an unhurried pace, is
attracting many retirees.
Edenton,
North Carolina
Established in 1722, picturesque Edenton was the first permanent settlement in
North Carolina and was developed around an
English-style village green. Hundreds of
ships made the town a regular port of call and the
result was a thriving plantation economy that
brought life to northeastern North
Carolina. Today this charming town is
known for its historic landmarks and beautiful, well-kept homes along
elegant, tree-lined streets.
Summerville, South Carolina
Snuggled on a ridge in the woods
just north of Charleston, South Carolina is the
idyllic hamlet of Summerville, once a retreat for
Charleston's wealthy plantation owners seeking
escape from the summer heat. Today retirees
come to Summerville to enjoy its antebellum
architecture, relaxed pace, Southern charm,
traditional values, abundance of azaleas and a
cost-of-living below the national average.
Cookeville,
Tennessee
Retirees seeking southern hospitality, mild weather and an
affordable cost-of-living might want to consider Cookeville,
Tennessee as a retirement spot. This town of 27,000
people is located in the Upper Cumberland region of middle
Tennessee, about 80 miles east of Nashville, and is surrounded by
placid lakes and wooded terrain.
Paris,
Tennessee
Paris,
Tennessee, a small southern town, is just 15 miles from the sprawling (140,000 acres)
recreation area Land Between the Lakes, which as the
name implies, is situated between two large, shimmering
bodies of water, man-made Kentucky Lake and Lake
Barkley. Paris' cost-of-living is below the
national average, and the town has a healthy downtown
and an active senior population.
Smyrna,
Tennessee
Not far from the bright lights of
Nashville is Smyrna, Tennessee, a welcoming spot
with a leisurely pace and homes priced well below
the national average. Steeped in traditional
values and with lots of churches, Smyrna also has
a growing economy, a strong middle class and a
30,000-acre recreation area just outside of
town. For retirees seeking affordability and
a high quality of life, Smyrna is worth a peek.
Georgetown,
Texas
Georgetown,
Texas (population 30,000), is an up-and-coming retirement destination located
in the central part of the state (just off of I-35 and
about 20 miles north of Austin). Once a
staging area for cattle drives along the Chisholm Trail,
this quaint town offers a cost-of-living below the
national average, has a strong sense
of pioneer history and works to maintain its historical
integrity. Nearly two hundred downtown 18th-century buildings have
been restored and renovated.
Lynchburg, Virginia
With the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance
and rolling green hills all around, Lynchburg is
indeed a pretty spot for retirement. The
fact that its cost of living is 15% below the
national average and that its housing is nearly
32% below the national average make it even more
appealing. No wonder it lands on so many
"Best Places to Live" lists.
Anyone seeking a small affordable Eastern city
should take a peek at Lynchburg.
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