Night time is the right time on Lake Coeur d'Alene. (Photo Credit: CC BY/Tracy Hunter/Flickr)
Retirees, here’s information you need to know when it comes to choosing a place to roost for retirement. This concludes this article of covering the top 10 places to retire in the U.S. CLICK HERE if you missed part 1 of this article.
Athens, Ga.
Downtown Athens, which is within walking distance of the University of Georgia, made Armstrong’s list of the country’s best college towns. Educational opportunities, university sporting events and a lively art boutique community make this walkable town popular for retirement, said Re/Max broker Bruce Azevedo of nearby Watkinsville, Ga.
Average home price: $139,900
Area median price: $137,000
Three bedrooms, two baths
1,360 square feet
Fireplace
Attached two-car garage
Carlsbad, Calif.
The cost of living in California is enough to turn off many retirees, and Carlsbad is no exception. However, the weather and beachfront property make it a California dream. Broker Tony Cannon of Keller Williams Realty told Bankrate that Carlsbad is a huge draw for East Coast retirement-seekers.
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“It’s mild all year long. We get people from Canada, other parts of California, even Arizona and New Mexico,” Cannon said. “If you live within five miles of the beach, you don’t need air conditioning.”
Average home price: $639,900
Area median price: $672,500
Three bedrooms, 2.5 baths
2,352 square feet
Granite counters
Attached garage
Lagoon water views
Naples, Fla.
Located approximately 40 minutes from the closest beach, affordable retirement homes in Naples offers appealing, high-end options to second-home buyers and individuals more accustomed to colder northern climes. Mark Weber, owner of Naples’ White Sands Realty, points out that homes closer to the beach jump on average $100,000 or more in price, which is still significantly lower than the 2006 average of $840,000.
“We have extremely low crime to the point that many native Neapolitans still leave their doors unlocked when they take a walk. The palm-lined streets of Old Naples are home to outdoor cafes, boutique shopping and some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world,” said Weber.
Average home price: $175,000
Area median price: $175,000
Four bedrooms, two baths
2,272 square feet
Double garage
2.3 acre lot
Cathedral ceiling
Large kitchen island
Bend, Ore.
A mountain town that affords residents four distinct seasons, Bend is great for skiing and enjoying a host of winter sports on Mt. Bachelor. Eileen Dees of Steve Scott Realtors in Bend points out that the spirit of volunteerism is also strong in Bend, as witnessed by numerous non-profit work opportunities on VolunteerConnect.com through which residents can give back to their community.
Active retirees in Bend enjoy downhill skiing at Mt. Bachelor, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, an antique car club and more, Eileen Dees, principal broker of Steve Scott Realtors says. Those who want to give back to the community can find the right volunteer opportunity through VolunteerConnect.com.
Average home price: $207,000
Area median price: $204,000
Three bedrooms, two baths
1,997 square feet
Two-car garage
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Coeur d’Alene translates from French as “heart of the awl,” which in itself could signify anything from “sharp-hearted” or “shrewd” to “eye of the needle,” referring to the topography of the Lake Coeur d’Alene area. For shrewd retirees who like water activities, great deals on art, wine, world-class golf and more, the gem of North Idaho doesn’t fail to impress.
“Coeur d’Alene is a place of four distinct seasons,” Kim Cooper of Select Brokers in Coeur d’Alene told Bankrate. “Each brings its own treasure trove of activities. With our multitude of lakes and rivers, hundreds of miles of trails and thousands of acres of national forest surrounding us, the opportunities for outdoor activities are endless. We enjoy the beauty of forested mountains by hiking or riding the trails. Yet, we are within 25 minutes of minor league baseball, hockey and Championship Arena football in Spokane, Wash., where we can also enjoy Broadway productions, symphony and a thriving art district.”
Average home price: $179,900
Area median price: $180,255
Three bedrooms, two baths
1,380 square feet
Rock fireplace
Two-car garage
To live or retire in Cuenca, Ecuador
Sources
« Top 10 places to retire in the US, part 1
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