Our picks offer a laid-back lifestyle, but they’re only a short hop to big-city attractions.
WHEN TICKING OFF DESIRABLE FEATURES FOR places to live, millennials and retirees have a lot in common. Affordable homes? Check. A selection of good restaurants? Absolutely. A vibrant arts scene? Sure. Lots of outdoor recreation? You bet. A strong network of doctors and good health care facilities? That’s important no matter how old you are. // The cities on Kiplinger’s list of best places to retire have all of the above, plus manageable traffic and a laid-back lifestyle. We focused on retirement destinations within an hour or two of a major metropolitan area so that it’s easy to take advantage of big-city amenities when you choose, without having to face twice-aday traffic nightmares. Our picks have lively, walkable downtowns not far from desirable neighborhoods. They have vibrant economies, which means retirees can find part-time jobs if they want to earn extra income. Property taxes tend to be lower than they are in the nearby metro areas, and most of our cities are in states that are tax-friendly or tax-neutral for retirees. We even offer a destination for retirees who want to live on the West Coast without paying California prices. Just make sure your passport is up to date.
★★★
Galveston, Texas
POPULATION: 48,733 NEARBY LARGE CITY: Houston WHAT $300,000 WILL BUY: historic East End home with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 10-foot ceilings and a large front porch
Wander around Galveston’s historic neighborhoods and you’ll notice two things: There aren’t many large trees. There are, however, dozens of tree sculptures, depicting, among other things, dolphins, dogs, pelicans and the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.
This story is from the August 2017 edition of Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2017 edition of Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How identity thieves are exploiting your trust
Con artists themselves are disguising as well-known brands to steal your money and personal information.
CUT THE COST OF YOUR WIRELESS BILL
AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon dominate the market, but smaller outfits offer similar network coverage at lower prices.
MAKING HOME ENERGY MORE AFFORDABLE
Households in need can get energy-efficiency upgrades, help with utility bills and more from this nonprofit.
A HEAD START FOR SAVERS
The Saver's Credit is designed to help low- and middleincome taxpayers contribute to a retirement account.
Say I Love You With a Money Date
To nurture a lasting bond with your partner, meet regularly to talk about money.
Plan for Your Own Elder Care
AFTER I wrote a series of columns in 2022 about elder care planning for family members, I received a number of responses like this one: “What about married couples who have no children or whose family members don’t live nearby?” wrote one reader. “Or a single individual with no close relatives? How should these people plan for their own elder care?”
OVERCOME RETIREMENT OBSTACLES
Most likely, you'll encounter setbacks on your journey. But with careful planning, you can surmount them.
Find the Right Budgeting App
Mint is closing up shop. Luckily, you have alternatives.
How to Use Leftover 529 Funds
OR families who want to save for their children’s future higher-education expenses, a 529 collegesavings plan offers alluring tax-advantaged benefits. You can withdraw funds tax-free for qualified educational expenses, such as tuition, room and board, books, and computers.
Smart Borrowing in an Era of Higher Interest Rates
There are strategies you can use to lower the cost of new and outstanding debts.