With retirement comes a sense of accomplishment and an opportunity to reflect on your career. You should be proud of the positions you held, the industry you served, and the differences you made as you transition out of the workforce and begin the next chapter of your life.
As cliché as that “next chapter” bit may sound, it’s true: retirement will change your daily routine, give you more freedom, and make it possible for you to pursue new goals and hobbies. Retirement nudges you in new and exciting directions, figuratively and literally! If you’re determined to retire to an area where retirees are known to thrive, we’re proud to share with you a list of the best places to retire in the US.
Our list prioritizes financially friendly places because we know that retirees feel inclined to maximize their retirement dollars so they can live comfortably. Whether you choose to live in a single-family home, in an apartment or condo, or in an inclusive retirement village, we hope this list helps you narrow down your choices if you’re planning to relocate.
Harrisburg—the capital of Pennsylvania—is widely regarded as one of the best places to retire in the US. Situated along the Susquehanna River, this scenic city is adored by retirees who aspire to connect with nature while remaining within close proximity to bustling downtown areas where they’ll find eclectic shops, top-notch restaurants, and live entertainment.
Nature lovers will appreciate all the trails they can access, whether they like to bike, run, or hike. The famous Appalachian Trail is nearby, and the city itself is surrounded by lovely state parks where retirees can fish, picnic, camp, and more. Harrisburg is also within driving distance of charming Amish country, historic Gettysburg National Military Park, and “The Chocolate Spa” at The Hotel Hershey. No matter your interests, you’ll find delightful ways to spend your days.
In addition to its rich culture and high-quality healthcare facilities, Harrisburg is financially friendly. Housing affordability—and a low cost of living—make Harrisburg an excellent choice for retirees interested in calling Pennsylvania home.
The population of Youngstown stretches just past 60,000. While it’s home to Youngstown State University and the city itself has the name “young” in it, don’t write it off as a college town—there’s just as much to do here for retirees as there is for college students! Music lovers find Youngstown especially appealing because the city has its own orchestra and opera company.
Situated between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Cleveland, Ohio, Youngstown offers an abundance of hiking and biking trails, watersports, and other recreational opportunities that will keep you fit and active throughout retirement.
We also want to mention that Youngstown’s restaurant scene is wonderfully diverse—you’ll find Middle Eastern, Italian, American, Japanese, Thai, and other restaurants that will cater to your cravings. There are also a handful of excellent wineries in the area if you picture yourself sipping and socializing often. (On that note, cheers to retirement!)
There’s a lot to love about Fort Wayne, Indiana: the low cost of living, the charming and quiet neighborhoods, the abundance of cultural festivals that take place throughout the year, and all the way locals strive to preserve traditions that speak to the region’s history.
Fort Wayne is full of natural and man-made attractions. If you’re interested in bird watching, you’ll be thrilled to be surrounded by parks, marshes, and nature preserves. Have you been wanting to research your family’s genealogy? Look no further than the Allen County Public Library’s Genealogy Center; it boasts the second-largest collection of genealogy records in the United States, right behind the Library of Congress in Washington, DC! Passionate about becoming a volunteer? Fort Wayne’s Volunteer Center connects locals to community organizations in need of assistance.
According to SeniorLiving.org, Fort Wayne is ranked the third happiest city in the nation. This is compelling because happiness should be a cornerstone of retirement.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, may be a small and quaint town, but it has quite the fair share of amenities that most retirees look for when they relocate: friendly people, low housing costs, and a vibrant downtown.
Lancaster is one of the best places to live in the US if you like the idea of residing in or near a peaceful countryside yet don’t want to travel too far to participate in activities that many retirees enjoy, whether that’s golfing, strolling through local farmer’s markets, browsing art galleries, and treating yourself to a memorable meal.
Since three Pennsylvania locations are counted among the best places to retire in the US, you might be wondering if there’s something special about Pennsylvania in terms of this state being financially friendly, and the answer is yes! Pennsylvania is a state that doesn’t tax your Social Security benefits, pension distributions, or retired military pay. For many retirees, moving to Pennsylvania is a strategic move that helps them make the most of decades of working and saving.
If Florida’s calling your name, know that Daytona Beach is one of the best places to retire in the US. Why? Because it appeals to retirees who want to golf, fish, or spend a relaxing day at the beach. It’s also a great place to live if you enjoy NASCAR because Daytona Beach is home to the Daytona International Speedway.
You’ll find museums, theatres, malls, antique markets and so much more in Daytona Beach’s metro area. Beach Street, for example, regularly hosts events for locals, which makes for relaxed evenings spent meeting new people, fostering new friendships, and discovering shops selling items such as books, cigars, jewelry, antiques and handmade chocolates, just to name a few.
Like all the other cities on our list, there’s always something to do at your leisure. In Daytona Beach, you can adopt a slow-paced lifestyle—beach one day, and perhaps the famous Daytona Flea and Farmer’s Market the next.
Retirees appreciate Daytona Beach for its low cost of living, as it remains below the national average. Plus, Florida is a state in which you do not have to pay a state income tax. This means that you can stretch your dollars even further.
Another one of the best places to retire in the US goes to another city in Pennsylvania: Reading (pronounced Redding). Reading is located about an hour’s drive (60 miles) from Harrisburg and about an hour and a half drive away from Philadelphia.
Retirees who settle in Reading do so because they find that this city caters to their desired quality of life. It’s financially friendly, of course, plus the crime rates are low and the arts scene is alive and well.
If you’re a fan of the Monopoly, we’d be remiss not to mention that this is where the Reading Railroad existed for nearly 150 years before it was memorialized as a stop on the iconic game board. Nowadays, Reading is home to Reading Railroad Heritage Museum as well as the city’s incredible seven-story pagoda that you’ll see upon entry. The pagoda, situated 620 feet above the city, overlooks the Reading Prong mountain formation.
Should family, friends, and former co-workers come visit you in Reading, we think they’ll be impressed with the views they’re afforded, whether they’re standing atop the pagoda, admiring an interactive art exhibit at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, or learning about the evolution of flight at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum.
You’re retired! Congratulations! Settle into retirement but refuse to settle when it comes to where you’ll live out these relaxing and fulfilling years ahead. You deserve to find a home in an area where you feel like you belong—a financially friendly city or town that meets your needs and aligns with your preferences.
Whether you end up in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Indiana, or another state, be sure to learn about the recreational/cultural activities, restaurants, healthcare facilities, green spaces, and other amenities available to you that will contribute to your overall quality of life in the years to come. We advise you to do your research so you can make well-informed, confident decisions.
Remember, you deserve to feel a sense of community and belonging wherever you go, and you should make yourself at home in a place that will empower you to make the most out of retirement. You’ve worked hard, and now’s the time to invest time and energy into cultivating your ideal lifestyle in a place where you feel happy and comfortable.
If you’re ready to book your next trip to scout potential retirement locations, GOV+ can help you save time at the airport with an online TSA PreCheck application today.
