America's Best Affordable Places to Retire

Reader Comments
Back to article

Seriously... I don't think you want to spend your "retired" years inside from the freezing cold and grey summers that some of these places you listed have to offer.

Jamie Sanderson of AZ 12:48PM October 08, 2012

I was very excited to see these articles, until I noticed that they were written in 2009!!! I can't believe you would put this on Facebook! Aren't there editors or someone who would notice this? I am very disappointed....and I am very disappointed in U.S. News.

Sharyn Jaycoxe of FL 11:00AM October 08, 2012

Yes, looking good

Robert Williams of NY 7:00PM October 07, 2012

I moved to Asheville 5 years ago and have to say it is Not cheap. Housing including rent is very high and if you live in the city limits be prepared for your utilities to me high.
Pros- beautiful scenery, short winters, outdoor fun, art (if your into that), Very Very Liberal (if your into that) Dog Haven, Beer
Cons- High cost of housing, Street full of homeless and on the increase, Very transit, Not military friendly, Full of hippies(not bad if that's your thing) NO jobs,
Many many Lazy people.
If your into the Art scene and many Trust Fund babies this is your place. Get outside Asheville and it becomes a different world. Check out Brevard and Hendersonville for smaller more friendly towns.

Danny of NC 12:22PM October 06, 2012

Too many university students in Ann Arbor... not a senior friendly town.. very expensive... I've been a Michigander my whole life... Ypsi which is next to Ann Arbor, is full of crime and gangs

Ann of MI 3:12PM July 08, 2012

BAYONET POINT FL IS CHEAPEST , NO CRIME,1100TAX YR.,,,,WARM AND CHEAP .LOL.............

JO of FL 2:08PM March 21, 2012

Thought you would be interested in this

kathleen Smith of NJ 2:41PM February 12, 2012

The Carolinas are wonderful with the beach and mountains only hours away.
I would recommend Aiken, Asheville (if you don't mind snow), Camden, Summerville, Bluffton, outside Raleigh in one of the smaller towns. Kinston and Little Washington are both beautiful and have water. Costs of housing is fairly reasonable in the South compared to many larger cities, but don't expect it to be THAT much cheaper. Your heat will be less but AC will make up the difference. The people are friendly as long as YOU adapt and don't expect THEM to care about where you came from. Become one of them. We don't like Yankee ways and don't like being told how much better it was where you came from. Groceries and services are a little cheaper but wages are a lot less too.

Gayle P of SC 6:40PM July 27, 2011

I am facing early retirement and have 2 years & 10 months before my full retirement kicks in. I am looking for a city where I can live inexpensively until that time. Any ideas , I am wanting more information in terms of Jacksonville,Asheville, Sarasota,Fort Meyers or South Carolina.
Some place to live comfortably, inexpensive and interactive in terms of things to do museums,theater, universities etc

Patrick of TX 3:00PM February 15, 2011

The art, music, festivals, theater are all wonderful...though some are free or low cost...most are not for the budget minded!!! Utilities & auto gas are the only big bargins in town. I am comparing with So. California, so people from less costly areas may find everything here even higher then I do. Eating out with the exception of a few cheap coffee shops is about the same as CA, monthly food costs the same, wine and liquor are higher, you do save a whole $2.00 to $3.00 on a movie for two!! What was most amazing to me is that to get a manicure & pedicure here costs $11.00 more than Orangte County Ca.!!! I am not talking about an upscale spa or the Biltmore Hotel.....I even checked good ole Walmart!!! I swear it is more at Walmart and all the small strip malls I checked as well...ditto for your hair care, cuts, color, highlights etc.. Visit to the dentist same, massage same!! I have been trying for the last four months to figure how the devil all the cost of living sites on the inter-net give Asheville some thirty % lower then So. Ca.. Even the big deal called housing, is so close it hardly matters...true the place we rent here would be $1,600. close to the beach, 15 minutes inland $1,300. 30 minutes inland ??? We pay $1,000. here. If you talk about buying Asheville is very high...in fact with the foreclosures still piling up in Ca. it may be a better buyers market in the near future. Nice here..yes!! Worth the cost??? Time will tell !!!

Diana of CA 3:33AM September 04, 2010