10 Bargain Retirement Spots

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It took me 60 years to get out of Oregon, the last 40 in a Portland suburb. Yes, it is green and clean compared to brown and trashy on Oahu, but the weather cannot be compared. We were back there last week and froze our fannies. Hawaii is EXPENSIVE, but Portland is not cheap! Wahiawa's average price of 300 some thousand does not buy you much of a house, in fact a pretty run down house in a run down neighborhood. That money will get you a nice solid house in a good neighborhood in Oregon. I know, we just sold 2048 sq ft in excellent condition in Tualatin for $265k. We bought 1550 sq ft in Makakilo City for $542k and it is a piece of crap in a so-so neighborhood. Okay, I am done venting.

Kaitini of HI 10:32PM July 05, 2012

Ya, of course housing prices are declining by 92 percent in Portland, OR. People are finally figuring out that it rains all the time. When it's not raining, it either has just rained or is about to rain. It's a beautiful city with beautiful countryside and a lot to do (altho' it has some of the worst drivers in the U.S.!) I lived there nearly 30 yrs. and suffered depression from lack of sunshine for most of them. I still have wonderful friends I made there, and many of them are on medication for depression. Hint: don't sell your present home until you'v e spent a yr. in OR.

Annie Underwood of HI 9:09PM May 12, 2012

It may be more expensive to retire in new york city or nearby, however there is a hell of lot more to do than stroll around. Actually, it is an endless amount of things to do in the big apple

Vivian of NY 3:21PM February 28, 2012

why do you focus on home prices?! heat/air conditioning/utilities/food/medical - these are important costs! public transport, housing includes apartments - rentals - medical and dental facilities, etc. Please gear info to the "99%"!!!

d fish of NJ 9:15AM February 03, 2012

Why don't I see Melbourne ,Florida in this list. I have New Maintenance Free Town Homes with pool and garage only 114,990 and New Homes from only 126,990. We are walking distance to the Inter-Coastal River and just minutes to the Ocean. I am a USCG licensed Captain and retired Deputy Sheriff and love it here. Mybrevardhome

Bob Ballinger of FL 7:41AM January 20, 2012

The home price declines in Florida were the steepest, but now are recovering the quickest. There still are plenty of nice homes for far less than any other state but the 50% off sale is coming to an end. S & SW FL recovering the quickest. No need for heat or a/c 3-4 months a year and buying the right home will mean reasonable insurance. Homestead real estate tax reduction for all residents on principle home.

FLAmoveGuide of FL 10:03AM January 12, 2012

If you want to live in Florida check the cost of property taxes, hurricane insurance and utilities to run the AC 7 months a year.
The house might only cost $220k but all these expenses could addup to over $700 a month. As the economy keeps getting worse you probally will have to work till you drop.

Bill Richards of CA 10:27PM December 11, 2011

why would you want to live your retirement years in a high crime area

cg of IL 8:05AM December 02, 2011

US News should have someone who knows just a bit of math proofread these articles before releasing them. A negative appreciation is the same as a decline in price. The percentage decline figures given here would mean that 2009 average sale prices were over $1.8Mil in Wahiawa, over $3.1Mil in Portland, over $2.5Mil in Tallahassee, etc. - I don't think so. Maybe Emily meant that prices in those locales were down 18% in Wahiawa, 8.5% in Portland, 8.5% in Tallahassee, etc. - big drops, certainly, but not as drastic as those stated.

Larry Wenberg of HI 10:33PM November 23, 2011

Almost all of Florida is a bargain right now, but the bottom has been hit in many places. Inventory has declined and prices have started to go up (slowly) in the cheapest, safest most desirable towns. Now is the time to be in the right place at the right time for a change. According to the "Florida Move Guide" many who move to Florida move back home. I think Punta Gorda, Venice, Gainesville and the St Augustine areas offer some great living at bargain prices if you get in before a recovery happens.

RJS of FL 8:29PM November 18, 2011