Yahoo Finance 9 Places To Retire That Are Just Like Colorado But Way Cheaper
Plenty of people are drawn to places like Florida for their retirement, looking for warmer weather and a more laid-back lifestyle. For those who lean more towards an outdoorsy life — and that don’t mind a cold winter — Colorado has become a top choice.
Full of natural beauty, outdoor adventures and a vibrant culture, Colorado is a wonderful place to live — unfortunately, that desirability comes with a sometimes hefty price tag. Cities like Boulder and Denver are becoming difficult to afford, especially for retirees with a fixed income. There are other options out there that are more affordable and offer many of the same things that make Colorado appealing. GoBankingRates spoke to experts about their top choices.
Jenoa Matthes is a travel expert and founder of The Travel Folk, a site that provides curated itineraries and expert advice on trip planning. She offered two great alternative destinations.
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Flagstaff, Arizona
“Sitting at a high elevation in the mountains, Flagstaff has a climate remarkably similar to parts of Colorado with its cool summers and mild winters where you can actually get snow. But the housing prices are far more manageable. And like Colorado, there is a big focus outdoors with hiking, mountain biking and even skiing available. Of course, you also get those beautiful sunsets overlooking the surrounding peaks. The historic downtown has a fun small town vibe and the community really embraces the arts,” Matthes said.
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Asheville, North Carolina
“Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville enjoys four distinct seasons just like Colorado but in a more affordable package. The summer heat is tempered by the elevation and you have gorgeous foliage in fall. Outdoor pursuits abound from hiking and biking to kayaking and the locals have really embraced their mountain town roots. I personally loved strolling through the artistic alleys of the downtown filled with live music, craft beers and more. Of course, it also has a bit of Southern hospitality thrown in,” Matthes said.
Wayne Kask, travel writer and the CEO of Discover West Central Florida, said there are plenty of retirement options across the U.S. that offer a similar lifestyle at a much lower cost. He shared his top five picks.
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Mesquite, Nevada
“Located near the Arizona border, this desert oasis combines warm weather, gorgeous scenery and Southwest living. Between the red rock vistas and dozens of golf courses, it’s like a cheaper version of Colorado. Housing is a steal too, with an average home value around $300,000 — much less than you’ll pay in Denver or Boulder,” Kask said.
Springfield, Missouri
“It’s not mountainous, but Springfield still provides plenty of lakes, trails and parks for staying active outdoors. The Ozarks are great for fishing and boating. Cost of living is low, culture is plentiful with live music and museums and homes are very affordable at around $150,000. Can’t beat Midwest living on a retirement budget,” Kask said.
Austin, Texas
“Sure, it’s grown quite a bit, but it still has that laidback, outdoorsy vibe reminiscent of Colorado. There are hiking trails galore, great food and music scenes, and no shortage of activities. Housing sits around $450,000 on average — not exactly cheap, but more reasonable than many parts of Colorado nowadays,” Kask said.
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St. George, Utah
“St. George, Utah, is an excellent option for an affordable retirement. This is a great place for people who love nature because it’s ideal for hiking and cycling since it’s located right near Snow Canyon. It takes less than an hour to go to Zion National Park. The alternative is less expensive and benefits from Colorado’s natural resources; typical property values are about $355,000,” Kask said.
Port Angeles, Washington
“Port Angeles, Washington, is nestled in the beautiful natural scenery of the Olympic Peninsula — it’s surrounded by mountains, lakes, rainforest and even has a rugged coastline. For nature lovers, it’s [a] paradise with a quaint small-town feel. Housing averages $400,000, which is very reasonable compared to the amenities and beauty,” Kask said.
Andy Medearis is a travel expert, bargain hunter and founder of Deals Points, a website about travel, points, loyalty programs and credit cards. He shared two of his top picks.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
“Hot Springs has an amazing mix of scenic forest landscapes from the Ouachita Mountains as well as the unique feature of their dozens of natural hot springs pools dotted throughout the town. Being able to easily soak your aching muscles in the thermal waters after a day of hiking or fishing in the mountains is such a bonus. Plus, the costs of living are around 16.5% lower on average than the rest of the nation. Housing prices are also 32% below average, which can go a long way in retirement,” Medearis said.
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Lamar, Colorado
This one might be cheating since it’s actually in Colorado, but Lamar offers most of the amenities of much more expensive cities like Boulder and Denver.
“Lamar manages to offer many of the same perks you get from living in more expensive parts of Colorado, like easy access to glorious Rocky Mountain views and activities such as camping, fishing, hunting, etcetera — but gets you those benefits at an almost unbelievable nearly 30% reduced cost of living compared to the rest of the country on average. That’s huge for stretching your nest egg as far as possible. And believe it or not, home prices there are still a whopping 57% below the national average!” Medearis said.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 9 Places To Retire That Are Just Like Colorado But Way Cheaper
