With the lowered income that retirement brings, as well as the economy faltering and barely making any means of recovery, finding places to retire that fit in today’s retirement budget are hard to find. Most retirees automatically think of warm weather, but here are some ideas that not only offer warm (and retirement spending friendly) retirement locations, but those not so well known but just as beautiful.

America’s most affordable places to retire stem from research on the cost of living, to cost of housing and senior transportation costs. When looking for a place to live in retirement, looking at retirement budget planning is extremely important. Your dream retirement spot may be a bit out of your price range, but other cheaper places might have all the amenities you are looking for! Planning a retirement budget takes a lot of time, practice, and research. Here are some cities to get your search underway. These are the most affordable American cities on a retirement budget:

1. Ann Arbor, Michigan

a. Traditionally a college town, this area has tons of free venues retirees will love: concerts, art fairs, lectures, sporting events, museums, etc. Seniors also get free bus service and discounted taxis!

2. Asheville, North Carolina

a. Being two hours away from a major city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this town allows retirement budgets to stretch to its fullest without allowing the retiree to lack entertainment. The local North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement is actively involved in this area.

3. Aurora, Colorado

a. There are seven golf courses, 10,000 acres of parks, trails and open spaces along with the median home price ranging in the high $130s. This is a steep decline from its next-door neighbor, Denver, which has a median home price of around $180,000.

4. Columbia, South Carolina

a. This city is one of the most beautiful and culture rich areas of South Carolina. Average property taxes come in at just over a grand and the housing options for retirees can range from old historic properties to the new riverside esplanade.

5. Columbus, Ohio

a. Columbus is one of the country’s most underrated retirement spots, and wonderful on a retirement budget.

6. Eugene, Oregon

a. Eugene is known for its wonderful Saturday markets that combine ridiculous cheap prices with wonderful food, clothes, music and a bohemian atmosphere. There is also hiking and other free outdoor activities around to make retirement fun.

7. Fort Worth, Texas

a. For a more laid back, southern town, Fort Worth is your retirement destination. It is known as a part rodeo, part Rothko, and has discounted prices for many retirees’ activities, such as museums, zoos and orchestra houses.

8. Jacksonville, Florida

a. Jacksonville is one of the cheapest cities in Florida, having a median home price $130 thousand less than its more expensive counterparts (like Miami and Fort Lauderdale).

9. Kansas City, Missouri

a. The cost of living is extremely reasonable on a retirement budget, with the median hour price only $118,000, which is about 20% below the national average. Retirees like this area because there is a big city feel with easy and affordable living.

10. Tucson, Arizona

a. Outdoor activities abound, as does the melting pot of American and Mexican cultures to form an atmosphere that makes it seem like you are on a constant southern vacation. The heat in the summer can get unbearable for some, but the free tourist attractions and richness of history in this area makes it worth it for most.

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