How Many Best Places To Retire Are "Charming Towns?"
Money magazine is one of several publications that put together annual rankings of the best places to retire. Lists usually consider such factors as the cost of living, property taxes, a community's amenities, weather and housing stock. But how many of these communities, in addition to the things you can measure, possess that beautiful spirit, an undeniable je ne sais quoi? The answer is several.
For 2006, Money bestowed top honors on all of these towns or small cities with populations of less than 100,000: Walla Walla, Washington; St. Simons Island, Georgia; Prescott, Arizona; Holland, Michigan; Williamsburg, Virginia; Sugar Land, Texas; Fairfield, Connecticut; and Eden Prairie, Minnesota. All have something to offer if you are looking for a special place to relax in leisure in your golden years.
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Walla Walla (Pop. 30,000), located in southeastern Washington state, is a favorite for retirees with broad educational and cultural interests, including access to college courses and a little good vino. Main street features historic Italianate-style buidings have been renovated to create a vibrant commercial zone
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Median price of 3-bedroom house: $275,000 |
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Moss-draped St. Simons Island (Pop. 13,400) on Georgia's Atlantic coast enjoys a reputation as a warm-weather retirement destination. Concerts on the Lighthouse Lawn and beautiful open spaces provide residents with a perfect venue to enjoy during retirement.
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| Median price of 3-bedroom house: $360,000 Approx. property tax: $3,500 Maximum income tax: 6% on income over $10,000 Sales tax: 6% Closest Big City: Jacksonville, FL (61 Miles) |
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If the beaches of St. Simons Island are not for you, then perhaps the arid beauty of dessert community Prescott, Arizona (Pop. 40,400) is more appealing. Prescott offers an abundance of golf courses and numerous outdoor recreations, including the ponderosa pine-lined trails of Prescott National Forest. Prescott is also home to historic Whiskey Row, the perfect place to stop for a great meal or shopping experience.
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| Median price of 3-bedroom house: $380,000 Approx. property tax: $3,700 Maximum income tax: 5% on income over $150,000 Sales tax: 8.3% Closest Big City: Phoenix (76 Miles) |
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Like St. Simons, Holland, Michigan (Pop. 34,600) offers a waterfront experience along the shores of the Black River and is a short distance from Great Lake Michigan. As one of the top towns on the Money list, Holland also offers some of the most reasonable home prices, with the average three-bedroom residence coming in at a reasonable $160,000. Eighth Street (heated to melt winter snows like other area streets and sidewalks) offers an abundance of locally-owned shops and restaurants.
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| Median price of 3-bedroom house: $160,000 Approx. property tax: $2,700 Maximum income tax: 3.9% (flat) Sales tax: 6% Closest Big City: Grand Rapids (29 Miles) |
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If you love history, then perhaps Williamsburg, Virginia (Pop. 11,800), built around a functional 18th century town, is the place for you. But don't be fooled, this town has many 21st century conveniences like extensive outlet shopping and a host (15!) of first-rate golf courses. Property taxes are also some of the lowest on the "best of the best" list.
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| Median price of 3-bedroom house: $305,100 Approx. property tax: $1,600 Maximum income tax: 5.75% on income over $17,000 Sales tax: 5% Closest Big City: Norfolk (41 Miles) |
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While moving to a town for its name is a silly notion, the charmingly monikered Sugar Land, Texas (Pop. 75,800) also offers great diversity and reasonable housing stock. Texas' fasted growing community, with a rate of 156% in the last decade, is located in the Gulf Coast region. Fun fact: Sugar Land is named for its beginnings as a sugar plantation and the home of Imperial Sugar, whose logo is featured in the city seal.
Median price of 3-bedroom house: $170,000
Approx. property tax: $4,500
Closest Big City: Houston (20 Miles)
If a quaint town center, access to beaches and the "Big City" (you know the one -- NY NY) are must-haves for your retirement, Fairfield, Connecticut (Pop. 57,800) may fit the bill. Although the average price of a house is steeper than in other houses on the list, property taxes are relatively reasonable and schools are great.
Median price of 3-bedroom house: $545,000
Approx. property tax: $5,300
Closest Big City: New York (54 Miles)
And last but not least, the town of Eden Prairie, Minnesota (Pop. 60,600) has long been home to sports pros and executives from the growing local tech industry. As with all Midwest destinations, the winters can be long if you don't have an affection for snowy conditions.
Median price of 3-bedroom house: $300,000
Approx. property tax: $3,500
Closest Big City: Minneapolis (20 Miles)
BRCTip: What is your best suggestion for America's best retirement town? What do you like about this location? What makes it special?
