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Think you want to move. You do. Everyone else does. A chunk of buyers over 55 are selling their current life to chase the golden years somewhere else. But nobody puts their nest egg in a single basket. Yawar Charlie. He runs the estates division at the Aaron Kirman Group and tells us people want three things. Affordability. Quality of life. Tax perks.
Charlie’s a Realtor. He’s helped clients find homes forever. For him retirement is where location actually hits the mark. It’s a change of scenery mostly. He says so. Here are five spots where his clients are ending up. And why they stay.
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania sticks to its roots. Rocky. Sports. Cheesesteaks. Allentown? Nobody expected it to be cool for retirement. Now it is. Charlie says it’s turning heads.
Why? No tax on retirement income. A downtown area that fixed itself up.
It feels big. It costs like it’s small.
“Retire here, and you’ll have money for Eagles tickets. Or just the Poconos on a weekend.”
You keep the cash. You enjoy the perks. Hard to beat.
Charleston, WV
The Kanawha River runs through it. Charleston has music. Art galleries. Breweries that actually serve good beer. The downtown feels new but the vibe remains small.
Charlie loves it because you don’t burn a hole in your budget.
Housing sits around $184k. Zillow says so. West Virginia is killing the taxes on Social Security too.
Your dollar stretches. Maybe you buy that fishing rod. Or the RV. Or just peace of mind.
“Keep your budget intact. Get the small-town vibe.”
Fredericksburg, TX
Population? Twelve thousand. That’s it.
But Fredericksburg packs punch. Wine. Culture. Texas means zero state income tax. The median cost to house yourself? About $1,254 a month. Cheap for this level of fancy.
The Hill Country is the new hot spot. Fredericksburg sits at the top.
Can you tour a vineyard and buy boots in the same afternoon?
Yes. You can.
“Where retirement dreams get a little fancy.”
Maryville, TN
Situated right between Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains. Maryville offers Southern charm mixed with math that works out.
No state income tax. Property tax is tiny. Just 0.62%.
Charlie calls it a no-brainer. And it’s cheap. The median home price sits at $374k. Below the national average by a good mile.
Want quiet? A backyard that looks like a postcard? You find it here.
Scottsdale, AZ
Niche called it the best retirement spot in 2024. Should you be surprised? Not really.
The sun shines over 300 days. The desert looks expensive. Living here matches the view.
Homes average $833k. Ouch. But Arizona’s taxes are low enough to soften the blow.
People with money go here for golf. Resorts. The outdoors. They spend it.
“With [over] 300 of sunshine, you forget the cost.”
For those with means.
The Take
You can move. You can stretch your money. You don’t have to compromise. Charlie thinks retirement is about leveling up. Not just settling down.
Low taxes. Cheaper living. Better hobbies.
It’s all out there. Just pick a map.
