9 Best Places to Retire on the East Coast

Port St. Lucie, Florida

“Port St. Lucie is proud to be the sixth-largest metropolis in Florida, with practically 250,000 residents calling our vibrant neighborhood house,” Port St. Lucie’s mayor, Shannon Martin, tells Journey + Leisure. “Nestled on the gorgeous Treasure Coast, our metropolis serves because the financial heartbeat of the area … We’re persistently ranked among the many finest locations to dwell within the nation, celebrated for our ethnic variety, excessive homeownership charges, and as a prime retirement vacation spot,” she provides, additionally touting town’s low crime charge. “For greater than a decade, we’ve ranked because the most secure massive metropolis in Florida and one of many most secure within the nation.”

Positioned on Florida’s Atlantic coast, about 110 miles north of Miami, Port St. Lucie is house to greater than 20 miles of pristine beaches, most with free admission and parking plus handy facilities. With a free nature and wildlife digital move, wildlife recognizing, mountain climbing trails, and botanical gardens are accessible. Museums, artwork galleries, workshops, and performances are among the many cultural alternatives within the space. Various senior living developments can be found, too, and the typical house worth, according to Zillow, is $401,544.

Florida has no state income tax, so pensions, IRA and 401(okay) earnings, and Social Safety are usually not taxed, a bonus over most different states. There’s no inheritance or property tax, and each property and gross sales taxes are corresponding to the nationwide common.

St. Simons, Georgia

The biggest barrier island in Georgia’s Golden Isles, St. Simons is positioned on the coast, about 85 miles south of Savannah. “St. Simons Island is a superb place to lift a household and retire. We depend ourselves blessed to dwell right here,” says Jennifer Klonoski, neighborhood relations director at Magnolia Manor, a retirement neighborhood.

For Frances Woods, a retiree and Magnolia Manor resident, it is the “lovely seashores, outlets, actions, golf programs, fantastic eating places, bike trails, nice leisure, and pleasant folks” that drew her to St. Simons Island. And in response to Emilyn Clark, a seven-year Magnolia Manor resident, “Retirement on St. Simons Island is like residing in a small neighborhood. All of the residents are very pleasant.”

Niche ranks St. Simons because the second-best place to retire in Georgia. The retiree-friendly state doesn’t tax Social Safety. Different kinds of retirement earnings (curiosity, dividends, capital good points, royalties, pensions, and annuities) are taxable, however there’s a deduction of $65,000 per particular person for residents 65 and older (and a $35,000 per particular person deduction for many who are 62 to 64).

Georgia has no property or inheritance taxes, and householders ages 62 and older might qualify for homestead exemptions on property taxes for his or her main residence. Gross sales and property tax charges are thought-about reasonable.

Myrtle Seaside, South Carolina

“Myrtle Beach is greater than only a trip vacation spot; it’s a vibrant place to dwell with 14 distinctive communities providing a high quality of life that’s exhausting to beat. With 60 miles of gorgeous shoreline, a gentle local weather year-round, and a thriving native financial system, it’s no surprise households select to name Myrtle Seaside house,” says Karen Riordan, Go to Myrtle Seaside president and CEO.

Right here, guests and locals are handled to world-class golf, loads of eating and leisure choices, and welcoming Southern hospitality. “Guests are sometimes so enchanted by Myrtle Seaside’s attraction that they resolve to make this lovely place their everlasting residence,” Riordan provides.

Thought-about a retirement-friendly state, South Carolina does not tax Social Security. Different kinds of retirement earnings are taxable, with a $10,000 deduction, at a marginal state charge of three p.c. Property taxes are among the lowest within the nation. South Carolina doesn’t levy property or inheritance taxes.

Niche notes a median house worth of $287,900 in Myrtle Seaside. From personal properties to high-rise condos, town presents a variety of locations to dwell at a wide range of worth factors.

Carolina Seaside, North Carolina

“The attraction of this coastal neighborhood is among the many many causes retirees select to relocate to Carolina Seaside,” says Carolyn Glaser of Intracoastal Realty, who additionally calls out the vacation spot’s near-perfect climate, lovely seashores, quaint marinas, oceanfront seafood eating places, and 11-acre freshwater Carolina Seaside Lake, which is right for fishing. “A nature lover’s paradise, Carolina Beach State Park hosts the county’s highest elevation mountain climbing path, in addition to a marina and campsites.  A whole bunch of resident and migrating chicken species make Carolina Seaside’s Fort Fisher State Recreation Area their house, as do loggerhead turtles that nest on the island yearly.”

In different phrases, you will not have to depart the island to seek out actions that cater to all pursuits. Guests, particularly the grandchildren, will discover a lot to do, from the Carolina Seaside Pier to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher to the world-famous Britt’s Donuts Store.

“Low property and gross sales taxes, in addition to a rising however reasonably priced housing market, make Carolina Seaside a fascinating and prudent vacation spot for retirees,” Glaser says. A comparatively tax-friendly state for retirees, North Carolina exempts Social Safety retirement advantages from earnings taxes. Different types of retirement earnings are taxed on the North Carolina flat charge of 4.75 p.c, and the state’s property and gross sales taxes are each reasonable.

Virginia Seaside, Virginia

“Virginia Seaside presents retirees coastal tranquility and countless leisure choices,” says Nancy Helman, director of Virginia Seaside Conference and Guests Bureau. “The vacation spot’s lovely seashores, state parks, and biking trails, coupled with its inclusive neighborhoods and thriving arts and culinary scene, set the stage for retirees to take pleasure in a very fulfilling and enriching way of life.”

Virginia Seaside’s three-mile boardwalk encompasses a separate bike path, eating places, outlets, and leisure. There’s additionally the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, a neighborhood theater, and artwork galleries.

Whereas Social Security income is not taxed in Virginia, different kinds of retirement earnings, like pensions and IRA and 40l(okay) withdrawals, are taxable with a deduction of $12,000 for seniors. Property and gross sales tax charges in Virginia are low, and most cities and cities supply property tax reduction for retirees over the age of 65, with the quantity based mostly on earnings and property worth.

In line with BestPlaces, the price of residing in Virginia Seaside is about 5 p.c increased than the nationwide common. As the location reads, “Householders can discover numerous housing choices, starting from single-family properties to luxurious condominiums — whereas renters even have entry to extra engaging offers these days.”

Surf Metropolis, New Jersey

Positioned on Lengthy Seaside Island, Surf Metropolis is a city with year-round and summer-only residents. Marcus Pinto, a full-time resident, realtor, and principal with Compass, commented on the realm’s sense of neighborhood and thriving artwork, tradition, and restaurant scenes: “Surf Metropolis is a super-walkable city. You’re one block from the seaside and one block from the bay. With residents residing right here year-round, there are extra locations to dine, store, and issues to do.”

Pinto predicts Lengthy Seaside Island might be the following Blue Zone. “I play pickleball with residents properly into their 80s — they’re wholesome, energetic, and maintaining with a lot youthful gamers.” Pinto additionally factors out the island is accessible, only one mile from the New Jersey mainland.

In line with Niche, the median house worth in Surf Metropolis is $884,000. Social Security in New Jersey shouldn’t be taxed, and state earnings taxes are low for any retirees with earnings from retirement accounts and pensions beneath $75,000 for single filers or $100,000 for joint filers. Nonetheless, property taxes in New Jersey are among the highest within the nation.

Lewes, Delaware

Positioned the place the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean meet, Lewes is a scenic ferry journey from Cape May, the southernmost level of New Jersey. With a walkable downtown, a summer season farmers market, eating places, boutiques, and vintage outlets, Lewes is a welcoming neighborhood with a inhabitants simply over 3,000 and a median house worth of $676,000 in response to HomeSnacks.

T+L spoke to Grace Hoinowski of house constructing firm Schell Brothers, who talked about Delaware’s tax benefits and general low value of residing have been attracting new residents, together with distant employees and retirees. “The world was as soon as seasonal, however over the previous 10 years, extra guests have develop into full-time residents. The rising neighborhoods imply extra providers, facilities, eating places, medical specialists, and improved infrastructure,” Hoinowski notes. She additionally factors out the realm’s Native American historical past, walkable downtown, proximity to the seaside, and classic Victorian properties.

Delaware is a tax-friendly state for retirees. It is one among simply 4 with no state or native gross sales tax, and it has among the nation’s lowest property tax charges. As well as, seniors over the age of 65 might qualify for some property tax reduction, relying on their earnings and the worth of their property. There’s no property or inheritance tax, and Delaware doesn’t tax Social Safety advantages. Earnings from pensions, IRAs, and 401(okay)s is partially taxed.

Stony Brook, New York

Positioned on the north shore of Lengthy Island, alongside the Lengthy Island Sound, Stony Brook is an interesting city for retirees. In Stony E book’s Village Middle, the Lengthy Island Music and Leisure Corridor of Fame celebrates Lengthy Island’s music heritage, and the Stony Brook Grist Mill, courting to the 18th century, acknowledges the realm’s historical past. The Long Island Museum options artwork, historical past, and shows of early carriage transportation. Stony Brook College is a part of the neighborhood, a profit for retirees for well being care and cultural alternatives.

Niche states the median house worth in Stony Brook as $576,800. The Lengthy Island Sound seashores are lovely — and sure, stony relatively than sandy. A two-hour journey on the Lengthy Island Rail Highway takes residents to Penn Station in Manhattan for the theater, eating places, museums, and different leisure. An hour’s drive east, the wineries of the North Fork welcome guests for tastings, and farms present contemporary seasonal produce.

New York does not tax Social Security income, a plus for retirees within the in any other case excessive tax state. As well as, earnings from pensions and retirement, whereas taxable, is exempt for as much as $20,000 a yr. Property and gross sales taxes are excessive in New York, and the state levies a tax on estates.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Positioned on New Hampshire’s coast, Portsmouth presents a historic downtown, seashores, parks, museums, nightlife, and a scenic waterfront. Town, settled within the early 1600s, is listed as a “Distinctive Vacation spot” by the Nationwide Belief for Historic Preservation, notable for its “stimulating mixture of historic buildings, sidewalk cafes, nice eating places, artwork galleries, jazz golf equipment, and distinctive artisans’ boutiques.”

Niche calls town among the finest locations to dwell in New Hampshire, with a median house worth of $594,000.

Native realtor Barbara Dunnington tells T+L that Portsmouth is a beautiful metropolis, well-liked with retirees who take pleasure in summer season concert events, the theater, eating places, and exploring the realm’s historical past at Strawbery Banke Museum, with guided excursions of historic properties.

In line with Dunnington, “Portsmouth is a good place to dwell, however property within the space is dear, and rents are excessive.” For retirees who discover Portsmouth reasonably priced, town presents a vibrant, walkable downtown, a full of life waterfront, and a wide range of cultural alternatives.

Whereas there isn’t any state tax on private earnings from salaries, Social Safety, pensions, or retirement accounts, New Hampshire does have among the highest property taxes within the U.S., in response to SmartAsset. There is a 5 p.c tax on curiosity and dividends larger than $2,400 ($4,800 for joint filers), however that is being phased out by January 2027, with declining charges till then. New Hampshire additionally has no gross sales, property, or inheritance taxes.