Kris Kelley - 35 Affordable Waterfront Retirement Towns

35 Affordable Waterfront Retirement Towns

( Plus 7 Bonus Towns)

Best U.S. Towns for an Affordable Retirement Along a Lake, River or Seacoast

Written and Edited by Kris Kelley

Copyright 2015-2021 by Webwerxx, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc.

Notes

Great effort has been put into verifying the accuracy of the information in this book, but some information may have changed since publication. This especially applies to the median home price and cost of living number in small towns as these are particularly sensitive to market changes. As a result, Webwerxx, Inc. cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content contained within this publication.

Cost of living numbers are primarily determined by housing prices but also include medical, transportation, food, utilities and taxes. For simplicitys sake, population numbers and home prices have been rounded off.

Cover Image: leonello calvetti/123RF.COM

Introduction

L iving near the water is a lifelong dream for many people, so when retirement time arrives, moving to a lakeside, riverfront or seaside town is a natural inclination. The trick is to find such a town with reasonable prices.

Here we have 35 towns (plus seven bonus towns) that sit next to a lake, have a lake within their boundaries or are along a river or a seacoast. They have a cost of living that meets the national average or is below the national average.

Costs are determined primarily by housing prices, which have increased greatly during the last year or two.

We also look at population, climate, home prices, percentage of residents age 45 or better, medical facilities, public transportation, political leanings and more. No place is perfect, however, so we point out each towns potential drawbacks.

And when it comes to political leanings, it is worth noting that many of the towns in this book are in Southern sections of the country where lakes and rivers are plentiful. Southern towns also tend to be conservative.

Alabama

Gulf Shores, Alabama

P eople come to Gulf Shores, tucked along Alabama's coast, for its relaxing atmosphere, beautiful beaches, nine outstanding golf courses and deep-sea fishing. In fact, tourists outnumber residents during the summer, and "snowbirds" come in droves during the winter.

The city surrounds a 10-mile-long long lagoon called Little Lagoon. The half mile wide stretch of sugar-white beach south of the lagoon that fronts the Gulf is known as West Beach and has beach houses, tall condominiums, free public parking and a long pier. North of the lagoon, part of Gulf Shores sits along Bon Secour Bay and part of it is completely inland.

The city has a lot of vacation condos, hotels and motels in all shapes and sizes, and private dwellings run from inexpensive apartment-style condos to elegant single-family homes in communities such as Martinique on the Gulf. A canal lined by homes on stilts runs through the center of Gulf Shores.

Downtown is a mix of government buildings, retailers and restaurants. Pelican Place is a mall with more than two dozen big and small retailers.

The National Shrimp Festival, the G-rated Mardi Gras Parade and the Hang Out Music Festival attract thousands and thousands of visitors each year.

The city has several beach access points. Gulf Shores Public Beach is full of activity, while Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Beach, 20 miles to the west, is a quiet spot for contemplation.

Population: 13,000 (city proper)

Percentage of Population Age 45 or Better: 53%

Cost of Living: 7% below the national average

Median Home Price: $345,000

Climate: This area has a humid subtropical climate. Summers and early fall are hot and humid while late fall and winter are less humid and cooler. On average, the area receives 60 inches of rain per year.

At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? No, but South Baldwin Regional Medical Center 10 miles away in Foley accepts Medicare patients.

At Least One Accredited by Joint Commission? No, but South Baldwin Regional Medical Center 10 miles away in Foley is accredited.

Public Transit: No

Crime Rate: Meets the national average

Public Library: Yes

Political Leanings: Conservative

Is Alabama Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Yes

Drawbacks: Gulf Shores was mostly destroyed by Hurricane Frederick in 1979, damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and struck by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Another storm might come along in the future.

Notes: The city has grown by more than 25% in the last decade, and much of this growth has come from retirees.

Pell City, Alabama

O n the shores of 17 ,000-acre Logan Martin Lake in northeastern Alabama, easygoing Pell City is St. Clair County's largest and fastest growing community. It is just half an hour to the east of Birmingham, the state's largest city.

The lake is the main draw here, and Lakeside Park has walking fishing piers, a swim area and direct access to the water. Logan Martin has eight marinas and 275 miles of shoreline. The annual boat show and Lakefest are popular events. Fishing tournaments happen year-round.

The downtown is dotted with specialty shops and loft apartments, and the Artscape Gallery and Council for the Arts hold an annual art festival.

The Pell City Center houses a community theater and a sports arena. The Hometown Block Party, featuring music and home-style food, draws large crowds.

The Toughman Alabama Triathlon brings out local athletes, and two golf courses attract players of all ages. Other recreation facilities include an outdoor sports complex and an indoor cardio center.

Strip malls along U.S. 231 have banks, fast food places, discount stores and the like.

Neighborhoods are well kept, and many homes are on large lots. Architectural styles include brick Colonial, ranch rambler, plantation and others.