9 Greatest Locations 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 stay 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 fee. “For greater than a decade, we’ve ranked because the most secure giant 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 seashores, most with free admission and parking plus handy facilities. With a free nature and wildlife digital go, 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. Numerous senior residing developments can be found, too, and the common house worth, in keeping with Zillow, is $401,544.

Florida has no state revenue tax, so pensions, IRA and 401(okay) revenue, and Social Safety aren’t taxed, a bonus over most different states. There’s no inheritance or property tax, and each property and gross sales taxes are akin 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 an excellent place to lift a household and retire. We rely ourselves blessed to stay 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 “stunning seashores, retailers, actions, golf programs, great eating places, bike trails, nice leisure, and pleasant folks” that drew her to St. Simons Island. And in keeping with 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.”

Area of interest ranks St. Simons because the second-best place to retire in Georgia. The retiree-friendly state doesn’t tax Social Safety. Different sorts of retirement revenue (curiosity, dividends, capital features, royalties, pensions, and annuities) are taxable, however there’s a deduction of $65,000 per individual for residents 65 and older (and a $35,000 per individual deduction for individuals who are 62 to 64).

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

Myrtle Seaside, South Carolina

“Myrtle Seaside is greater than only a trip vacation spot; it’s a vibrant place to stay with 14 distinctive communities providing a high quality of life that’s exhausting to beat. With 60 miles of gorgeous shoreline, a light local weather year-round, and a thriving native economic 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 appeal that they resolve to make this stunning place their everlasting residence,” Riordan provides.

Thought of a retirement-friendly state, South Carolina doesn’t tax Social Safety. Different sorts of retirement revenue are taxable, with a $10,000 deduction, at a marginal state fee of three %. Property taxes are among the lowest within the nation. South Carolina doesn’t levy property or inheritance taxes.

Area of interest notes a median house worth of $287,900 in Myrtle Seaside. From non-public properties to high-rise condos, town presents a variety of locations to stay at quite a lot of value factors.

Carolina Seaside, North Carolina

“The appeal 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, stunning 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 Seaside State Park hosts the county’s highest elevation mountain climbing path, in addition to a marina and campsites.  Tons of of resident and migrating fowl species make Carolina Seaside’s Fort Fisher State Recreation Space their house, as do loggerhead turtles that nest on the island yearly.”

In different phrases, you will not have to depart the island to search out actions that cater to all pursuits. Guests, particularly the grandchildren, will discover lots 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 revenue taxes. Different types of retirement revenue are taxed on the North Carolina flat fee of 4.75 %, and the state’s property and gross sales taxes are each reasonable.

Virginia Seaside, Virginia

“Virginia Seaside presents retirees coastal tranquility and infinite leisure choices,” says Nancy Helman, director of Virginia Seaside Conference and Guests Bureau. “The vacation spot’s stunning 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 life-style.”

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

Whereas Social Safety revenue shouldn’t be taxed in Virginia, different sorts of retirement revenue, 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 provide property tax aid for retirees over the age of 65, with the quantity primarily based on revenue and property worth.

In response to BestPlaces, the price of residing in Virginia Seaside is about 5 % larger than the nationwide common. As the location reads, “Owners can discover numerous housing choices, starting from single-family properties to luxurious condominiums — whereas renters even have entry to extra enticing 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 world’s sense of neighborhood and thriving artwork, tradition, and restaurant scenes: “Surf Metropolis is a super-walkable city. You’re one block from the seashore 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 effectively into their 80s — they’re wholesome, lively, and maintaining with a lot youthful gamers.” Pinto additionally factors out the island is accessible, only one mile from the New Jersey mainland.

In response to Area of interest, the median house worth in Surf Metropolis is $884,000. Social Safety in New Jersey shouldn’t be taxed, and state revenue taxes are low for any retirees with revenue from retirement accounts and pensions beneath $75,000 for single filers or $100,000 for joint filers. Nevertheless, 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 Might, the southernmost level of New Jersey. With a walkable downtown, a summer time farmers market, eating places, boutiques, and vintage retailers, Lewes is a welcoming neighborhood with a inhabitants simply over 3,000 and a median house worth of $676,000 in keeping with HomeSnacks.

T+L spoke to Grace Hoinowski of house constructing firm Schell Brothers, who talked about Delaware’s tax benefits and total low value of residing have been attracting new residents, together with distant staff and retirees. “The world was as soon as seasonal, however over the previous 10 years, extra guests have turn out to be full-time residents. The rising neighborhoods imply extra companies, facilities, eating places, medical specialists, and improved infrastructure,” Hoinowski notes. She additionally factors out the world’s Native American historical past, walkable downtown, proximity to the seashore, 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 could qualify for some property tax aid, relying on their revenue and the worth of their property. There’s no property or inheritance tax, and Delaware doesn’t tax Social Safety advantages. Revenue 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 Heart, the Lengthy Island Music and Leisure Corridor of Fame celebrates Lengthy Island’s music heritage, and the Stony Brook Grist Mill, relationship to the 18th century, acknowledges the world’s historical past. The Lengthy 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.

Area of interest states the median house value in Stony Brook as $576,800. The Lengthy Island Sound seashores are stunning — and sure, stony relatively than sandy. A two-hour journey on the Lengthy Island Rail Street 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 doesn’t tax Social Safety revenue, a plus for retirees within the in any other case excessive tax state. As well as, revenue 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. The 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.”

Area of interest calls town the most effective locations to stay in New Hampshire, with a median house worth of $594,000.

Native realtor Barbara Dunnington tells T+L that Portsmouth is a beautiful metropolis, in style with retirees who take pleasure in summer time live shows, the theater, eating places, and exploring the world’s historical past at Strawbery Banke Museum, with guided excursions of historic properties.

In response to Dunnington, “Portsmouth is a superb place to stay, 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 energetic waterfront, and quite a lot of cultural alternatives.

Whereas there is no state tax on private revenue from salaries, Social Safety, pensions, or retirement accounts, New Hampshire does have among the highest property taxes within the U.S., in keeping with SmartAsset. There is a 5 % tax on curiosity and dividends better 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.