Many people are drawn to places like Florida to retire, seeking warmer weather and a quieter lifestyle. For those who lean more toward an outdoor lifestyle—and who don’t mind a cold winter—Colorado has become a top choice.
Full of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and a vibrant culture, Colorado is a great place to live—unfortunately, that desire comes at a sometimes high price. Cities like Boulder and Denver are becoming difficult to afford, especially for retirees on fixed incomes. There are other options out there that are more affordable and offer many of the same things that make Colorado attractive. GoBankingRates spoke to the experts about their top picks.
Jenoa Matthes is a travel expert and founder of The Travel Folk, a site that offers curated itineraries and expert travel planning advice. It offered two excellent alternative destinations.
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Flagstaff, Arizona
“Perched high in the mountains, Flagstaff has a climate remarkably similar to parts of Colorado with its cool summers and mild winters where you can actually get snow. But housing prices are much more manageable. And like Colorado, there’s a big focus on the outdoors with hiking, mountain biking and even skiing available. Of course, you also get those beautiful sunsets with views from the surrounding peaks. The historic downtown has a fun small-town vibe and the community really embraces the arts,” Matthes said.
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Asheville, North Carolina
“Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville enjoys four distinct seasons just like Colorado, but in a more affordable package. The summer heat is tempered by the altitude and you have gorgeous fall foliage. Outdoor pursuits abound, from biking to kayaking, and locals have truly embraced their mountain town roots. I personally enjoyed strolling through the artsy downtown alleyways filled with live music, craft beers and more. Of course, there is also a little southern hospitality,” said Matthes.
Wayne Kask, travel writer and CEO of Discover West Central Florida, said there are many retirement options across the U.S. that offer a similar lifestyle at a much lower cost. He shared his top five picks.
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Mesquite, Nevada
“Located near the Arizona border, this desert oasis combines warm weather, gorgeous scenery and Southwest living. Between the red rock vistas and dozens of golf courses, it’s like a cheaper version of Colorado. Housing is also a steal, with a median home value around $300,000 — much less than you’d pay in Denver or Boulder,” Kask said.
Springfield, Missouri
“It’s not mountainous, but Springfield still offers plenty of lakes, trails and parks to stay active outdoors. The Ozarks are great for fishing and boating. The cost of living is low, culture abounds with live music, and museums and homes are very affordable at around $150,000. We can’t beat Midwest living on a retirement budget,” Kask said.
Austin, Texas
“Sure, it’s grown up a bit, but it still has that laid-back, outdoor vibe that reminds you of Colorado. There are tons of hiking trails, great food and music scenes, and no shortage of activities. Housing averages around $450,000 — not exactly cheap, but more reasonable than many parts of Colorado these days,” Kask said.
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St. George, Utah
“St. George, Utah, is a great opportunity for an affordable retirement. This is a great place for people who love nature because it is ideal for hiking and biking as it is right next to Snow Canyon. It takes less than an hour to get to Zion National Park. The alternative is less expensive and takes advantage of Colorado’s natural resources; Typical property values are around $355,000,” Kask said.
Port Angeles, Washington
“Port Angeles, Washington, is nestled in the beautiful natural landscape of the Olympic Peninsula—it’s surrounded by mountains, lakes, rainforests, and even has a rugged coastline. For nature lovers, it’s [a] paradise with a quaint small town feel. Housing averages $400,000, which is very reasonable compared to the amenities and beauty,” Kask said.
Andy Medearis is a travel expert, bargain hunter and founder of Deals Points, a website about travel, points, loyalty programs and credit cards. He shared two of his top picks.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
“Hot Springs has an amazing blend of scenic forest scenery from the Ouachita Mountains, as well as the unique feature of their dozens of natural hot spring pools located throughout the city. Being able to easily soak sore muscles in the thermal waters after a day of hiking or fishing in the mountains is such a bonus. Plus, living costs average about 16.5% lower than the rest of the country. House prices are also 32% below average, which can go a long way in retirement,” Medearis said.
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Lamar, Colorado
This can be deceiving since it’s actually in Colorado, but Lamar offers most of the amenities of much more expensive cities like Boulder and Denver.
“Lamar manages to offer many of the same benefits you get from living in more expensive parts of Colorado, like easy access to glorious Rocky Mountain views and activities like camping, fishing, hunting, etc. — but it gets you benefits in an almost unbelievable way. about 30% lower the cost of living compared to the rest of the country. That’s huge to stretch your nest egg as much as possible. And believe it or not, the prices of homes there are still 57% below the national average!” Medears said.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 9 Places to Retire That Are Just Like Colorado, But Much Cheaper
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