8 Places Retirees Are Picking Over Popular Retirement Hot Spots (#4 Is a Smart Option)

If you're planning your retirement, you've probably already made a list of popular cities and towns to explore. But not every great retirement spot is popular. Odds are, you've glossed over pretty great options that'll have your retirement checks stretching for longer.

Below, we look at underrated retirement spots that some retirees are realizing offer an excellent balance of affordability and comfort compared to other well-known spots.

Editor's note: All housing data and COL data come from Apartments.com, Realtor.com, Zillow, and the United States Census Bureau, unless otherwise noted.

Clemson, South Carolina

Median rent: $650

Median home price: $407,434

Clemson's housing market gives you reasonable options. It's more affordable than popular retirement destinations in SC, such as Hilton Head Island and Charleston, where median home prices and rent are nearly double the price.

Clemson also has a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters, which is great for outdoor activities. This quintessential, top-ranked college town is a hidden gem for retirees who enjoy a pedestrian-friendly downtown filled with shops and eateries.

Ocean Shores, Washington

Median rent: $1,258

Median home price: $345,043

If you love water, Ocean Shores might be the place for you. Directly bordering water bodies such as the Pacific Ocean, this coastal town offers access to leisure activities like fishing.

While Ocean Shores is on the costly side, it's more affordable than other hotspots in Washington, such as Olympia. Olympia's median home price and median rent are $570,000 and $2,000, respectively.

Pueblo, Colorado

Median rent: $1,103

Median home price: $286,843

Located along US Highway 50, Pueblo is an excellent option if you want a retirement spot with great weather. The city receives roughly 300 days of sunshine annually, which means you can enjoy the outdoors for most of the year.

It also features two lakes and amenities such as golf courses, public pools, and trails, helping residents maintain active lifestyles. Pueblo is a more affordable alternative to the popular retirement spot Boulder, where the median home price and rent are around $900k and $2,103.

Gregory, South Dakota

Median rent: $614

Median home price: $139,900

Gregory is one of the best retirement locations for people who love small-town living. With an estimated population of 4,110 residents, it's great if you want a close-knit community after retirement. The town offers several parks and a 9-hole course, giving retirees multiple ways to connect.

It's also more affordable than its popular counterpart, Rapid City, which has a median home price of $389,900 and a median rent of $1,200.

Athens, Georgia

Median rent: $1,209

Median home price: $344,107

Also known as "The Classic City," Athens is home to the University of Georgia. This gives it a college-town vibe, ideal for retirees seeking a vibrant culture. If you love the arts and events like music festivals, it could be the place for you.

Beyond being lively, Athens is pretty affordable housing-wise, compared to hotspots like Smyrna. Smyrna's median house price is $455,000, while its median rent is $1,760.

Pella, Iowa

Median rent: $870

Median home price: $359,194

Pella has a population of 11,211, making it a great option if you're looking for a close-knit community. It also offers multiple exciting events, such as Tulip Time, which allow for socialization.

Rent is similar to other popular Iowa destinations like Cedar Rapids. However, the sense of community is hard to find anywhere else.

Port Orange, Florida

Median rent: $1,415

Median home price: $337,987

When people think about retiring in Florida, Palm Coast and Naples often come before Port Orange. However, Port Orange is more affordable for homebuyers. In comparison, Naples' sits at $548,747.

Located near New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach, it provides coastal living without the high COL in major hubs. It also offers multiple community centers, parks, and a golf course, helping retirees socialize and stay active.

Raton, New Mexico

Median rent: $1,000 (Zillow)

Median home price: $154,624

A small town surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery, Raton is one of the best yet most overlooked retirement spots for people seeking quiet comfort. It offers affordable homes, and its COL is 14% below the national average and 7% below New Mexico's.

Compared to retirement hotspot Albuquerque, whose median rent and home price are $349,190 and $1,450, Raton is significantly more affordable.

Bottom line

There's a sense of security that comes with choosing well-known hubs like Naples and Charleston for your retirement. But these locations often come with high property and rent costs and growing congestion, which can affect your quality of life.

If you're creating a retirement plan, look into the underrated spots highlighted in this list. Some can help you stretch your Social Security checks further, and others can give you a better sense of community, which is crucial post-retirement.