9 Southern Cities That are Getting Too Expensive for Retirees

As you make retirement plans, you may consider things like your investments, medical and life insurance, and where you want to live.

But not every city is a good place to retire. Before settling on a new location, factor in the cost of living, quality of health care, and social factors for older Americans.

The key is to avoid throwing away your money in retirement by making poor choices. If you have Southern cities on your list of potential areas to move to when you retire, here are a few that you may want to cross off your list for being too expensive.

Florida may be an ideal destination for many retirees, but some places in the Sunshine State are much less affordable than others.

Take, for example, Palm Beach. The typical cost for a home in Palm Beach is more than $2 million, according to real estate website Zillow, and the value of a home there has gone up more than 46% in the past year.

Brentwood’s proximity to Nashville may be appealing to retirees, particularly those who enjoy the music and other entertainment that the area can provide. But housing costs could turn down the volume of enthusiasm.

The typical home value for the city is more than $1.2 million, according to Zillow. That equates to an increase of 38% over the past year, which might make the area out of reach for retirees on a fixed income.

5 Things You Must Do Before The Next Recession

Another warm retirement spot in Florida is Naples on the Gulf Coast side of the state, but it may not be a good place for retirees. The average home price is above $590,000 and has risen a dramatic 52% in the past year.

In addition, it’s important to account for funds you may need for nursing home care as you age. The average daily price for a private room in a nursing home in Naples is $490, well above the national average of $297, according to the American Council on Aging.

Greenville, situated on the Mississippi River, has a median home value of around $465,000, which could make it unaffordable for some retirees.

Then add in some other negative factors. For example, Mississippi has the least number of primary care doctors per resident, which could be an issue as you get older. The state also has the highest obesity rate in the country.

4 Strategies the 1% Use to Deal With Inflation

Boca Raton is another Florida city that is home to many retirees. In fact, the median age of residents there is 48.5 years old, which is around 10 years higher than the national average.

But home prices are also a factor here, with the median price around $570,000, which Zillow says represents a 38% increase in the past year.

Another area struggling with high home prices is Isle of Palms, South Carolina. The coastal town near Charleston saw homes sell for a median price of more than $1.5 million and had a 47% increase in prices in the past year, according to Zillow.

As a barrier island with only 11 feet in elevation, the island also may be prone to issues with storms. In fact, Hurricane Hugo, a Category 4 hurricane, caused extensive damage and flooding to the island in 1989.

7 Moves To Help Eliminate Money Stress

The good news is that you won’t get taxed on your retirement income or Social Security if you live in Georgetown. And you’ll live near Austin, which has a vibrant music and art community.

The bad news is you’ll need that money to pay for housing costs. The median home price for Georgetown is more than $551,000 and has increased more than 31% in the past year.

Almost 37% of Hilton Head’s population is over the age of 65, which may make it an appealing place to retire for older adults. But like many towns that are vacation destinations, it can also be costly to live there.

In addition to the high cost of living, Zillow estimates the average home value on the island is more than $730,000 with a more than 40% increase in the past year.

6 Clever Ways To Crush Your Debt

Housing prices could also be a factor in Asheville, which has a median home value of $431,000. That cost has risen nearly 21% in the past year, according to Zillow.

And if you plan to live there a long time, remember that the average daily cost for a private room in a nursing home is more than $300, according to the American Council on Aging.

If you’ve worked hard to boost your retirement savings, you probably don’t want to spend all of that retirement money too quickly and end up short on funds. Instead, remember to factor in where you’re going to live when you decide it’s time to start your post-work life.

You may be surprised at what might be out of the comfort zone for retirees.