10 Retirement Towns That Were Hot in 2020 But Retirees Are Now Fleeing

When Americans fled big cities during the pandemic, retirees were among those leading the charge. Warm weather, remote work, and the promise of keeping more cash in their wallets drew people to far-off destinations.

But what looked affordable in 2020 doesn't always look affordable in 2026.

This article explores migration trends from the 2020 United Van Lines National Movers Study, retiree migration data analyzed by SmartAsset using U.S. Census Bureau data, and cost-of-living data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC).

Here are 2020's top retirement destinations that retirees are now fleeing — or regretting — en masse.

Ocala, Florida

Florida ranked third nationally for retirement-related inbound moves during the pandemic migration.

Ocala became one of the state's biggest growth stories. According to Zillow data, the average home value has risen from $175,000 in June 2020 up to $269,000 for a 53% rise.

Retirees also lament rising insurance premiums, property taxes, utility bills, traffic congestion, and the city's inland location, which means beach access isn't as convenient as those glossy brochures promised.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

South Carolina ranked fourth among retirement destination states in the United Van Lines study.

Myrtle Beach remains a big hot spot. Retirees love the weather and lower taxes, but have discovered the downside of living in a high-tourist destination.

Common complaints include traffic, overcrowding, salt-air maintenance costs, and soaring home prices.

The current median home value sits at $321,339, up nearly 47% from the median $219,159 at the start of the pandemic.

Montana at large

Montana tied Delaware as the top state for retirement-related inbound moves in the 2020 United Van Lines study.

The appeal is obvious: mountain views, open space, and no crowds.

But some retirees discover that Montana's realities differ from vacation expectations. Retirees frequently complain of long, isolating winters, health care access challenges, and living costs that feel surprisingly high for a largely rural state.

What's more, housing isn't cheap. The median home value is $467,919, a 67% spike from $280,143 six years ago.

Delaware at large

Delaware tied Montana for the highest share of inbound retirement moves in 2020.

Retirees are often drawn by the state's tax advantages, proximity to East Coast cities, and beachy vibe.

However, retirees frequently mention health care bottlenecks, overdevelopment in some beach communities, and the challenge of being farther from family than expected.

Housing costs were a big driver. Statewide, the median home value is $405,836, a 45% jump from $279,322 in February 2020.

Boise, Idaho

Boise became one of the pandemic's biggest relocation success stories — maybe a bit too successful.

Retirees who arrive expecting bargain housing are often surprised by current prices that can rival coastal home listings.

Zillow reports an average home value of $504,894, up from $332,921 six years ago. That's a spike of nearly 52%.

Retirees are concerned about rising home values, state taxes, weather extremes, and cultural changes driven by recent rapid growth.

Wyoming at large

Wyoming attracted movers seeking lifestyle changes, wide-open spaces, and tax advantages during the pandemic.

The state's low population density is a major selling point, but it's also a common source of regret.

Retirees lament harsh winters, long distances between services, limited health care, feelings of isolation, and rising costs.

While more affordable than other states, the average home value has risen by 42% since 2026, increasing to $363,685 from $256,720.

Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

Not every migration trend points southward or coastal.

Many retirees are choosing to move closer to children and grandchildren rather than chasing warmer weather. The Twin Cities metro area is a retiree magnet for its strong health care systems, amenities, and family connections.

The median home value in Minneapolis saw a relatively modest uptick of 16.3%, up to $334,719 from $287,751.

Newcomers, however, commonly complain about harsh winters and humid summers.

As my husband, a California-based transplant, says, "People complain about the weather here because there's nothing else to complain about it. There's nothing here."

Phoenix, Arizona

Arizona remains one of America's most popular retirement destinations, yet many retirees report being surprised by how difficult summers can be.

Triple-digit temperatures can keep residents indoors for months. Increasing utility bills, water concerns, and growing traffic are common complaints.

Housing affordability is a struggle. Phoenix's current median home value is $411,323, up nearly 49% from $276,612 at pandemic onset.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Nevada's lack of state income tax remains a major draw for retirees. Las Vegas remains a popular retirement destination, but some newcomers discover the lifestyle doesn't fit their expectations.

Retirees commonly come to regret the extreme summer heat, limited health care, traffic, and the city's car-dependent infrastructure.

Additionally, housing prices have risen 44.4% since the start of the pandemic. The 2020 median price of $295,057 has shot up to $426,069.

Wilmington, North Carolina

Wilmington has emerged as one of the nation's fastest-growing retirement destinations.

The combination of beaches, moderate winters, and coastal charm continues attracting retirees.

With popularity come growing pains. Retirees complain of hurricanes, humidity, crowded beaches, limited health care access, and soaring home prices.

At the start of the pandemic, the median home value was $265,216. Today, it's $419,326 — a 58.1% increase in just six years.

Bottom line

None of these destinations are inherently bad places to retire. In fact, many remain highly sought after because they are great places to live.

The bigger lesson is that retirement budgets don't always adapt as quickly as housing markets and living costs.

A city or state that looked affordable during the pandemic migration boom may feel very different after six years of rising insurance premiums, home prices, HOA fees, and everyday expenses.

When those increases become the permanent baseline, movers often find themselves reevaluating retirement plans and what affordability really means.