10 Totally Overrated Retirement Towns That Just Aren't Worth the Hype

Once a town is earmarked as popular, it often quickly — and inconveniently — becomes both expensive and crowded. 

That’s the main issue with several notable spots for retirees, which may make these dream locations a little less desirable when you consider the realities of spending your days there.

If you’re planning for retirement, you’ll want to look a little deeper at 10 of these uber-popular retirement spots to learn why they may not be as enticing as everyone makes them out to be.

Denver, Colorado is absolutely beautiful. A city bustling with breweries, artisan ice cream, and gorgeous mountain views, it’s almost enough to make you forget about the horrendous traffic in and around the city.

Almost.

Plus, Denver’s cost of living is going to put quite a dent in your savings. Out of all 50 states, Colorado is 39th in affordability, 9% higher than the national average. Not to mention the fact that between 2019 and 2022, Denver’s crime rate rose by 43%.

As beautiful as the area is, the region’s focus on tourism around its famed waterfalls makes it a little less ideal for retirees, since residents will be forced to pay tourist prices for food and accommodations when necessary, and deal with massive crowds year-round.

The weather can also be off putting, since the area sees hot and sticky conditions during the summer.

Plus, the winters in this region aren’t exactly great for retirees either, since things can quickly turn treacherous thanks to high levels of wind and snow in the winter. And, without reliable public transportation to navigate poor road conditions, Niagara Falls isn’t exactly ideal for an aging crowd.

When you think of Florida, you probably think of retirees. With no state income tax and picturesque views in so much of the state, there are some great benefits to retiring there. And, Sun City Center is no exception, which is why it has been ranked as one of the top retirement towns.

What makes this community unique — and something that can be a really big drawback — is that they have a rule that each household must have at least one 55-year-old resident. Those under 19 can only visit up to 30 days a year. These types of restrictions can make it difficult to form and keep relationships with people in different age groups and of varying demographics.

Review site rankings can sometimes tell you more than an article can, and the internet really loves Scottsdale, Arizona as a retiree location.

But with the luxury living options and amenities abound, the cost of living is actually 13% higher than the national average. While winters are known to be temperate, the summers can be brutally hot, and that’s just increasing year over year.

Another big drawback for seniors? Public transportation is not reliable, and not available outside of the immediate downtown area.

Retirees tend to flock to warmer locations as bone density and muscle mass both decrease as you age. Las Vegas is a great spot for them because of its temperate days and variety of activities.

But noise pollution from 24-hour casinos, loud shows, and outdoor entertainers makes this a rough place for retirees as well. 

Even if you live further out from the strip, there can be high traffic depending on the day, public transportation costs 15% more than the national average, and grocery prices are 5% higher.

On your tour across the Southwest, you’ll notice that retirees have started to congregate in Santa Fe. But the area is becoming overpriced, with the average price of a house climbing up to almost twice the national average.

Plus, the state of New Mexico partially taxes pension income, social security, and retirement account withdrawals, which can really hurt when you’re on a fixed income.

Fort Lauderdale has many wonderful beachfront properties to choose from, and is full of art galleries, extraordinary restaurants, and beautiful views. It’s understandable that people have historically retired there.

The average price of a home is $170,000 more than the national average, and the price of a home rose 10% between April 2023 and April 2024. 

Plus, highs average ninety degrees in the summertime, which can get expensive if you’re running your AC all day and all night to keep your home comfortable.

California has some of the most expensive housing in the United States, with homes averaging 2.5 times the cost of the national average. 

The income tax rates in California are some of the highest in the United States, and the sales tax facing residents in San Jose sales tax isn’t exactly inexpensive. .

Not only do the monthly bills in San Jose are averaged higher than other major American cities, many seniors are worried about the distance between destinations around town.

Gorgeous lakes and hiking trails are dusted all over Minnesota, allowing retirees a more adventurous experience than other cities. 

There are accessible indoor walkways in the city to avoid the harsh winters as much as possible — something that can be a negative for seniors — but that benefit only exists if you live in the city center.

Minneapolis’ quality of life clocks in at 79th, which is already a reason not to move there. Their affordability score came in 93rd in the country, as they have some of the highest tax rates.

For many of the same reasons as other towns listed in Florida, Orlando is not a great spot to retire. The entire city caters to Disney and the resort community, so there is almost always traffic and tourists abound. 

That means you’d have to settle down in the outer neighborhoods for a quieter life.

Orlando’s violence and property crime rates are above the national average, and dangerous wildlife is an increased threat to retirees as well.

You deserve a stress-free environment when you’re finally ready to settle down. Doing a little research will lead you to a location that is fit to your personality, interests, and goals for those golden years.

If you are interested in a more expensive town, you’ll want to strategize downsizing or analyzing assets to work toward that goal.