7. Grand Junction, Colorado

Why would I choose this destination as my go-to favorite for retirement? This is a question that often lingers in most people’s minds. And of course it’s a pertinent question since you’re ready to let go of the house and the city you’ve been living in for more than two decades. You have to be 100% sure of your new choice.

For starters, ask yourself: What do I want more from the new place? Pay less in taxes or live in a better climate if you dislike the cold season. While you’re thinking about where you should move, another amazing and affordable destination that you might want to put on your list is Grand Junction, Colorado. If you’re an outdoor fan, then you’re going to love this city. The Colorado National Monument, a 20,000-acre area of breathtaking natural beauty with six canyons, red sandstone cliffs, and 14 hiking trails, is only six miles from the little community in western Colorado.

Grand Mesa, the largest flat-top mountain in the world, is 45 minutes away and has 300 lakes, 500 square miles of national forest, and camping spots. You can also go on hikes, camp, and catch rainbow trout there.
On the other hand Grand Junction homes are slightly more expensive than the national average, but they are still less expensive than those in bigger Colorado towns like Denver (where the median price is $662,000) and Boulder ($859,000).