4. South Carolina
If you are a fan of outdoor activities, moving to South Carolina is actually the best place where you can move as a retiree. In particular, residents are those who recommend the surroundings, and if you are a fan of the mountain view but also of the seaside one, then we have news: Jackpot! Carolina is your dream state.
Taxes here are low and there are a lot of budget-friendly prices when it comes to housing. Unfortunately, the retirement income gets taxed here.
A lot of people are choosing this place among other states, mostly because of its benefits. Every year, South Carolina hosts the Spoleto Festival, which is known as one of the biggest performing arts festivals in America. And if you are a golf lover, then this is going to be your heaven for sure.
Are you a mellow person and do you like the simple things in life, like watching birds? In South Carolina, there are more than 400 species of birds. And you can do the birdwatching whenever you like.
21 thoughts on “Retirees Love These 7 States The Most! Do You?”
We chose Western Central Florida when we moved from Michigan. In our 22 years here we are happy to live here. Despite hurricanes and floods we still made a good choice. We avoided waterfront properties and we have not sustained any damages yet. We have a second house on the water and owned it for 13 years and never had damages. We love the pool in our house and we have many friends. We are happy in Florida. We are sad for other residents who lost their homes in many places in Florida. For those who lost their lives, may there be peace in your families.
Florida i lived there for 17 yrs and haven’t gone back it is pleasant weather but muggy and hot but the constant threat each year keeps ya off balance. Of the 17 yrs i lived there only one came thru central fla Orlando where i lived only had minimal damage but the threat was always real and now with warming much more of a reality.no way would i go back to live. I am considering Ms. But more familiar with Carolina. Both north and south. However, they too are subject to bad storms Tn. is more inland with some great cities in easy range the cluster of Atlanta Knoxville Nashville Birmingham all within very short drive from Chattanooga is pretty sweet. And Chicago is a one-day drive can’t do better than chg. for variety. Its a great town.if ya cant find what ya want there it doesn’t exist!!!
Fla.is bad move t lived in Orlando 17yrs and haven’t been back. When i retire i considered it but now with warming etc no way Jose. The Carolinas are nice however also subject to taking all your stuff or life. I like Tn.Chattanooga area on the border with Ga.one hr drive toAtla,Knoxville,Nashville or Birmingham.Or if ya need a really big entertaining city Chicago is about a 5 hr drive
I have lived in Florida for more than 30 years. I am now 70+ years old. I used to own but decided to rent. Be very careful and work out the math as rent in Florida is now one of the highest, especially here in Miami Beach. I thought about owning again but prices are also on a runaway. I have just returned from a 4 weeks trip to consider if I should stay here or return to the UK. Rent in seaside Brighton is lower than Miami Beach for sure.
Most of the states selected have real drawbacks, Florida has hurricanes, humidity, bugs, snakes, alligators. Mississippi has the same. Delaware, New Hampshire have terrible winters and high humidity in the summer. The Pacific Northwest probably has the most comfortable weather conditions, yet none of them are mentioned.
i agree will take Pacific Northwest any day over those states cost of living may be higher but you get what you pay for or don’t.
I just left Oregon – it is a horrible state if you love freedom and don’t want to pay for permits to do just about anything. Great if you are a well-to-do leftist but don’t head there if you love our country or Constitution because they wipe their feet on it.
Mississippi is also #50 in the country for medical care. I live here and go out of state for some of my care. I get more second opinions out of state than I did before I lived here due to how poor the care is here.
Mississippi is also last in lifespan…
Agreed. Disclosure: I chose WA for retirement.
It’s not mentioned because it’s gloomy all winter, homes and taxes are expensive and it’s becoming one of the meth capitals. I’ve live here my whole life and am ready to retire and don’t know if I want to stay. Yes, it is a beautiful place but that’s about it anymore.
Poorly researched since you omitted Georgia. In addition to no State taxes on retirement income, there are several counties in the Metro Atlanta area where at age 62 you are eligble for an exemption on the school portion of you property taxes resulting in a big reduction as long as you do not have children in grade or high school.
Add in the low cost of living, the fact that you have 4 seasons with enough winter that you don’t miss it if you’re from the North but not enough that you get sick of it and the eventual elimination of State income taxes over the next 5 years and I can’t think of a better place although Florida is a close second.
OK, enough with how great NH is for tax purposes. The state has a flat take on unearned income, read that as interest and dividends etc. It has no income tax on earned wages. As a retired person I do not have earned income, hence no savings by not having an income tax on earned income.
The current tax on unearned income is being phased out, but until last year was 5%, not nothing.
Before you relocate study the state taxes, it is far more involved than just reading some silly chart on income taxes that get published all the time.
Money and cost of living is not everything, I would prefer not to live in anti American Red States with the lowest standard of living and education and crappy healthcare even if it costs more. I will take the pacific northwest any time over the south. It costs more but weather,services and healthcare are best in country.
Anti American red states ? You still wearing your mask too ?
You left out the 8th state.
When you choose a location, be very aware of the crime rate.
Tucson AZ. I am relatively new here and I’m retired and loving it. I’m in my very early 60’s.
I love most things about living here. This winter was wonderful, it rained a few times and snowed once, but of course didn’t accumulate. Yeah. It gets hot in the summer, dry air, not humid like New Hampshire, my home town State.
I’m happy living here. I made the right choice, I love my house and my 2 acres of land, love living on the outskirts on a dirt road, the people are nice, doctor’s are awesome, my 2 dogs are healthier and happier, shopping is great, taxes suck tho lol, not used to taxes on just about everything, so many places to go omg, beautiful scenery, I can go on.
If you’ve never lived here or never visited AZ, don’t comment negative things, because you’re clueless. I’m happier and extremely content living here after living in New Hampshire all my life, I should of moved here years ago.
I was surprised to not see Texas listed. It has a low cost of living. I moved here because of marriage, but I miss the West Coast. I agree with others that the Northwest offers the best lifestyle, temperate climate and accommodating political atmosphere. It may not be the cheapest place to settle but it isn’t expensive either, and healthcare is great!
Heaven knows it’s run but Communists now, but being 74 and having been here since1963, I’m not leaving California (the weather, the natural beauty, redwoods anyone?) no matter what ever you champion!
Note: South Carolina does NOT tax retirement income such as Social Security or Military Retirement. That being said – property taxes have been climbing at an astronomical rate and home insurance has almost doubled in the last year. I may have to sell my house within the next 6 months and start renting.