The 15 Best Places To Retire for Design Lovers

With in options both the US and abroad, these cities will add some fresh scenery in your next actPhoto: Getty ImagesThis year, it’s estimated that 4.1 million Americans will reach the traditional retirement age of 65. And of them, many are likely to consider the best places to retire. In 2025, more than 2.1 million Americans age 65 and up relocated, according to the moving marketplace HireAHelper. So with more retirees packing up their homes and—in some cases—fishing out their passports, we decided to reach out to experts. We tapped realtors, personal finance advisors, and international moving specialists to determine both the best places for retirees within the US and abroad. Among their picks, you’ll find big cities and small town vibes, states with advantageous tax rates, and regions celebrated for their sublime weather. And while some spots will look familiar (nobody should be shocked to see Florida on the list), others may be more surprising.“If your retirement plan is just ‘move where everyone else moves,’ I can safely predict that you’ll end up overpaying and underliving,” says Nathan Richardson, founder of the real estate company CashForHome. “Follow the infrastructure instead of following the herd, and look for healthcare access, walkability/transit, safety with actual life around you, and a pace that matches your spirit… think of it as a second launch, and pick your city like you’re picking your next identity.”How we selected locationsIn addition to talking to our experts, we pored over studies like the Best Places to Retire list from U.S. News & World Report for US cities, as well as this year’s Expat Insider Survey by InterNations and International Living’s 2026 Annual Global Retirement Index for the best places abroad. You’ll also see mention of a recent study by Manhattan Mental Health Counseling, which ranked the best states for women retirees, specifically. We also considered metrics like safety, affordability, access to healthcare, and—because we love a city with exceptional art and design—cultural offerings.Best places to retire in the USMidland, MichiganPhoto: Shriram Patki/Getty ImagesThis Midwestern town in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region (about a two-hour drive northwest of Detroit) earned the first spot on the 2026 Best Places to Retire list from U.S. News & World Report. Affordable living was a major factor in Midland grabbing top honors, with its median home value of $206,142, which is substantially lower than the national average of $359,870. Plus, its reasonable housing market doesn’t mean retirees have to miss out on good design. The area is known for its midcentury-modern architecture, thanks in large part to Alden B. Dow, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright.In addition to being particularly friendly to retirement incomes, Midland has ample recreational opportunities, boosting the quality of life for its seniors. Dow Gardens—a 110-acre botanical garden with walking paths and guided nature explorations—is here. The community is also home to Chippewa Nature Center, which has 19 miles of trails, and Greater Midland, a community center that offers group fitness classes, line dancing, and billiards gatherings for seniors.Weirton, West VirginiaPhoto: Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post/Getty ImagesRanked second on the 2026 Best Places to Retire list from U.S. News & World Report, Weirton has an average housing cost that’s less than half the national average, meaning a retirement budget can stretch even further here. In addition to being affordable, life here is quiet, and the community is small and tightly knit. Crime rates are low, as the area is often cited as one of the safest municipalities in West Virginia. At the same time, the town is just a 35-minute drive from downtown Pittsburgh, giving its residents easy access to pro sporting events, concerts, and world-class cultural institutions, like the Carnegie Museum of Art.Lincoln, NebraskaPhoto: Alex Potemkin/Getty ImagesFor women, specifically, the Cornhusker State ranks supreme. That’s according to a recent study by Manhattan Mental Health Counseling, who compared average home values, cost of living, hospital ratings, female life expectancy, crime rates, community centers, parks, and average temperatures in all 50 states to find the best place for female retirees. Nebraska took top honors, followed by South Dakota, thanks in large part to its low housing costs and access to outdoor recreation. The state’s capital, Lincoln, has particularly pretty outdoor spaces, including its 668-acre Pioneers Park Nature Center and Sunken Gardens, which features art installations and water features in addition to its flower plots. Lincoln is also home to the Sheldon Museum of Art, which has some 13,000 pieces of art and hosts regular walking tours and workshops.Naples, FloridaPhoto: The Palmer/Getty ImagesThis southwest Florida city—situated on the Gulf of Mexico and famous for its golf courses—ranked first on last year’s Best Places to Retire list from U.S. News & World Report and #18 this year. Desirable weather, access to beaches, and a median age of 65.5 no doubt contribute to its popularity among retirees. As real estate agent Miltiadis Kastanis of Compass points out, South Florida, in general, has plenty of draws.“South Florida continues to be one of the top retirement destinations in the U.S. thanks to its unique blend of lifestyle and financial advantages,” says Kastanis. “Retirees are drawn to Florida’s lack of state income tax, as well as South Florida’s year-round warm climate, world-class healthcare system, and diverse cultural offerings.” However, retiring in paradise does have its price. While the national average home value is $359,870, the median home value here is $1,402,852.Scottsdale, ArizonaPhoto: Jackie Roundtree/Getty Images“I often recommend Scottsdale, Arizona, which offers excellent healthcare, desert warmth, and a slower pace that appeals to retirees,” says Kastanis. And he’s not alone. Scottsdale has landed near the top of various “Best Places to Retire” lists, including ones from Niche and WalletHub. Arizona has no tax on Social Security, no inheritance tax, and a flat income tax rate of 2.5%. Plus, the fact that Scottsdale is home to dozens of retirement communities is a testament to the city’s popularity among aging populations. And these don’t look like the senior centers of yesteryear. With pools and calendars full of recreational activities, they’re more like five-star resorts.Other reasons for Scottsdale’s popularity include ample opportunities for outdoor adventure (like hiking Camelback Mountain, for example), plenty of art-centric events (such as a free weekly ArtWalk), and a walkable Old Town bustling with shops, art galleries, museums, and restaurants.Charlotte, North CarolinaPhoto: Sky Noir Photography by Bill Dickinson/Getty ImagesFor the retirees who still appreciate fall and winter, global real estate advisor Karen Holt of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty says the Queen City is the place to be. “Charlotte has four seasons with access to both coast and mountains, plus expansive green spaces and plenty of nearby hiking trails,” she says. Other major benefits for retirees, according to Holt, include no state tax on Social Security income, a lower cost of living compared to major metro areas, and excellent real estate value. “Retirees can get more space, quality, and land for the investment,” she says. But financials aside, the cultural offerings in town are also a major plus, with institutions like the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Mint Museum (devoted to international art and design), and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center all easily accessible for locals.Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPhoto: David Shvartsman/Getty ImagesFlorida and Arizona are familiar destinations on retiree wish lists, but Pennsylvania? Don’t sleep on it, particularly Pittsburgh, says Richardson. “Yes, it’s cloudy, but that’s why housing is still cheap,” he says. “Healthcare is world-class, cultural life is strong, and neighborhoods like Squirrel Hill and Shadyside feel like small villages inside a big city. Think of it as New York for introverts.”According to U.S. News, Pittsburgh is the best place to live in Pennsylvania, with a median home value of $221,040 compared to the national average of $359,870. And beyond housing costs, Pittsburgh is one of the more affordable major cities for monthly bills, according to a recent report from doxo, a bill-paying service. According to the report, residents of Pittsburgh spend a median of $1,775 each month on the 13 most common household bills, which is about 14% less than the national average and welcome news for anyone living on a fixed income.Greenville, South CarolinaPhoto: Denis Tangney Jr/Getty ImagesHere’s another city that landed in the U.S. News top 100 (60th specifically). It’s also a place that Richardson recommends. Calling it “the Goldilocks city,” he says, “It’s not too big and not too small, it has low taxes and a walkable downtown, plus it has medical access without the insanity of Florida hospital waitlists. One of my sellers moved there from Miami and told me, ‘It’s like living in Charleston without the tourists or price tag.’”On the financial front, Greenville offers two tax perks: there’s no state income tax on Social Security and state sales tax is only 5% for those aged 85 and up. Add to that a mild climate and plenty of reasons to be outside year round, including scenic strolls along the 28-mile Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail System or a self-guided tour of the over 160 public art pieces around town.San Antonio, TexasPhoto: John Coletti/Getty Images“San Antonio has Texas-sized charm and is also way more affordable than Austin,” says Richardson. According to the U.S. News ranking, the median home value in San Antonio is below the national average at $254,179, while the average in Austin is well above it at $581,402. Texas is also one of the few states with no state income tax, a major perk for retirees on a fixed income.Additionally, says Richardson, “military bases and universities mean the city isn’t 100% retirees, which keeps life interesting. VA access is a huge perk.” In addition to proximity to the Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans’ Hospital and the San Antonio VA Clinic, veterans in the area have commissary shopping privileges for cheaper groceries and household items. World-class cultural institutions—like the San Antonio Museum of Art and McNay Art Museum—plus the city’s lively Riverwalk are just the icing on the cake.Vancouver, WashingtonPhoto: Blake McKenna/Getty ImagesWhile the South gets a lot of attention from aging populations, the Pacific Northwest deserves some serious consideration, too. “Vancouver, Washington, is a popular spot for retirees,” says Michael LaCivita, a certified financial planner at Domain Money. “It has no state income tax and sits right across from Portland, Oregon, which has no sales tax. Therefore, it’s great for shopping. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities, easy access to water, and generally mild weather.”When you’re not exploring the area’s dynamic culinary scene (farmers markets, breweries, and waterfront dining abound), you’ll be busy kayaking Vancouver Lake, cycling the Columbia River Waterfront Renaissance Trail, or hiking the 20 miles of paved trails within the city.Best countries outside of the US to retire inAt the very least, looking beyond the US borders for retirement offers an adventure. Free from the demands of daily work, you can learn a new language, take up a hobby (like sketching medieval architecture), become an expert in a niche area (like Vinho Verde wine), or enjoy other perks of a far-flung destination. (If this sounds enticing for non-retirees, consider our list of the best countries for Americans to move to.)On a more practical level, international living may save you a sizable amount on housing, healthcare, and daily expenses such as groceries. All of the above has contributed to a growing number of American retirees going abroad. According to the Social Security Administration, in 2024, over 760,000 Americans received their social security while living abroad, about a 43% increase from 2019.Coronado, PanamaPhoto: Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty ImagesAccording to the Expat Insider 2026 survey by InterNations, the best country for living and working abroad is Panama. This tropical sanctuary in Central America earned top honors thanks to its affordability and ease of settling in, especially when it comes to finding housing (90% of the survey’s respondents said finding housing here is easy for expats). Plus, Panama is a magnet for retirees, with 37% of the survey’s respondents saying they are already retired. Because retirees don’t need access to industries in a metropolis like Panama City, we chose Coronado as our top retirement destination in the country. Just an hour from Panama City, Coronado is a coastal town with housing that’s slightly cheaper than the capital city and an expat community that’s just as vibrant.Thessaloniki, GreecePhoto: NurPhoto/Getty ImagesIt’s not just the ancient architecture, daily feasts featuring fresh seafood and local feta, and more than 300 days of sunshine per year (though certainly none of that hurts). A retirement move to Greece actually makes fiscal sense too. A low cost of living relative to life in the US is one of the major reasons that Greece landed in the top spot on International Living’s 2026 Annual Global Retirement Index. According to the report, it’s common for expats to live comfortably in Greece on $2,500 a month, including rent. That number may drop even lower depending on where you live, especially if you choose Thessaloniki. The country’s second-largest city is more affordable than some of Greece’s tourist-heavy islands. It also has a strong healthcare system, with both private and public options.Additionally, Greece has a straightforward path to residency. Its Golden Visa program grants a five-year renewable residence permit (with no requirement to live there full-time) with a property investment as low as €250,000 ($290,000). After seven years of holding that permit, expats are eligible for EU citizenship. The country’s low property taxes, relative to other EU countries, is just the cherry on top.Calpe, SpainPhoto: Getty ImagesThough it may be on the other side of the Atlantic, it’s hard to ignore Spain, which clinched the first spot in the Quality of Life ranking in this year’s Expat Insider Survey by InterNations. A rich array of leisure activities, excellent healthcare, and a welcoming culture all helped nab the superlative spot. Alastair Johnson, cofounder of Moving to Spain, an agency that helps internationals settle into the Iberian destination, says that a slow lifestyle adds to the country’s expat appeal, particularly for retirees. “People take time to enjoy food, company, and culture.” Plus, he adds, “the weather lends itself to walking, eating alfresco, and socializing. People retiring here also comment on how older generations are still active and welcomed in the community.”Additionally, high-quality healthcare in Spain costs a fraction of what it does in the US. “Fully comprehensive coverage in Spain can cost as little as 15% of an equivalent policy in the US,” says Johnson. “And access to English-speaking healthcare professionals is easy in most parts of Spain. Overall, Moving to Spain estimates that the cost of living in Spain is roughly 30% cheaper than the US and around 25% cheaper than the UK, giving you more bang for your retirement savings.As for where in Spain to go, Calpe is an enticing destination. “As part of the Marina Alta region, Calpe is renowned for its stunning beauty, crowned by the Peñón de Ifach,” says Johnson. A large limestone outcrop rising over 1,000 feet above the sea, the Peñón de Ifach is part of a natural park connected to the shore by a narrow isthmus and noted for its diverse plant life.In addition to its natural beauty, Johnson says Calpe has spectacular seafood, with restaurants that line a promenade. Plus, “excellent infrastructure and healthcare, good English proficiency, and a large percentage of expats and retirees mean that there’s everything you need in the area.”Tavira, PortugalPhoto: Peter Adams/Getty Images“This walkable, charming town in Portugal's Algarve region has everything locals need without the tourist crush of Lagos or Albufeira,” says Jen Barnett, cofounder of Expatsi, a company that helps Americans move abroad. “The city has 300 days of sun and is connected to the rest of the region via an easy commuter train, while the nearest beach is two miles from the city center,” she says. “Although you’ll want to learn some Portuguese to improve your experience and show your respect, you’ll find English spoken everywhere in Tavira.”Kastanis agrees, noting that the destination has been a hot pick among retirees. “Internationally, Portugal, especially the Algarve region, is increasingly popular with retirees. It offers a relatively low cost of living, a safe environment, access to quality healthcare, and a welcoming expat community,” he says.Beyond the beach, expats can expect classic Portuguese architecture, with white-washed buildings and terracotta roofs, plus a medieval castle in the center of town. They’ll also have access to plenty of art, in both galleries and museums—like the Tavira Municipal Museum, which is spread across multiple museums and shines a light on the area’s Roman, Moorish, and Portuguese influences.They can also expect a relatively smooth experience securing long-term visas and public healthcare. “A couple will only need about $1,500/month in passive income to qualify for Portugal’s D7 retirement visa,” says Barnett. “Or, you can invest about $585,000 to apply for a golden visa. Americans qualify for public healthcare after three months of residency.”San Miguel de Allende, MexicoPhoto: Sergio Mendoza Hochmann/Getty ImagesCobblestone streets, throughways lined with vibrant street art, and stunning examples of 18th-century Mexican Baroque architecture all contribute to the charm of San Miguel de Allende. The 16th-century city, which is about four hours north of Mexico City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that happened to land on our own list of The 27 Most Beautiful Cities in the World. But more than just a pretty destination, it’s also a smart option for American retirees considering a move abroad.“San Miguel de Allende, Mexico lets retirees live in a community at maybe a quarter of the US cost,” says Ben Mizes, a real estate agent and investor, as well as the cofounder of Clever Real Estate. Adding to that, Mizes points out that Mexico has policies that make it relatively easy for Americans to attain residency and buy a home. “Either temporary or permanent residency is common when retirees demonstrate they have enough income and savings,” he says.Currently, the monthly income requirement for temporary residency is around $4,100, while it’s around $7,100 for permanent residency. Or, applicants can demonstrate savings/investments of either $70,000 for temporary residency or $280,000 for permanent residency.Mexico, in general, landed second on the Expat Insider Survey for 2026, with its many leisure options highlighted as a plus as well as its welcoming culture. In fact, the country clinched the first spot in the Ease of Settling In category, thanks to its friendly locals.Not a subscriber? Join AD for print and digital access now.Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the best of design in your inbox.Amelia Mularz is a freelance journalist specializing in interior design, garden, and travel stories. She has previously contributed to Real Simple, HGTV Magazine, New York magazine's The Strategist, and Travel + Leisure, among other titles. She has also held long-term roles at Vogue and The Knot. In 2018, she received ... Read More