Key West, Florida
Key West promises sunshine and fun. But it comes with some serious tradeoffs: sky-high home prices, limited healthcare options, and a constant stream of tourists. It’s also vulnerable to hurricanes, which can be stressful and costly.
Boulder City, Nevada
Boulder City gets attention as a quiet alternative to Las Vegas, with warm weather and a small-town feel. But summers are extremely hot, and local services are more limited than in larger cities. Water scarcity is a growing concern, too. While it’s cheaper than some favorite retirement places, the heat, infrastructure limitations, and distance from big-city amenities can make daily life more challenging than expected.
Naples, Florida
Naples often tops “best places to retire” lists thanks to its beaches, golf courses, and sunny weather. But the reality? It’s expensive - very expensive. Housing costs have soared, and so has the overall cost of living. Plus, traffic can get unbearable during tourist season.
Asheville, North Carolina
On paper, Asheville looks a perfect mountain retreat. But its popularity has driven housing prices through the roof, and finding affordable long-term rentals is tough. And then the tourist crowds can make downtown feel packed, especially in peak seasons.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale has long been pitched as a sunny retirement paradise perfect for golf lovers. But retirees are often shocked when they realize how expensive it is to live here comfortably. Unfortunately, if you’re not mega-rich, you should probably cross it off your retirement dream list.
Charleston, South Carolina
Flooding and humidity can be real headaches in Charleston, and hurricanes are an ongoing danger. The popularity of the city has also led to inflated home prices and a tourist crowd that can make everyday errands a hassle. It’s beautiful - but it’s not exactly peaceful.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Who wouldn’t dream of retiring in Hawaii? Honolulu has sunshine, beaches, and stunning scenery. But the high cost of living - especially housing and groceries - can drain retirement savings fast. And then there’s the considerable issue that medical services can be harder to access than on the mainland.
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona looks picture-perfect in travel brouchures, but living here is another story. Housing prices are sky-high, and because it’s a major tourist destination, the town can get super overcrowded. Groceries, gas, and basic services are more expensive than in nearby cities.
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is great in many ways… but retirees quickly learn it’s also one of the most expensive places in the state. Home prices are out of reach for many, and property taxes are no joke. Plus, winters can get much too cold to be comfortable.
Austin, Texas
People flock to Austin for its great music and great food… but rather too many people flock, unfortunately. In recent years, the city has become crowded and expensive. Housing costs have skyrocketed, traffic can be brutal, and the summer heat is relentless.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Daily life in Santa Fe can be pricier than expected, with high housing costs and limited affordable healthcare options. The high altitude can also be tough for some retirees. Add in tourist congestion during peak seasons, and you’ve got yourself a disappointment.
Palm Springs, California
California isn’t as perfect as you might think, especially Palm Springs. Summers can be unbearably hot, pushing 110°F or more, making outdoor activities tough. And housing and utility costs can pile up quickly, especially for those on a fixed income.
Portland, Oregon
Portland has good marketing, there’s no doubt about that. But retirees often find the high cost of housing, rising property taxes, and unpredictable weather less appealing once they settle in. Rain can dampen outdoor plans for much of the year, and homelessness is a visible challenge in many neighborhoods.
Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
The photos of Lake Tahoe are breathtaking - crystal-clear water and mountain views that look like a postcard. But put down the camera and the reality can be rough. Housing is incredibly expensive, groceries and gas cost more, and winter storms can make life tricky for retirees who aren’t up for shoveling snow.
Vail, Colorado
Vail is a luxury resort town, and prices reflect that. Housing is sky-high, and the cost of everything from groceries to healthcare runs steep. And winters are long and intense, which can make daily living harder for retirees.
Denver, Colorado
Denver’s outdoor lifestyle and sunny skies lure plenty of retirees, but it’s far from perfect. It’s expensive, and winters are longer and snowier than some expect, which can limit mobility. And with its growing population, traffic and congestion are part of daily life.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans has charm, culture, and incredible food, which makes it tempting for retirees. But daily life here can be challenging. Flooding and storm risks are serious concerns, especially during hurricane season. The humidity can be tough, and some areas have higher crime rates than retirees expect.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach seems like a classic beach retirement spot - affordable golf, sunny weather, and ocean views. But in practice, it’s crowded nearly year-round, especially in peak tourist season. The influx of vacationers drives up prices and makes traffic unpredictable. Oh, and hurricanes are a real threat, too.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is gorgeous, but it comes with real drawbacks. Summers are brutally humid, hurricanes are a concern, and infrastructure can feel strained during storm season. The cost of living isn’t as low as many expect, and traffic can be worse than it looks on paper.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Retirees are often surprised by how expensive it is to actually live in Cape Cod. Housing costs are steep, but that’s not the only problem. Summers bring heavy traffic and tourist crowds that make errands frustrating, and the winters are cold. For many, the charm wears off when the seasonal reality sets in.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s mix of culture, nature, and mild temperatures sounds great for retirement. But the city’s skyrocketing housing costs and high overall expenses can make it tough to live there if you’re not already rich. The famously gray, rainy weather can also dampen spirits over time.
Park City, Utah
The price of living here is far from ideal. Home prices and property taxes have soared thanks to tourism and second-home buyers. Winters can also be long and harsh, which can make everyday errands challenging. It’s a great place to visit for a ski trip, but full-time retirement living here can be both expensive and isolating.
San Diego, California
San Diego’s weather is famously perfect - sunny skies and mild temperatures almost year-round. But that perfection comes with a big price tag. Housing costs are among the highest in the country, and everyday expenses like groceries, gas, and healthcare add up fast.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is jaw-droppingly beautiful, with its mountain backdrop and wildlife. But it’s also one of the most expensive places to live in the US. Housing costs are sky-high, and basic goods can cost so much more than in other towns. Plus winters are long and cold, which isn’t ideal for everyone.
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is often hyped as a top retirement destination, but it’s not quite the hidden gem it used to be. The cost of housing has climbed, traffic can be overwhelming during snowbird season, and hurricane risks are a big problem. Summers are hot and humid, too.
Bend, Oregon
Bend has gained a reputation as a laid-back, outdoorsy haven for retirees. But popularity has driven home prices up sharply, and the cost of living has followed. There’s also the big problem that accessing specialized healthcare can be hard.
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
The charm of Martha’s Vineyard comes at a steep price. Housing is incredibly expensive, and the seasonal nature of the island means services and amenities can be limited in the off-season. For most retirees, the cost and logistics make living here full-time more stressful than relaxing.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage sounds adventurous - a unique retirement in a place surrounded by wild beauty. But in reality, the long, dark winters can be tough on retirees, both physically and mentally. And the cost of living is higher than many expect, especially for groceries and utilities.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the number one retirement location for those who love being where the action is. But the extreme desert heat can make living there uncomfortable for months at a time. Water shortages and drought concerns are also growing issues.
Marfa, Texas
Marfa looks artsy and quirky, a desert escape with a creative vibe and the famous “Marfa lights”. But living there full-time can be isolating. It’s a small town with limited healthcare, shopping, and amenities. The nearest major city is hours away, which can make medical needs or travel tricky.
Burlington, Vermont
The winters here are long, cold, and snowy - something many retirees underestimate the difficulty of. Heating costs can climb fast, and housing isn’t exactly cheap either. Add in higher-than-expected taxes, and retirees are starting to change their mind on Burlington.
The Hamptons, New York
The Hamptons are unfortunately one of the most expensive areas in the country. Property taxes are steep, home prices are sky-high, and everything from dining out to groceries costs more. Unless you have deep pockets, it’s unfortunately just not worth it.
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen is undeniably gorgeous and has a certain prestige that attracts retirees with dreams of mountain living. But this luxury resort town comes with eye-popping housing prices and an overall cost of living that’s far beyond average. Healthcare and services are also pricier here.
Malibu, California
Malibu is beautiful and a lot of celebrities live there. What’s not to love? Well… quite a lot actually. You pay a steep price for all that beauty. Property values are sky-high, and insurance costs are climbing due to wildfire risks. It’s not exactly walkable, and services can be limited compared to larger cities. If you’re not as rich as a celebrity, maybe you shouldn’t consider it.
Key Largo, Florida
Key Largo has that island paradise vibe, but the reality can be tricky. It’s expensive, hurricane risks are real, and healthcare options are limited, meaning long drives to the mainland for anything major. Groceries, insurance, and utilities also cost more than many retirees expect.
