9 Finest Locations to Retire on the East Coast

Port St. Lucie, Florida

“Port St. Lucie is proud to be the sixth-largest metropolis in Florida, with almost 250,000 residents calling our vibrant neighborhood dwelling,” Port St. Lucie’s mayor, Shannon Martin, tells Journey + Leisure. “Nestled on the attractive Treasure Coast, our metropolis serves because the financial heartbeat of the area … We’re persistently ranked among the many greatest locations to dwell within the nation, celebrated for our ethnic range, excessive homeownership charges, and as a prime retirement vacation spot,” she provides, additionally touting the town’s low crime charge. “For greater than a decade, we’ve ranked because the most secure giant metropolis in Florida and one of many most secure within the nation.”

Situated on Florida’s Atlantic coast, about 110 miles north of Miami, Port St. Lucie is dwelling to greater than 20 miles of pristine seashores, most with free admission and parking plus handy facilities. With a free nature and wildlife digital cross, wildlife recognizing, climbing trails, and botanical gardens are accessible. Museums, artwork galleries, workshops, and performances are among the many cultural alternatives within the space. Quite a lot of senior dwelling developments can be found, too, and the typical dwelling worth, based on Zillow, is $401,544.

Florida has no state earnings tax, so pensions, IRA and 401(ok) earnings, and Social Safety usually are not taxed, a bonus over most different states. There’s no inheritance or property tax, and each property and gross sales taxes are similar to the nationwide common.

St. Simons, Georgia

The biggest barrier island in Georgia’s Golden Isles, St. Simons is situated on the coast, about 85 miles south of Savannah. “St. Simons Island is an excellent place to boost a household and retire. We depend ourselves blessed to dwell right here,” says Jennifer Klonoski, neighborhood relations director at Magnolia Manor, a retirement neighborhood.

For Frances Woods, a retiree and Magnolia Manor resident, it is the “lovely seashores, outlets, actions, golf programs, great eating places, bike trails, nice leisure, and pleasant folks” that drew her to St. Simons Island. And based on Emilyn Clark, a seven-year Magnolia Manor resident, “Retirement on St. Simons Island is like dwelling in a small neighborhood. All of the residents are very pleasant.”

Area of interest ranks St. Simons because the second-best place to retire in Georgia. The retiree-friendly state doesn’t tax Social Safety. Different varieties of retirement earnings (curiosity, dividends, capital positive aspects, royalties, pensions, and annuities) are taxable, however there’s a deduction of $65,000 per particular person for residents 65 and older (and a $35,000 per particular person deduction for individuals who are 62 to 64).

Georgia has no property or inheritance taxes, and householders ages 62 and older might qualify for homestead exemptions on property taxes for his or her major residence. Gross sales and property tax charges are thought-about reasonable.

Myrtle Seashore, South Carolina

“Myrtle Seashore is greater than only a trip vacation spot; it’s a vibrant place to dwell with 14 distinctive communities providing a top quality of life that’s arduous to beat. With 60 miles of lovely shoreline, a gentle local weather year-round, and a thriving native economic system, it’s no marvel households select to name Myrtle Seashore dwelling,” says Karen Riordan, Go to Myrtle Seashore president and CEO.

Right here, guests and locals are handled to world-class golf, loads of eating and leisure choices, and welcoming Southern hospitality. “Guests are sometimes so enchanted by Myrtle Seashore’s appeal that they determine to make this lovely place their everlasting residence,” Riordan provides.

Thought-about a retirement-friendly state, South Carolina doesn’t tax Social Safety. Different varieties of retirement earnings are taxable, with a $10,000 deduction, at a marginal state charge of three %. Property taxes are a number of the lowest within the nation. South Carolina doesn’t levy property or inheritance taxes.

Area of interest notes a median dwelling worth of $287,900 in Myrtle Seashore. From non-public properties to high-rise condos, the town gives a variety of locations to dwell at quite a lot of value factors.

Carolina Seashore, North Carolina

“The appeal of this coastal neighborhood is among the many many causes retirees select to relocate to Carolina Seashore,” says Carolyn Glaser of Intracoastal Realty, who additionally calls out the vacation spot’s near-perfect climate, lovely seashores, quaint marinas, oceanfront seafood eating places, and 11-acre freshwater Carolina Seashore Lake, which is right for fishing. “A nature lover’s paradise, Carolina Seashore State Park hosts the county’s highest elevation climbing path, in addition to a marina and campsites.  A whole bunch of resident and migrating fowl species make Carolina Seashore’s Fort Fisher State Recreation Space their dwelling, as do loggerhead turtles that nest on the island yearly.”

In different phrases, you will not have to depart the island to search out actions that cater to all pursuits. Guests, particularly the grandchildren, will discover loads to do, from the Carolina Seashore Pier to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher to the world-famous Britt’s Donuts Store.

“Low property and gross sales taxes, in addition to a rising however inexpensive housing market, make Carolina Seashore a fascinating and prudent vacation spot for retirees,” Glaser says. A comparatively tax-friendly state for retirees, North Carolina exempts Social Safety retirement advantages from earnings taxes. Different types of retirement earnings are taxed on the North Carolina flat charge of 4.75 %, and the state’s property and gross sales taxes are each reasonable.

Virginia Seashore, Virginia

“Virginia Seashore gives retirees coastal tranquility and countless leisure choices,” says Nancy Helman, director of Virginia Seashore Conference and Guests Bureau. “The vacation spot’s lovely seashores, state parks, and biking trails, coupled with its inclusive neighborhoods and thriving arts and culinary scene, set the stage for retirees to get pleasure from a very fulfilling and enriching life-style.”

Virginia Seashore’s three-mile boardwalk encompasses a separate bike path, eating places, outlets, and leisure. There’s additionally the Sandler Heart for the Performing Arts, an area theater, and artwork galleries.

Whereas Social Safety earnings just isn’t taxed in Virginia, different varieties of retirement earnings, like pensions and IRA and 40l(ok) withdrawals, are taxable with a deduction of $12,000 for seniors. Property and gross sales tax charges in Virginia are low, and most cities and cities supply property tax reduction for retirees over the age of 65, with the quantity primarily based on earnings and property worth.

In response to BestPlaces, the price of dwelling in Virginia Seashore is about 5 % greater than the nationwide common. As the positioning reads, “Householders can discover numerous housing choices, starting from single-family properties to luxurious condominiums — whereas renters even have entry to extra engaging offers these days.”

Surf Metropolis, New Jersey

Situated on Lengthy Seashore Island, Surf Metropolis is a city with year-round and summer-only residents. Marcus Pinto, a full-time resident, realtor, and principal with Compass, commented on the world’s sense of neighborhood and thriving artwork, tradition, and restaurant scenes: “Surf Metropolis is a super-walkable city. You’re one block from the seaside and one block from the bay. With residents dwelling right here year-round, there are extra locations to dine, store, and issues to do.”

Pinto predicts Lengthy Seashore Island might be the following Blue Zone. “I play pickleball with residents nicely into their 80s — they’re wholesome, lively, and maintaining with a lot youthful gamers.” Pinto additionally factors out the island is accessible, only one mile from the New Jersey mainland.

In response to Area of interest, the median dwelling worth in Surf Metropolis is $884,000. Social Safety in New Jersey just isn’t taxed, and state earnings taxes are low for any retirees with earnings from retirement accounts and pensions under $75,000 for single filers or $100,000 for joint filers. Nonetheless, property taxes in New Jersey are a number of the highest within the nation.

Lewes, Delaware

Situated the place the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean meet, Lewes is a scenic ferry experience from Cape Could, the southernmost level of New Jersey. With a walkable downtown, a summer time farmers market, eating places, boutiques, and vintage outlets, Lewes is a welcoming neighborhood with a inhabitants simply over 3,000 and a median dwelling worth of $676,000 based on HomeSnacks.

T+L spoke to Grace Hoinowski of dwelling constructing firm Schell Brothers, who talked about Delaware’s tax benefits and general low value of dwelling have been attracting new residents, together with distant staff and retirees. “The realm was as soon as seasonal, however over the previous 10 years, extra guests have grow to be full-time residents. The rising neighborhoods imply extra companies, facilities, eating places, medical specialists, and improved infrastructure,” Hoinowski notes. She additionally factors out the world’s Native American historical past, walkable downtown, proximity to the seaside, and classic Victorian properties.

Delaware is a tax-friendly state for retirees. It is one in all simply 4 with no state or native gross sales tax, and it has a number of the nation’s lowest property tax charges. As well as, seniors over the age of 65 might qualify for some property tax reduction, relying on their earnings and the worth of their property. There’s no property or inheritance tax, and Delaware doesn’t tax Social Safety advantages. Earnings from pensions, IRAs, and 401(ok)s is partially taxed.

Stony Brook, New York

Situated on the north shore of Lengthy Island, alongside the Lengthy Island Sound, Stony Brook is an interesting city for retirees. In Stony Ebook’s Village Heart, the Lengthy Island Music and Leisure Corridor of Fame celebrates Lengthy Island’s music heritage, and the Stony Brook Grist Mill, relationship to the 18th century, acknowledges the world’s historical past. The Lengthy Island Museum options artwork, historical past, and shows of early carriage transportation. Stony Brook College is a part of the neighborhood, a profit for retirees for well being care and cultural alternatives.

Area of interest states the median dwelling value in Stony Brook as $576,800. The Lengthy Island Sound seashores are lovely — and sure, stony fairly than sandy. A two-hour experience on the Lengthy Island Rail Street takes residents to Penn Station in Manhattan for the theater, eating places, museums, and different leisure. An hour’s drive east, the wineries of the North Fork welcome guests for tastings, and farms present contemporary seasonal produce.

New York doesn’t tax Social Safety earnings, a plus for retirees within the in any other case excessive tax state. As well as, earnings from pensions and retirement, whereas taxable, is exempt for as much as $20,000 a 12 months. Property and gross sales taxes are excessive in New York, and the state levies a tax on estates.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Situated on New Hampshire’s coast, Portsmouth gives a historic downtown, seashores, parks, museums, nightlife, and a scenic waterfront. Town, settled within the early 1600s, is listed as a “Distinctive Vacation spot” by the Nationwide Belief for Historic Preservation, notable for its “stimulating mixture of historic buildings, sidewalk cafes, nice eating places, artwork galleries, jazz golf equipment, and distinctive artisans’ boutiques.”

Area of interest calls the town top-of-the-line locations to dwell in New Hampshire, with a median dwelling worth of $594,000.

Native realtor Barbara Dunnington tells T+L that Portsmouth is a beautiful metropolis, common with retirees who get pleasure from summer time concert events, the theater, eating places, and exploring the world’s historical past at Strawbery Banke Museum, with guided excursions of historic properties.

In response to Dunnington, “Portsmouth is a good place to dwell, however property within the space is pricey, and rents are excessive.” For retirees who discover Portsmouth inexpensive, the town gives a vibrant, walkable downtown, a full of life waterfront, and quite a lot of cultural alternatives.

Whereas there isn’t any state tax on private earnings from salaries, Social Safety, pensions, or retirement accounts, New Hampshire does have a number of the highest property taxes within the U.S., based on SmartAsset. There is a 5 % tax on curiosity and dividends better than $2,400 ($4,800 for joint filers), however that is being phased out by January 2027, with declining charges till then. New Hampshire additionally has no gross sales, property, or inheritance taxes.