We Think You Might Want To Avoid Retiring In One of These Beach Towns
Picture your beach town retirement. Do you want to wake up to the soothing sound of waves, sunshine on your face, and not a single care in the world? Welcome to the new trend: retiring at the beach.
More and more seniors going into their retirement seriously consider beach towns as possible relocations for spending their golden years. That is more than understandable!
Actually, choosing your retirement is one of the MOST important decisions you’ll ever make.
Compared to work life, when you choose a location based on transport facilities for commuting and making your life easier, picking your retirement beach town offers much more freedom. Surely you’ve been exploring many different options and wonder which one fits your budget and your lifestyle.
I cannot wait to make my own choice in terms of that! But with so much daydreaming about hanging under the golden sun, right next to some turquoise sea waves, it is important to stay realistic and build a plan.
Turning a vacation spot into an everyday experience near the ocean can be rewarding, especially if you’re a water sports enthusiast or just want to take daily strolls on the beach. The climate is mild here all year round. I’m an ocean lover myself and have lived by the ocean. The perks seem unlimited when the sun is up.
But based on all the factors to consider about you and your wants and needs, are you 100% confident you’ll make an ideal choice?
Make sure to check the following list of beach towns seniors might want to avoid for their retirement.
They’re all pretty – I can agree with that! Regardless, these beach towns sit at the bottom of our list for a few significant reasons.
1. Palm Beach, Florida
We cannot ignore the economic side of retirement in Palm Beach, Florida. The multitude of perks for seniors, like golfing and fishing, might catch your eye, but is it worth it? According to FinanceBuzz, not really.
The price of retiring in Palm Beach is still considerably high when you subtract the no income tax.
Alternatively, if you’d absolutely go for Florida, look into Pensacola. Plenty of beautiful beaches, less crowded, and still very warm. A house here goes for an average of $280,000 which is way below Palm Beach.
2. Venice Beach, California
It is a common truth that California is the most expensive state in the United States. If you’re an average retiree looking for peaceful times, this is not the only disadvantage.
Venice Beach has a quite surprisingly high crime rate, including drugs and gang violence. Most recently, the crime rate figure was 122% higher than the national average. That is huge, especially for seniors.
Alternatively, while set in California, you might find Crescent City more attractive. Located up north of San Francisco, seniors can relax on remote beaches, where the cost of living is much lower. Some even call Crescent City a Golden State hidden gem.
3. Miami Beach, Florida
Just as problematic as the others, Miami Beach can be one of the most expensive places to live in the whole country. Plus, this is a top 5 tourist spot. You’ll have to deal with some 24.2 million total visitors each year!
Keeping that in mind, it’s up to you if you prefer noisy and crowded locations for retirement.
But if not, alternatively, we recommend you look into Deerfield Beach, Florida, instead. This charming beach town is still perfectly located between Miami Beach and Palm Beach, and you can enjoy the very same sunny weather. Your average house costs $275,000, which is approximately 60% less than Miami Beach.
4. Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
Hawaii remains one of the most expensive states in the United States, alongside California and Florida. But even worse, Hawaii is such a tourist trap for 9 to 10 million visitors each year.
That makes Waikiki Beach a crowded and noisy location with a commercial culture and activities. It’s most likely that retirees will not find their close communities here, since services and amenities are tourist-focused and cater to a different lifestyle.
Alternatively, if you too think inflated real estate is not worth the Waikiki coastal living, choose Kailua Beach, Hawaii. Known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, this location offers the ideal retirement conditions. It’s got more than 10 independent living and assisted living communities for retirees.
5. New Smyrna Beach, Florida
I’ll just dive right into it, okay? New Smyrna Beach—the Shark Bite Capital of the World—can be considered one of the most dangerous beach towns in the United States. As many as 16 shark bites were reported in 2022, and only 5 in 2023.
If you’d like to go swimming or practice any other water sports, that is an enormous red flag. While it might not happen to you because ‘what are the chances?’, have some peace of mind by choosing otherwise.
Other natural disasters, like riptides and hurricanes, are more likely here, too. The risks arise from the very southern location and high humidity of New Smyrna Beach.
Alternatively, you would love Sarasota, Florida. Just on the other coast of the state, Sarasota offers many socializing opportunities for seniors wanting to retire at the beach. The cost of living is just the national average here!
6. Atlantic City Beach, New Jersey
New Jersey is a complete change of landscape. Although slightly rainy and less mild in the colder season, you’d still be at the beach.
What’s more, NJ is the 6th safest state in the country! However, the quality of services might disappoint since the Atlantic City industries are heavily concentrated on tourism, entertainment, and casinos. As you may already know, that is exactly what you’ll find walking along the pier.
So, alternatively, you could still settle for an East Coast retirement in Sandwich, Massachusetts. Founded early on in 1639, Sandwich is full of history. With freshwater beaches and gorgeous views, this beach town has lots of conserved land and hiking paths also.
The Bottom Line?
Before you jump to big decisions, do build a realistic plan for your retirement. Keep in mind financial planning, health and safety, daily living, convenience, and general well-being.
Here’s a little something that could maybe inform your decision-making in the meantime: 100 of the World’s Most Incredible Beaches.
And if reading isn’t for you, listen to other seniors’ retirement stories in your spare time here: How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement.
Didn’t find what you hoped for? If you consider moving abroad and enjoying more scenic beaches under different economies, make sure to check out Expat Retirement Destinations: Top 4 That Are Affordable and Safe.
