America’s Best Beach Towns for Retirement—Ranked!

This character-laden tiny town (population 10,000) is known for its salty past and arts-focused future, all of which make it a dream for seniors looking for a fun place to retire on the coast. Seniors make up about 20 percent of the population, and with a median listing price of $295k, Astoria is relatively affordable, too.

With crazy-low tax rates (including income and sales), New Hampshire is a great state to retire to in general. But this historic port town is especially appealing thanks to its lively downtown and pretty beaches (plus, Maine is right next door!). It also ranks higher than average in the amount of doctors’ offices and recreation centers per 1,000 people.

Billed as the sunniest town in coastal Washington, Sequim (pronounced “skwim”) is understandably popular among retirees (seniors make up 37 percent of the population—the highest in the state). A growing food scene and gorgeous fields of lavender are additional perks that make Sequim a top-notch spot to spend forever.

It probably won’t come as a surprise to hear that Florida did exceptionally well in the retirement rankings across the board. Sarasota, with its pristine Gulf beaches, cracked its way into the top 10 beach towns thanks to its high number of doctors’ offices (12.4) and recreation centers (3) per 1,000 people.

Just south of Sarasota, quiet and charming Venice is the ideal retirement spot for those looking for a slower pace of life. Residents (nearly 60 percent of whom are seniors) can stroll through the Mediterranean-inspired downtown, hunt for shells on the pearly white beaches, or take their furry friends to the city’s local dog-friendly beach.

Over on the Sunshine State’s east coast, Vero Beach is a nature lover’s paradise with miles of hiking and biking trails, plus wildlife refuges along the coast. It’s also great for retirees, with a high ratio of doctors’ offices to people and a median home listing price of $275k.

Tucked between Vero Beach and Palm Beach, this quaint Intracoastal town is a hidden gem along the coast, with Old Florida vibes and a reputation as the “sailfish capital of the world.” The laid-back feel and colorful boutique-lined downtown are draws for seniors, who make up more than a quarter of the town’s population.

Perched on Long Island with distant views of the Manhattan skyline, this charming New England-style town is marked by its tiny villages and perfectly manicured coastal parks. The area’s upscale feel and proximity to the city might be what attract retirees, and the exceptional number of doctors’ offices (28.4 per 1,000 people) makes it a smart place for them to stay.

The views (both of the water and of Mt. Rainier) might be exactly what lure visitors to this charming fishing village on the Puget Sound. The Pacific Northwest gem is a boater’s paradise and also a haven for retirees, with the highest ratio of retirement centers per 1,000 people than anywhere else in the country and 25 percent of the population made up of seniors.

This gorgeous little Gulf coast town with Mediterranean-inspired architecture is a total dream of a place, so much so that it ranks highly in multiple surveys on happiness and well-being. It’s also the number one place in the country to retire, according to SmartAsset, with plenty of medical care, social opportunities, and retirement centers nearby.