Retirement usually invokes ideas of leisure, enjoying time with grandchildren, learning new things, and spending time on hobbies. Although not everyone retires at 65, over 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day and are either in retirement or on their way.
Retirement is also a time to consider finances and financial sustainability, and for many older Americans, it means doing all those leisure activities while staying on a budget.
Although Maryland’s overall cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, many people who have made their careers in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore metropolitan areas choose to stay.
Maryland does offer tax benefits to residents over 65, and offers many active adult communities that are full of amenities, in beautiful parts of the state, and can still be affordable.
Here are five low-priced communities in Maryland, that are also great places to retire.
The Parke at Ocean Pines – Ocean Pines, MD
High $100s – High $300s
Retirement means that every day can be a day at the beach, especially for residents of The Parke at Ocean Pines. Located just minutes from the beach in Ocean City, this community offers affordable homes in a quiet spot with lots of amenities.
While residents can enjoy the beach anytime, they can also enjoy scenic walks around the crabbing pier and ponds. The clubhouse offers a fitness center, indoor pool, craft studios, meeting rooms, and a reading room.
Prospective residents can find homes under 2,000 square feet from the low $200s in a variety of styles.
Learn more information about The Parke at Ocean Pines here.
SummersGate – Salisbury, MD
Mid $100s – High $300s
SummersGate is another affordable community on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Single-family, attached, and condo homes are offered new and for resale in this smaller community.
This variety of styles in housing also means a variety of sizes, with homes ranging from 1,230 to 2,030 square feet.
And although small, the community has a clubhouse with an exercise room, meeting rooms, library, and bar. Outside, residents enjoy the pool, barbecue picnic area, and natural space. The town of Salisbury, with stores and a historic main street, is minutes away.
Learn more information about SummersGate here.
Heritage at St. Charles – White Plains, MD
Mid $200s – Low $400s
Although the houses at Heritage at St. Charles may not be as low-priced as others in the area, the homes offer an incredible value. Three- and four-bedroom single-family homes start in the mid $200s, which is very affordable given the high housing costs in suburban Maryland.
The attached homes are slightly smaller, at 1,680 square feet, while the single-family homes range from about 2,050 to 2,250 square feet.
The age-restricted neighborhood is located in the greater St. Charles community, and residents over 55 have exclusive access to amenities including a fitness center, indoor pool, spa, and community meeting spaces. The area also offers plenty of places for staying active and enjoying the outdoors.
The neighborhood is across the street from the White Plains Park and Golf Course and just 20 minutes from boat launches on the Potomac River. The community is also about 30 minutes from National Harbor, Washington, D.C., and Old Town Alexandria.
Learn more information about Heritage at St. Charles here.
Carroll Vista – Taneytown, MD
Mid $200s – High $300s
Carroll Vista is a great option for retirees looking for a quiet retreat in the country with the amenities of a large age-restricted community.
Located in north-central Maryland, this community offers attached and single-family homes for resale. Surprisingly, some of the single-family homes are the smaller and more affordable options, giving homeowners the quiet and peace they might want.
The amenities of Carroll Vista provide lots of opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment of life. Residents can practice their putting, swim, exercise, learn new crafts and hobbies, join clubs and groups, meditate, and enjoy the surroundings of rural Maryland.
Learn more information about Carroll Vista here.
Leisure World of Maryland – Silver Spring, MD
Below $100k – Mid $500s
Leisure World of Maryland: the name says it all. This large 55+ community makes so much about retirement easy. First, residents can finally enjoy so many different activities, clubs, and classes, learning and experience new things in retirement.
The two clubhouses, with an indoor pool and exercise room, and the golf course, tennis courts, outdoor pool and walking trails, provide almost endless opportunities for recreation. While residents almost never have to leave, the community is also close to the Red Line Metro, bus routes, and downtown Silver Spring. But most importantly, Leisure World’s variety housing means that retirees on almost any budget can find a home they’ll love. Smaller, two-bedroom condos start in the mid $100s, while single-family and attached homes can also start as low as the mid $200s.
Learn more information about Leisure World of Maryland here.
