Choosing the right place to retire is one of your most important decisions. Whether you dream of sunny days, lower living costs, or being closer to loved ones, the right location can make all the difference. To help guide your search, 55places.com analyzed 55+ community sales data to uncover the top-selling states for retirement.
These 10 popular destinations span the country, but they all offer key benefits that active adults value—pleasant climates, potential tax advantages, affordable housing, and vibrant 55+ communities designed for low-maintenance living and resort-style amenities. Let’s take a look!
1. Florida
Florida is the quintessential retirement state. People flock to the sunshine state to enjoy its warm weather and sandy beaches during their golden years. Plus, Florida offers the perk of no state income tax and no inheritance tax, according to the State of Florida.
Cities like Naples, Sarasota, Orlando, and Tampa offer plenty of things to do for its residents and any friends and family who come to visit.
Given its popularity, it is no surprise that Florida is home to a plethora of communities for active adults. Some of the most popular include:
- The Villages – The Villages is one of the biggest names in active adult communities. It has 70,000 homes that sprawl across three different counties.
- On Top of the World – This gated community in Ocala is not quite as large as The Villages, but its 10,000 single-family and attached homes offer an attractive setting for low-maintenance living.
- Oak Run – Oak Run features its own golf course and five clubhouses and a convenient location close to major cities like Orlando and Tampa.
2. New Jersey
New Jersey might not be the first state that comes to mind when you are picturing your retirement, but its charms only grow when you get to know more about the state. Settling down in the Garden States gives you the luxury of suburban and coastal living, while major cities like New York and Philadelphia are just a stone’s throw away. Plus, the state does not tax Social Security income, according to SmartAsset. Cities like Toms River, Monroe, and Jackson are good places to start your retirement search.
Check out some of the highly sought after 55+ communities in New Jersey.
- Holiday City at Berkeley – Holiday City at Berkeley is a master-planned community that features a collection of different neighborhoods anchored by the many amenities that make it easy to socialize.
- Renaissance at Manchester – If you are looking for a smaller 55+ community, Renaissance at Manchester would be the right fit. It has fewer than 2,000 homes situated in a quiet, picturesque corner of Manchester Township.
- Leisure Village West – Leisure Village West is a gated, golf course community. Residents of this 55+ community can perfect their swing and explore new hobbies through the more than 50 clubs available here.
3. California
California is home to a diverse set of climates. You can find cool, coastal living in Sacramento. Hot, beachy weather reigns in the LA region. If you like the seasons, San Diego has hot summers and cool winters. Or you can embrace the dry desert heat of Palm Springs.
Get to know some of the standout active adult communities in the Golden State.
- Laguna Woods Village – Laguna Woods Village makes the most of the beautiful California weather with five pools, 36 holes of golf, and seven different clubhouses.
- Sun City Lincoln Hills – Sun City Lincoln Hills is located in Lincoln, less than an hour outside of Sacramento. The homes in this active adult community offer residents a convenient location and a wide price range to consider, starting in the high $400ks.
- Sun City Palm Desert – Sun City Palm Desert is an artfully designed 55+ community in the heart of Coachella Valley. It has a variety of different home styles and sizes that fit many different budgets.
4. Arizona
Arizona is the crowning jewel of the Southwest’s retirement scene. This desert state attracts active adults with its hot, dry climate and plethora of golf-centric communities in and near cities like Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson. When you aren’t out on the golf course, the state’s hiking, biking, camping, and fishing options beckon. The Grand Canyon State also has some tax benefits for retirees, including relatively low property taxes and no taxes on Social Security benefits, according to SmartAsset.
- Sun City – Sun City was the first 55+ community in Arizona, established in 1960. Since then, it has flourished. Today, it has more than 28,000 homes in a multitude of styles and an impressive array of amenities for the enjoyment of its residents.
- The Grand – The Grand welcomes residents who are 45+. Active adults will find single-family homes, attached homes, and condos in this Del Webb community. The Grand is conveniently located near Phoenix and all that the city has to offer.
- Sun City Festival – Sun City Festival is another for Arizona’s enviable Del Webb communities. This resort-style spot features single-family homes priced in the low $300ks to the low $5 millions.
5. South Carolina
Both of the Carolinas, with their warm weather and Southern charm, hold a lot of appeal for active adults planning out their retirement years. South Carolina’s beauty spans both its coastal area and its inland communities. The Palmetto State doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, boasts low property taxes, and offers a taxable income deduction to retirees, according to SmartAsset. Active adults can find themselves right at home in popular cities like: Myrtle Beach, Bluffton, and Charleston.
If South Carolina is calling your name, you might want to explore communities like:
- Sun City Hilton Head – Sun City Hilton Head is the largest 55+ community in the state. It has more than 10,000 homes, and residents have access to a total of 54 holes of golf.
- Del Webb at Cane Bay – Del Webb at Cane Bay is a smaller active adult community with just over 1,000 single-family homes priced in the low $300ks to the mid $600ks.
- Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head – Construction on this gated, active adult community began in 2018. The completed community will have 3,000 homes, a mix of single-family and attached styles. Like the Margaritaville name suggests, you can expect to indulge in resort-style amenities and living.
6. North Carolina
North Carolina is gaining popularity among active adults in their retirement years. In fact, some retirees decide to relocate here from their initial retirement spots, like Arizona and Florida. On the coast of North Carolina, you will find hot summers and beautiful beaches. If you are looking for cooler weather, you can move toward the stunning Appalachian Mountains. Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington are among the state’s major cities that could appeal to active adults.
See if you might love the retirement life in communities like:
- Carolina Arbors – Del Webb is one of the most recognizable names in retirement communities, and spots like Carolina Arbors show you why. This 55+ community situated in the state’s Triangle Area gives residents ready access to shopping, dining, and medical care, while offering reasonable home prices starting in the mid $400ks.
- St. James Plantation – St. James Plantation is a gated golf community located in Southport. It has homes priced to fit nearly any budget, starting in the low $200ks and going up to the high $2 millions.
- Carolina Preserve – Carolina Preserve is another shining example among the Del webb communities. It has 1,360 attached and single-family homes. Once residents step outside, they are greeted by the master-planned community’s collection of world class amenities.
7. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is rich in history and appeal. This East Coast state has a lower cost of living than the national average, according to RentCafe. And it is known for being tax-friendly to retirees. It does not tax Social Security benefits or income from retirement accounts, according to SmartAsset. Explore cities like Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Pittsburgh to see if you can picture yourself living in the Keystone State.
Some of the popular 55+ communities in Pennsylvania include:
- Village of Buckingham Spring – The Village of Buckingham Spring has a close-knit community atmosphere with just 646 homes. While it has plenty of amenities, it also offers very affordable home prices in the mid $200ks to the high $300ks.
- Hershey’s Mill – Hershey’s Mill is all about the country club lifestyle. Residents enjoy its 18-hole golf course, outdoor pool, tennis courts, and community clubhouse.
- Amblebrook – Amblebrook, located in historic Gettysburg, is ideal for active adults. It has an entire fitness campus, which includes an indoor pickleball court, a basketball court, and a pilates studio.
8. Virginia
The Mid-Atlantic state of Virginia is a top retirement destination for a multitude of reasons. The stunning Blue Mountains and coastline make for beautiful scenery, no matter where you look. You can enjoy major cities like Richmond, Williamsburg, and Fredericksburg, as well as the nearby Washington, D.C.
- Celebrate – Fredericksburg is home to the Celebrate, a small 55+ community with just 1,000 homes. The community is designed with a variety of home sizes and prices to appeal to different tastes and budgets.
- Colonial Heritage – Colonial Heritage has 1,800 single-family and attached homes starting in the $300ks. The Heritage Club, a 25,000-square-foot clubhouse, is the beating heart of the community. It brings together neighbors to enjoy a large fitness center, pool, woodworking shop, and other amenities.
- Falls Run – Falls Run is just three miles from downtown Fredericksburg. The 55+ gated community has just 781 homes starting in the low $200ks.
9. Texas
Texas is an up-and-coming retirement destination. More 55+ communities are being established to keep up with that increasing demand. The state has hot weather and no state income tax, according to SmartAsset. Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio are some of the top spots to consider in the Lone Star State.
- Sun City Texas – Sun City Texas is located in Georgetown, about 30 miles outside of Austin. This 55+ community embraces the pleasures of small-town living while giving its residents everything they need for low-maintenance living.
- Frisco Lakes – Frisco Lakes is another stunning 55+ plus community designed and built by Del Webb. It has an 18-hole golf course and two pools. When you aren’t enjoying those amenities, you can head to the nearby cities of Dallas and Fort Worth.
- Hill Country Retreat – Del Webb and Village Builders collaborated to create the Hill Country Retreat 55+ community. This gated community in San Antonio has more than 2,000 single-family homes.
10. Nevada
Arizona isn’t the only Southwestern state that tops the list of retirement destinations. Nevada’s active adult communities are also in high demand. The dry desert climate and stark beauty of the state hold a lot of appeal, as do the low property taxes and lack of state income tax, according to SmartAsset. Las Vegas and Reno are, of course, two of the most recognizable and popular Nevada cities. But retirees may also find themselves charmed by Henderson.
- Sun City Summerlin – This Del Webb community in Las Vegas has more than 7,000 homes starting in the low $300ks.
- Sun City Anthem – Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Black Mountains, this scenic 55+ community features cooler temperatures and a variety of home styles.
- Siena – Seina is nestled within the larger master-planned community of Summerlin. It is a gated community for active adults with homes priced from the low $400ks to the high $2 millions.
Find Your Ideal 55+ Community With 55places
Sun Belt states dominate the list of desirable retirement destinations with their warm weather and, in many cases, affordable cost of living. But don’t discount the appeal of the Northeast and the West Coast.
Active adults are increasingly interested in finding communities that offer not only low-maintenance living but also resort-style amenities. And you’ll find both in the 55+ communities across these 10 states. As you think about what matters most for you and your budget, we can help you gather the information you need to make an informed decision as a homebuyer.
Explore top-rated 55+ communities in these states by visiting 55places.com or speaking with a real estate expert to find your perfect home.
