As we head into the winter months, people in many parts of the country are digging out their heavy coats, shovels and bags of ice melt.
If you’re tired of this yearly tradition, you could retire to somewhere that is sunny and warm year-round. While some retirees find paradise in countries such as Mexico and Costa Rica, there is no need to move overseas for beautiful weather.
Here’s a look at some prime spots in the U.S. where retirees get both good weather and a good quality of life.
Orlando, Florida
It’s hard to beat Orlando as a sunny retirement destination. The city had an average temperature of near 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit last year, and it has topped a WalletHub survey of the best U.S. cities for retirees for six years running.
Of course, the fact that Florida doesn’t have a state income tax is the icing on the cake.
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
You may need a jacket during the winter months, but you won’t have to worry about shoveling in Hattiesburg. It almost never snows here.
What’s more, Kiplinger recently named it one of the cheapest U.S. cities to live in, and Hattiesburg is a certified retirement community, according to the Mississippi Development Authority.
Sarasota, Florida
Retirees can’t go wrong by moving to Sarasota, according to U.S. News & World Report. The publication named the Florida city as the best place to retire in 2021-2022. The city gets top scores for being a safe place to live and offering a good quality of life.
Plus, according to some estimates, residents enjoy 251 sunny days per year in Sarasota.
Augusta, Georgia
Head south to Augusta for a retirement destination that boasts pleasant summers and mild winters. While low temperatures can reach the 30s in the winter, snow is an uncommon occurrence here.
Plus, Forbes named it one of the best places to retire in 2021, thanks to its affordable housing, state tax exemptions for retirement income and low crime rate.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Arizona attracts many older Americans, and Scottsdale is the best city in the state for retirees, according to WalletHub. The city landed in the No. 3 spot of the website’s 2021 rankings and takes second place as the city with the best quality of life.
And if you’re looking for sun, Scottsdale has it in spades, boasting more than 330 sunny days per year.
Fredericksburg, Texas
If you’d rather retire to a small community, Travel + Leisure recommends Fredericksburg, Texas. Located approximately 70 miles from San Antonio and Austin, this small town of approximately 11,000 residents has a rich German heritage and is a destination for those seeking good food, wine and an eclectic shopping experience.
The average annual high temperature in Fredericksburg is a comfortable 77 degrees, although summer highs can reach into the 90s.
El Paso, Texas
El Paso is another sunny Texas city to consider. GOBankingRates says you’ll get sunshine 84% of the time in this community on the U.S.-Mexico border, and its low housing prices make it one of the cheapest places to retire in America. According to the website, the average cost of living in El Paso is just $39,158 per year.
Phoenix, Arizona
The weather may be one reason why so many people like Phoenix. It was the fastest-growing large city from 2010 to 2020. GOBankingRates says the Arizona city gets sunshine 85% of the time, and its annual average high temperature is 88 degrees.
Retirees who choose to retire to Phoenix also get the perk of not having their Social Security benefits taxed by the state.
Naples, Florida
Given its nickname as the Sunshine State, Florida has no shortage of warm and sunny places to retire.
One of them, Naples, was named the second-best city for retirement in 2021-2022 by U.S. News & World Report, and the city gets high marks for being a safe community with a good quality of life and strong desirability. However, be aware that it may be more expensive than some other Florida destinations.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Those who want to retire near the ocean may find Virginia Beach is the right spot for them. You won’t see much snow here, and you get about 213 days of sun each year.
Forbes included Virginia Beach on its list of the best places to retire in 2021, in part because of its comfortable climate, low crime and no state estate taxes or state income tax on Social Security.
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