Florida is a very popular destination for retirees. It offers plenty of things. Great weather, safe neighborhoods, lovely and affordable homes, plenty of nature, and plenty of outdoor activities for elderly people. But not everyone sees Florida as a great place to live in. Even though it has many pros, it also has plenty of cons. The weather can get too hot, for example. This is the weather people with lung issues need to avoid. There are also plenty of dangerous insects and reptiles in Florida because of this hot weather. Not a lot of people want to deal with those things. This is exactly why we decided to give you some affordable alternatives to Florida for retirement for those of you who can choose to retire where you want.

Pennsylvania

Since you can choose and retire where you want, we suggest retiring in Pennsylvania as one of the affordable alternatives to Florida. It is one of the best states for retirees. The first reason why this is so is the fact that Pennsylvania provides a tax-friendly climate for retirees. Pennsylvania does not tax its residents’ retirement income what so ever. This state is one of the most generous states in the country for retirees’ income. They are also helpful when it comes to other taxes like sales tax, for example, which is just 6% in PA. This means that it is one of the lowest in the country. Food and clothing are also exempt from state sales tax which means that these items are also very affordable.

And Harrisburg is just one of plenty of cities in Pennsylvania where you should consider retiring. This is not a very big city but it isn’t small either. It has a little over half million residents and 23% of them are over the age of 60. Renting an apartment in Harrisburg is going to cost you less than $1000 per month. Relocation is possible even on a tight budget when you are moving to Harrisburg.

The best thing about living in Harrisburg is that your family is going to adore going to visit you because Harrisburg is so nice and lovely. It is an old city but it also has a modern feel to it. It is not too small, and not too big. There’s plenty of fun things to see and do if you’re spending a few days there. The best part and the part your grandchildren are going to love – Hersheys Factory is located nearby. There’s also an amusement park called Hersheypark. If you have a sweet tooth, this is definitely going to make leaving Florida for good easy.

Texas

You might be thinking “Texas is as hot as Florida when it comes to weather”. But in reality, it isn’t. Many people don’t know that only 10% of Texas is desert. And it isn’t even mostly hot desert. Most of this desert area is cold and there’s snow during the winter. The weather mostly is warm but it definitely isn’t as hot as Florida. You can choose colder parts of the state if you wish to. A huge advantage of Texas is that it is so big that it has multiple climate zones.

And one of the best cities in Texas for retirees is El Paso. It has less than a million residents and 12% of them are people over the age of 60. El Paso is located on the westernmost tip of Texas. It is bordered by Mexico and New Mexico. Studies have shown that people here live very happily. Can this be because of the fact that the average monthly rent is around $800? It can be but there are dozens of other factors. The nice weather is one of them. The vibe in El Paso is very friendly and welcoming and everyone here looks content. The lifestyle in El Paso is very simple. Its location is what concerns people the most but remember that some of the Best Cross Country Movers can help you relocate there from any part of the country.

Oregon

Last but certainly not least is the state of Oregon. When you can retire where you want, choosing Oregon definitely won’t be something you regret. Oregon is a very small state with just 4 million residents in total. What makes this state so magical and appealing are its landscapes and nature. Oregon has one of the most beautiful natural sceneries in the country. And if you were planning to start your business after you retire, this is one of the best places to start a business in 2020.

Crater Lake is just one of these natural phenomenons. Crater Lake formed thousands of years ago after a massive volcanic eruption, it stands today as one of the deepest lakes in the world. It is so large that it has two islands. This is a perfect place for spending the weekends with your family when they come to visit you. You can also take walks by the beach or through an evergreen forest. Oregon’s nature truly is wonderful and vast. If Oregon doesn’t sound like the state for you but you do enjoy nature, we suggest moving to a small town in North Carolina.

And one of the best cities in Oregon for retirees is Portland where over half of the population of Oregon lives. 20% of them are over the age of 60. This is the largest city in the state and it has the most to offer. Living here is a bit more expensive than in the other cities we mentioned here but it definitely is worth it. Here is where you will find fresh fruit and vegetables all the time. There’s plenty of parks where you can enjoy the sunny days. But there’s also plenty of other activities you can do in Portland. If you can retire where you want, choose Portland.