Best small towns for retirees in America
Best small towns for retirees in America
For decades, the Social Security program in the United States has provided a safety net for aging Americans. These benefits continue to serve as a vital source of income for retirees today鈥攁ccording to an August 2025 survey conducted by the TransAmerica Center for Retirement Studies in honor of Social Security's 90th anniversary, nearly 7 in 10 Americans expect to , and 32% of Americans say that Social Security will be their primary source of income after retirement.
However, as , many workers feel more anxiety than anticipation about their golden years. So much so, in fact, that a July 2025 survey conducted by F&G Annuities & Life found that 70% of workers aged 50 and up are either their retirement plans amid financial concerns. And retirees' worries don't end there. In an April 2025 survey from life insurance company Allianz, almost two in three Americans stated that they're more afraid of than they are of death.
Don't worry, though鈥攎any areas in the U.S. offer the possibility of a comfortable retirement. Folks who get the blues from high taxes and cold weather can find plenty of , warmer places to establish new roots. Those who want to stay active with outdoor recreation or playing golf have their pick of communities near manicured club courses and the great outdoors.
and small towns with safe streets and quiet neighborhoods have advantages. Some of the best choices are idyllic suburbs鈥攍ike Piermont, New York, and Shenandoah, Texas鈥攋ust minutes away from the business bustle and cultural attractions of big cities. Florida always dominates retirement hotspot lists with its year-round warm weather and pristine beaches.
To help retirees considering a move, 麻豆原创 referenced to find 30 American small towns with the best retirement options. Each town on this list had to have 5,000 residents or fewer to be included.
Read on to see where you might want to go.
#30. Hollywood Park, Texas
Population: 3,130
Hollywood Park is a San Antonio suburb "a great, peaceful and friendly place to live." The Hollywood Park Community Association works toward that goal by .
#29. Bal Harbour, Florida
Population: 3,037
Everything about the Miami suburb of Bal Harbour embodies luxury, from its fine dining to its upscale shopping and oceanfront resorts. For those who plan on having an active social life, there are plenty of activities in the area. But residents also have easy access to medical care, including at Miami Beach Community Health Center.
#28. Ridge Wood Heights, Florida
Population: 4,875
Located in Sarasota County, full of beaches and attractions, Ridge Wood Heights on health and fitness. The community is only a 15-minute drive to Siesta Key, a Gulf of Mexico barrier island abounding with sandy beaches, tidal pools, and coral reefs.
#27. Tierra Verde, Florida
Population: 3,847
Tierra Verde is a located partly on created by filling spaces between several smaller islands. It lies south of St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach, off a spur of the Pinellas Bayway, and is known for its marinas and restaurants. , part of the Pinellas County park system, boasts beautiful beaches and a famous dog beach.
#26. Roslyn, New York
Population: 2,971
Originally called , the village of Roslyn dates from the mid-1600s and although only 0.6 square miles, it has on the National Register of Historic Places. There's a variety of housing, including rentals in two developments for older adults, Horizon at Roslyn and Atria on Roslyn Harbor. And it is only a little over 25 miles to Manhattan, easily reached by the Long Island Rail Road.
#25. South Sarasota, Florida
Population: 4,700
offers a "sparse suburban feel," according to Niche, but with plenty of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and parks to make it an attractive spot for retirees. has parks and beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, golf, shopping, nightlife, and festivals.
#24. Charlotte Harbor, Florida
Population: 4,644
is a town on the Peace River, opposite the larger community of Punta Gorda, and features the Charlotte County Historical Center, a fishing pier park, and a miniature golf course. The harbor itself is the second-largest estuary in the state after Tampa Bay. Nearby are the and the , where explorer Juan Ponce de Le贸n may have been fatally shot with a poisoned arrow, though the exact location is disputed.
#23. Belleair, Florida
Population: 4,266
Belleair traces its founding to the 1890s when a named Henry B. Plant built a hotel on a bluff south of Clearwater and accommodated the private railroad cars of his wealthy winter visitors on a railroad siding. Today, the community has while creating a system of parks and paths and protecting its historic homes through a local registry.
#22. Windy Hills, Kentucky
Population: 2,381
Windy Hills calls itself the "," tracing itself back to deeds issued during colonial times to families that moved into the area from Virginia and Pennsylvania. Stores and restaurants are a short walk or drive away from the modern-day community's single-family homes, townhouses, and condominiums.
#21. Redington Shores, Florida
Population: 2,043
Redington Shores offers plenty of parks that may attract retirees. Constitution Park, for example, is an ideal setting for picnics or events, and Del Bello Park is a nature refuge with a dock for fishing as well as exercise equipment for those who wish to work out outdoors. Most of the residents in this laid-back Florida town are homeowners, with the as of early 2023.
#20. Hypoluxo, Florida
Population: 2,703
Hypoluxo calls itself the "," a reminder of the days when the U.S. mail in South Florida traveled by boat and by foot along miles of beaches. The community is close to West Palm Beach and the beaches along the Atlantic. The "" is an area set aside on the grounds of the Town Hall for only indigenous plants. Two other parks offer trails, natural scrub, benches, and landscaping.
#19. Roseland, Florida
Population: 1,552
Like many Florida towns, Roseland is an ideal place for retirement thanks to its year-round warm weather and retirement communities. Retirees may also appreciate the town's affordability, as most of the , which have an average value of $240,700.
#18. Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina
Population: 1,288
This community sits on the 25.4-mile barrier island of Bogue Banks, which is part of an area known for its white beaches and clear water called the . With numerous water trails and a temperate climate, the coast is a paddler's paradise. offers a different kind of fun, as well as volunteer opportunities.
#17. Shenandoah, Texas
Population: 3,350
Situated in the northern corridor of Houston, Shenandoah has many like the Aveda Institute, which offers a wide range of spa services. An indoor swimming and Olympic training facility holds national competitions and is also open to the public. And a 10,000-seat artificial turf stadium hosts football and soccer games. About 3 in 5 residents own their homes; the remainder rent, with close to the national average.
#16. North River Shores, Florida
Population: 3,739
North River Shores sits on the banks of the North Fork St. Lucie River in Martin County. Among the attractions for residents are , all readily accessible in this low-population town.
#15. West Lake Hills, Texas
Population: 3,373
This hilly, 4-square-mile patch of Texas is conveniently located near Austin's downtown region and two Austin gems: and . West Lake Hills has also repeatedly received a Scenic City Certification, which recognizes cities that are "building sustainable communities and designing greenspaces that are accessible to all residents."
#14. Piermont, New York
Population: 2,525
, originally called Tappan Slote, sits on the Hudson River at the Sparkill tributary about 25 miles north of New York City. When the Erie Railroad began service from New York City to Lake Erie, it built a long pier that extended almost a mile into the river to transfer freight to and from river barges. Today, there are boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants along that pier and on the village's Main Street. Woody Allen's 1985 movie "" was filmed in Piermont.
#13. Bingham Farms, Michigan
Population: 1,521
This community created its "to preserve, protect and enhance the ecologically and historically unique environment and aesthetic charm of the village." Residents are just minutes from Detroit and 30 miles from the , which has 123 miles of trails and 20 golf courses.
#12. Brookridge, Florida
Population: 4,741
Brookridge may be less well known than other Floridian cities, but this low-crime, tight-knit Tampa suburb boasts high-ranking and is one of the most affordable places for retirees in the state.
#11. High Point, Florida
Population: 3,845
High Point sits just inland from Florida's Gulf Coast, not far north of Tampa Bay's pulsing metropolis. Seniors love the warm weather and quaint downtown. Plus it's one of the most affordable places in the nation, with home costs .
#10. Timber Pines, Florida
Population: 4,935
The Timber Pines Community Association, dedicated to offering premier "country club living for active adults," calls Timber Pines the "" Residents can swim in two geothermal heated pools, golf on four courses, play tennis on eight courts, and join over 100 clubs, classes, and organizations.
#9. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Population: 1,392
For a town of just , there's much to enjoy, including pristine beaches and a mile-long boardwalk filled with . In the summer, Rehoboth Beach hosts a .
#8. Leland Grove, Illinois
Population: 1,336
Leland Grove is just minutes away from Springfield and all the state capital offers. The community's comprehensive planning document declares that Leland Grove's " represents its greatest strength" and that its "community spirit is a valuable asset."
#7. Gulf Stream, Florida
Population: 893
Gulf Stream in Palm Beach County has an active lifestyle community with parks and recreational activities. The affluent area has a thriving economy with high household incomes and most residents owning their homes. Among its unique features is the historic canopy of along North Ocean Boulevard.
#6. Hillsboro Beach, Florida
Population: 2,011
Hillsboro Beach, a Fort Lauderdale suburb an hour outside Miami, has an urban feel with residents making an above-average income and owning their homes. The is above average, and as with many other Floridian cities, there's always the option of taking a beach day.
#5. Dutch Island, Georgia
Population: 1,247
Dutch Island, on the outskirts of Savannah, is like stepping into another world. The tight-knit island community was built among 500 acres of pristine natural beauty and prides itself as a perfect place for retirees thanks to its quiet and serene atmosphere. Dutch Island is small, , and offers plenty of activities, including tennis, beach volleyball, boating, hiking, and a community pool.
#4. South Palm Beach, Florida
Population: 1,875
An affluent and safe city, South Palm Beach is a haven for retirees. Its attractions include museums, golfing, dining, shopping, proximity to airports, and of course, beaches. There are plenty of retirement communities and easy access to reputable health services.
#3. Indian River Shores, Florida
Population: 4,217
As of early 2023, the median cost for a home in the resort town of Indian River Shores was $774,700. Residents, however, get value from an affluent, low-key neighborhood that has a suburban feel and a strong to keep property values high.
#2. Highland Beach, Florida
Population: 4,244
Highland Beach, located in Palm Beach County, is an ideal location for retirees with its laid-back, relaxing beaches and scenic views. Highland Beach is situated between the more popular cities of Delray Beach and Boca Raton. The Palm Beach area has a huge golfing scene for those who are interested in the sport.
#1. Lake Success, New York
Population: 2,856
This village on Long Island, just outside New York City, offers fitness center memberships and planned game and movie nights. There's plenty of opportunity for golfing at Lake Success Golf Club or the Fresh Meadow Country Club, which has been a historic destination for celebrities including baseball legend Babe Ruth.