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Guide to the Best Places to Retire
Best Places to Live & Retire
Ideal-Living offers a free comprehensive service that begins with helping you find your ideal lifestyle. Until you know how you want to live, you canât know where you want to live. We offer a wide array of tools to help you get answers to the questions that are keeping you from moving to your ideal destination. We can help you find the best places to live & retire.
There are lots of publications that put out annual lists of the best places to live. We have compiled a list of the cities and towns that are most often cited as the best places to retire. So, here is our list of the top 10 best places to retire.
- Naples, Florida
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Milford, Delaware
- Beaufort, South Carolina
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
- Fort Myers, Florida
- Williamsburg, Virginia
The fun is just beginning! We have communities in all of these cities and many more. We can provide you with information on communities in some of the most inviting locales across the United States and internationally.
We give you the information so you can compare across all the things you think are important for your ideal lifestyle. What makes a city or town one of the best places to retire? Weather? Taxes? Cost of living? Fun things to do? Sure, they all matter, but most of all it is your preferences, your taste, your dreams that make it the best place to retire for you.
Our free Retirement Guide, Digital Ideal-Living Magazine and e-Newsletter offer an abundance of information on which states, towns and cities are the best for retirees, vacationers and second-home buyers. All sent to you for FREE.
You can get specific information that is critical to helping you find best retirement cities, states and communities. Youâll find out information such as:
The Most Tax Friendly States
Tax Benefits for Retirees in Specific States
Best Climates
States with the Lowest Cost of Living
Population & Demographics
How to Get the Most for Your Home
Proximity of Schools, Hospitals, Airports & Entertainment
We can help you answer these and any other questions you may have concerning YOUR best place to retire. Our free resources can provide you with key information. Fill out the short form and get the information you need to decide where you can find your ideal lifestyle.
Sample Communities to Discover
The Esplanade at St Marys
Looking for your dream home near the Georgia coast? Esplanade at St. Marys is where it all begins. Nestled in one of the most desirable regions in the Southeast and set to open in 2026, this resort-style golf community offers everything you’ve ever wantedâgolf, spa, culinary experiences, water access, and more.
Homes will range from the $400s to over $1M, but with demand already building, now is the time to act. Contact Atlantic Salt Realty today to secure your spot on the interest list and be among the first to receive VIP updates, floor plans, and pricing. This is a rare opportunityâdon’t let it pass you by!
Esplanade at St. Marys will feature a stunning 18-hole championship golf course designed by C.W. Golf Architectureâblending coastal beauty with thoughtful course design. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or new to the game, this course will challenge and delight. A full-service pro shoppe, aqua driving range, and convenient snack shack add to the resort-level experience.
This isn’t just a place to liveâit’s a place to thrive. Esplanade is built around connection, wellness, and everyday joy. From high-end dining to luxurious spa days, the lifestyle here is truly unmatched.
Planned Amenities Include:
- Resort-style pool & cabanas
- Signature Culinary Center
- Bahama Bar & Fire Pit Lounge
- Wellness Center & Full-Service Spa
- Tennis, Pickleball, & Bocce Courts
- Miles of Walking Trails
- Kayak Launch on the St. Marys RiverBark Park for furry friends
- Clubhouse, fitness center, & more!
With a dedicated lifestyle director, residents can expect curated events, culinary classes, wine tastings, fitness programs, concerts, and unforgettable social gatherings all year long.
Located in St. Marys, Georgia, just minutes from I-95, Esplanade offers quick access to Jacksonville, FL, Brunswick, and the Golden Isles including Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island. Enjoy big-city conveniencesâworld-class healthcare, airports, professional sports, and diningâwithout giving up the charm and serenity of small-town coastal living.
Esplanade at St. Marys is unlike anything else on the Georgia coast. It combines the tranquility of nature with the luxury of resort living and the connection of community. But with high demand and limited availability, this opportunity won’t last long.
Contact Atlantic Salt Realty today to learn more about this exceptional new community.
Kissing Tree
Find yourself at Kissing Tree.Â
Perfectly placed in the Texas Hill Country halfway between Austin and San Antonio, Kissing Tree is a master-planned resort community by Brookfield Residential. Designed specifically for those 55 and better, Kissing Tree offers 1,300 acres of views, brews, and barbecues. Here, hundred-year-old live oak trees welcome you home, and friendly neighbors provide a genuine sense of community and connection.
When you live at Kissing Tree, every day is what you make it. Start the day enjoying the views from a workout class at the two-story Fitness Center, followed by coffee with friends at Independence Hall. Or play a leisurely round of golf on the 18-hole semi-private course designed by Gary Stephenson before having lunch at Tarbox & Brown, the onsite restaurant. Relax by the resort-style pool or swim some laps at the indoor Junior Olympic lap pool. Explore your creative passions in the Art Studio, or take on new neighbors in a friendly game of pickleball or bocce. Dance beneath the stars to live music at the Biergarten. You can be as active â or as relaxed â as you choose to be.
Here at Kissing Tree, you’ll find gorgeous homes designed for the ways you live and entertain by Brookfield Residential and David Weekley homes, priced from the $300s to $1 million plus. Whether you prefer to live large or downsize, there are floor plans to fit your style, structured in thoughtful neighborhood enclaves that encourage camaraderie. Choose from an inviting variety of architectural elevations, design options, and interior finishes that allow you to build a home that reflects your individual tastes. Or get in on the good times faster by choosing a professionally designed home that’s all ready to move in.
As a bustling college town with ample options for live music, restaurants, and festivals, San Marcos is the perfect backdrop for your next adventure (and the Mermaid Capital of Texas). Named one of Forbes’ “25 Best Places to Retire” three years in a row, San Marcos is a historic small town with big city conveniences. There are cool rivers to float and fish, clear lakes for boating, miles of trails, amazing scenery and wildlife, and winding backcountry roads for exploring on two wheels or four.
Ready to write your next chapter? Come for a visit and see how exciting life can be at Kissing Tree.
Cresswind at Rocky River
Opening Spring 2026
Cresswind at Rocky River is a 55+ community in Locust, North Carolina, where small-town charm meets everyday convenience. Located just 30 miles east of Charlotte, the community offers a peaceful, nature-rich setting with easy access to the city’s shopping, dining and entertainment.
New homes at Cresswind at Rocky River are specifically designed for active adults with design with flexible floorplans and hundreds of design and structural personalization options available. Miles of walking trails meander throughout the community, and the resident-exclusive clubhouse will feature a SmartFit Training Center powered by EGYM, resort-style swimming pool, over 30 pickleball courts, art studio and more. A full-time Lifestyle Director organizes a full event calendar, including fitness programs and clubs for every hobby.
Homebuyers can choose from a collection of 10 floorplans, ranging from 2- up to 5- Bedrooms and designed for optimal flexibility to create a home Built Around You. Kolter Homes offers a minimum of 25 structural options per plan so you can have the ability to add bedrooms, expand garages, second-floor bonus rooms and more. Plus, choose from hundreds of design personalization opportunities.
Locust blends natural beauty, rich history and recreation at every turn. From scenic parks like Locust City Park to nearby day-trip destinations such as Concord, Lake Tillery and the surrounding foothills, residents enjoy a lifestyle rooted in nature and connection. With its rolling hills, lush forests and strong community spirit, Locust is the ideal backdrop for life at Cresswind at Rocky River.
Requesting more information below is your first step towards enjoying the award-winning active lifestyle that will be offered at Cresswind at Rocky River.
Esprit at Avenir
Esprit at Avenir by Kolter Homes is a 55+ community for active adults seeking a refined South Florida lifestyle in the heart of Palm Beach Gardens. Residents are just minutes from pristine Atlantic beaches, championship golf, including the iconic PGA NationalResort & Spa, luxury shopping at The Gardens Mall, al fresco dining, cultural attractions and live entertainment. With Palm Beach International Airport less than 20 miles away, travel and weekend getaways are always within easy reach. Designed for those who value both sophistication and connection, Esprit blends contemporary living with resort- inspired experiences in one of the area’s most desirable locations.
Homes at Esprit at Avenir feature modern designs created for today’s active adults, offering comfortable, stylish spaces that support both everyday living and entertaining. The community features six unique floorplans ranging from 2- to 5 Bedrooms, with a wide range of personalization options. Thoughtful layouts and high-end finishes provide a fresh take on low-maintenance living, allowing homeowners to focus more on lifestyle and less on upkeep.
The lifestyle at Esprit at Avenir is crafted to elevate every day. Residents enjoy full country club living with resort-style pools, a full-service restaurant and bar serving craft cocktails and refined wines, and a cutting-edge fitness experience powered by EGYM, including recovery features like a cold plunge. A dedicated Lifestyle Director curates a robust calendar of social events, fitness programs and clubs, fostering connection and an active, engaging community.
Request more information today to discover an active adult lifestyle defined by comfort, connection and effortless luxury.
Get Started
Finding and choosing the right active adult community can be a daunting task. This is where ideal-LIVING can help. Sign up below to receive our complimentary relocation package, which offers tips on how to find a community that suits your needs. In this guide, youâll discover the top retirement communities, as well as what you can do to get started. Sign up for this free package to take the first step in your exciting journey.
Free Package includes:
- ideal-LIVING Relocation Guide
The ultimate guide to find your ideal destination, life and home. This annual guide contains more than 15 state maps, a location-based cost of living and climate comparison chart and discovery travel packages.
- ideal-LIVING Magazine
Quarterly print magazine features the best places to retire and/or purchase your ideal second home.
- ideal-LIVING E-Newsletter
Receive our digital newsletter, two to three times a month, highlighting communities around the country and abroad.
- Tickets to ideal-LIVING Live Events
The ideal-LIVING Resort & Retirement Show has helped retirees and second-home buyers find their ideal community and home for more than 30 years.
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