12 Small Towns Getaways On The Atlantic Coast For Retirees
The small towns on the Atlantic Coast are among the most beautiful and relaxing towns in the world. With clean air coming off the Atlantic Ocean and vibrant tight-knit communities, these small towns like Hilton Head, Cape Charles, and Holden Beach make for a relaxing getaway perfect for retirees looking to slow down and enjoy life to the fullest. Visitors will find these small towns full of unique traits and attractions, from natural wonders like Fort Williams Park and Wilmington Park to historical landmarks like Cape Elizabeth's lighthouse towers or the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Another boon to consider: these towns also offer top-of-the-line health care for those with health concerns, and most locations are wheelchair accessible. Retirees can relax and enjoy sunsets on sandy beaches like Cocoa Beach, Edisto Beach, and Old Orchard Beach with laid-back activities like fishing in some of the best coastal fishing spots in the world. Retirees can enjoy the natural beauty of the coast with walks and hikes. However, history buffs should also explore the unique histories of these small towns. Towns on the Atlantic coast are full of interesting history that dates back to the founding of counties and regions. Below are some of the most historic and unique small towns on the Atlantic Coast for retirees.
Edisto Beach - South Carolina
Edisto is a small beachfront town on the South Carolina Coast focusing on family and developing a natural sanctuary with an approximate cost of living of $34,807 a year. The unique Edisto Beach community is a hidden gem for vacationers looking for an uncrowded and calm beach, the namesake, with amazing views of the Atlantic. For the freshest seafood, SeaCow Eatery is a famous but homey waterfront restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily from 7 am to 8 pm.
The Plantation Course at Edisto is an excellent place for retirees to test their golf skills with a challenging and fun layout of sand and water traps. Fishing and boating enthusiasts should join the Edisto Island Yacht Club Inc., where stories can be shared over member-only meals. For stays on the beach, Sea Island Cottage is a cozy vacation cottage close to the beach.
Myrtle Beach - South Carolina
South Carolina's Myrtle Beach is a hub of entertainment, culture, and natural beauty, with sites like the Myrtle Beach State Park Pier offering great views of the Atlantic Coast. Visitors can also enjoy fishing off the Springmaid Pier or cast a line from the sandy beaches. Film and TV buffs will also love the historical Hollywood Wax Museum, which features a mirror maze and souvenir shop.
Retirees will find great accommodations at the TerraBella retirement community, which offers independent living with helpful healthcare workers to assist when needed. The cost of living in a retirement home in South Carolina is, on average, $3,988 a month, making South Carolina one of the most affordable places to retire in the US.
Hilton Head Island - South Carolina
Hilton Head Island is one of the most prestigious and unique retirement locations on the Atlantic Coast, with some of the highest housing costs in the state, nearly 23% above the national average, but this town is nonetheless worth the price. Visitors can enjoy the magic of Disney's Kilton Head Island Resort and discover the unique historic buildings and walks at the Coastal Discovery Museum. Coligny Beach Park is a beautiful beachside park with modern amenities like Wi-Fi and landscaped walking paths. Dogs are also allowed.
Harbour Town Golf Links is a public golf course great for retirees looking to brush up on golf skills. For those looking to settle down in the area, Seabrook of Hilton Head is a tranquil retirement community with engaging activities like an exercise room, library, woodworking shop, and heated swimming pool.
Holden Beach - North Carolina
The small community of Holden Beach is home to colorful architecture, a rich history, and beautiful beaches, which all contribute to a higher cost of living, around $41,030 a year. With a population of less than 600, this small town is a tight-knit community with a rural seaside feel. The Big Beach on the eastern side of the island is a popular spot for walking along the tidal waters with few people. Here, visitors can relax from bustling city living and enjoy the outdoors.
Fishing is a popular and relaxing sport in this small town, with prime fishing spots on Holden Beach Fishing Pier and almost anywhere on the Big Beach. With the abundance of seafood restaurants, like Castaways Raw Bar & Grill, there is a high availability of fresh daily caught fish with a background of live music and rolling waves.
Cocoa Beach - Florida
Just south of Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach is well known as a beautiful beach and exciting surfing location with a low cost of living, only around $33,980 a year for a single adult. For more beautiful sites, the Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park makes for an adventure through the sub-tropics before letting out on the beach. For visitors with a taste for the arts, Surfside Playhouse is a local performing arts theater with original local productions that holds the annual Touchstone Film Festival.
Cocoa Beach Country Club is great for golf fans to meet and enjoy exclusive dining options and member-only golf courses. Ally Senior Living Consultants, offer help with day-to-day activities to senior retirees living on Cocoa Beach. For brief visits, the Sea Aire Oceanfront Inn is an affordable yet tranquil stay on the beach at only $129 a night.
Wilmington Island - Georgia
Wilmington Island, just 19 minutes east of Savannah, Georgia, is an ideal location for retirees looking for a slower, more relaxed way of life while still having interesting adventures and fun activities to enjoy. The cost of living in this small-town getaway is relatively average for the area at $38,650 a year, including housing, transportation, food, taxes, and other necessities. The various parks of Wilmington, like Wilmington Park and JC Cannon Fields, plus the miles of untamed land to the east, make for beautiful views and unique walking paths.
As a small town, the Frank Murray Community Center is a huge part of the local retirement community, with regular events like bingo, yoga, art classes, and creative writing. Golf enthusiasts and retirees settling down in Wilmington should check out the nearby Savannah Country Club, which offers exclusive golf courses, tennis courts, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and dine-in options.
Cape Charles - Virginia
Famous for its thriving fishing industry of clams, oysters, and crabs, Cape Charles is a hub for fishing enthusiasts and is a great place for retirees looking for a low cost of living, as in this small town, the average is only $37,217 a year — lower than the state average. Retirees also enjoy Cape Charles for its beautiful views maintained by areas like the Cape Charles Natural Area Preserve. Some of the best fishing can be done from Cape Charles Beachfront and Pier after dark.
After a day of fishing and exploring, the Shanty is one seafood restaurant serving only the freshest local catches on a waterfront patio with live music. Those looking for the history of this small but important town can visit the Cape Charles Museum, featuring local exhibits and photos.
Ocean City - Maryland
Stretching from Ocean City Fishing Pier to Maryland Beach, Ocean City offers nearly nine miles of endless Atlantic views and fun activities like Baja Amusements theme park, Wetlands Walkway nature walk, and fishing on the Ocean City Fishing Pier. The cost of living in this beachfront town is roughly $36,659 a year for all the standard necessities. The Ocean City Boardwalk, founded in 1902, is famous for its restaurants, shops, historical monuments, and carnival rides. The Coastal Bistro, Ocean City Boardwalk Arch, and Ocean Gallery are among the cannot-miss locations on the boardwalk.
Retirees interested in family photos that last for generations should check out the Flashback Old Time Photo for portraits made heirlooms with an old-timey theme. Ocean City 50 Plus Center is a great getaway for seniors and retirees looking for relaxing activities like Mahjong, yoga, and Tai Chi.
Dewey Beach - Delaware
With some of the lowest tax rates in the state, Dewey Beach is the best small town for retirees on the coast of Delaware looking for the ultimate getaway from big-city chaos with a total cost of living of above $35,000 a year. Besides the beautiful waterfront views and historical memorials, Dewey Beach is home to some of the unique eateries in Delaware, such as The Starboard, a bar and grill with a tavern aesthetic specializing in bloody Marys and beach fries.
Retirees can also enjoy activities like mini golf from locations like Nick's Dewey Beach Golf, which offers a full day of golf for only $17 per player. For the best experience on the Atlantic Coast in Dewey Beach, retirees and vacationers should try The Sand Dollar Tour agency for a public or private cruise along the deep blue waters of the Atlantic.
Brigantine - New Jersey
The cost of living in Brigantine is lower than the state average, a relatively high rate compared to the rest of the country, about 13% more. The natural beauty of the Sea and wildlife in the small town of Brigantine is unlike any other. Retirees can walk Brigantine Beach and listen to the waves lap upon the shore while being surrounded by wildlife preserves like North Brigantine Natural Area and Absecon Wildlife Management Area.
For retirees looking for the best fishing spots, The Jetty on the Absecon Inlet gives great views and is known for bringing the best catches of the beach. For public golfing, the Brigantine Golf Links makes up 18 holes, 14 of which have an additional challenge of tidal water hazards.
Cape Elizabeth - Maine
With thriving foliage and plant life, Cape Elizabeth melds the worlds of grassy fields and green hills with that of the deep blue waters and sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. Here, retirees can venture through the Crescent Beach State Park or Fort Williams Park, taking in the peace of this small rural town. For a relaxing meal in town, the Tostones Café is a scenic small cafe serving Latin American cuisine. For overnight stays in town, the 4-star hotel Inn by the Sea is the go-to resort.
Cape Elisabeth is also well known for its multiple lighthouses, which protect incoming vessels from foggy weather and dark seas. These towers are still operational today and are open to the public for viewing. For even more historical facts, retirees can reach out to the Cape Elizabeth Historical Preservation Society. Despite the rural area and small population, Cape Elizabeth still has ample access to healthcare facilities like Max Health Maine LLC, a medical clinic providing general family care while educating patients on how to maintain a healthy life.
Old Orchard Beach - Maine
With about 5% less living costs when compared to the national average, the historic small town of Old Orchard Beach is a worthy getaway worth the price. From historic landmarks and parks like the Old Orchard Beach Historical Society and Veteran's Memorial Park, this town is a beautiful place on the Atlantic Coast. The beach on Old Orchard is a great sandy beach that shines in the sun. A large pier stretches out over the beach, making for a perfect point while also having some small shops and restaurants.
This small town is one of the many on the Atlantic Coast for retirees with fun and calming activities like golfing, fishing, hiking, and camping. Golf enthusiasts can join the Dunegrass Golf Club for exclusive access to challenging and scenic holes; a public course is also available for those just visiting.
There is no end to the small towns on the Atlantic Coast for retirees with endless activities, parks, beaches, and historical sites to explore. When deciding on a getaway on the Atlantic Coast, it is most important to consider the size of a community and the natural landscape of the area to get the most scenic and relaxing getaway. Beachside towns will offer the best of both worlds with the rural charm of a small town community while also having a developed infrastructure comparable to modern cities. Retirees can rest assured when traveling to these rural seaside towns. Due to the popularity of these small beach towns, necessities like healthcare facilities are at their best. Despite the modern amenities and themes of some of these small tourist towns, there is still a vibrant community of seniors; from retirement communities to senior centers, there are always activities available that cater to retirees.
