7 Cost-Effective Towns On The Gulf Coast For Retirees
Looking for an idyllic place to settle down in your golden years? Imagine waking up every morning to salty ocean air, picturesque sunsets, and a vibrant community to keep you active. Settling on the Gulf Coast doesn’t mean you had to work your life as a high-power CEO to enjoy a slice of paradise. These cost-effective Gulf Coast towns give retirees a slice of the good life without draining their 401k. So, when you’re ready to swap your briefcase for a beach towel, check out these affordable Gulf Coast towns.
Fairhope, Alabama
According to the U.S. Census, Fairhope, Alabama, is considered one of the top retirement destinations in the country. While it has beach vacation vibes, the affordable housing, close proximity to essential amenities, and friendly community make it easy to make it a full-time retirement destination. Thomas Hospital is a top-notch hospital located in the heart of town. It also has excellent outpatient facilities, such as the Thomas Medical Center in Daphne, which is less than 10 miles away. Fairhope also hosts plenty of retirement communities, such as The Reserve at Fairhope and Homestead Village, offering round-the-clock care, upscale living, and a friendly environment at affordable prices.
However, nearby amenities, low taxes, and affordable housing are not the main reasons retirees flock to Fairhope. Fairhope is a walkable city, with flower-lined sidewalks always in bloom and locally-owned cafes and shops where you can spend an afternoon. You can sip on a special coffee at The Coffee Loft and then walk to a public beach access at North Beach Park for the perfect day. With a resort beach town vibe and affordable cost of living, there’s a reason why retirees love Fairhope.
Rockport, Texas
Rockport, Texas, offers retirees mild winters, beautiful views, and affordable housing. The average home price sells for around $325,000, which is nearly $40,000 less than the national average. Seniors don’t have to worry about hospitals in Rockport since the Corpus Christi Medical Center’s 24/7 ER is located in the heart of town. Moreover, the colorful downtown area always has fun things and events happening, like the Tropical Christmas Festival, the Seafair, and Rockport Market Days.
The cost of living may be lower in Rockport, but the amazing views, pristine beaches, and public parks are not in short supply. In fact, Rockport Beach Park is certified as Texas’ only ‘Blue Wave Beach,’ meaning it’s been approved by the Clean Beaches Coalition for its cleanliness and water quality. Rockport Beach Park is a great place to relax along the water, but Goose Island State Park is a fisherman’s paradise, flush with redfish, speckled trout, flounder, drum, and sheepshead.
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Life is never boring in Pascagoula, Mississippi. While its lively community and exciting downtown district make it a top-tier retirement destination, it’s surprisingly affordable to live there. The average home price sells for around $140,000, making it one of the most affordable Gulf Coast towns on this list. Whether you want a modest 1-story ranch or a condo to call home, plenty of options aren’t too far from the beach.
What retirees love most about Pascagoula is the tight-knit community and myriad of local attractions (like the Round Island Lighthouse) that are never boring. Seniors can soak up the sun at Pascagoula Beach Park, shop for fresh seafood at the quirky Bozo's Seafood Market, or launch a boat out on the water at Point Park Pascagoula to catch dinner. Plus, Pascagoula is centrally located with the award-winning Singing River Health System within a short walk of downtown.
Pensacola, Florida
Life in Pensacola seems almost too good to be true. With an average home price of around $260,000, far below the state average of $390,000, retirees can live the good life on the Gulf Coast without draining their retirement savings. Nestled in the Florida Panhandle, Pensacola comes alive with beautiful beaches and parks and a walkable downtown area with wide landscaped sidewalks and quaint shops, especially in the Seville Historic District. It also has modern, highly rated hospitals like the Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola.
Residents don’t have to travel far for prime public beach access at Bruce Beach or Sanders Beach, which are always bustling with eager beachgoers. However, if you want a slower pace and less crowded ocean views, the Pensacola Naval Complex Beach is a hidden gem in Pensacola and a great, uncrowded place to take a quiet stroll along the water. With fun community events like the Pensacola Holiday Market Downtown, there’s always something to do and see when you spend your golden years in Pensacola.
Gulf Shores, Alabama
With an average home price of around $465,000 and low property taxes, Gulf Shores is a great place to spend your golden years when you are on a tight budget. Aside from lower home prices, Gulf Shores doesn’t tax Social Security and has plenty of accessible homes for its aging community. Plus, it is within close proximity to the highly regarded South Baldwin Regional Medical Center Freestanding Emergency Department and wellness centers like the David L. Bodenhamer Center.
While Gulf Shores may be centrally located to all the amenities that retirees need, it’s also a great place for solitude on its untouched shoreline. Some of the more popular parks in the area include places like the Gulf State Park, offering visitors access to over 6,000 acres of pristine shoreline, piers, campgrounds, and marshy hiking trails. With an average temperature of around 60 degrees and ocean views around every corner, Gulf Shores is a wonderful (and affordable) retirement destination that will make your life feel like a year-round vacation.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
In the heart of the Gulf Coast, just outside of Biloxi, is the dreamy town of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. With dense tree-lined streets, public beach access, and a lively community, life is easy and uncomplicated in Ocean Springs. The walkable downtown district has inviting cafes like The District Coffee Company and shops like the Coastal Magpie with locally made goods. Retirees can rest at ease, knowing the Ocean Springs Hospital is nearby. Ocean Springs is a small, tight-knit community equipped with all the essentials retirees need.
While life in Ocean Springs feels like a dreamy beach vacation, the cost of living is surprisingly affordable. The average home price sells for around $250,000, and they have a wide variety of quiet retirement communities like Colonnades and Truewood by Merrill. Even better, Mississippi doesn’t tax Social Security and was named the best place to retire in the South by Southern Living magazine.
Punta Gorda, Florida
Life on the Gulf Coast can get expensive, but Punta Gorda is one of the more affordable areas along the coast. The average home price costs around $385,000, just below Florida's average of $392,000. You may be close to the beach and other vacation-like retreats, but you won’t have to travel far for necessary amenities like pharmacies, wellness centers, or hospitals. The ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda, nestled right in the heart of town, is one of the best hospitals in the area.
If you want to spend your retirement in the great outdoors, Punta Gorda has plenty of public spaces to exercise or just relax along the shoreline. And since the weather is always warm in Punta Gorda, you can get outside and exercise 12 months out of the year. The Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park provides residents with over 45,000 acres of wilderness, 100 miles of protected shoreline, and popular hiking trails like the Eagle Point Trail. Other secluded parks in the area include The Peace River Wildlife Center and Babcock Ranch Preserve.
Low-Cost Living Meets Coastal Luxury
With these affordable Gulf Coast towns, there’s no reason you can’t live a beach vacation 365 days a year. From the sleepy coastal charm of Pascagoula, Mississippi, to the colorful and vibrant streets of Rockport, Texas, you’re sure to find a community that suits your lifestyle. With a lower cost of living, affordable homes, and lower taxes, these Gulf Coast towns prove that you can live the good life on a budget. If you want to spend your retirement warm, cozy, happy, and healthy, there’s no better place than the Gulf Coast.
