The 14 Best Places For Retirees To Spend The Winter

Once the golden years begin, many people look for the best places to spend the winter. Unless you're fortunate enough to live in a sunny paradise, you're probably not planning on spending your retirement winters stuck inside or venturing out into the bone-chilling cold just to leave the house. Beyond tamer weather and sunnier days, these winter hotspots often provide other retirement-friendly amenities, such as various leisure communities, like-minded seasoned individuals and couples, and plenty of outdoor activities, including golf, pickleball, and tennis.

There are more than 55 million retired Americans, according to the United States Census Bureau. Finding a retirement retreat that's not oversaturated might seem like stiff competition. Fortunately, there are plenty of uncrowded locations — domestic and abroad — that haven't blown up in popularity among snowbirds, an affectionate term for retirees who escape to warmer places for the winter. Instead of choosing the first winter getaway that pops into your head or simply copying your neighbors, taking a second to consider the best places for retirees to spend winter can mean the difference between a mediocre trip and an unforgettable retirement escape.

Augusta, Georgia is quickly becoming a hotspot for snowbirds to migrate in winter. As the home of the Masters golf tournament, it's only fitting that the city has world-class courses for those retirees looking to tee up throughout winter. Even competing against giants like Atlanta, Augusta outranks all other cities and towns in Georgia as the best place to retire in the Peach State according to studies.

The Garden City is known for its affordability, which allows retirees to live cheaper than in other places in the country. Healthcare is another significant attraction for retirees who want to spend winter in the warmer South. The relatively small city is home to three major hospitals, offering a high standard of care.

Of course, warm weather throughout winter is the main appeal for snowbirds. Augusta delivers with a shiny 222 days of sunshine year-round, exceeding the countrywide average by about 10%, according to Best Places. With winter temperatures staying above 50 degrees even on the coldest days, retirees can squeeze out every bit of daylight, no matter the time of year.

Santa Fe doesn't have any beaches like many of the best places for retirees to spend the winter, yet the Southwestern haven more than makes up for it in other areas. First and foremost, the sun shines brightly on the city for 300 days out of the year, among the most consistent in the country. Furthermore, winter is actually the best time of year to visit since sweltering summer heat can reach up to 90 degrees and higher. In the dead of winter, the city still maintains an average high temperature of between 42 and 55 degrees, which is comfortable for most outdoor activities.

Snowbirds will find their wintertime nest in New Mexico to be much easier on their budgets than in other states. In fact, the cost of living in the Land of Enchantment is 5% lower than the rest of the country. Retirees will pay even less for housing and utilities, which are 12% and 14% below national averages, respectively, according to Rent Cafe. Food is also a decent amount cheaper at 3% under countrywide norms. Even spending a few months of the year in New Mexico can help reduce how much money you really need to safely retire.

With a slower pace of life, characteristic southern charm, and warm weather, what's not to love about Charleston? Snowbirds will have to clear a hurdle of living costs about 2% higher than the national average, according to the National Education Association, but the wintertime perks are well worth the surcharge. The Southern belle has been a flashpoint throughout America's 250-year-old story, making it a perfect escape for history enthusiasts. Whether you want to visit the origins of the Civil War at Fort Sumter, check out the country's oldest community-organized preservation society, or simply stroll through Charleston's old district, the city is steeped in rich history.

If museums and history books aren't your jive, don't count Charleston out just yet. The seaside city still packs a coastal punch with sandy white beaches available within walking or driving distance, depending on where you stay in the city. It's a premier fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and even surfing destination. As winter weather only hits a low of 43 degrees, snowbirds won't run out of time to enjoy everything Charleston has to offer.

Phoenix has been a hotspot for snowbirds for decades — a streak the Arizona capital is maintaining with ease. According to Investopedia, some of the most enticing offerings in Phoenix for retirees include stunning natural scenery, extremely mild winters, and a reasonable cost of living, which is compounded by a friendly tax infrastructure. Smack dab in the middle of the Phoenix Mountains and flanked by several state and national parks, this capital city offers a dream landscape for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts looking to get the most out of nature in the wintertime.

Unlike most places in the U.S., Phoenix shines in the wintertime. During the summer, average temperatures can reach up to 100 degrees. While many other cities hover around freezing, winter temperatures rarely go below 40 degrees, according to Best Places, even in the coldest stretch of the year. Phoenix also enjoys almost 300 sunny days on average per year, nearly 100 more than the national norm. As if picturesque nature and pristine weather weren't enough to convince snowbirds to make a stopover, Phoenix also offers a lower cost of living than the rest of the country, the NEA points out.

If long stretches of white sand beaches, tame waters, optimal sunshine, and outdoor activities are your perfect description of a winter retirement hideaway, look no further than Naples, Florida. AXA Travel Insurance dubs this Southwest Floridian city as one of the top winter beach getaways in the entire country. The fast-growing city lives up to this description with a pristine 9-mile coastline of beachfront, offering the perfect balance between a remote retreat and a calm environment.

This coastal city offers the perfect climate backdrop for you to enjoy its stunning beaches. Aptly located in the Sunshine State, Naples experiences a blinding 264 days of sunlight, according to Best Places. In the winter, the temperature barely ever goes under 50 degrees. Worried about those infamous tropical showers raining on your retirement parade? The vast majority of the city's rainfall occurs between June and September, leaving winters relatively dry. If you want to know what retirement was like in the 1970s, head for the many historic neighborhoods dotted throughout the city's periphery.

New Orleans is famed for its historical French Quarter: a pulsing hub of diverse cultural influences, including African, European, and American. Contrary to popular belief, many retirees are actually attracted by the city's bustling streets, active nightlife, and younger crowd. The city is famous for its vibrant jazz clubs and mouth-watering food. While these characteristics are the flashy lures that hook you into visiting the Big Easy, the heart of Louisiana has plenty of other offerings enticing older couples to stay for the entire winter.

Best Places notes that New Orleans experiences 216 sunny days annually, far above the national average of 205 days. Even on the coldest days, the city's mild winters still hold in the upper-50s. With hurricane season running between June and November, retirees don't have to worry about tropical storms in the winter. Snowbirds will have a chance to see New Orleans at its best and brightest in February when the iconic Mardi Gras festival kicks off. While not truly on the water, New Orleans isn't a landlocked city. The winding Mississippi eventually drains into the Gulf of Mexico, where retirees can find plenty of golden beaches within an hour's drive.

Not many people think of Bakersfield when speaking about California, but it's consistently ranked among the most affordable places in the state. Whether you plan on renting or buying a winter retreat, this satellite of Los Angeles is well within reach for many retirees. The average home is valued at $325,000, and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,150 according to Real PHA. Overall, the site notes that living expenses in Bakersfield are 19% lower than the national standard. That relative affordability, mixed with a Californian standard of living, is a perfect recipe for retirees.

Bakersfield occupies an interesting location in South-central California, equidistant from LA and both Los Padres and Sequoia National Forest. Whether you feel like experiencing the big city or venturing off into breathtaking nature, it's all around you in Bakersfield. Or, you can kick back and relax in the quaint town with mild winter weather. Here, Snowbirds can escape frigid winters to bask in 272 days of direct sunlight throughout the year, Best Places notes.

Mississippi is known for its affordability, and its capital is no exception. Jackson gives retirees the big-city amenities without the anticipated costs. The central hub of the Magnolia State is a popular choice for fixed-income individuals and couples due to its lower-than-average living expenses. What do snowbirds get for paying less? They'll be treated to quintessential Southern hospitality, a slower pace of life, and welcoming locals. No matter where you're coming from or how long you stay in Jackson, you'll feel like a part of the local community, an important factor when you're building a new social circle in retirement.

Admittedly, Jackson has one of the least mild winters on this list of the best places for retirees to spend winter. Its colder months are much more tolerable than those of many northern states, however. If the moderate winter weather doesn't warm you up to visiting Jackson, maybe its affordable living expenses will. Jackson is 10% cheaper than the national average, according to the NEA, allowing you to get more for less in your golden years.

Alabama isn't known for its sandy beaches, but Gulf Shores proves the stereotype wrong. The popular vacation spot is an up-and-coming hub for snowbirds on the lookout for warmer, sunnier pastures during the colder months. Located on the sun-drenched beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Shores gets hit with 223 days of sunlight every year according to Best Places. While summer temperatures soar up to 90 degrees, the winter weather is much more comfortable, rarely falling below a favorable 50 degrees.

The burgeoning real estate industry in Gulf Shores leads some retirees to worry about affordability. In reality, the market is still reasonable compared to other places in the country. The median home is roughly $467,000, according to local real estate data, while the average rent for a two-bedroom starts at $1,800 per month. With year-round sunshine and relative affordability compared to uber-popular Florida destinations, Gulf Shores is a gem for winter-weary retirees.

Sticking with the Gulf region, snowbirds might also want to consider Galveston, Texas. The Lone Star State is usually associated with sprawling deserts and sweltering heat, but it actually has the seventh-longest coastline in the U.S., offering plenty of beachfront hideaways for retirees seeking a winter escape. With 205 sunny days a year and an average winter temperature of about 55 degrees, according to Best Places, you'll have all the time you need to eke out the best this coastal retreat has to offer.

Unlike many of the mainstream snowbird destinations that come with a higher cost of living, Galveston's affordability surprises many retirees. Overall, living expenses are a solid 8% lower than the norm in America. While you'll only save 1% on groceries, you'll pocket an impressive 25% on housing, considerably reducing the cost of spending your winters there. A round-trip ticket to Galveston for winter is definitely not one of the items retirees will instantly regret buying.

Puerto Rico offers the perfect blend of American convenience and Central American flair for retirees who want a foreign winter getaway without really leaving the U.S. sphere of influence. San Jose, the island's capital, boasts well-preserved Spanish Colonial architecture, winding cobblestone streets, and a wealth of history around every corner. However, Puerto Rico is home to many criminally undervisited towns with remote, sandy beaches, crystal blue water, and surrounding tropical forests. Regardless of where you decide to visit on the island, you'll find captivating beauty, vivacious culture, and an inviting atmosphere.

On a more practical note, Puerto Rico is a solid choice for budget-conscious retirees who want to spend winter away without breaking the bank. Living costs on the island are around 9% lower than in the U.S. The relative affordability is more dramatic when looking at rent, which is a whopping 52% lower in Puerto Rico, according to Numbeo. Plus, U.S. citizens can unlock a number of tax perks when relocating to the haven, although this usually requires an extended stay. But if you stumble upon one of the genius ways to make money after retirement, you could get away with paying less than on the mainland.

Portugal is one of the best countries in Europe for retirees due to its low cost of living, advanced public healthcare system, friendly visa process, captivating nature, and coastal weather. It might seem expensive to charter back and forth to Europe for the winters, but Portugal's affordability can help make up for the costs. Every dollar you spend in a European country gets you 32% more value than in the U.S. according to Smart Asset. These savings are more apparent when looking at rental prices, which are 40% cheaper in the coastal city. If you're worried about the visa process, Portugal offers a well-established route for retirees, regardless of how long you want to stay. Although you might have a small language barrier to overcome, the Portuguese healthcare system is highly ranked for overall quality.

These factors are pragmatic to consider, but they're not the main selling point when looking at the best places for retirees to spend. The elevator pitch for a winter getaway in Portugal is hidden beaches surrounded by dramatic cliffs in the south, lush wine valleys in the north, and historic European cities, such as Porto and Lisbon. While the northern half of the country sees mild winters, this time of year receives a decent amount of rain. In the middle, winters are even warmer, but the Algarve region is really where the ideal climate prevails.

Panama is one of the most U.S.-friendly nations in Central America due to decades of heavy American influence surrounding the Panama Canal. This close economic and cultural connection has made Panama a favorite among snowbirds who are willing to fly a little further south. According to the Embassy of Panama, visiting the country for three months is a cinch. All you need is a valid passport and a return ticket. U.S. citizens are granted 90 days of stay without any visa, plenty of time to wait out those harsh winters on the mainland. If you want to stay longer, the country offers a generous retirement visa called the Panama Pensionado, which provides considerable tax exemptions and a slew of discounts on everything from healthcare expenses and transportation to utilities and hotels.

The tax perks and visa accessibility are fantastic, but it's the weather and nature that make Panama one of the best places to retire outside the U.S. December, which usually marks the beginning of harsh winter weather in America, kicks off the best and brightest part of Panama's year. While the U.S. is suffering from winter weather, Panama is entering its dry season, which means barely any precipitation and extremely pleasant temperatures at 86 degrees on average. With a Caribbean and Pacific coastline, retirees will have no trouble finding a paradisiacal beach to spend their golden years' winters.

If you're looking for the best bang for your buck abroad in retirement, Costa Rica should top your list of considerations. Forbes even touts it as "the world's best-known foreign retirement haven." Costa Rica is a popular option for those searching for a new home abroad in their golden years, but the same advantages make it ideal for a winter retreat. The Central American hamlet features natural diversity, bustling cities, quaint towns, and a beautiful coastline. The booming capital of San José grants you all the amenities and conveniences of a modern Western city with the vibrancy and culinary appeal of the Americas. Those looking for a slower pace of life, ready beach access, and an even more affordable cost of living should check out Dominical and Tamarindo, according to U.S. News & World Report. 

Costa Rica doesn't charge taxes on American retirees, allowing retirees to come and go without worrying about an added financial burden. These tax protections are buttressed by a general affordability that touches all corners of the coastal country. International Living reports that a seasoned couple can live comfortably only spending $2,000 monthly, accounting for nearly all expenses, including rent, healthcare, food, and transportation.