Latest news with #affordableliving
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Travel + Leisure
29-05-2025
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
This Is the No. 1 Place to Live in the U.S. for Affordability and Cost of Living
In a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, a majority of Americans said the economy was either only in "fair" or "poor" shape, with 63 percent citing "inflation" as a major concern. If this is your top priority too, know that one, we can relate, and two, GoBankingRates may have a few suggestions on where you can relocate to in the U.S. to experience a more affordable lifestyle. The website released its "Most Livable Destinations" list, including 10 spots where you can live a great life without a six-figure income. For this report, GoBakingRates first sourced the 50 best places to live from U.S. News & World Report's "250 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2025-2026." Next, it looked into each city's average monthly and annual rent, which it sourced from Zillow's April 2025 data. It also examined each city's annual expenses for groceries, health care, utilities, and transportation, all based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2023 Consumer Expenditure Survey data points. And to determine the salary needed in each place, GoBankingRates followed the "50/30/20 budget rule," which Investopedia explained, "suggests that you spend 50 percent of your budget on needs, 30 percent on wants, and 20 percent on your savings goal," with housing falling under that "need" category too. After reviewing all the data, GoBankingRates named Laredo, Texas, the most affordable city, thanks to its annual cost of living expenses for homeowners at just $36,008 and the salary needed for homeowners at $72,015. It also found that the annual cost of living expenses for renters was just a touch higher at $36,888, and the salary needed for renters was also a smidge higher at $73,776. Texas also took the second-place spot thanks to the affordability of McAllen, where the annual cost of living expenses for homeowners is just $36,287, with the salary needed for homeowners at $72,574. The city's annual cost of living expenses for renters is $38,742, with the salary needed for renters at $77,484. These two Texas locations are joined by Moore, Oklahoma, in third, followed by Midland, Michigan; Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Springdale, Arkansas; Saint Peters, Missouri; Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and West Des Moines, Iowa, rounding out the top 10. And while each of these spots requires less than $100,000 a year, GoBankingRates noted that all of the cities require an above-average salary to live comfortably." It added, "The average salary in the U.S. is about $67,000, but you'll need to earn over $70,000 to live comfortably in the top city for renters and over $72,000 to live in the top city for homeowners." See the full report at
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
10 Most Livable and Affordable Cities for Singles
Living comfortably on a single income is challenging in many cities, but some offer a better quality of life for single people than others. In addition to offering more affordable rent, cost of living, and home prices, the best cities for singles also boast employment opportunities, safety and other features that are important to single people, including walkability, restaurants and high rental availability. Read More: Find Out: To find the most livable and affordable cities for singles, Rocket Moving analyzed cities across several key metrics, including rent prices, cost of living, job opportunities, safety and social infrastructure. Based on this analysis, these are the best U.S. cities for singles. Average rent: $1,899 # of available 1-bedroom rentals: 6,526 Job growth rate: 4.6% Open job positions: 9.68 million Average rent: $1,571 # of available 1-bedroom rentals: 1,235 Job growth rate: 5.1% Open job positions: 1.54 million Average rent: $2,225 # of available 1-bedroom rentals: 19,592 Job growth rate: 4.6% Open job positions: 13.83 million See Next: Average rent: $1,286 # of available 1-bedroom rentals: 1,708 Job growth rate: 2.7% Open job positions: 1.73 million Average rent: $1,015 # of available 1-bedroom rentals: 1,186 Job growth rate: 2.5% Open job positions: 430,000 Average rent: $1,602 # of available 1-bedroom rentals: 8,986 Job growth rate: 2.6% Open job positions: 3.15 million Average rent: $2,052 # of available 1-bedroom rentals: 8,325 Job growth rate: 3.2% Open job positions: 3.31 million Average rent: $1,359 # of available 1-bedroom rentals: 2,695 Job growth rate: 2% Open job positions: 2.96 million Average rent: $1,138 # of available 1-bedroom rentals: 1,380 Job growth rate: 2.3% Open job positions: 460,000 Average rent: $1,075 # of available 1-bedroom rentals: 154 Job growth rate: 2.1% Open job positions: 290,000 More From GOBankingRates 8 Common Mistakes Retirees Make With Their Social Security Checks 3 Reasons Retired Boomers Shouldn't Give Their Kids a Living Inheritance (And 2 Reasons They Should) This article originally appeared on 10 Most Livable and Affordable Cities for Singles
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Travel + Leisure
22-05-2025
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
This Is One of the Most Popular Retirement Places in the U.S. for Low Taxes and Good Weather
If you've worked hard your entire life and saved up your pennies, you should be able to enjoy a fantastic retirement wherever you want, and do so surrounded by other retirees happily doing the same thing. However, with how the economy is going, some of the most popular retirement destinations could be far more expensive than you realize. But fear not. GoBankingRates has identified exactly how much you need to retire in America's two most popular retirement states that offer high concentrations of retirees, and identified the most affordable option, too. 'Two of the nation's most popular states to retire in, Florida and Arizona, are well-known for their good weather and lower taxes,' GoBankingRates shared in a statement with Travel + Leisure . 'Considering these factors matter to retirees seeking a comfortable lifestyle, it's not too surprising that 50 of America's most popular retirement locales are found in these two states.' However, what it did note could come as a surprise is the amount needed for a single person or a married couple to retire in the hot spots across these two states. 'Depending on the metro, at least $1 million, if not more, is necessary to cover 15 years in retirement with Social Security benefits,' GoBankingRates shared. GoBankingRates found that Rio Verde in Arizona is the No. 1 most densely populated with retirees location, with 86.6 percent of its population in the 65+ demographic. It was also one of the more affordable destinations in both the hot-spot states. GoBankingRates found that 'a single person retiring in Rio Verde needs $896,947 to afford 15 years [of retirement] while a couple would need $726,239. Both these amounts include Social Security,' earning it the No. 7 spot. Methodology To determine which towns and cities in these two states offer the highest concentration of retirees and the savings needed in these top retirement spots, the team sourced key information from the US Census's 2023 5-year American Community Survey. It whittled down the list to cities with at least a 1,000-person population, and at least 30% of that population had to be 65 or over. It then sourced the cost of living via Sperling's BestPlaces and included the grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous cost-of-living indexes to give a complete picture. Lastly, it found the national average expenditure costs for households with residents aged 65 and over via the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey and factored in the average Social Security income for one person and a married couple to calculate the annual cost of retirement. (The findings also assume a person retires at 65 and lives to age 80, giving a 15-year retirement window.) In fact, all of Arizona won out on the affordability front. Carefree, Arizona (No. 45 on the list) is the only destination in Arizona where a 15-year retirement costs more than $1 million. (The cost for one is $1,416,504 while two need $1,245,795.) The No. 1 most affordable spot went to Quartzsite, Arizona, where you will need just $15,338 (annual cost of living for a single person with social security) to retire. On the flipside, GoBankingRates found that retirees—both singles and couples—will need at least $1 million in savings in eight Floridian cities, including Indian River Shores (No. 8), Longboat Key (No. 11), Highland Beach (No. 15), Palm Beach (No.16), Marco Island (No. 22), Holmes Beach (No. 23), Siesta Key (No. 36) and Ocean Ridge (No. 43). Both Sanibel (No. 21) and Hillsboro Beach (No. 29) in Florida require solo retirees to have a savings of at least $1.1 million or more. As for the most expensive spot, that went to Palm Beach, Florida, where you need at least $11,637,136 if you're solo and $11,466,427 if you're a couple for a 15-year retirement. See the full report at
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Gorgeous homes cost peanuts in under-the-radar Florida town named one of the best places to retire
Sebring in Florida - nestled just 90 miles south of Orlando - is emerging as a retirement haven for those seeking budget-friendly living without sacrificing quality of life. Known as the 'City on the Circle' for its unique downtown layout, Sebring offers a blend of small-town charm and modern amenities, making it an attractive option for retirees looking to stretch their savings. 'There's tons to do in Sebring,' Sue Clark, a real estate agent with Century 21 Lake & Land Myers Realty, told the 'We have 100 lakes in the immediate area, orange groves that are endlessly beautiful and the quality of the area really draws people here.' The serene city boasts an uncommonly low cost of living, with housing costs significantly below the national average and some houses listed for as little as $60,000. 'We have always had a lot of people coming to the area for the many lakes and recreation - and its still affordable,' Clark added. A two-bedroom, two-bathroom property located at 420 Town And Country Boulevard in Sebring is currently listed for just $39,900 and offers a prime spot in the heart of Sebring's suburbs. The beautiful home, set with a pristinely kept lawn and a stunning floral bed, 'featuring a new roof, a large carport, a covered front porch, and two generously sized sheds for extra storage,' according to the listing. For just $60,000, buyers can purchase a modern two-bedroom, two-bathroom mobile home located inside the manicured Woodhaven Estates. Set with a Spanish style front porch area for sitting and enjoying the outside, the sprawling 2140 Burning Tree Circle home also boasts an extra large shed at the back of the home attached to the screen room. The Southern town's affordability is complemented by the state's retiree-friendly tax policies, including no personal income, estate or inheritance taxes - which can significantly boost retiree's purchasing power. Healthcare access is another draw for retirees as Sebring is home to more than 200 healthcare establishments, including highly-rated hospitals like Florida Highlands Hospital and Florida Raulerson Hospital. The town's inland location also means the area is less susceptible to severe coastal natural disasters, providing peace of mind to those concerned about climate-related risks. For those seeking recreation, Sebring offers a variety of options. Residents can enjoy events at the renowned Sebring International Raceway, which features professional and amateur racing events, test facilities for teams and racing schools. 'Every year they do the 12 Hours of Sebring, a big race on the famous track that draws a huge crowd to see the high-rollers and expensive sports cars. It's a real staple for the area,' the experienced real estate professional said. Set with a garage in a gated community with a pool and club house, 1969 Pine Key Blvd is being sold for $179,000 in Sebring The famously known racetrack hosts major endurance races like the 12 Hours of Sebring and is a popular location for teams to test and prepare for races. Sebring locals can also indulge in the city's pristinely kept golf courses - both public and private - and other cultural attractions such as the Highlands Museum of the Arts. Deemed a Historic District, Sebring's distinctive downtown 'on the Circle,' only adds to its appeal, providing a picturesque setting equipped with charming architecture and a variety of unique shops and businesses. 'The city recently underwent renovations to the historic town circle, renovating and refurbishing the 100-year-old buildings, it's a very quaint area,' Clark, who has been serving the Sebring area for more than 30 years, told the As inviting as the downtown area is, Sebring is just as proud of its lakeside appeal. Lake Jackson, the city's crown jewel, hugs the downtown and offers top-tier bass, sunfish, and crappie fishing alongside water sports like jet skiing and waterskiing. 'People come for the recreation, it is incredible and there are no shortage of options: Swimming, air-boating, jet skiing, and so much more,' Clark said. With three public beaches and a boat ramp on its 3,200-acre expanse, it's a paradise for water lovers. Residents looking to get some sultry Florida sun can also enjoy Hidden Beach Park on the north side of the lake. Known as the 'City on the Circle' for its unique downtown layout, Sebring offers a blend of small-town charm and modern amenities, making it an attractive option for retirees looking to stretch their savings 2755 Bolin Ln in Sebring, is being sold for only $12,000 Residents can enjoy events at the renowned Sebring International Raceway, which features professional and amateur racing events, test facilities for teams and racing schools 'There's tons to do in Sebring,' Sue Clark, a real estate agent with Century 21 Lake & Land Myers Realty, told the 'We have 100 lakes in the immediate area, orange groves that are endlessly beautiful and the quality of the area really draws people here' While the city is a beautiful destination in its own right, Sebring is surrounded by some incredible sights that might be more in tune with outdoor lovers, including wildlife watchers and birders who can appreciate an old-growth cypress swamp and the primal beauty it offers. Highlands Hammock State Park, just a 13-minute drive west of town, is home to more rare and endemic species than any other state park in Florida. There are nine trails in the park, and, while alligators are easily the park's most visible wild animal, the 9,000-acre park is also home to endangered Florida panthers, black bears, white-tail deer, and a broad assortment of birds, both resident and migratory. From the quiet, old-Florida feel of the downtown circle to the manic atmosphere at the historic raceway, the under-the-radar community offers a little something for everyone.
