8 Beach Towns Retirees Are Actively Avoiding

Cocktails with a watercolor sunset backdrop. Mornings spent at the golf course and afternoons at the pool. The smell of salt water wafting through the air. The beach retirement life sounds wonderful, right?

For many, living out your golden years by the shore is a dream. But, one of the most surprising retirement mistakes that retirees often make is not doing adequate research on the towns where they decide to put down their aging roots. 

That can include getting caught up in a low tax rate or an affordable cost of living, without realizing that they’ve moved into spring break central or focused on a town where the home prices have jumped off the deep end.

Want to avoid wasting your retirement savings on a waterfront move you’ll regret? Here are the eight beach towns retirees are avoiding like the plague.

South Beach is often thought of as popular among retirees, but those visions are a holdover from a different era — a era that no longer exists. Today, South Beach is a party hub, and, for most retirees, the combination of the cost of living with the constant drumbeat of electronic dance music isn’t exactly what they had in mind for their golden years.

It’ll cost $11,850 monthly to live in South Beach these days, which is 119.4% more expensive than the national average. Pair that with a median home price of $513, 208, and you’re better off looking in smaller, less buzzy towns.

When it comes to retirement beach towns, Atlantic City has some things going for it. It’s affordable — the median home price is $214,734. There’s always something to do if your hobbies include casinos, outlet shopping, and, of course, the boardwalk.

But, it’s not not often thought of as a safe place to live and crime occasionally seems to spike in Atlantic City.

People tend to come here because it’s the closest thing they can get to Vegas on this side of the country, and, for many, that’s not what they end up wanting when it comes to a retirement destination.

People love Wilmington for many reasons — it’s charming, historic, and right on the water. But it can also be an undesirable place to retire, particularly if you’re looking for a quiet and affordable place to spend your golden years.

Tourists come from all over the country to spend their summers in Wilmington, which means you’ll fight crowds at restaurants and the grocery store throughout the warmer months. Plus, with a median home value of $404,937, you’re not exactly getting a beachfront bargain.

Isle of Palms is a lovely, picturesque beachfront town in the low country. It’s exactly where you would want to go on vacation — which means, so does everyone else.

You’ll have an influx of tourists from spring break through Labor Day every year in Isle of Palms, and who wants to wait in line when they’re trying to have a calm, peaceful retirement?

Add in a median home price of $1,578,324, and this is simply not a realistic place for most retirees to spend their golden years on a fixed income.

There’s a lot of Texas to see, so save yourself some time exploring, and skip Corpus Christi when you’re considering places to retire. Not only is Corpus Christi often in the path of hurricanes, it’s also a city with a high crime rate and healthcare access that leaves many retirees hoping for something better.

Still not convinced you should skip this big city on the Gulf of Mexico? Just think about the humidity.

Are you ready for spring break? Time to hit Panama City Beach. Ready to retire? Maybe skip it.

This beach town on the Gulf of Mexico is known for its party scene. And, whether it’s spring break or just a random weekend, there are going to be young people out looking to hit the bars. For retirees hoping for a quiet dinner, this won’t exactly be the vibe they had in mind.

Plus, the median home price is $417,535, which is out of budget for many retirees on a fixed income.

The median home price in Dewey Beach is $1,047,029, which is already a reason to knock it off most retirees’ beach town wish lists.

But the real reason to avoid it if you’re over 65 is that it’s a party destination from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Its proximity to both New York and Washington, DC draws in crowds to its bars, and, even if you don’t imbibe in the orange crushes, you’re still going to hear the music and the late night strolls home.

Delaware, which has advantageous tax laws for retirees, has other beach towns within a quick drive from Dewey that could be more appealing, including Lewes and Rehoboth Beach.

Sure, retiree life could be lovely in Palm Beach. There are gorgeous golf courses, incredible sunsets, fantastic restaurants — and it’s all going to cost you.

You’ll need $28,860 a month to live in Palm Beach, which is a whopping 434.4% higher than the national average. And the average home price? $2,127,973. The lack of income tax in Florida can’t even help you on this one.

But, in good news, one in four Palm Beach residents is over 65.

Ready to start planning for retirement and dreaming of sunset happy hours and golf cart rides to the beach?

Your stress-free retirement in a sunny locale starts as soon as you find a location that maximizes your retirement income with a low cost of living, retiree-friendly tax laws, and a population that’s full of your peers. Book your one-way ticket because your beach retirement could be closer than you think, just as long as you don’t end up in one of these eight towns, that is.