If you love to travel, some cities are better choices to call home than others. Factors such as proximity to a large airport and locations near major attractions can make travel more convenient and cost-efficient.
To help you narrow things down, here are 18 cities to consider retiring to if you hope to frequently travel and sightsee. We highlight each city’s biggest draw for travelers.
Grab one of the top travel credit cards and book a trip to a city or two on this list to see if one of these places would be the perfect place to spend your golden years.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources
Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Cities with great airports
If the plan is to jet off to distant corners of the world on a semi-regular basis, you'll want to be close to an international airport that offers direct flights to a large number of destinations.
For those interested in city life, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport are top options to have nearby. The tradeoff for the flight convenience is that these also tend to be very crowded airports, with huge volumes of passengers moving through each day.
For a more relaxed airport experience, Oregon’s Portland International Airport is another solid option — and retirees living in the area can also enjoy being close to plenty of natural beauty.
Cities near national parks
If you're looking to spend retirement basking in nature’s wonder, consider moving somewhere in proximity to one of the many national parks around the country.
One top option is Flagstaff, Arizona, which puts you about a 90-minute drive away from the Grand Canyon and all its glory.
Bar Harbor, Maine — also known as the “gateway to Acadia National Park” — is packed with outdoor recreation, some of the state’s best dining, and a charming downtown. Bar Harbor is so close to Acadia that you may even be able to walk to the nearest trail.
Cities with access to cruises
Florida is the obvious choice for this one, with cruise ports in lively cities such as Miami and Tampa. For retirees who love cruising, Fort Lauderdale could also be an excellent option. It has its own cruise port, beaches, and plenty to do across 31 neighborhoods in the greater Fort Lauderdale area.
Surprisingly, Houston is also a good destination for cruise lovers. The Texas city has great retirement communities and is not far from Port of Galveston, where you can hop aboard plenty of cruise ships.
Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Cities with several major interstates
Many retirees get into taking road trips, with some even investing in vans or RVs to make their treks around the mainland U.S. more comfy. If you would like to see the country via the open road, some cities are much more convenient starting points than others
Two major cities in Tennessee — Nashville and Knoxville — are solid options, as both are situated near major highways. Knoxville also offers a lower cost of living and lower housing prices than the national average, according to data from U.S. News and World Report.
Another option that gives residents easy access to interstates is Dallas-Fort Worth, although the cost of living is a bit pricier.
Cities with access to mountains
Those who love hiking, camping, or simply enjoying scenic views may want to consider retiring to cities that give them close access to mountains or mountain ranges.
Greenville, South Carolina, is a solid option, with easy access to the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, a section of the Appalachians.
Roanoke, Virginia, is another city that allows easy access to the Blue Ridge Mountains, plus a bustling downtown of its own. And for those who love winter sports, Lake Placid, New York, is a great option in the Adirondacks.
Trending Stories
Cities with great 'staycation' opportunities
Retirees can save money on travel by making sure they live in a place that has draws of its own. Some destinations around the country have so much going on that they are ideal for “stay-cations.”
One option — although it is on the pricier end — is San Diego, as it’s packed with beaches, outdoor activities, great dining, and access to Mexico.
A lesser known and significantly cheaper option is Cincinnati, which offers plenty to do and see. In this Ohio city, you will find everything from beautiful historic buildings to thriving art and dining scenes.
Cities for beach lovers
If you dream of waking up to the relaxing sound of the ocean year-round, you can find many stunning beaches up and down the east and west coasts that would make ideal locations for retirement.
Capitola, California, is a delightful and colorful little beach town in Santa Cruz County. It's a great West Coast option.
On the East Coast, Cape May, New Jersey, is a beloved and historic seaside town at the state’s southern point with a distinct vintage charm. St. Augustine, Florida — the oldest city in the U.S. — offers a mix of beautiful beaches and stunning historic architecture.
Bottom line
Being cognizant of future vacation plans can help you to choose the right city for retirement if one of your goals is to save money on travel.
While some cities may offer perks such as low taxes or a lower cost of living, factors in other places, such as access to major highways and airports, can be a big plus if you love to travel.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.74% - 28.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
on Bank of America’s secure website
Read Card ReviewIntro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
- Apply Now
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.