For many, experiencing the explosion of life in the spring, warm summers, the beauty of fall, and peaceful winter snowfalls is an important part of retirement.
Not everyone wants to be a snowbird, and some retirees would rather avoid wasting money relocating.
These are the best cities to retire to if you love to experience the seasons.
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.
Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis is a city of around 60,000 people with a mild four-season climate. The city is noted for its outdoor activities, such as biking, hiking, and fishing.
A place worth growing your wealth for in order to enjoy the many vineyards and a walkable downtown area with artisan shops and small cafes.
Corvallis is also home to The Arts Center, a stunning art gallery. You’ll want to visit The Majestic Theatre if you love live performances. As a West Coast city, Corvallis’ mild winters and beautiful summers make it a desirable location to live.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a college town with much to offer retirees. The 124,000 people who live here spend warm summers on the lakes and Huron River, enjoy the fall leaves as they change color, and engage in activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.
For the Michigan sports lover, there’s nothing quite like being this close to the University of Michigan's football team. The University of Michigan Museum of Art and the Michigan Theater round out your entertainment options.
New Haven, Connecticut
There’s something stunning about the leaves in the fall months in New Haven, but it's not the only enjoyable season here.
Spring is lovely as the countryside turns green, and summers are usually not unbearably hot. Winters can mean a fair amount of snow, but many people see that as a perk.
New Haven is home to Yale University. You'll also find East Rock Park and Edgerton Park, both of which offer walking and hiking trails during the year.
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.
Nashville, Tennessee
Famed for the Grand Ole Opry and other live music venues, Nashville offers a great quality of life and a moderate cost of living. It also experiences all four seasons, although typically in milder forms than you'll find farther north or south.
Nashville is one of the best places to retire if you want to be active. Learn to line dance or check out the country music venues in downtown Nashville. Canoeing, paddle-boating, and kayaking along the waterfront offer great fun as well.
Asheville, North Carolina
For those who want more outdoor activities and less shovel-worthy snow, Asheville is a great choice. The Blue Ridge Mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the city, and the River Arts District offers a lot of cultural diversity.
You can go hiking in the Craggy Gardens or fishing on one of several rivers in the area. You can also explore history at the Biltmore Estate or check off bucket-list items like ziplining through the forest.
Trending Stories
Portland, Maine
Portland sits on Casco Bay, creating exceptional access to the Atlantic Ocean. From its charming cobblestone streets to the constant activity at the waterfront, Portland offers excitement and much to do.
The warm beaches in the summer make sunbathing enjoyable, but many find cold winters spent by the fireplace in this unpretentious city to be just as enjoyable.
Fall offers beautiful pops of color, and spring brings with it the promise of new hope.
Portland, Oregon
Mild winters and warm summers make Portland a desirable place to live during retirement. A modern city with a big food scene, there’s always something happening here.
Hike Mount Hood or explore unique neighborhoods filled with diversity and culture. You can also enjoy events like the annual PDX Jazz Festival and the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival.
Dallas, Texas
The Dallas/Fort Worth area certainly experiences all four seasons, but there's less risk of snow piling up. That makes the area a good choice for those who want four seasons, but especially mild winters.
Dallas is home to one of the largest art districts in the country. GeO-Deck, Reunion Tower's observation deck, offers incredible views of the Dallas skyline.
Klyde Warren Park also offers festivals throughout the year and many walking paths to explore.
Fort Collins, Colorado
For those who dream of retirement with skiing in the winter and mountain hiking in the summer, Fort Collins is a treasure.
Just a short drive from Denver, this community is packed with outdoor charm, craft breweries, and big open spaces for biking, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and boating.
With the Horsetooth Reservoir and Cache la Poudre River, finding outdoor activities is easy.
Unlock exclusive entertainment deals and VIP perks (without a credit card)
Ready to take your entertainment and travels to the next level? Experience the finer things in life with the SELECT card.
No, it's not a credit card, it’s an exclusive membership — and your passport to a world of elite benefits and unforgettable moments.
Imagine sipping complimentary cocktails in downtown Manhattan at KYU NYC or saving 20% on the best sushi in Hollywood Hills at Yamashiro.
Like to shop? Members receive VIP discounts like 15% off at Brooks Brothers, and up to 60% off at Tumi.
Enjoy special offers at luxury hotels like the Four Seasons and Omni Select. For example, you get 15% off at Hyatt Hotels worldwide.
But it’s not just about the hundreds (or thousands) you could save. There are so many features that make you feel like a VIP every day. Like SELECT’s white-glove concierge that assists with bookings, recommendations, or anything you need. And priority access to reservations to some of the year’s hottest events (many not open to the public).
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Moving to a relatively affordable city such as Lancaster can save you money and is a great way to enjoy a stress-free retirement.
One of the best reasons to live in Lancaster is that you aren’t overwhelmed by a big city but are close enough to Philadelphia, Washington, and Baltimore for weekend trips.
Winters can be cold and snowy here, but a warm fire is enough to make it worthwhile. Summers are warm without being oppressively humid, and spring and fall allow ample outdoor experiences.
Bottom line
Whether you plan to retire early or expect to work for a while longer, there's no time like the present to imagine the perfect post-work life.
Visit the cities on this list at least once — or several times — to discover which is the right place to spend your golden years.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
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.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
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.