If you are planning to retire sometime in the future, you can start planning where you are going to live now. There are many small cities and towns in the United States with a lower cost of living.
Keep in mind that to live a relatively comfortable retirement in these cities, you should expect to incur monthly expenses of $2,500 to $3,000.
You may be able to get by on $2,000 monthly, but you would need to budget wisely and be prepared for financial emergencies.
Willoughby Hills, Ohio
Willoughby Hills, Ohio is a small town of 20,000 residents located in the northeastern section of the state near the banks of Lake Erie. It is located about 20 miles northeast of Cleveland.
The town was named after a settler who founded a local medical college.
Willoughby Hills is locally known as the “Courtesy City,” for its friendly inhabitants and safe environment. There is a lot to do locally if you enjoy golf, camping, parks, and the outdoors. You can also fish and sail on the local Chagrin River.
The town is ostensibly a part of the Cleveland, Elyria, and Lorain metropolitan areas. Willoughby Hill is the textbook definition of a sleepy town, but you will always find something to do in the metro area.
A studio apartment might cost you $600 to $800. A one-bedroom apartment might cost $800 to $1,100. You could also rent a small home for $1,500.
St. Peters, Missouri
St. Peters, Missouri is a small city of 59,000 people located on the eastern central border of the state near Indiana. The city is located about 35 miles northeast of St. Louis.
The weather in this part of the country can be extreme. You will have to deal with hot summers, cold winters, and above-moderate levels of rain and snow precipitation. Still, it is a family-oriented city that is safe and economically stable.
You will always find something to do related to sports, the outdoors, nightlife, dining, and all-ages attractions in St. Peters.
The cost of living in St. Peters, Missouri is almost 8% less than the national average. A studio apartment costs anywhere between $800 to $900. You can rent a one-bedroom apartment for $1,000 to $1,300. And you can rent a small home starting at $1,800.
Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie, Louisiana is a city of 135,000 people located in the southeasternmost part of the state. Metairie is a suburb of New Orleans and is less than eight miles away.
Technically, Metairie is not a city, it is a New Orleans suburb with no mayor or city tax obligations and overseen by the Jefferson Parish Council. The name of the city was coined by 18th-century French settlers and roughly translates to “tenant farm.”
Due to its proximity to New Orleans, you will never run out of things to do. Metairie is famed for its jazz-influenced music scene, nightlife, outdoor activities, and Cajun cuisine.
You can rent a studio apartment for anywhere between $600 to $800. A decent one-bedroom apart can cost anywhere between $900 to $1,500.
