Not everyone wants to retire and move to Florida. Sure, the warm weather, low taxes and laid-back lifestyle are attractive, but some yearn for something different; a new adventure as they embark on the next stage of life. They might not even mind watching the seasons change.
That got ThinkAdvisor to put together this list. We looked for places with a low cost of living and relatively affordable housing that still offer, or are close to, many of the cultural amenities often found in bigger cities. Beautiful scenery, places to hike and indulge in other outdoor activities are also close at hand to the cities on our list.
We also considered the idea that many people might want to stay closer to their hometown when they retire, the better to keep in touch with grandkids, other family and friends.
(Check out Top 10 Best Foreign Countries for Retirement: 2013 on ThinkAdvisor.)
For the cost of living index we used data from areavibes.com. For median home prices, we used data from the National Association of Realtors, except where noted.
Check out our list of Top 10 Offbeat, Cheap Cities for Retirement ranked by cost of living:
10. Wenatchee, Wash.
Cost of Living Index: 97
Median Home Price: $216,900 (down 11% year over year, data from zillow.com.)
State Sales Tax: 6.5%
Life among the apple blossoms and near the Columbia River offers many opportunities for those who love the outdoors. Known as the Apple Capital of the World, the city of about 31,000 has a metro population of 110,000. And when you need a city fix, Seattle is less than three hours away. In 2011, AARP Magazine named it the best place to retire.
9. Montgomery, Ala.
Cost of Living Index: 97
Median Home Price: $138,500 (up 4.5%)
State Sales Tax: 4%
Montgomery's mild winters might be just the place for you. There's plenty to do in the capital city, which boasts an art museum with a broad collection that includes Southern and European works. There's also an annual Shakespeare festival, a minor league baseball team and the Civil Rights Memorial, among other attractions.
8. Cheyenne, Wyo.
Cost of Living Index: 96
Median Home Price: $166,954 (up 17.3%)
State Sales Tax: 4%
Warm summers make "Trail Town USA" a great spot if you enjoy the outdoors. The city, with a metro population of about 91,000, is home to the Greater Cheyenne Greenway, a system of paths and trails that link the city's parks and neighborhoods. Although winters are cold, as you might expect, they are relatively dry. The last week in July is time for the annual Cheyenne Frontier Days, which includes parades, a carnival and traditional roping events. The retirement planning website, TopRetirements.com, listed it among the top 100 most popular places to retire.
7. Sioux Falls, S.D.
Cost of Living Index: 96
Median Home Price: $158,300 (up 5%)
State Sales Tax: 4%
The fastest growing city in the state saw its population jump 22% to 158,000 between 2000 and 2010. Falls Park, with its spectacular falls on the Big Sioux River, is one of 70 parks in the city. A revived arts scene that includes an annual sculpture event, a band competition and other attractions offer diversions.
6. Greenville, S.C.
Cost of Living Index: 93
Median Home Price: $159,600 (up 4.9%)