5 Affordable Alternatives to Popular (But Expensive) Retirement Towns

As retirement approaches, people tend to dream about where they will spend their golden years. They even scout out a few places to prepare. Dreams sometimes fail.

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If popular and expensive retirement towns like Miami, Denver, and Los Angeles aren’t on your budget, consider these five affordable alternatives.

Hialeah, FL (not Miami, FL)

Miami may look like the quintessential retirement destination, with its warm weather and beautiful beaches, but that’s only if you have millions in the bank to cover your living expenses for years to come. is limited to

An affordable alternative is Hialeah, Florida, just a 25-minute drive from Miami. Housing is 5% lower than the national average, and costs of utilities, goods and services are within 2-3% of the national average.

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Spokane, Washington (replaces Portland, Oregon)

Portland has a lot to offer retirees, including abundant access to natural areas and an amazingly diverse culinary scene, but having to part with six figures each year to live there is a strain on the wallet. It takes

Luckily, Spokane, Washington is a good option. It also has an impressive foodie scene and is less than a 40-minute drive from the recreational paradise of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Spokane housing is 15% below the national average, and food and utilities are within 2-3% of the national average.

Lamar, Colorado (replaces Denver, Colorado)

Denver is undoubtedly filled with mountain scenery and beautiful scenery, but you need a six-figure annual income to live comfortably here as a retiree. Lamar, Colorado, located in the southeastern part of the state, is a much more affordable alternative.

It doesn’t have the spectacular mountain scenery of Denver, but it’s considered one of the best birding destinations in the state. This country town is just over a three hour drive from Denver, so don’t go there on a whim. However, Lamar’s housing costs are 50% lower than the national average, as are food, utility, and medical costs.

Lancaster, CA (not Los Angeles, CA)

Los Angeles has some advantages for retirees, such as nice weather and some of the best hospitals in the country, but the cost of living is high. You need about $150,000 a year to live comfortably as a homeowner.

Instead, consider retiring in Lancaster, located at the northern tip of Los Angeles County and just an hour or so from Los Angeles. Many of the costs of living are similar to LA, but you can save a lot on housing costs here. For example, LA housing is 127% above the national average, while Lancaster is only 5% above.

Scranton, Pennsylvania (not New York City, NY)

If you’re familiar with New York and want to turn New York into a retirement home, it’s not a bad idea. After all, you don’t need a car. Unfortunately, the Big Apple also made a list of the most expensive US cities to retire to in his GOBankingRates.

Instead, consider Scranton, Pennsylvania, which is less than a two-hour drive from New York City. According to Zillow, Scranton’s typical home price is $153,421, 38% below the national average. Health care is also 15% lower than the national average.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Affordable Alternatives to Popular (But Expensive) Retirement Towns