15 Great Towns to Retire to That Offer a Lot

Many people, as they approach and enter retirement, will find that it makes a lot of sense for them to relocate. Simply moving to a smaller home in your same town can be effective, reducing housing costs such as property taxes, utilities, and insurance. But it's sometimes even better to move to an entirely new region, where the overall cost of living may be lower -- and where you might find a great mix of available healthcare, affordable homes, and plenty of activities to keep you active and social. Here are 15 locations to consider.

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Let's start with Orlando. One of its best features, if you're a grandparent or plan to be one, is its proximity to Disney and Universal parks, among many other popular tourist attractions. The typical home value in Orlando was recently $383,026, per Zillow, a bit above the national value of $354,165. The cost of living in general, including food, healthcare, and utilities, is not far from the national average. Florida summers are hot and humid, but there's air-conditioning -- and winters can be very pleasant. On top of that, Florida is a state that doesn't tax Social Security benefits or earned income.

If you can afford to land a home in the greater Denver area, then you'll find a lot to love about the area. The typical home value in Denver was recently $653,910, per Zillow, well above the national value of $354,165. (Remember that this means there are still plenty of homes selling for less than this price.) The Denver area, with the Rocky Mountains nearby, abounds in recreational activities such as hiking, skiing, golf, and more. There are many highly rated hospitals in the area as well, with healthcare costing less than the national average, and grocery costs are close to the national average.

Columbia is a small city that's within about an hour of both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., so it's a good choice for those seeking cultural opportunities such as museums and access to major sporting events like Orioles games. Columbia itself, a planned community, offers parks and concerts and a diverse population. The typical home value in Columbia was recently $468,220, per Zillow, above the national value of $354,165. Also of interest, Maryland is a state that doesn't tax Social Security benefits.

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The Hot Springs area offers a lot of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. And for grandchildren, there's an alligator farm and theme park, among other attractions. The typical home value in Hot Springs was recently $231,730, per Zillow, well below the national value of $354,165 and appealing to retirees who may not have saved as much as they wanted to before retiring. The overall cost of living is estimated to be 20% below the national average, too, mainly due to the low cost of housing. Meanwhile, Arkansas is a state that doesn't tax Social Security benefits.

If you can handle a chilly winter, Burlington may be for you. It's surrounded by plenty of natural beauty and offers many recreational opportunities, such as skiing, fishing, sailing, and more. Its downtown area features lots of shopping and dining establishments, too. Burlington also has a performing arts center and symphony, and it's home to the University of Vermont, too, so there are intellectual enrichment opportunities as well. The typical home value in Burlington was recently $482,517, per Zillow, well above the national value of $354,165. The cost of living is above average in Burlington, too -- due mainly to housing, groceries, and utilities.

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Twin Falls is home to around 50,000 people, and it's nestled within a lot of natural beauty, such as the Snake River Canyon and the 212-foot-high Shoshone waterfalls -- among other waterfalls in the area. The cost of living in Twin Falls is below average: The typical home value there was recently $386,597, per Zillow, a bit above the national value of $354,165. Meanwhile, Idaho is a state that doesn't tax Social Security benefits.

ALSO READ: Everything You Need to Know About Social Security Benefits

Morgantown is a small town in the Appalachian Mountains and home to West Virginia University. Outdoorsy folks will find forest trails to walk and a huge gorge to admire. Those seeking cultural and intellectual fare will find that, as this is a college town with art, museums, and theater. The cost of living in Morgantown is below the national average, though groceries and healthcare cost a bit more than average. The typical home value in Morgantown was recently $252,413, per Zillow, well below the national value of $354,165.

Bloomington, home to Indiana University, is another college town, and many college towns are well worth considering, as they offer a lot for retirees, such as free or inexpensive lectures, musical performances, and theater. Bloomington has many museums, including a science museum that grandchildren may enjoy. The typical home value in Bloomington was recently $306,498, per Zillow, below the national value of $354,165. The overall cost of living is below average, due largely to low transportation costs. Meanwhile, Indiana is a state that doesn't tax Social Security benefits, which can help many retirees.

Found on Florida's Gulf Coast, Tampa is a sizable city, recently with around 400,000 residents. It's also home to Tampa International Airport, which can make it easy for retirees to travel and receive visitors. Residents and visitors can enjoy beaches, shopping, restaurants, museums, outdoor activities such as golf, and much more. Florida is very popular with retirees, as there's no hard-to-deal-with winter, though summers can be brutally hot and humid. The overall cost of living in Tampa is close to the national average. The typical home value in Tampa was recently $415,484, per Zillow, a bit above the national value of $354,165. Florida is another state that doesn't tax Social Security benefits -- and it's also a state that doesn't tax earned income.

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Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia, Roanoke has a population around 100,000. In addition to natural beauty and many outdoor recreational activities (such as hiking the Appalachian Trail), the Roanoke area also boasts museums and even a zoo. The cost of living in Roanoke is considerably below average, due largely to housing costs. The typical home value in Roanoke was recently $235,987, per Zillow, well below the national value of $354,165. Healthcare costs are around 9% above average, though. Meanwhile, Virginia doesn't tax Social Security benefits.

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If you're looking for a great college town, it's hard to beat Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan and around 120,000 residents. There are gobs of museums, musical and theatrical performances, and major sporting events. Ann Arbor offers four seasons, and activities such as fishing, golf, hiking, boating, shopping, farmers' markets, and much more. The cost of living is above average in Ann Arbor, mainly due to high housing costs, while healthcare costs are well below average. The typical home value in Ann Arbor was recently $489,172, per Zillow, well above the national value of $354,165. Also, Michigan doesn't tax Social Security benefits.

With a population near 60,000, Casper is a small city that offers golfing, skiing, skating, hiking, biking, and more. It's also a generally affordable area. The cost of living in Casper is close to average, with housing and transportation costing much less than average but healthcare costing much more than average. The typical home value in Casper was recently $276,252, per Zillow, well below the national value of $354,165. Wyoming doesn't tax Social Security benefits -- and it's also a state that doesn't tax earned income.

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Charleston offers beaches, national parks, fine dining, history, and more. There's seafood galore, along with hiking, biking, fishing, golfing, and more. Charleston isn't a cheap place to live, though, as the typical home value in Charleston was recently $520,311, per Zillow, well above the national value of $354,165. Other than housing, though, most other costs of living are not too far above or below national averages. South Carolina also doesn't tax Social Security benefits.

If you can't decide between living in Miami or Fort Lauderdale, consider Hollywood, Florida, which is located between them. Its population of around 155,000 is ethnically diverse, with Cuban, Latin American, and Eastern European influences (and restaurants!). It's also close to two major airports, making visiting and receiving visitors easier. Hollywood's housing costs are on the steep side, but other major costs are generally not far from national averages. The typical home value in Hollywood was recently $442,085, per Zillow, well above the national value of $354,165. Florida is another state that doesn't tax Social Security benefits -- and it's also a state that doesn't tax earned income.

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If you're looking for somewhat small-town living but also want to be close to a major city, consider Naperville, which lies west of Chicago and boasts a population near 140,000. You (and/or your visiting grandchildren) may enjoy the Riverwalk of walkways and bridges along the DuPage River, Centennial Beach, an outstanding public library, and a children’s museum. The cost of living in Naperville is well above average, and that's mainly due to steep housing and transportation costs: The typical home value in Naperville was recently $503,821, per Zillow, well above the national value of $354,165. Meanwhile, Illinois doesn't tax Social Security benefits.

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If none of these towns and cities are sufficiently appealing, know that you can search online for places to retire to and you'll find many big lists of possibilities -- such as Iowa City, Iowa; Lawrence, Kansas; College Station, Texas; or Atlanta. You might also find a compelling location near one of these 15 towns and cities, too. Be sure to think about what features would serve you best in retirement, as any given town will not be great for everyone.

Selena Maranjian has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Zillow Group (A shares) and Zillow Group (C shares). The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.