Retirement Communities Under $100K: A Comprehensive Guide

Retirement is right around the corner for you, finally! Are you contemplating making that big move and reaping the rewards of a long career? Let’s look at ways you can find the best place for you to retire, preferably for under $100K.

So, where are the best retirement communities for under $100K? There are great places in Florida, Arizona, and outside the United States where you can retire for under $100K.

You will want to consider a few different factors like location, price, available amenities, but you will have a few good options to choose from.

Read on to learn more about the best retirement communities available for under $100K. You will also learn about retirement communities that are a tad more than 100K but worth looking into. Overall there are many venues in the world to make home.

The Best Regions of the World to Retire under $100K

Before we talk about specific retirement communities, let’s narrow it down to specific regions of the world that are the best options to retire for under $100K. You should consider places like these:

Florida – There are many communities in Florida available for well under $100K. You just need to decide if you want to prioritize golfing, beaches, or Disneyworld! There is a reason Florida is a stereotypical community for retirees, as you can get a lot of amenities for a low cost.

Arizona – Like Florida, Arizona has a wealth of opportunities for retirees to consider. If you prefer a dryer heat than Florida has to offer, Arizona could be a great option. If you are looking for a dry climate that does not have the humidity like Florida, but is still hot in climate, check out some options in Arizona. There are plenty of options available to you for under $100K.

Outside the United States – While it may surprise you, there are actually quite a few options to retire abroad for less than $100K that would get you the typical retirement amenities, like golfing, beaches, and healthcare.

The Best Retirement communities under $100K in the United States

If you want to reside in the United States, most likely you are going to end up in Florida or Arizona if you are looking for retirement communities under $100K. You will have some other options, and maybe you will end up in a low cost of living place like North Dakota. However, if you are looking for warmth and sunshine, Florida is probably where you will end up. Here are some top options in Florida for you consider:

7 Lakes Golf & Tennis Community, Ft. Myers, FL – This is an option for you if you are looking for a community for adults over the age of 55. While you can find homes here for under $50,000, there are also plenty of amenities like a golf course and a gym. The only potential downside is most of the homes are condos, and you likely will not find a single family home.

Mas Verdes Estates, Lakeland, FL – This is an example of a standard retirement community in Florida. While it is not near the beach, it is near Disney World if you are looking to take the grandkids. You can live in a warm climate without spending too much money. It is available for anyone over the age of 55, and you will have access to a fitness center and a library. You can also play some games and shoot some pool.

The Villages, FL – The Villages is a bit renowned as a place for hip retirees over the age of 55. For active retirees who want a place to socialize, mingle, and enjoy retirement, this is a great option. This is one of the biggest communities in the world that caters to the over 55 crowd, and you will be sure to meet people to mingle with. If you are single, this could be a great community for you! You will have access to beaches, movies, golfing, etc., and plenty of homes available in an affordable range!

Florida is definitely a great option for you to retire without breaking the bank. There are a lot of retirement communities available in Florida, and many are fairly inexpensive. You just have to decide if you want to be near golfing, the beach, or maybe both!

Are there Retirement Communities Under $100k available in Arizona?

Arizona is a great option for retirees as the climate is good, and you can find properties there that are inexpensive. Give some thought to it, if you prefer to spend your time golfing or your time hiking, you can find a retirement community that is great for either option! Here are a couple of options:

Sun Valley, Apache Junction, AZ. This is also an option for anyone over the age of 55, and there are plenty of amenities and activities available for you here! There is a state park nearby (Lost Dutchman State Park), so if you are outdoorsy you will have plenty of options for hiking and outdoor activities. You can buy a home here for under $50,000, which is pretty cheap. Take a risk and buy a place here and take advantage of all the outdoor options that Arizona has to offer!

Leisure World, Mesa, AZ. This is a gated community, and you will have access to plenty of top-notch golf courses and other outdoor activities.

Are there Retirement Communities Under $100k anywhere else in the United States?

While many American retirees find themselves in Florida or Arizona, you do have other options if those states are not your style. You should consider upstate New York, which is only a few hours from Manhattan, and offers you the ability to have a laid-back lifestyle near lakes and cabins. If you want, you’ll also have the option of going into the big city for shows and ballgames.

Delaware and Washington state also offer great communities. They include:

Mariners Cove, Millsboro, DE. If you are looking for somewhere inexpensive where you can also dock your boat, this could be a good choice. Delaware is another good option because they have low taxes, so you will get the most bang for your buck, and you will also have plenty of access to beaches if that tickles your fancy.

Kloshe Illahee, Seattle area, Washington. The Pacific Northwest can be a good option depending on what you are into. If you want heat, sun, and sand it might not be great. However, you will find lots of outdoor activities in the Northwest, and you will have options for great hiking and lots of scenic views.

Pantera Lago, Tacoma, Washington. Here is another option in the Northwest! This community is only available if you are over 55, but you will have plenty of things to do as there is a clubhouse for community members that offers games and activities. You also will be able to store your RV or boat onsite.

How to Save Money in Retirement so you can Afford More House

Maybe you want to afford more house than $100K, so how can you save some money from your budget so you can afford a more expensive lifestyle? Think beyond just how to make money, but also think about how to save money. Here are a few options:

Go Tax-Free– One of the best things you can do for your retirement income is to live somewhere where your income is not taxed. If you have been saving for years in a tax-deferred 401K plan, go live somewhere that your income is not taxed. That way, when you start pulling from your 401K plan, you’ll pull the full dollar amount without giving up some of it to the government.

Limit Sales Tax – Some states, like Delaware for example, do not tax clothes and other purchases. This will save you a lot of money on your purchases that you could use somewhere else like on your housing costs. Even if you live in one state, but are close enough to shop in a state without sales tax, it could be worth taking a trip across the state lines.

Save on Healthcare – Maybe you have a Healthcare Savings Account that you put money in while you were working. This can help save you money on healthcare by using tax-free dollars. Money saved on healthcare could be used to increase your housing budget.

While you might be on a fixed income in your retirement, you have some options when it comes to cutting costs. Look to save money where you can, so you can spend it on higher housing costs.

The Best Retirement communities under $100K outside of the United States

If you are not deadest on retiring in the United States, there are plenty of options for you under $100K. Here are just a few of them:

Pau, France – You can live and retire in France even if Paris itself is too expensive. Pau will offer you a similar lifestyle at a fraction of the cost. It is in the South of France, and you will find many other Americans and expats there. There will also be some international students there, which helps to give the community a young, energetic vibe.

You will not be far from the beach, maybe an hour or so, and you can take regular tours through wine country as well. No experience in Europe would be complete without access to castles and museums, and that access would be readily available if you lived here. This is also where Henry IV was born, so you would have plenty of history in your new hometown.

Chiang Mai, Thailand – Thailand might seem crazy, but it could be a good option. It is a great place to retire if you are on a budget. It is a big city with a lot of culture, and you can access either beaches or mountains! Surprisingly enough, you can also access very affordable and very good healthcare while living here.

As with most foreign countries, you can also see some cool tourist attractions that you will not have access to stateside. In this case, there are plenty of ancient temples to explore. If shopping is your thing, you will have options for that at the Night Bazaar.

One caveat regarding the weather, while you will have some heat and humidity, you also need to be cautious during monsoon season.

Algarve, Portugal – The low cost of living is enough to lure plenty of retirees to this region. Easily accessible to the rest of Europe, if you love to travel and want to explore a lot of the world, this is a good place to consider as your home base.

You will also be able to get some amenities that you might consider “traditional” for retirement, like golfing, beaches, and shopping.

Mexico – There are many communities in Mexico where you can retire for under $100K. You might want to consider Mexico, especially if you are from California and are already familiar with that country. There are a lot of cities and towns in Mexico that are relatively inexpensive and could offer you an affordable retirement alternative option to the United States

If you do not want to retire in America, you do not have to! Or, if you are just looking for an adventure and want to spend your retirement exploring new lands and new opportunities, you have a lot of options for an affordable retirement!

What is the Cheapest U.S. State to live in during Retirement?

Look to retire in a U.S. state that does not have any income tax, so this way any income you have will not be taxed. Here are some states in the United States that do not charge income tax, and might be a good option for you:

New Hampshire
Washington

Florida
Texas
Nevada

South Dakota
Alaska
Wyoming

Coincidentally, most of those states also have a fairly low cost of living, and you can find a place to live for lower than the average price in America.

What are the most Expensive States to retire in?

If money is a deciding factor in where you retire, there are some states in the United States that you might want to avoid. California and New York, while they offer a lot of amenities and things to do, are very pricey. There is a reason some of the wealthiest people in the world live in those states.

What do Retirement Communities Have to Offer?

If you are investing your hard-earned money into a retirement community, what can you expect to see as a benefit? Here are some of the amenities you can expect, or negotiate for, depending on where you live:

Outdoor activities – You might have access to a community swimming pool, which is a great way to not only enjoy the outdoors, but also stay healthy. Or, your house could be right on a golf course, giving you easy access to getting your competitive juices flowing by playing a quick 18 holes whenever you want.

Exercise equipment – You may or may not have access to a full gym. If you do, that’s great. You can do some cardio and light weightlifting to ensure you stay as healthy as possible without even needing to go to the doctor.

Community shuttles – If you are not able to drive yourself, or if maybe it is just not convenient, some retirement communities offer shuttles that will take you to town or take you to your doctors’ appointments.

Before you decide upon a place to live, make sure you consider all of the pros and cons. Where you will spend your golden years comes down to more than just the sticker price on your house.

What is the Average Price Range of a Retirement Community?

What can you really expect from a retirement community in terms of price? It you are staying under $100K, you might be in a mobile home community. That is ok, but what happens if you go up in price just by a few thousand dollars?

$100K – $300K – What can you get if you go a little over your price range? You can get quite a bit. Del Webb Lakewood Ranch is a retirement community in Florida where you can purchase homes in this price range. In this community, you will have nice weather, a community pool, and you will also be able to partake in social outings with other retirees in the area.

Over $300K – If you go over $300K, you can likely find a single-family home that is beachfront, in an area like Fernandina Beach, FL. Osprey Village in Amelia Island, FL is a community in this price range, and you would have access to both the beach and to a wide variety of golf courses. Fernandina also has a nice Main Street with a lot of restaurant options if you like to dine out.

Over $500K – Is it worth it to work longer if you possibly can? Maybe. It depends on what you are really looking for in your retirement. Are you trying to upgrade property so that you have something suitable for Architectural Digest? If so, maybe you want to spend more money, which might require you to work a little bit longer.

For example, The Preserve at Saddlebrook in Tucson, Arizona is a retirement community with homes over $500k. It is a luxurious community, and your home will have top of the line fixtures, with great views of the landscape and access to a lot of fine dining restaurants.

No matter what your price range is, you will be able to find a suitable retirement home. There are obviously great options over $500K, but do not let that scare you off, you can have quite a nice retirement in a home that is under $100K!

Are you planning to Work in Retirement?

While you might be retiring from your day job, are you considering taking some part-time work in your retirement to help make your income last longer?

There are a few jobs that you might be able to do easily to make your income last a little longer, or to make it so you can afford a more expensive house:

Work at your local Golf course – While you might not make much money, you might be able to golf for free. If you have a lot of time on your hands and love to golf, try to sign up at your local course as a starter. You can help get other golfers off at the first tee, and help your course stay organized.

Freelance Blogging – You might be able to work a couple hours a day, or a week, doing some freelance blog writing. Look online and see if you can work as a content writer or help someone jumpstart their own personal bog.

Teach English as a second language – English Instructors are always in demand. A lot of non-native English speakers have to take the TOEFL, which is Test of English as a Foreign Language in order to get into college of secure a job. It could be especially advantageous if you are living in a foreign country. Even if you’re not, there are many places that struggle to find people capable of teaching English to foreigners. You might be able to teach English online from the comforts of your own home.

Troubleshoot IT issues – If you are technologically savvy, you might be able to find some freelance work fixing other people’s computer issues remotely. Beyond just fixing computers, you might be able to assist some people in just getting their new computers started. Between downloading new Windows options and hooking up to the internet, a lot of retirees in your own community might appreciate an assist in getting their computers working enough to chat with the grandkids.

How to Choose a Retirement Community

There are a few things you will want to consider when you are deciding on what retirement community to live in.

Location – If you are set on a specific region of the world, this is going to be the biggest factor in picking a retirement community. You might have a lot of options in Florida, but not a lot of options in somewhere like San Diego or New York City.

Do you want to be restricted to communities that only allow people over the age of 55? Are you seeking a true retirement community where you will be surrounded with like-minded people in the same stage of life as you? You will have more flexibility if you do not restrict yourself to communities that have an age restriction.

What amenities do you require? Do you want a community that has a gym, tennis courts, and access to the beach? Or, do you prefer somewhere closer to a major city so you can see shows, concerts, and experience fine dining?

How much is price a factor? Are you bound to communities under $100K or are you flexible with how much you pay for your home?

Climate – Do you want to be in sunshine and sand? Or, are you amenable to something in New England where it will be a lot colder, but you can find something in your price range in rural New Hampshire?

What type of house do you want? Do you prefer a single-family home with more privacy but more yard work? Or, is a condo the way to go where you will not have much maintenance? You will want to decide that before deciding on what retirement community to live in.

Once you get a feel for where you sit on those issues, you will find that your options for retirement communities start to come into a clearer focus.

Video Research on Retirement Communities under $100K

If you prefer watching videos to reading articles, there are a lot of such videos available for you on YouTube to aid your research and help you decide on a retirement community under 100$K.