10 affordable cities for retirement - where to live, best places, cities

En español | If money didn't matter, there'd be plenty of fabulous places to spend your retirement: a penthouse in Paris. An all-glass modern on the beach in Malibu. Perhaps a

small winery in Napa Valley. SEE ALSO: HOW ABOUT COSTA RICA OR FRANCE? SEE THE BEST PLACES FOR YOU TO RETIRE ABROAD. 10 AFFORDABLE PLACES Pennsylvania's scenic capital made the list. —

Flickr Our 10 most affordable cities to retire in are located in the following states. Click on each to see which places made the cut. * Virginia * Maine * Georgia * Washington * Oklahoma *

Wyoming * Indiana * New York * Pennsylvania * Texas But money does matter. Even as the financial markets limp out of their recessionary funk, many of us are redefining what our

"dream" retirement might look like. Sure, Honolulu has beaches and well-priced pineapples, but few of us can afford its median home price of $550,000. Chicago has world-class

dining and lake views galore, though its 9.75 percent sales tax can put those amenities out of reach. Then again, not many of us want to move to a one-stoplight town either, even if it is

cheap. SAVE MONEY: GET AARP MEMBER DISCOUNTS ON TRAVEL, SHOPPING AND MORE We started our search for the perfect retirement destinations by examining financial data on more than 350 cities

across the country. We looked at not only property- and sales-tax rates, median housing price, and cost of living but also the tax rate on pensions and Social Security. Then we added in such

criteria as recreation, climate, and arts and culture. The result: 10 retirement destinations that are affordable _and_ livable. Next Page: A colonial city with a thriving historic

district. » CORRECTION: The property tax rates for five cities in _AARP The Magazine’s_ "Best Places 2011" story were misstated in many copies of the September/October issue. The

correct rates are as follows: Gainesville, GA, 0.776%; Portland, ME, 1.435%; Tulsa, OK, 0.877%; Winchester, VA, 0.553%; Wenatchee, WA, 1.052%. _Source: Sperling’s Best Places_ Jake Stangel

The historic district in Winchester, Virginia, predates the Revolutionary War. WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA Although just 75 miles away from Washington, D.C., this lovely little Virginia city lulls

visitors into a pastoral time warp. See also: The best places to live the simple life. WINCHESTER INSIDER MEDIAN HOUSING PRICE: $151,500 STATE TAX: On pensions, partial; on Social Security,

no SALES TAX: 5% BEST WAY TO SPEND $10: Shenandoah Conservatory has exceptional music, theater, and dance programs (tickets range from $5 to $25). WHAT A STEAL! Loudoun Street Pedestrian

Mall in downtown Winchester is full of little antiques stores. CAN'T PUT A PRICE TAG ON: Proximity to Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic highway through awe-inspiring Shenandoah National

Park. * Return to the main list. GO Spend hours wandering 250-year-old shady brick streets in its 45-block historic district — stopping in at the Old Court House — or checking out

Gaunt's Drug Store, where Patsy Cline worked before heading for Nashville fame. Winchester and Frederick County were the scene of six major battles during the Civil War, and the city

itself changed flags some 70 times during the four-year conflict. But Winchester isn't just a haven for history buffs. The dozens of small towns that dot surrounding Frederick and

Clarke counties offer bucolic bliss: Enjoy miles of rail fences, apple and peach orchards, and lovely stone houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. When Daisy Goodwin, 71, first discovered

the area in the 1980s, she says, "I didn't think I could ever live somewhere so rural, after having grown up in the suburbs and city. It was such a different world — slower-paced

and rustic." But the area's beauty really sold her, and she built a house in nearby Gore in 2004. It's not all agrarian, though, and downtown Winchester offers plenty to do:

Goodwin is fond of meandering through the town's galleries, or people watching at Jim Barnett Park. NEXT PAGE: A CITY WITH A RELAXED URBAN ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS OCEAN BEACHES. » Jake

Stangel Residents window-shop in Portland, Maine. PORTLAND, MAINE Few people know Portland as well as Joe Loughlin, 58, who spent 28 years on its police force and still patrols the Old Port

neighborhood with P.T., his boxer. SEE ALSO: AMERICA'S HEALTHIEST HOMETOWNS. PORTLAND INSIDER MEDIAN HOUSING PRICE: $202,800 STATE TAX: On pensions, yes; on Social Security, no SALES

TAX: 5% BEST WAY TO SPEND $10: Pack a picnic and hop the ferry to Peaks Island (the fare is just $7.70 round-trip) BEST NIGHT ON THE TOWN: Shakespeare in Deering Oaks Park; free. WHAT A

STEAL! A baker's dozen raw oysters at J's Oyster, overlooking the bay; $12. CAN'T PUT A PRICE TAG ON: Eating a lobster roll next to the oft-photographed Portland Head Light in

nearby Cape Elizabeth. * Return to the main list. GO "On one hand you have this relaxed urban environment, with all kinds of cultural and art opportunities, but you're just a

short drive from everything that makes Maine such a great, outdoorsy place," he says. "In five minutes you can be driving across the bridge to Mackworth Island. The ocean beaches

and Casco Bay are right here. There are terrific lakes, too — I'm less than 20 miles from Sebago Lake, which is like a mini Lake Tahoe." You won't find much in the way of

_cute_ here — Portland has proudly preserved its working waterfront. On Commercial Street you can watch fishermen, loaded down with their catch from the Gulf of Maine, pull into piers and

unload some of the world's freshest seafood at discount prices. Lobsters are the famous favorite, but you'll find haddock, salmon, cod, mussels and peekytoe crab, too. For the

area's many devoted foodies, Portland's working-class demeanor masks gourmet deals: The city's restaurant scene is both constantly changing and gaining national recognition.

Not long ago _Bon Appétit_ named Portland "the Foodiest Small Town in America." Says Loughlin: "You get a lot here. Portland is diverse, it's fun, it's evolving —

and it's easy to escape when you need to. It's a bargain." NEXT PAGE: THE SLEEPY CHARM OF A PROSPEROUS SOUTHERN TOWN. » Jake Stangel Picturesque Lake Lanier is one of the

biggest draws of Gainesville, Georgia. GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA Downtown Gainesville has the sleepy charm of a prosperous southern town, including brick sidewalks and a constantly humming square

that attracts shoppers from throughout northern Georgia. SIGN UP FOR THE AARP LEISURE NEWSLETTER. GAINESVILLE INSIDER MEDIAN HOUSING PRICE: $141,800 STATE TAX: On pensions, yes; on Social

Security, no SALES TAX: 7% BEST WAY TO SPEND $10: Grab a drink and small plates at Recess Southern Gastro Pub on the square, then check out events downtown, including free concerts. FUN

NIGHT ON THE TOWN: The Gainesville Symphony Orchestra; tickets: $20 to $30. WHAT A STEAL! Two outlet centers within a 30-minute drive. CAN'T PUT A PRICE TAG ON: Fast access to the Blue

Ridge Mountains and their panoramic hiking trails, lush with rivers, waterfalls, and richly diverse ecosystems. Gainesville is near the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests, which

comprise 843 miles of trails. * Return to the main list. GO But lovely Lake Lanier, completed by the Army Corps of Engineers back in 1956, is the area's biggest draw, creating an

enormous boating playground that attracts about 8 million visitors a year and provides plenty of chances to powerboat, water-ski, and Jet Ski — not to mention sail, row, kayak and canoe. It

was the lake that lured Carolyn Palmer, 62, and her husband, Gary, 66, to Gainesville; they discovered it when they were briefly transferred there in the 1980s. "When we started talking

about retirement, we both knew we wanted to come back here," she says. They built their dream house right on the water. "We couldn't believe how far we could make our housing

dollars go here in Gainesville — we used to have half this much property, half this much house, and triple the taxes — so this is like heaven." As avid golfers, the Palmers appreciate

the area's 15 courses. Their main joy, though, is taking their boat out on Lake Lanier and tying up to neighbors' boats: "It's such a nice way to socialize and enjoy the

scenery," says Carolyn. NEXT PAGE: ENDLESS RECREATIONAL OPTIONS IN THE NORTHWEST. » Jake Stangel Wenatchee, Washington, sits in the valley below the mountains of the Cascade Range.

WENATCHEE, WASHINGTON It's easy to confuse Wenatchee, Washington, with the Garden of Eden. The stunning Columbia River runs through this valley town, which is surrounded by the jagged,

glaciated peaks of the Cascade Range. SEE ALSO: AMERICA'S HEALTHIEST HOMETOWNS. WENATCHEE INSIDER MEDIAN HOUSING PRICE: $192,000 STATE TAX: On pensions, no; on Social Security, no SALES

TAX: 8% BEST WAY TO SPEND $10: Have a milkshake downtown at Owl Soda Fountain & Gifts, founded in 1926, then check out "Art on the Avenues," a collection of more than 70

unique outdoor sculptures scattered throughout Wenatchee. BEST NIGHT ON THE TOWN: Fall in love with baseball all over again with the AppleSox, part of the West Coast League, a wooden-bat

summer collegiate league. * Return to the main list. GO And unlike in other parts of the Northwest, here you can actually see those views in "the Apple Capital of the World," named

for the orchards that encircle the town and produce some of the world's tastiest specimens. People are drawn to the region for its almost endless recreational options, which include

truly top-notch skiing, hiking, camping, hunting and fishing. You'll also find a steady stream of cyclists, dog walkers, skaters and joggers along the Apple Capital Recreation Loop

Trail, a scenic 10-mile paved loop that crosses the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers. All that and, yes, it's a bargain: "We moved here 29 years ago, in part because it was so much

cheaper than Seattle," says Barb Trandum, 67. What made her and husband, Jerry, 67, stay, though, is the hearty appetite locals have for getting involved. "There's just so

much here," says Jerry, who is a fan of nearby Rocky Reach Dam and Ohme Gardens, a 9-acre alpine garden. NEXT PAGE: A SMALL-CITY JEWEL WITH AN IMPRESSIVE ART DECO DISTRICT DOWNTOWN,

FIRST-RATE ART MUSEUMS AND PLENTIFUL GREEN SPACES. » Jake Stangel Tulsa, Oklahoma, offers a big city skyscape while retaining its small town charm. TULSA, OKLAHOMA Tulsans delight in how

their city surprises outsiders — it's a small-city jewel, with an impressive art deco district downtown, first-rate art museums and plentiful green spaces. SEE ALSO: TEN BEST STATES FOR

RETIREMENT. TULSA INSIDER MEDIAN HOUSING PRICE: $125,600 STATE TAX: On pensions, yes; on Social Security, no SALES TAX: 5.5% BEST WAY TO SPEND $10: Admission to the Philbrook Museum of Art,

an Italian Renaissance villa built in the 1920s, is just $7.50. BEST NIGHT ON THE TOWN: Although Tulsa offers plenty of big acts (Elton John and Paul McCartney have both played the BOK

Center), it's got smaller quirky pleasures, too. Try a Mexican dinner with local and organic ingredients at Eloté. * Return to the main list. GO Situated in the northeast corner of the

state, with the Arkansas River flowing through it, the city has 26 miles of paved cycling and walking trails that wind among fountains, playgrounds and sculptures. A few years ago Joel

Hulett, 56, and his wife, Ada, 58, considered moving his Tulsa law practice to Los Angeles so he could work for the entertainment industry. Instead they decided to stay, and he started a

film-production company: The couple will help kick off the Tulsa International Film Festival this September. Ada and Joel also enjoy traveling, so they like the city's proximity to

Tulsa International Airport. But Tulsa's also just a welcoming place. Says Ada: "I've been here 33 years now, and it never fails to impress me how friendly and warm the city

is." NEXT PAGE: A CITY WHERE YOU'LL ENJOY THE REAL SPIRIT OF THE WEST. » Getty The annual Frontier Days Festival brings thousands of rodeo fans to Cheyenne, Wyoming. CHEYENNE,

WYOMING Cowboy culture and Wild West images are everywhere, and each summer visitors flock here for Frontier Days, still one of the world's largest outdoor rodeo after 115 years. SEE

ALSO: BEST PLACES TO RETIRE ABROAD. CHEYENNE INSIDER MEDIAN HOUSING PRICE: $141,400 STATE TAX: On pensions, no; on Social Security, no SALES TAX: 6% BEST DEAL IN TOWN: Admission to the

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, nine High Plains acres inside Lions Park, is free. * Return to the main list. GO Yes, it's the boot-and-buckle veneer, which includes plenty of horses and

trolleys downtown and its "Magic City of the Plains" railroad history, that draws the tourists. But Cheyenne also has a sophisticated side: Stop by the Capitol Grille, for example,

and wash down your buffalo carpaccio with what locals say is one heckuva martini. What makes Cheyenne most appealing to residents, though, is the real spirit of the West: low-rise

buildings, wide-open spaces, tumbleweeds and "Neighborhood Night Out" parties, sponsored by the local police, that draw hundreds of residents. It's not always all stirrups and

saddles, though: Each summer, Cheyenne hosts the AARP National Spelling Bee, when the local cowboys make room for the country's best spellers over the age of 50. NEXT PAGE: THE HOOSIER

STATE'S HIDDEN GEM. » Courtesy Flickr The AT&T switching station in Columbus, Indiana, doubles as one of the city's many pieces of public art. COLUMBUS, INDIANA Never heard of

Columbus? That's fine — residents love this little city's under-the-radar charm. SEE ALSO: AGING IN PLACE IN INDIANA. COLUMBUS INSIDER MEDIAN HOUSING PRICE: $124,200 STATE TAX: On

pensions, yes; on Social Security, no SALES TAX: 7% BEST DEAL IN TOWN: Drink in the Hoosier bliss of an ice-cream soda ($2.99) at the counter of Zaharakos, which looks the same as when it

opened in 1900 — and sounds it, too, thanks to a fully restored pipe organ. * Return to the main list. GO Less than an hour south of Indianapolis and east of Bloomington, Columbus has it

all: design cognoscenti say the city's innovative architecture ranks right up there with Chicago's and San Francisco's. The city boasts dozens of buildings and pieces of

public art by such big names as I. M. Pei, the Saarinens and Henry Moore. Stroll 19 miles of paved People Trails, past wildflower gardens, modernist monuments and quaint neighborhoods. The

area has more than its share of recreational shopping, too: Troll the Exit 76 Antique Mall, one of the largest in the region, or look for bargains at the nearby outlet malls. And when

it's time for a larger culture fix? Bloomington, with Indiana University, is an easy 35-mile drive to the west. NEXT PAGE: BOOMING WINE AND FOOD CULTURE WITH PLENTY TO DO FOR

INTELLECTUALS. » Courtesy Flickr Ithaca Falls is just one of many scenic destinations in Ithaca, New York. ITHACA, NEW YORK Set in the heart of the Finger Lakes' booming wine and food

culture, Ithaca provides plenty to do for intellectuals — thanks to Cornell University and Ithaca College. ITHACA INSIDER MEDIAN HOUSING PRICE: $146,100 STATE TAX: On pensions, partial; on

Social Security, no SALES TAX: 8% BEST DEAL IN TOWN: Lunch at the Moosewood Restaurant, a hippie haven that launched the vegetarian movement; shop and watch street performers on Ithaca

Commons. * Return to the main list. GO SEE ALSO: BEST PLACES TO LIVE THE SIMPLE LIFE. That said, Ithaca is also a great place for nature lovers, who are drawn to the region's

breathtaking scenery. You'll see the bumper sticker "Ithaca Is Gorges" throughout the city, for good reason: Glaciers left behind crystal-blue lakes and waterfalls, and has

hiking trails that allow you to see both. Set at the foot of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca also has plenty of kayaks and yachts, which adds to the city's appeal and outdoorsy-urban hum. Next

Page: Plentiful festivals and events and a magnet for cyclists and pedestrians. » Raymond Gehman/National Geographic Stock The Market Street Bridge in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. _Editor’s

Note: In October, 2011, after publication of this article, the city of Harrisburg filed for bankruptcy protection, though its petition was subsequently dismissed by a federal court.  It’s

unclear what impact the municipality's financial difficulties will have on its status as an affordable city for retirement._ HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA With its gracious layout, the

lovely Susquehanna River, and plentiful festivals and events, Harrisburg is a magnet for cyclists and pedestrians. HARRISBURG INSIDER MEDIAN HOUSING PRICE: $144,200 STATE TAX: On pensions,

partial; on Social Security, no SALES TAX: 6% BEST DEAL IN TOWN: There's no admission for Wildwood Park, which includes a nature center that specializes in wetlands life. * Return to

the main list. GO Harrisburg's 50,000 shade trees, 4.5-mile-long Riverfront Park and 20-mile greenbelt around the city showcase its modern skyline, lovely old cathedrals, elegant

Capitol complex and well-maintained historic districts. The surrounding Pennsylvania Dutch countryside, with its covered bridges, farms, restored mansions and rich Civil War history, is

equally inviting. Six four-year colleges in the area add musical events, drama — and youthful energy. Next Page: Where barbecue and mariachi mingle with haute couture and endless cowboy

boots. » Courtesy Flickr Riders gather at a rodeo in Midland, Texas. MIDLAND, TEXAS Midland was founded as a railroad stop at the midpoint between Fort Worth and El Paso. MIDLAND INSIDER

MEDIAN HOUSING PRICE: $96,600 STATE TAX: On pensions, no; on Social Security, no SALES TAX: 8.25% BEST DEAL IN TOWN: $10 buys a balcony seat at Summer Mummers in the Yucca Theatre, a

melodrama/comedy show that began in the 1940s. Alcohol is served, and attendees are encouraged to throw popcorn at the actors. * Return to the main list. GO SEE ALSO: DRIVING THROUGH TEXAS

HILL COUNTRY. The discovery of oil in the 1920s propelled the town from a map speck to one of the state's most affluent communities. For all its wealth and Big-City skyline, it is still

uniquely West Texan: Barbecue and mariachi mingle with haute couture and endless cowboy boots. For entertainment, check out the Museum of the Southwest and the Midland-Odessa Symphony &

Chorale. But for real action, think _Friday Night Lights:_ In West Texas, high school football is more a religion than a sport.