If you’re retired or nearing retirement, this may sound familiar: Your kids thrive on the hustle and bustle of city life but you have been there, done that. With family connections in mind, ERA Real Estate pinpointed five markets close enough to urban hotspots but far enough away to enjoy retired life.
“One day our children will leave the nest and naturally, as parents, we want them to soar,” says Charlie Young, ERA Real Estate’s president and CEO. “We also want to stay in touch and visit with them as much as possible without giving up our own lifestyle. Committed to delivering value to our customers, ERA Real Estate took a look at how retirees could enjoy this new phase of life without giving up too much family time.”
Your Descendants Dig D.C.
If our nation’s capital is your child’s residence of choice, try living in Richmond, Va. Less than a two-hour drive from the political powerhouse of Washington, D.C., Richmond offers a serene atmosphere complemented by numerous attractions, dining experiences and outdoor activities.
“Richmond has a friendly vibe,” says broker Jim Napier of Napier Realtors ERA in Richmond, Va. “Retirees will feel right at home here. Thinking long-term, Richmond is close to the beach and mountains, making it a great place for families. So the grandkids may want to visit even more often. Most retirees look for modest home prices, and Richmond is a good fit with an average home sale price of $206,000.”
Retirement-friendly amenities include:
• History buffs can visit Civil War sites, the location of Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech, and numerous other American History landmarks.
• Upscale shopping, world-renowned museums, award-winning wineries and delicious restaurants add culture to one’s life after work.
• Premier golf courses, fishing and white water rafting on the James River enhance the leisure and excitement aspects of your retirement.
Boston is Your Brood’s Beloved
Beantown bests your beloved’s top places to live. What’s a parent to do? Retire to Cape Cod, Mass. where sound waters, New England charm and plenty of outdoor to-do’s create a peaceful retreat to spend your golden years and host family reunions. An excellent, growing healthcare network, experience-based retirement communities and numerous golf courses add to Cape Cod’s status as a great place to retire.
“Direct flights to Barnstable Municipal Airport in Hyannis on the Cape take you to and from Boston in less than a half hour and the trip is drivable in about an hour,” says broker Dick Martin of ERA Cape Real Estate in Cape Cod. “You can conveniently visit your kids whenever you like. Better yet, you can give them the gift of a beach getaway whenever they see fit. Your new haven can become their new vacation destination – a win-win for both. Currently, homes are available at an average selling price of $457,000. There are also homes available in the $150,000 range and condos at under $100,000.”
Retirement-friendly amenities include:
• Tour the working lighthouses on Cape Cod including Nauset, Highland and Chatham Lights.
• Be a beach bum, fish on the Bay, search for shellfish or enjoy one of the many kayaking outlets the Cape has to offer.
• Biking, boating, golfing and shopping provide a year-round vacation feel for you and your visitors.
Chicago Has Your Child’s Heart
You are your child’s first love. But eventually, they fall in love with a place to live and if it is Chicago, you are in luck. Take up residence in Door County, Wis., known as the Cape Cod of the Midwest. Here, lake lovers from Chicago, Milwaukee and the Twin Cities enjoy fishing, boating, canoeing and walking along the peaceful, picturesque shoreline. Travel to and from Door to Chicago in less than an hour via direct flights from Milwaukee.
“Buyers are seeing some outstanding values here. The current average residential sale price is around $172,000 and home values continue to increase as interest in Door County grows,” says broker Dennis Starr of ERA Starr Realty in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.. “It is still a buyer’s market thanks to low interest rates and the Door County market offers many real estate options, including some under $100,000. If you are retiring and want a yard, it’s available. If you prefer a condo or townhome, we have that as well.”
Retirement-friendly amenities include:
• Door County provides five state parks, 11 lighthouses and 300 miles of shoreline to explore.
• Thirteen islands surround Door County where habitants can unplug and walk the water’s edge.
• A respected health network provides retirees with peace of mind.
Yours is the California Kid
Los Angeles is a popular home base for many. If your child has relocated to the Golden state, think about a close commute – a less than two-hour flight – to St. George, Utah. Practically a painted landscape, the city of St. George is known for its red bluffs which peak at the city’s center. Close in proximity to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, it offers beautiful scenery and walking terrain.
“St. George is largely populated by retirees due to its mild climate and natural beauty,” said broker Thayne Houston of ERA Brokers Consolidated in St. George, Utah. “It also boasts the large Intermountain Healthcare system and is known as having one of the largest numbers of golf courses per capita in the country. Homes sell at an average price of $225,000.”
Retirement-friendly amenities include:
• For theatre goers, the city is less than an hour’s drive from the Tony-Award winning Utah Shakespearean Festival which is held during the summer and fall in Cedar City, Utah.
• St. George is just 119 miles from Las Vegas which makes for a great long weekend trip to the casinos, shows and fine dining that Vegas has to offer.
• The historic St. George opera house offers musical performances for opera enthusiasts.
For more information, visit www.era.com.
