Realtor.com story calls LW a seaside deal for retirees
RANKED NO. 7
Leisure World, Seal Beach, made the top 10 of great places to retire in a story called “The 10 Most Affordable Beach Towns in America for Retirees.” The story, written by Sara Ventiera, was published on June 11 at marketwatch. com and originally appeared on realtor.com.
There are more than 74 million boomers—of which 10,000 per day are hitting age 65, according to the Pew Research Center. And as they shift into retirement mode, many are migrating toward the beach. According to United Van Lines National Movers Study, in 2018, 39 percent of the retirees they moved had their GPS systems locked on to Florida.
And other warm, activelifestyle destinations are also on the list, which was compiled by data experts looking more than 1,300 towns at the coast.
They cut the selections to one place per state, for a wider variety of options. The ranking was based on the population of residents aged 55 and over per capita, affordability based on median list price, access to hospitals and other health care facilities, the number of amenities like golf courses (for low-impact exercise) and country clubs (for the social scene), as well as marinas and water-recreation businesses like boating and fishing, for that allaround beach town experience.
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, was named No. 1. Just 15 minutes south of the bustling tourist shops, boardwalks, and mini-golf courses of Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet offers retirees a quiet respite from that popular vacation town.
It was followed by Venice, Florida.; Morehead City, North Carolina; Lewes, Delaware; Toms River, New Jersey; Coos Bay, Oregon; and then Seal Beach, Leisure World.
Leisure World made the list because, contrary to popular belief, Southern California does have affordable retirement homes, and they are in Leisure World. The story says LW is “a gated retirement community located just 12 minutes from the sands of Seal Beach that offers some serious deals. A renovated one-bedroom cottage is listed for just $199,999 and a two-bedroom at $225,000.
“The large community has various purchase restrictions, including a minimum age, and in some cases requires all-cash transactions; but to buy in another part of the desirable beach town would cost at least $700,000. And locals are willing to fork over that kind of money for a reason. The laid-back city boasts a restaurant— and shop-lined Main Street, which spills out to a nice pier and beach.”
Leisure Worlders know all the other perks of living seaside. And now lots of other people do to.
Rounding out the list was New London, Connecticutt; Rockport, Texas; and Hyannis, Mass. ext to downtown can be purchased for just $249,900.
Leisure World, Seal Beach, makes the top 10 in a story on the nation's most affordable coastal
retirement towns.
