I’m looking for a place near or on the water that has warm, sunny weather all year round. The budget is $125,000. Where should I retire?

Dear this,

There are certainly remote areas and small towns in the United States that fit the description of a warm, sunny version of Alaska. But when you add the desire to be near or on the water, it becomes more difficult to find the ideal escape location, especially one that stays within your budget. You may need to adjust your requirements slightly for your preference for year-round warm, sunny weather or low humidity.

If you’re willing to embrace the winter weather, recommendations from MarketWatch’s Where to Retire tool include North Hero, Vermont, on Lake Champlain, and the small town of Penn Yan, New York, on one of the Finger Lakes. Both cities offer housing within your budget.

If you want warmer weather but can be flexible about the humidity factor, you have more options. Beachfront places on the coast will likely be out of your price range, but smaller towns such as:

Washington, North Carolina

Also called “Original Washington” or “Little Washington,” this Beaufort County town is located at the confluence of the Tar and Pamlico rivers, gateway to the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound, which forms the second largest estuary on the East Coast. . The drive to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.

If you like old architecture, Washington has Victorian homes and commercial buildings, as well as prewar structures that survived fires in 1864 and 1900. The population was less than 10,000 as of 2021.

Yes, it will be humid in the summer.

Winchester, Tennessee

This Franklin County town on Tims Ford Lake has fewer than 10,000 residents. It boasts an art deco courthouse, historic theaters, quaint shops and restaurants, and community events such as concerts and wine tastings. But if crowds aren’t your thing, you can also enjoy the lake from a distance.

Camdenton, Missouri

Located in Camden County, this city is located on the shores of Lower Niangua on Lake of the Ozarks, one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States. Camdenton has a population of approximately 3,700. Also nearby are Ha Ha Tonka State Park and Bridal Cave, famous for its stalactite and stalagmite formations.

If none of these places meet your requirements, you may want to consider a houseboat that can be docked at a location of your choice. It is possible to find a small used houseboat within your budget. Annual costs include mooring costs (which can vary greatly depending on where you anchor), as well as insurance, fuel, maintenance and pumping costs.

Dear readers, where should Estha go? Please leave your suggestions in the comments section.

MarketWatch’s “Where Should I Retire?” More about the column:

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