9 Best Places to Retire in the U.S. for People Who Love to Travel, According to Experts

For those who have spent most of their lives working, retirement can be a chance to explore the world. When you’re not concerned about limited PTO and potential promotions, you have the bandwidth to explore Europe at length, check off every U.S. national park, or see far-flung family members whenever you’d like. Still, you probably want a home base—ideally one suited for a travel-heavy lifestyle.

“If you love to travel, the key is to be near an international airport with many direct flights,” Ashley Reidy Quinn, a real estate agent at Christie’s International Real Estate New York, tells Travel + Leisure. That said, many of these locations aren’t the most affordable places to retire—think New York City; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Charleston, South Carolina. But if you’re not overly concerned about cost of living, you’ll find these destinations cater to the perfect balance of wanderlust and domesticity.

Below, Quinn and two other experts—one a retirement relocation specialist, the other in real estate—share their picks for the best places to retire in the U.S. for people who love to travel.

01 of 09

Orlando, Florida

“Orlando is a great destination for those who wish to travel because there are many destinations available via Orlando International Airport (MCO), which has extensive flights domestically and internationally,” says Matt Brown, broker associate at William Raveis Real Estate, adding that the city’s location in Central Florida is also “ideal” for exploring more of the Sunshine State. MCO offers direct flights to places like Dublin, London, and Dubai, and the Brightline high-speed train even connects the airport to West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Another perk of calling Orlando home? The relatively affordable real estate. According to Zillow, the average home value is just over $370,000.

02 of 09

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans might be a top destination for many travelers, but it’s also a hub for multiple types of transportation. “The Big Easy has the food, mild winters, and a vibrant culture that stays exciting year after year. And for retirees who enjoy traveling a little differently, the city’s downtown train station makes traveling easy,” says Keith Lucas, a retirement relocation specialist and founder of Retirement Life USA. “Plus, you can avoid airports and those long security lines. The trains run on three routes across the country. One takes you all the way to Los Angeles. Another heads north to Chicago. The third travels all the way up the East Coast to New York City.” Not to mention, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is only about 11 miles outside of town and is served by most major U.S. airlines, including Delta, United, JetBlue, and American.

03 of 09

New York, New York

“I may be biased, but I truly believe New York City is an excellent place to retire, especially if you love to travel,” says Quinn. “Retirement is about enjoying your best life with ease, and New York City puts everything at your fingertips, from world-class dining to endless activities (hello museums!) to beautiful parks which help to create a walkable, active lifestyle.” Now, on to the airports. “For those who love to travel, having three major international airports nearby, with nonstop flights to destinations around the world, is a major advantage,” she continues, referencing John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). If you are planning to buy a home in the city—as opposed to renting—keep in mind that the average home value is high at about $825,000.

04 of 09

Charleston, South Carolina

If you want to combine a beach lifestyle with plenty of trips to mountainous destinations or buzzy cities, consider retiring in the South Carolina Lowcountry—Charleston, specifically. “Charleston offers the charm of a small city, with excellent food, shopping, rich history and, perhaps most importantly, a strong sense of community. You’ll quickly find yourself seeing familiar faces, while the city’s local events add to the atmosphere and create a feeling of truly belonging somewhere,” says Quinn. And while Charleston International Airport (CHS) is on the smaller side, she notes that it’s “mighty and growing” at a rapid pace. “The upside of a smaller airport is a much easier security experience and a short walk to your gate while still offering convenient connections to larger international airports,” she adds.

05 of 09

Charlotte, North Carolina

There are several reasons to move to Charlotte for retirement—even if you don’t fly all that often. “Charlotte is a favorite of retirees because it has four seasons along with affordable property taxes and a cheaper cost of living compared to the Northeast,” says Lucas. According to the Forbes cost of living calculator, the cost of living is 8 percent lower in the Queen City than it is in Philadelphia, for example.

If you do plan to spend a good chunk of your retirement in the skies, you’ll find living near a major airport is incredibly convenient. “Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is a hub providing many daily flights directly to cities across the United States, Caribbean, and Europe,” says Lucas. “It is a big plus when you don’t have to deal with connecting flights every time you travel.”

06 of 09

Tampa Bay, Florida

Amazing weather and water access meet financial benefits and convenient travel in Tampa Bay. “Tampa offers retirees what Florida is renowned for—sunshine and tax benefits—but the true draw lies in the fact that they have easy access to Tampa International Airport (TPA) from their own backyards,” says Lucas. “The airport itself is known as one of the best in the nation as far as ease of travel is concerned.” In fact, TPA was recently named one of the “least stressful” airports in the U.S. But Lucas adds, living in the Tampa Bay area also gives you the ability to travel the world by boat. “If flying is not your thing, Port Tampa Bay and Port Canaveral [a two-hour drive away] are two of the top cruising ports in the country,” he says.

No matter if you’re a flier or a cruiser, you will want to have a clear understanding of how much it costs to live in Tampa Bay. The average home value is about $375,000, and the cost of living is just one percent lower than the national average.

07 of 09

Scottsdale, Arizona

There was only one retirement destination chosen by all three experts: Scottsdale, Arizona. “Scottsdale is ideal for retirement-seeking individuals who prefer to have a nice base of operations between their travels, with an international airport (Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport) within easy reach for national and international air travel options,” Brown shares. Lucas, on the other hand, adds that Scottsdale is in a great spot for “retirees who like driving trips,” as they can head to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Southern California, and Mexico from this part of the country. Quinn says the “incredible quality of life, with an abundance of outdoor activities (golf, tennis, hiking, bike riding, etc.)” as well as a “fantastic and quickly growing food scene” are two other reasons to plant retirement roots in Scottsdale.

This well-rounded appeal will cost you, though. As of October 2026, the average home value in Scottsdale is just over $850,000.

08 of 09

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas might not be what you picture when you think of a retirement destination. However, there’s a solid argument for making Sin City your home—especially if you travel frequently. “Las Vegas is a good option for seniors who are often on the move due to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) offering flights to many cities in the U.S. and even abroad,” says Brown. “The city also boasts a lot of entertainment venues, dining options, and proximity to scenic locations like Red Rock Canyon.” You may also want to factor in the tax implications of living in Nevada—there’s no state tax on Social Security benefits, pensions, IRAs, or 401(k) withdrawals. Plus, the average home value in Las Vegas is just under $420,000, a 2.8 percent decrease in the past year.

09 of 09

Grapevine, Texas

If you don’t want to live in Dallas proper in your retirement, but you’re still attracted to the sheer number of flights that take off from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) every single day, Grapevine, Texas, might be your answer. “Retiring in a historic suburb such as Grapevine in the Dallas‑Fort Worth area gives you quiet neighborhoods, excellent medical care, and no state income tax,” says Lucas. “For go-go retirees, you are just minutes from DFW, which offers direct trips to almost every major city in Europe, Asia, and Central and South America.” Lucas also notes that given DFW’s central location in the U.S., you might be able to take advantage of relatively “quick and cheap” domestic flights to visit family.

The average home value in Grapevine is around $550,000; in comparison, it’s just over $300,000 in Dallas.

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