One Of The Best Places For Retirees Is A Charming Coastal Town In Florida With Good Housing Prices

Retirees are generally looking for an affordable place that offers great activities when they think about retirement. For people who want to spend their golden years in a town along the beach, this can be an expensive proposition. Luckily, there is a town in Florida that checks both the fun and affordable boxes.

Crystal River has been called the Manatee Capital of the World. This Nature Coast-based town offers retirees rivers fed by springs and bays with many exciting water activities. The city is named for the river but also sits on a breathtaking wonder of nature called Kings Bay.

One of the many appealing features of Crystal River is its price. The only town in the country with a wildlife refuge dedicated to the endangered species Manatee, it offers retirees an abundance of golf courses, parks, and beach access. Average housing prices and cost of living here are affordable for retirees making as little as $29,200 per year, according to GoBankingRates. This is much cheaper than a charming college town in New York.

Retirees who love outdoor attractions will be spoiled for choice in Crystal River. This starts with the almost unique activity of meeting manatees. While King Spring is the largest natural spring in the area, Three Sisters Springs is a unique location that boasts a picturesque boardwalk and the opportunity to swim with manatees in the spring during a manatee tour.

Crystal River also offers Hunter's Springs Park. Lying along the shore, it is close to downtown. City Park provides a kayak launch, a sandy beach for swimming, and another boardwalk where retirees can view the manatees. Pier fishing is possible in closeby Kings Bay Park. Three restaurants on the waterfront offer fresh seafood that comes straight off commercial fishing boats.

Retirees will also enjoy the historic downtown in Crystal River. Located on North Citrus Avenue, there are more cafes and restaurants to enjoy. The Heritage Village offers shopping along US Highway 19's north side. Crystal River boasts a number of fun festivals to entertain residents, including November's Stone Crab Jam Festival, January's Florida Manatee Festival, and May's Kings Bay Pirate Festival.

Retirees on fixed incomes are watching their monthly outlays closely. This means that many of them will wonder if a beachfront town like Crystal River is practical for their financial situation. The best news about this town on the Gulf Coast is that it comes with a surprisingly affordable cost of living.

Crystal River is a small town that has a lot to offer. The 2024 population was 3,550. Median home prices in this charming Gulf town are only $369,900 GoBankingRates reports. This translates to a recommended annual income (including housing costs) of $29,200 for an individual, according to BestPlaces. This is remarkable considering the high average cost of owning a car in Florida.

BestPlaces also reported that Crystal River's housing costs figure is 49% less expensive than the national average. Its total cost of living, including housing, food, utilities, healthcare, transportation, and taxes, is 14.8% lower than Florida's average and 12.2% lower than the national average. Crystal River is a cheap option for U.S.-based retirement but is still more expensive than sunny and affordable Portugal.