There are a lot of moving parts to consider when you start planning for retirement, including choosing a location that fits your needs, especially if you’re relying solely on Social Security.
At the very least, your future home has to have reasonable housing costs, but beyond housing affordability, you also want a city that feels enjoyable, comfortable, and worth spending your golden years in. With that in mind, we looked at all the retirement-destination stories the FinanceBuzz team published in 2025, and identified the top cities that offer a little something for everyone.
From beach life to historic small towns to mountain views, here are 12 fantastic U.S. cities where you might be able to retire on nothing but Social Security…