It used to be that you could count on folks to head to Florida or similar locations as soon as they retired so they could spend their newfound freedom soaking in the sun, a lower cost of living, and a relatively slower pace of life as they kicked off their second act.
However, heading to Florida in your retirement isn’t such a sure thing anymore, and many people are actually setting their sights on a variety of unexpected places when they retire these days…including some cold weather spots that may surprise you. I spoke with a few experts to find out which cold-weather states are gaining popularity with retirees, and why people aren’t as dead set on retiring down South these days. Keep reading to find out what they had to say.
Retirees Are Opting for These Cold-Weather States
While the financial services company Empower says that warm states like Florida and Arizona still see most of the influx from relocating retirees, there are a few unexpected states where chilly winters aren’t exactly enough to keep seniors away, and they include:
The agency said it determined the “best states for retirees” by combining the percentage of millionaires with the lowest taxes to come up with this list. That could be because the draw of these spots isn’t the weather, but rather how few other people you’ll run into in your retirement. Empower says that around 20 percent of retirees prefer living in a “less-populated town,” almost as high as other factors, including seeking a warmer climate (24 percent) or being near a specific region, like the beach (23 percent).
“For retirees, the top deciding factor when choosing a new locale is cost of living (55 percent), followed by climate (50 percent), and proximity to loved ones (41 percent),” the findings stated, adding that only 33 percent of retirees consider weather as a top priority.
What Draws People to a Place in Retirement is Changing
While giving up the hustle and bustle and instead surrounding yourself with nature seems to be a rising trend among seniors, Marcus Riley, founder of the Booming Aging Agency, says it’s actually a sign of a bigger trend.
“Retirement is no longer a single-state identity (rest, decline, leisure),” according to Riley. “People ‘flicker’ with productivity, purpose, health focus, family roles, and social connection.” That’s why he notes that cities may better enable that diversity than traditional retirement hubs, since they allow people to remain connected to their existing networks, something they may prefer to moving for climatic conditions alone. That’s especially true for retirees who hope to travel and can opt to spend cold winters somewhere warm without having to give up their established community and relationships.
Related: The Best Strategies To Protect Your Social Security From the IRS
How Retirees Cope With Colder Winters
As someone who wants winter to end the moment Christmas and New Year’s have passed, I was curious how seniors are handling winter weather when leaving snow (and shoveling) behind has been a major focus for people after they leave the workforce. According to Riley, many people have opted to adapt to it rather than avoid it, including downsizing into apartments or communities where dealing with snow becomes someone else’s problem.
“Instead of the historical thinking of ‘moving south for comfort and cost’ people may now be thinking ‘stay north for connection and purpose,”” he says. “People are experienced in living in the colder winters, so are able to plan and prepare accordingly—be it the setting up of their physical environments, remaining active indoors where needed, and maintaining their physical health in a preventative way.”
While this clearly points to changing trends, it will likely be a long time before traditional retirement hot spots like Florida and Arizona completely fall out of favor with people.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
This story was originally published by Parade on Apr 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.