Portsmouth, New Hampshire

It’s hard to resist the charm of Portsmouth’s cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and serene waterfront, no matter your age. That’s why Portsmouth takes a seat on our inaugural 25 Best Places to Retire Affordably list after making Fortune’s Best Places to Live for Families list two years in a row. It’s a peaceful New England haven for those who still want to enjoy all four seasons.

The strong social scene in Portsmouth that attracts families is also appealing to retirees, from its annual Prescott Park Arts Festival—which features live music, theater, and movies for 10 weeks during the summer—to its Restaurant Week for the best fresh fare in town. 

With four different neighborhoods, Portsmouth is a walkable and bikeable city for seniors who like to stay active. Golf lovers can hit the links at Pease Golf Course, and those searching for some rays have many beaches to choose from. The city owns the scenic Peirce Island, which has an outdoor pool and striking views of rocky cliffs and salt marshes.

Portsmouth and the larger Seacoast region in which it’s seated are also home to high-quality health care facilities, such as Portsmouth Regional Hospital and Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover.

New Hampshire is one of the few states without income tax, which is good news for retirees’ Social Security, pension, and retirement distributions. New Hampshire does tax interest and dividend income at 3%, but this tax will be eliminated in 2025.