Retiring in Alaska is certainly not for everyone. Not only is it cold, and dark during the winter, but the cost of living in Alaska is higher than in the mainland United States. However, for retirees who consider themselves rugged outdoors people, retiring in Alaska may be a dream come true.
If you don't have an endless supply of cash, however, you'll want to stick to the more affordable towns and cities. The capital city of Juneau, for instance, while charming, is expensive even by Alaskan standards, which a state study blames on high housing costs, according to the
Juneau Empire.
Free Retirement Calculator: When Can You Retire? — Click Here to Find Out
One good choice, according to
MarketWatch, which compiled an online guide to retiring in Alaska, is Homer. The city has relatively mild temperatures for Alaska – in January, the average high is 29 degrees Fahrenheit and, in July, high temperatures climb to about 60 F. It also has a small airport and a hospital. Plus, the town is even home to a beach, although not one suitable for swimming. "One of the most breathtaking beaches in America – the Homer Spit, a four-mile stretch of rocky land jutting out into the turquoise Kachemak Bay – is located in Homer, Alaska. The small town of Homer sports not only that strand of beach, but also views of the glaciated, rugged Kenai Mountains and a plethora of wildlife (it's well-known for its bear viewing, but you're also apt to spot moose, whales, puffins, otters, and foxes)," MarketWatch reports.
How Soon Can You Retire? Free Test Shows You When — Click Here
Another good choice for retirement in Alaska is Seward, which has about 2,600 residents and is located on the wildlife-packed Kanai Peninsula surrounded by gorgeous mountains. An All-American City award winner, Seward is a friendly town where retirees are encouraged to get involved in the community. "It's so easy to get involved – local government, arts, nature – you can pick your level of engagement," Ron Long, Seward's assistant city manager, told
MarketWatch.
Seward is also less isolated than other small town Alaskan communities as it is just a two-hour drive from Anchorage where you can shop for goods at more affordable prices and also have less expensive access to a major airport, should you need to go back to the mainland.
An Extremely Simple Way to Determine If You're Ready to Retire — Find Out Now
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.