- Alexandria, VA – If you dream of living in a small but charming city on the East Coast, you might like Alexandria. Virginia is, by default, one of the best states a military retiree could move in. It’s close to Washington, DC, and for that reason, is a haven for military and government jobs. If you’re worried that there’s nothing to do there, don’t be. There are nearly 200 unique restaurants, shops, and museums. You can go to Gadsby’s Tavern to explore its museum and grab a bite. Also, you can take a water taxi or go on a cruise along the waterfront.
- Colorado Springs, CO – There are 53,575 retired vets that call Colorado Springs their home. Here you’ll find one of the highest veteran populations in the U.S., as there are breathtaking views of the mountains, low unemployment rates, and many military installations. Colorado has in general an elevated cost of living, tuition assistance, property tax exemption, and state-specific tax breaks. All of these make living in Colorado extremely affordable and pleasurable for retired veterans.
- Minneapolis, MN – While the harsh winters in Minnesota aren’t so enjoyable, if you’re willing to brave the snow, you’ll find living there extremely comfortable. As part of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis has lots of opportunities and big-city amenities. The city isn’t home to many active military populations, there are 16,424 veterans currently living there. Plus, it’s worth mentioning that military pensions and retirement pay aren’t taxed in Minnesota.
- Oklahoma City, OK – The city has extremely low unemployment rates and many job opportunities for veterans, so it’s understandable why Oklahoma is one of the best choices for military retirement. There are 42,070 veterans and three VA health facilities. If you combine Oklahoma’s excellent tax benefits for retired and disabled veterans with affordable housing, you’ll see why so many veterans are living there!
- Omaha, NE – In Omaha, you’ll be greeted by a booming local job industry, a low cost of living, and most importantly, a friendly Midwest attitude that makes Omaha one of the best places for retirees to move. Omaha has a veteran population of 25,285 and it has one of the five top-rated VA health facilities within 50 miles. Another major perk for veterans that you’ll like to hear about is that military retirement pay is partially exempt from state income tax.
