The 10 best beach towns for retirement

Spending your days in the sand may seem like the perfect way to spend your retirement.

However, there is much more to consider when it comes to finding the perfect location.

US News & World Report recently badyzed the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the country and compiled a list of the best seaside towns where you can spend your retirement.

"While some people dream of retiring to an isolated seaside town, older retirees often need services such as medical care or transportation," said Emily Brandon, retired editor at US News. & World Report. "Many retirees also have to work at least part-time to supplement their retirement income."

The publication also took into account factors such as affordability, happiness and taxes when compiling the list.

Here are the best coastal cities for retirement, as well as housing costs, according to the US News & World Report.

Located on the Florida Gulf Coast, the Fort Myers metropolitan area has a number of beaches within its reach, such as Fort Myers and the Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

The median cost of housing for people aged 60 and over is $ 200,200. The median monthly mortgage payment is $ 1,364, while the monthly costs of a paid home are $ 562. The median rent is $ 1,033 per month.

About an hour south of Tampa, Sarasota is a popular destination for retirees and tourists alike with its powdery white sand beaches like Siesta Key. About 2.7 million people visited Sarasota County between October 2017 and September 2018, according to the latest statistics from the region's tourism bureau. About 26.50% of the population is aged 65 and over, according to a recent GoBankingRates badysis.

The median home price for those 60 years and over is $ 204,000, while the median monthly rent is $ 1,060.

For a less expensive retreat, head to Daytona Beach on the Atlantic coast of Florida. It's maybe also a little more alive. NASCAR, headquartered in the region, hosts several major motor sport events each year, US News reported.

The median home price for seniors aged 60 and over is $ 160,200. The median mortgage payment is $ 1,173 per month, while the monthly cost of a home without a mortgage is $ 433. The median monthly rent is $ 910.

Located on the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, San Diego offers miles of shoreline, a boardwalk and an amusement park.

It's also more expensive than its counterparts in Florida. The median home price for seniors aged 60 and over is $ 483,600.

Head north to enjoy a four-season climate in Portland, Maine. You can enjoy lobster, visit the lighthouses of the region and admire the rocky coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

The median home price for seniors aged 60 and over is $ 249,200, while the median rent is $ 783 per month.

Retirees aspiring to an urban ambience may choose to travel to Miami. Nicknamed "The Magic City", Miami attracts retirees to South Beach or Key Biscayne. They can also enjoy the sun all year round, although Miami is also exposed to occasional rainstorms and hurricanes.

Housing will cost $ 1,529 a month to people 60 and older if they have a mortgage or $ 589 if they do not have one. Tenants should expect to pay $ 998 a month.

Charleston offers historic charm with a dose of southern hospitality. The seafront is full of restaurants, boats and water sports. It is also a short drive from Kiawah Island and Isle of Palms.

While some parts of Charleston are expensive, the median home price for those 60 and older is $ 204,800.

Melbourne is located in the area known as Space Coast of Florida, which is also home to the Kennedy Space Center.

The city center is home to museums and restaurants. Its waterfront is the Indian River Lagoon, which separates Melbourne from a barrier island located on the Atlantic Ocean.

Those who retire to Melbourne can enjoy a life at the beach for a reasonable cost. The median home price for seniors aged 60 and over is $ 157,900.

Retirees in Jacksonville can enjoy 22 miles of sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and fishing off Jacksonville Pier.

The median home price for retirees is $ 172,500. It costs $ 921 per month on average to rent an apartment near the beach.

Retirees who move to Boston can attend a baseball game at Fenway Park, visit many historic sites, catch the ferry to Spectacle Island, or take the commuter train to Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the- Sea.

The median home price in Boston is $ 423,450 and the median monthly rent is $ 1,335.