| They say home is where the heart is, but John | | | | little-known place on the western side of the state, |
| Milton, the 17th-century English poet, argued "Our | | | | the weather is just as perfect, the coastal scenery |
| country is wherever we are well off." | | | | equally stunning and the beaches as powdery, |
| The trouble is, the average individual coping with a | | | | however, the real estate prices are far cheaper. |
| bad economy, mortgage concerns and job insecurity | | | | Here, a comfortable home near the Gulf of Mexico |
| is anything but well-off-or even financially stable, for | | | | can be had for under $200,000. |
| that matter. And their hearts and minds are not at | | | | The Sunbelt: While many places across this warm, |
| home but rather wandering with worry about an | | | | southern stretch have become full-fledged retirement |
| uncertain future. | | | | havens with prices that have soared due to their |
| With a still-grim economic outlook, a high cost of living | | | | growing popularity, there remain some hidden gems. |
| and a stock market that has caused 401(k)s and | | | | In one quiet region everything is cheap, including |
| individual retirement accounts to lose considerable | | | | houses, which start at $100,000. |
| value, many Americans are delaying or reconsidering | | | | The Northeast: If you don't mind a four-season |
| their retirement plans. Even with real estate prices still | | | | climate, there are many towns in the northern part |
| falling in parts of Florida, Arizona and other traditional | | | | of the country that offering easy living and low |
| retirement havens, a retirement home and | | | | prices. In one small town close enough to New York |
| comfortable lifestyle are still out of reach for many. | | | | City to enjoy its social and cultural offerings, but far |
| Those who are not yet near retirement are also | | | | enough away to leave the bustle behind, the average |
| having a rough time making ends meet. Some have | | | | house sells for $150,000. |
| lost their jobs and homes; others have fallen behind | | | | Foreign Escapes |
| on mortgage payments and monthly bills. | | | | Mexico: Our neighbor just south of the border has |
| But then you hear stories of people like the | | | | more part-time American residents than any other |
| semi-retired widow who thought retirement was out | | | | country outside the U.S., thanks to its close |
| of reach, then sold her $175,000 two-bedroom ranch | | | | proximity, alluring climate and relatively low |
| and snapped up a one-bedroom condo in a | | | | cost-of-living. The idea of finding a seaside Mexican |
| comfortable retirement community for only $105,000, | | | | villa for pennies on the dollar may have long faded |
| allowing her to put $70,000 in cash in the bank. And | | | | into history, but coastal real estate is still a fraction |
| the young couple who traded in their $256,000 condo | | | | the cost of Florida and California oceanfront, and |
| for a 2,100-square-foot three-bedroom house on an | | | | prices inland are even more attractive. There are still |
| acre lot overlooking the ocean for just $149,000, | | | | attractive and safe places in Mexico where you can |
| putting an end to their money problems. | | | | still pick up a nice three-bedroom house for as little |
| They are but two of the many, who, despite the | | | | as $50,000. Annual property taxes on such a |
| current recession, continue to live well. Their secret? | | | | property: less than $40. |
| They traded down to live it up. In other words, they | | | | Nicaragua: With wars and unrest well behind it, this |
| left their worries behind by moving to low-cost | | | | Central American country has emerged as an |
| locales where less is more. There are plenty of places | | | | expatriate hideaway that rivals Costa Rica, but with |
| where you can scale back your cost of living without | | | | much gentler prices. In many towns, comfortable |
| sacraficing your quality of life. Moving to a place with | | | | single-family homes in move-in condition are selling for |
| a lower cost of housing than where you are now will | | | | between $50,000 and $100,000. Groceries here cost |
| help stretch your dollars. | | | | less than half of what you pay back home. |
| Whether you choose an undiscovered bargain | | | | Europe: In one emerging getaway in Eastern Europe |
| somewhere in the United States or a cheap | | | | you can find properties as charming as anything in |
| expatriate haven beyond our borders, there are | | | | rural Italy or France for a tenth of the price. |
| places where you can leave your financial troubles | | | | Waterfront condos and villas can be picked up for |
| behind. | | | | prices that long vanished across the rest of the |
| Here are a few destinations to consider: | | | | continent. One apartment with views of the sea is |
| U.S. Surprises | | | | currently selling for under $40,000. |
| Old Florida: Away from packed tourist traps and | | | | Happy hunting! |
| retiree enclaves is the Florida of old. In one | | | | |