An Alternative to Florida: Where Retirees Can Move for Picturesque Nature and Affordable Living

If a career is approaching its end and savings are sufficient for a comfortable retirement, many prefer Florida. This sunny state has attracted older Americans for decades with its warm beaches and endless golf courses. But if you're looking for livable cities and beautiful nature, Kansas—a Midwestern state rarely considered when planning a move—is well worth considering, the website writes. Islands.

One of the main reasons is affordability. Living in Kansas cities is significantly cheaper than in many other states. At the same time, the region's complex history has shaped a rich cultural environment.

Wichita, the state's largest city, is among the least expensive in the country, ranking third among the best places to retire in 2025 according to U.S. News & World Report. Yet, its cultural scene rivals that of much more expensive regions: botanical gardens and urban art spaces rival those in Florida. And for a literal "explosion of color," just leave the city limits—sunflower fields create a vibrant ring around the city.

On the subject: The 15 Best Small Towns in the US for Retirement

The state's gastronomic landscape is equally diverse.

A good example is Pittsburgh, population 20,569. It combines affordable prices with a vibrant cultural scene. When it comes to local cuisine, six of the state's oldest fried chicken restaurants compete for the top spot.

In Hiawatha, known as the "city of beautiful maples," the treetops are painted red and orange every autumn. Hiawatha's vibrant colors are rivaled by Milford, the "city of beautiful sunsets," where the spectacular colors are created not by the foliage but by the evening sky. All this within one state.

Kansas has 29 state parks, each offering its own range of opportunities, from waterfront recreation to extensive hiking trails. A good place to start is with the largest, Eldorado State Park, located about 40 miles northeast of Wichita. Covering approximately 2,800 acres, it offers plenty to explore, from river channels to forests. The park offers cabin accommodations, outdoor activities, and nearly 106 miles of shoreline on Lake Eldorado. Kansas also has plenty to offer water lovers: the state has 24 major reservoirs and more than 120,000 lakes, and many parks are located right on the water.

Clinton Park, near Lawrence, offers an alternative to ocean beaches: clean water and well-equipped recreation areas along the shore. Home to the state's largest full-service marina, the park is popular with boaters and fishermen. A network of trails winds through dense forests, offering opportunities for wildlife viewing.

For those seeking a more unusual experience, Prairie Dog Park is a great choice: its approximately 465-hectare property is home to a colony of 300 prairie dogs. It combines hiking trails, camping, and water recreation. There's also a historical component—two 19th-century buildings remain on the property: a schoolhouse and an adobe house.

Kansas also boasts a national park of impressive scale. Tallgrass Prairie Preserve preserves the remnants of prairie land that once covered approximately 70 million hectares in North America. Today, approximately 4 hectares are protected, where a herd of bison grazes freely.

Despite the presence of bison, Kansas is considered part of the Midwest, not the Great Plains. According to a survey by Emerson College Polling and the Middle West Review, over 90% of the population thinks so. Perhaps this is because the state has approximately 180,000 hectares of wetlands, many of which are crisscrossed by trails that transform a simple walk into an introduction to the diversity of the local natural environment.

The best place to observe wildlife is at the Baker University Wetlands, about 45 minutes outside of Kansas City. This tranquil spot combines hiking with educational programs. The complex covers approximately 375 hectares, with nearly 10 kilometers of hiking trails, and is home to hundreds of species of birds, vertebrates, and plants.

The diversity of landscapes continues in Sand Hills Park, which covers approximately 454 hectares and features marshes, sand dunes, and forests. A walk along its approximately 22,5 kilometers of trails can include dunes up to 12 meters high. A separate, nearly 5-kilometer-long trail leads to and from the wetlands, allowing for close-up views. Birdwatchers should visit the Quivira Nature Reserve, which covers approximately 8,900 hectares. Home to inland salt marshes and over 300 species of birds, binoculars are a must.

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The most famous "trail" associated with Kansas is the fictional Yellow Brick Road from The Wizard of Oz. Interestingly, it can also be seen in real life, in the town of Wamego.

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