If you’re looking to spend your golden years in a quiet community that’s walking distance to the beach or in a walkable residential neighborhood, you don’t need to secure a visa and retire abroad. The U.S. may not be known for its walkability, but there are many coastal hamlets, historical districts, and bustling cities where residents of all ages can live car-free — if you know where to look. To find them, we turned to a new study from the personal finance website Go Banking Rates, which analyzed walkability scores according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Walkability Index, along with cost of living, to determine America’s best places to retire without a car. Check out the top five cities for car-free retirement below.

5. Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Located 2 miles from Biloxi, Ocean Springs is a quiet Mississippi Gulf Coast town with a population of about 19,000 people. Nicknamed the “City of Discovery” — it was the site of the first permanent French settlement in the region in 1699 — Ocean Springs boasts a 17.3 walkability score (out of 20) and a low annual cost of living at $41,399. 

With old oak-lined streets, art galleries, and bakeries aplenty, Ocean Springs appeals to those seeking a leisurely place to spend their retirement. Instead of driving, residents can explore the Mississippi Blueways via paddleboard, kayak, or canoe to be immersed in the beauty of the bayou, or they can take a bus or trolley around town — or even straight to the beach.

4. Rockville Centre, New York

Commonly referred to as “RVC,” the unincorporated community of Rockville Centre on Long Island’s south shore scores 16.7 out of 20 for walkability and has an annual cost of living of $99,127. Rockville Centre also offers reliable train service via the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), which can transport passengers to Penn Station in midtown Manhattan in 35 minutes. 

For residents 60 and older, there’s a door-to-door bus service that can take you to the local recreation center, medical appointments, and the grocery store for weekly shopping. Further boosting its appeal for retirees, RVC’s Sandel Senior Center is praised for its variety of offerings, such as water taxi rides, riverboat cruises, guest lectures, day trips, weekly luncheons, and fitness classes. 

3. Metairie, Louisiana

Part of the New Orleans metro area, the unincorporated community of Metairie earned a 17.7 walkability score. Better yet, it costs residents roughly $46,719 annually to live here. Lafreniere Park — arguably the star attraction of the community — features 155 acres of paved trails, a lagoon, a splash pad, and a carousel. Residents can also enjoy the Bucktown Marsh Boardwalk on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain to spot wildlife and watch the sunset. 

Elsewhere, Old Metairie is a bustling walkable district filled with antique shops and iconic seafood haunts serving gumbo, po’boys, and charbroiled oysters. With a local bus system to transport riders across the city, as well as the “Move Metairie” program that provides curb-to-curb service, Metairie is enabling senior citizens to comfortably retire car-free. 

2. Lexington, Massachusetts

The first shot of the Revolutionary War was fired in Lexington, Massachusetts, and these days, this city northwest of Boston is renowned as much for its walkability as for its ties to America’s founding. While Lexington boasts a walkability score of 15.7, affordable transportation options, and high overall livability, its annual cost of living is the highest on this list, at $135,228. For those who can afford to retire here, Lexington is hailed for its many historical sites and monuments, such as Lexington Battle Green, the iconic Minuteman Statue, Buckman Tavern, and the Hancock-Clarke House. 

As for transportation, residents rely heavily on affordable bus services, with an annual pass providing unlimited rides for just $20. Some riders may also be eligible for door-to-door paratransit services and free nonemergency medical transportation. Additionally, the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway and Minute Man National Historical Park offer paved, accessible paths for walking and biking, providing residents easy access to nature. 

1. Wilton Manors, Florida

With a walkability score of 17 (out of 20) and the annual cost of living at $73,020, this vibrant suburb of Fort Lauderdale earns first place for car-free retirement in the Go Banking Rates study. Bordered by the Middle River, Wilton Manors is home to approximately 11,500 residents, who take advantage of the city’s walkability by exploring the 8.5-acre Colohatchee Park mangrove preserve, featuring a boardwalk, a dog park, and a boat ramp for water access. 

When it comes time to eat, the lively Wilton Drive is home to trendy restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Residents have multiple options for public transportation, including an electric golf-cart-style shuttle service operating for just $2 a ride, discounted rideshares, and local buses.