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Many Americans dream of retiring in Europe, but not everyone can make it happen. For those who can’t do that, one solution is to find somewhere that has a European feel without actually going to Europe.
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Many U.S. cities have a European feel, including metropolitan centers like Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., but these cities may not be ideal for retirees due to their high cost of living But you can find more affordable options.
Here are the 16 best places to retire in the United States that feel like Europe, based on insights from Travel + Leisure and The parking Spot.
Charleston, South Carolina
According to Parking Spot, Charleston combines “all the charm of a European vacation with southern hospitality.” This coastal port town is very walkable and features cobbled streets, historic old houses, a wealth of cultural institutions, and some of the world’s best gastronomy.
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Helen, Georgia
Located along the Chattahoochee River in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Helen is known as “Little Bavaria” for its distinctly German feel. Retirees have plenty of shopping options as well as numerous outdoor activities.
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Herman, Missouri
Hermann is located in an area known as the “Missouri Rhineland” because of its geographic resemblance to the German region. The town itself hosts events such as Wurstfest and Oktoberfest. His five city blocks, including the Deutschheim State Historic Site, are still dedicated to traditional German architecture.
holland, michigan
From its name, Holland aims to evoke images of the Netherlands through Dutch Village and Dezwan windmills. Parking Spot calls the windmill “the only authentic, working Dutch windmill” in the United States. The Netherlands is also known for its annual Tulip His Time Festival.
Leavenworth, Washington
According to Travel + Leisure, Leavenworth was redesigned in the German style in the 1960s and is a “very charming town” for a Bavarian mountain village. In addition to the Oktoberfest festivities and Nutcracker Museum, Leavenworth’s location in the Cascades gives it a “true alpine” feel.
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Montpelier, Vermont
Travel + Leisure calls the country’s smallest capital a “French country village,” with its farmers’ market, quaint shops, leafy hills, and “some” remnants of traditional European architecture. I liken it to The name Montpelier itself refers to the strong friendship that early European settlers had with France.
new orleans louisiana
The Big Easy’s French Quarter, also known as Vieux Carre, may be the most European place in the country, with its design, French and Spanish architecture, and deep-rooted French culture. Its culture includes French street names, French-inspired cuisine, and the celebration of Franco-centric holidays such as Mardi Gras and Bastille Day.
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport’s stylish mansions, sailing culture, and Cliff Walk “can make any visitor feel like they’re on the Côte d’Azur,” Travel and Leisure magazine noted. While retirees may find certain areas expensive, Newport is not a large city, so even if you live in a neighboring area, you have easy access to all amenities.
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New Ulm, Minnesota
According to Travel + Leisure, New Ulm’s population is more than 50% German-American, and the city has one of the oldest breweries in the country (founded by German immigrants). There is a brewery. Ulm is also home to a glockenspiel, adding to the German atmosphere.
Pella, Iowa
As The Parking Spot pointed out, Pell’s tagline is “The Dutch Touch.” The town’s culture and architecture has many Western European influences, including brightly colored buildings, windmills, and a central canal.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
One of Colonial America’s most important cities also boasts a European feel, with features such as Elfreth Alley, America’s oldest continuously inhabited street. Elements of Greek Revival architecture can be seen at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and City Hall can be seen at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It is influenced by the architecture of the French Second Empire.
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portland oregon
Portland’s main European influences are its world-renowned craft beer culture and emphasis on green urban transportation, with nearly 400 miles of bike lanes as of 2019. You’ll also find world-famous cuisine and a bohemian atmosphere.
Santa Barbara, California
This Instagram-worthy coastal community has been dubbed the “American Riviera” due to its beaches’ resemblance to the French coastline. Spanish influence is even greater here, thanks to the Old Mission Santa Barbara, with its many white stucco and red tile roofs.
Solvang, California
Solvang is a small slice of Denmark in sunny California, thanks to Danish architecture, restaurants, and shops spread throughout the city. It’s also home to the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, which features an “extensive collection” of foreign bikes that rotates monthly.
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St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine’s main claim to fame is that it is the oldest city in the United States, founded by Spanish explorers in 1565. This was 42 years before the British colonized Jamestown and 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Today, much of the city’s Spanish architecture and influence remains, including the Castle of San Marcos and the colonial Spanish Quarter.
Tarpon Springs, Florida
This is another Florida city with a European feel, only Tarpon Springs has a Greek feel rather than a Spanish one. The city has a large Greek-American population, so you’ll find plenty of Greek food and culture, along with Greek villages and sponge docks.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 16 Best Places to Retire in the US Like Europe
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