5 Top Retirement Destinations for Music Lovers Offering Vibrant Scenes and Affordable Living

Key Takeaways Cities like Memphis, Detroit, Lexington, Atlanta, and Kansas City show you don’t have to live in pricey cities like New York and Chicago to enjoy great live music. From blues and bluegrass to hip-hop and jazz, these cities prove that great sound doesn’t have to break your budget, offering vibrant music scenes and affordable homes. If your idea of a perfect night out involves live music, local flavor, and a price tag that doesn’t sting, there are plenty of U.S. cities that hit the right notes. While legends like Nashville, which is in fact becoming pricier to live in, and New York, always an expensive bet, often steal the spotlight, smaller-and far more affordable-cities are quietly thriving with their own vibrant music scenes. Beale Street is a vibrant part of Memphis, Tennessee—it's an affordable city that offers a lot of entertainment.Carlo Allegri / Getty Images Beale Street, Memphis—the “Home of the Blues” and heart of the city’s legendary music scene.benedek / Getty Images The Fox Theatre in downtown Detroit is just one of the venues that makes the birthplace of Motown a great city to live for music lovers.csfotoimages / Getty Images The Kentucky Theatre in downtown Lexington hosts a Troubadour Concerts, a musical series that's included legends like Merle Haggard and Arlo Guthrie.Jerry Grugin / Getty Images A band plays music onstage at a monthly art walk in downtown Kansas City.Lorraine Boogich / Getty Images From Memphis’ blues roots to the pulse of Atlanta’s hip-hop, these destinations prove you don’t have to spend big to live where the music never stops. Beale Street, Memphis-the “Home of the Blues” and heart of the city’s legendary music scene. benedek / Getty Images Memphis Memphis is one of the cheapest places to live in the U.S., with a cost of living that's 13% below the national average. Home prices are low, with a typical home costing $143,000 (compared with $364,000 for the U.S. as a whole). The city is widely recognized as the birthplace of blues and rock and roll. B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Aretha Franklin, and Isaac Hayes have all hailed from the area, and their legacy, coupled with the emergence of newer artists following in their footsteps, makes Memphis a vital place for anyone interested in music. The heart of Memphis’ music scene, particularly for blues fans, is Beale Street, with iconic venues including B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rum Boogie Café, and King’s Palace Café. Memphis also hosts several festivals throughout the year that cover various genres, including Mempho, Riverfest, and Gonerfest. Other places of interest include the legendary Sun Studio; the Stax Museum, which chronicles the story of the iconic record label; and, for Elvis fans, the rock icon’s nearby home, Graceland. The Fox Theatre in downtown Detroit is just one of the venues that makes the birthplace of Motown a great city to live for music lovers. csfotoimages / Getty Images Detroit Detroit is another major hub of...

Preview: ~500 words