While Pinehurst came in second in 2024, it landed at No. 1 this year, thanks to a few hard numbers. According to GoBankingRates.com's findings, as of October 2025, almost 40 percent of the population there is 65 and older; the average retirement income before Social Security is $51,767; 78.5 percent of households pay under a third of their income for monthly costs; and the property crime rate and violent crime rates are 2.78 and 0.59 (per 1,000).
Some passive investors have done extraordinarily well by sticking with index funds and not worrying about the individual names that one can pick and choose from. Indeed, portfolio construction isn't for everybody, especially for those who are retiring and seeking to live off their investments. And while it can be as simple as buying and holding an index ETF that mirrors the S&P 500 (or the Nasdaq 100 for younger investors seeking a bit more of a growth jolt),
If you're retired, need a passive income supplement from your investment portfolio, and strive to keep things simple and cost-effective, you should probably check out the list of Vanguard ETFs. In terms of getting the job done well, affordably, and effectively, it's tough to stack up against the ETF legend, even with the ocean of other passive and active ETF products across the market.
Dividend growth investing provides a reliable, inflation-resistant income stream for retirement by leveraging consistent dividend increases and compounding for long-term wealth.