Best Places for Retirees to Buy an Old House

The Neighborhood
Natchez is literally rich in history: Before the Civil War, it was the nation's wealthiest town per capita. It now has seven historic districts on the National Register and at least 600 antebellum properties. A place for old-house and arts addicts, Natchez hosts a slew of festivals, including a literary and cinema celebration each February and an annual music festival in May. The 444-mile Natchez Trace, a path stretching from here to Nashville, is surrounded by parkland, offering biking, hiking, and horseback riding. All of these attractions, plus the city's melting-pot history (French, Spanish, English, and Native American), make it a tourism center, and jobs in bars, restaurants, B&Bs, and casinos are plentiful.

The Houses
Antebellum and Victorian-era homes line the streets downtown; other styles include Greek Revival, Classical Revival, and Federal.

The Prices
$100,000 buys a bungalow fixer-upper in the historic district; antebellum mansions with historical significance go for $1 million to $2 million.

Why Buy Now?
Homeowners who upgrade historic properties receive a state tax credit equal to 25 percent of the total cost of approved renovations over $5,000.

Among the best for:
RetireesArt LoversThe South