Lazing about the beach is a common retirement dream, but you don't necessarily need to buy an expensive oceanfront condo to live it. You can find great places to retire in America's Heartland, far from the coast, that offer access to freshwater beaches on lakes and rivers. You still get to feel the sun on your face and the sand between your toes, but often at more affordable prices than you'll encounter in popular coastal retirement cities.

We pinpointed the best place to retire in each state, taking into account living costs, safety, median incomes and poverty rates for retirement-age residents, as well as residents' sense of well-being and the availability of recreational and health care facilities. Of our 50 picks, 24 great places to retire across the U.S. offer the added benefit of nearby beaches to bum around. The mix of retirement cities is sure to surprise you.

Anchorage, Alaska

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Population: 398,000

Share of population 65+: 9.1%

Cost of Living: 28.4% above the national average

Average Income for Households 65+: $62,651

Community Score: 62.1

State's Tax Rating for Retirees: Most Tax Friendly

The Last Frontier might be the last place you'd think of for a beachfront retirement. But Anchorage does experience hot summer days, and you can find plenty of beaches around to enjoy them. Among the choices are Goose Lake Park, Jewell Lake and Little Campbell Lake, as well as the sweeping beach at Kincaid Park.

To get you through the rest of the year, including the long winters, it pays to live in Alaska. Literally. A state fund fueled by oil wealth gives all permanent residents an annual dividend. In 2017, the payment was $1,100 per person.

And residents could certainly use the extra cash. Living costs throughout Alaska are significantly higher than is typical across the continental U.S. But Anchorage is the least expensive metro area in the state. Plus, being the largest city in Alaska, it offers more amenities including numerous theaters, museums and shopping centers, on top of all the outdoor recreation you'd expect. It also has an abundance of health care facilities, more than 43 establishments per 1,000 seniors in the metro area compared with just 19 per 1,000 seniors in the U.S.

Carlsbad, Calif.

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Population: 3.3 million

Share of population 65+: 12.7%

Cost of Living: 46.1% above the national average

Average Income for Households 65+: $62,681

Community Score: 64.3

State's Tax Rating for Retirees: Mixed

Part of the San Diego metro area, Carlsbad (city population: 115,330) offers a small-city feel with easy access to big-city amenities. It has a vibrant cultural community, ocean-side living and sunny climate. Plus, there are 25 parks, nearly 50 miles of hiking trails and a full calendar of artsy offerings, including Foreign Film Friday and free summer concerts. And you can choose among