Colorado Cities Crack Top 100 Places To Retire In Us
– A couple Colorado cities were recognized among the best places to retire in a recent ranking by U.S. News & World Report.
According to its “Best Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2021-2022,” list, Colorado Springs and Boulder are among American cities people might want to look into for their retirement living plans.
Both state cities cracked the top 100 out of 150 recognized cities — Colorado Springs and Boulder respectively. Fort Collins and Denver also showed up further down on the list.
U.S. News gave Colorado Springs a nod for its many “distinctive” areas, painting a picture of quaint Americana.
“Despite the sprawl, people regularly stop to say hello to someone they know at their neighborhood brewery or grocery store. That’s the small-town scene the city aims to preserve,” U.S. News contributor Seth Boster wrote in part.
Boulder was described, among others things, as an outlet for residents and people seeking opportunities for personal wellness.
“Boulder has opportunities from forest bathing and free meditation sessions to an abundance of marijuana dispensaries, spas and alternative health care studios,” U.S. News managing editor Katy Marquardt wrote in part.
Announcing: U.S. News ranks the Best Places to Retire in 2022. #BestPlacesToRetire
U.S. News & World Report
More information about the ranking system can by found visiting “How We Rank the Best Places to Live & Retire.”
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Durango La Plata County
If you love food and culture, Durango is one of the best places to retire in Colorado. Its home to around 90 restaurants and several local wineries and craft breweries. This area features 12 art galleries, several cinemas, and independent boutiques, so theres always something to do. If you prefer burning calories outdoors, hit the trails in the neighboring San Juan Mountains or go kayaking on the Animas River.
Durango-La Plata Senior Center is the heart of the community. You can also meet like-minded folks at local clubs, including Senior Outdoors and Durango Line Dancers: a dance group exclusively for local seniors.
Best Places To Live In Colorado
13 Min Read | Sep 8, 2022
Colorful Colorado is home to some of our countrys most stunning natural beauty and wildest outdoor adventures. But it also offers top-notch performing arts, restaurants and shops.
Colorados got something for everyone. So if youre looking for a good timeand a good place to raise your familyColorado could be it. But which cityor town is right for you? Thats the million-dollar question!
To help you find out, lets tour nine of the best places to live in Colorado.
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Best Places To Live In Colorado Our Methodology
To update our list of the best cities in Colorado, we considered several key aspects that make a place worth living.
For instance, we gathered all the latest data on cost of living for each city. We also compared it against the most recent crime rates from the FBI via AreaVibes.
On top of that, we looked at the housing prices that are provided by the real estate company Zillow.
Additionally, we made sure to only include cities that offer a wide range of entertainment and things to do for residents of all ages.
Then, we built a comprehensive database with all of these facts and figures and added up the scores of every city to arrive at this newest list of the best cities to move to in Colorado.
The biggest changes in rankings were primarily due to each citys affordability, or lack thereof, due to rising housing costs.
So, we were forced to lower the rankings of some otherwise great places for 2022 due to their excessive cost of living.
Cheapest States To Retire
If you are looking to save some money while in retirement, start by choosing one of the cheapest states to retire. The following are a few of the cheapest states based on tax rates for retirees, cost of living for seniors, and health care costs.
Alabama is considered a tax-friendly state for retirees according to Kiplinger. This means that most senior benefits including Social Security and pension funds are not taxed by the state. In addition, homeowners who are over 65 do not have to pay property taxes to the state. Alabama doesnt have an estate or inheritance tax either. You will have to pay for sales taxes on food, personal items, and medicine, which is something to consider.
Arizona offers a cost of living for seniors that is nearly 4 percent lower than the U.S. average. It is little wonder that Arizona is home to some of the biggest senior cities in the nation including Peoria, Tempe, and Mesa. In fact, Kiplinger notes that Prescott, Arizona is one of the cheapest cities to live for seniors in Arizona, while still offering a goldmine of senior services and activities for retirees. Plus, Arizona offers some of the best weather in terms of sunshine and mild winters, which is why it is a hot place to go for senior snowbirds from northern states.
Here are some of the other cheapest states to retire to:
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Colorado Springs El Paso
Colorado Springs is Colorados second-largest city, so its the ideal choice for retirees who love big city conveniences close to home. Browse the art galleries on Colorado Avenue, play tourist at the downtown museums, and check out the stores and eateries at Pikes Peak Center. The city has around 300 sunny days each year, so scheduling time to explore Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods is easy.
Despite its size, Colorado Springs has a cost of living thats relatively affordable. Youll find gated communities, low-maintenance downtown apartments, and larger homes in the friendly suburbs, all at a range of price points here. Theres a reason it topped our list of best places to live in Colorado.
Northern Front Range: Fort Collins And Loveland
For those looking to escape the increasing traffic of the Mile High City, but still reap the benefits of living in a large city, retire in Fort Collins. Its Colorados fourth largest city at more than 165,000 people. And it feels even bigger due to being a college town. Over 33,000 students attend Colorado State University. Go Rams!
While the ski resorts are far away, every other bit of world class recreation is at your fingertips. Catch a sunset from the shores of Horsetooth Reservoir, located only minutes from downtown. Afterward stroll the historic Old Towns blocks and blocks of charming shops and restaurants.
The Cache La Poudre Scenic Byway leads you west into the Rockies on Highway 14 right from town, unlocking endless forests and mountain vistas. Any of the neighboring towns make great retirement spots too, such as Loveland, only 20 minutes south .
Going east from Fort Collins or Loveland will put you nearby some good retirement spots. From Windsor to Greeley to Johnstown, theres a lot of neighbors.
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Estes Park Larimer County
Larimer County is more than just a home for big cities. Here, youll also find a great small town. Estes Park is one of the best retirement communities in Colorado for people who want to enjoy peace and quiet in their golden years. With just 6,300 people, the town promises the utmost privacy. Roughly 40% of the locals in Estes Park are seniors with a median age of 59, so its really set up for older Americans. The nearby Rocky Mountain National Park puts you close to hiking trails and fishing spots.
The Estes Park Senior Center is a hive of activities, such as yoga classes, bridge, mahjong, and affordable lunches.
Active Adult Communities Overview
An active adult community, also known as a retirement community, or a 55+ community is ideal for adults who want to enjoy retirement without the hassle of home upkeep, yard work and other maintenance tasks. Communities consist of new homes for sale or re-sale homes which can be single-family homes, condos, or attached homes such as apartments. Many of the single-family homes and condos have detached multi-car garages and in-home features such as granite countertops, fireplaces, and 3 or more bedrooms. Active adult communities are usually part of a homeowners association which takes care of grounds and common area maintenance, lawn care, snow removal and waste management services for a monthly fee. Retirement communities in Colorado generally have a variety of features on site that appeal to active seniors including amenities such as an outdoor pool, indoor pool, fitness center, private golf course, and walking trails. Many communities have a community club house where residents can enjoy entertainment, group social activities such as parties, classes and lectures or one can choose to just make new friends over a game of cards. 55 plus communities in Colorado can be a great choice for retirees who want to pursue an active lifestyle while being surrounded with stunning outdoor vistas, beautiful national parks, and interesting cities to explore.
If you are interested in learning about active adult communities in Colorado, please contact us for more information.
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Is Colorado A Good Place To Retire
Colorado has gotten much attention in recent years and has become a popular place to retire. Its population has consistently increased over the past several years, and its easy to see why.
First, Colorado has some obvious benefits when it comes to the landscape and recreation. The state is filled with mountains and lakes, meaning people who enjoy outdoor recreation will feel right at home in Colorado.
Colorado also stands out as being one of the healthiest places to live. In addition to all the time its residents spend outdoors, Colorado also has one of the lowest obesity rates in the country and is known for its healthy food, much of which is locally grown. The state has several hospitals that are nationally ranked and offers some of the best healthcare services to seniors and young people alike.
Additionally, Colorado has a strong culture. In addition to its strong outdoor culture, it also has a strong art scene and is known for its craft breweries and wineries.
Finally, Colorado has some financial benefits. Yes, the cost of living is higher than the national average, and its been increasing as more people have moved to the state. However, Colorado is also tax-friendly for seniors. The state allows a large deduction for retirement income for individuals 65 and older. Additionally, the state has some of the lowest sales and property taxes in the country, as well as a property tax exemption for seniors who own and occupy their homes in Colorado.
Fort Collins Larimer County
Fort Collins is a college town, but its not just for the young. As the fourth largest city in the state, it offers quality facilities that also cater to the needs of retiring seniors. Youll love visiting the charming boutiques and restaurants in the historic Old Town district and stopping to watch the world go by at Horsetooth Reservoir. The city has 143 miles of bike lanes, allowing many seniors to trade in their cars for two wheels. There are a handful of great places to live in Fort Collins if youre considering calling this place home.
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Tax Breaks For Retirees
Colorado is considered to be a tax-friendly state for those looking for a place to spend their golden years. The income tax system allows for a deduction of $24,000 per year on all retirement income for people age 65 and older. Property taxes in Colorado are among the lowest in the United States, with the average effective rate just 0.49 percent.
Live It All At Aberdeen Ridge
With gorgeous weather, spectacular geology, sophisticated culture and exceptional health care, Colorado and Colorado Springs are the total package for retirees. For even more on the timeless appeal of retiring in Colorado Springs, be sure to read this post from Aberdeen Ridge.
Aberdeen Ridge will soon become the first community in Colorado Springs to offer estate protection through a largely refundable entrance fee. In addition to independent living, our Unique Health Care Benefit package gives residents the reassurance of access to quality assisted living and memory care services right where they live at a predictable monthly rate. This is senior living with a different view. To learn more about residency, please call us at 286-3014 or contact us online.
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Southwest: Durango And Bayfield
Southwest Colorados biggest city, Durango, is an absolute beautiful place to retire. At 6,522 feet the winters are more mild and summers warmer than higher elevation towns. The population of 18,465 in 2017 makes it probably Colorados largest mountain town too.
For the surrounding towns of Bayfield, Pagosa Springs, Mancos and Cortez it even acts as the city, attracting the other locals from up to an hour away just for a fun night on the town. Telluride is 2 hours away.
There are far more bars and restaurants in Durango thanks to its year round tourism than neighboring towns. The Durango & Silverton Railroad brings people from all over the world, enhancing the international feeling of the destination town.
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The 10 Best Places To Retire In Colorado For 2022
Why did Montrose take the top spot? And where are Denver and Colorado Springs?
HomeSnacks is also happy to report that Colorado’s best places to retire have great neighborhoods, parks, and programs to keep its residents happy, healthy, and you guessed it, safe.
So, what’s the best place to retire in Colorado for 2022? According to the latest FBI and Census data, that would be, Montrose.
To see how your favorite places in this Rocky Mountain paradise compared, take a look at the list below and if you don’t see it there, head to the bottom.
For more Colorado state reading:
We then ranked each of these places for each criteria from one to 37, with the lowest number being the best.
Finally, we took the average rank across these criteria. The place, in this case Montrose, with the lowest average rank was crowned the best of the best, a place for you to start your second careers. .
Common Questions About Retiring In Colorado
Is Colorado a good state to retire in?
Colorado is a great state for retirees thanks to its high life expectancy, the presence of outdoor adventures, and exciting indoor cultural experiences for the days you dont want to go skiing.
How much do I need to retire in Colorado.
To live comfortably in your Colorado retirement, you need to have about $45,495 available per year.
Does Colorado tax Social Security and retirement income?
Colorado does tax social security benefits and retirement income, but retirees can deduct up to $24,000 from their state income taxes.
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Living Independently Over Time
In a similar vein to senior-friendly public transportation, Colorado Springs is home to many organizations that help seniors live independently as they age. Silver Key Senior Resourcesis one example. This organization provides Meals on Wheels as needed and free rides for medical appointments and other events. Seniors can reserve a spot in the Connections Café to eat lunch with other older adults in the area, and the organization also provides some help with certain legal matters.
Cheapest Places To Retire
As you consider where you want to retire as a senior, the cost is most likely at the top of your lists of concerns. If you are on a budget you need to find a place to live that allows you all of the comforts and amenities of retirement, without breaking the bank. Check out the cheapest states, cities, and places around the world as you narrow down your options.
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Pikes Peak: Woodland Park Down To Colorado Springs
Like the aforementioned town, Woodland Park is another alpine suburb, but this time of Colorado Springs . Its located less than a 30 minute drive from Colorados second largest city, residing in the omnipresence of Pikes Peak. Like Evergreen, Woodland Park is a fun community full of health focused, nature loving citizens.
The town of 7,642 residents in 2010 sits at 8,465 feet toward the top of the stunning Ute Pass. This easy mountain drive winds from downtown COS, up past Manitou Springs, Cascade, Chipita Park and Green Mountain Falls before passing thru Woodland Park and finishing 7 miles west of that in Divide. It passes by the Pikes Peak Highway.
Ute Pass stretches from 6,165 to 9,165 feet in elevation. Each community along the route offers unique sights and sounds for visitors and locals alike. If youd rather live a couple thousand feet lower and with far greater access to entertainment and facilities, Colorados second largest city is a fantastic place to retire.
Its still cheaper than Denver and folks who live in Colorado Springs love in there. At ~6,000 feet in elevation its about the same climate as other front range cities, so warmer than Woodland Park by ~10 degrees.
