Communities Worth Living In
AARP is committed to being a resource to both community leaders and their residents in creating homes and neighborhoods that let older Americans live their best lives. Among our programs are:
Staff and volunteers work with elected officials and local organizations to advocate and create age-friendly communities.
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Hot Springs Village Arkansas
– Population: 14,466- Median home value: $203,300 – Median rent: $1,130 – Median household income: $60,995
Hot Springs Village in the Ouachita Mountains is the largest private gated community in the country at more than 26,000 acres. It sports nine golf courses and 11 recreational lakes, and it is close to Hot Springs and Little Rock, Arkansas.
– Median home value: $183,000 – Median rent: $886 – Median household income: $71,221
Centerville, Ohio, features about 30 old stone houses, built from native limestone, that give it a historic feel. For elderly residents, the city offers home maintenance resources and a call-in program to check on residents well-being.
– Median home value: $332,900 – Median rent: $1,336 – Median household income: $116,583
Pleasant Ridge, a mile and a half north of Detroit, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for the classic houses along its wide, tree-lined streets. The community is built on an ancient beach ridge, one of many that are located parallel to the Great Lakes and their channels.
– Median home value: $374,300 – Median rent: $1,308 – Median household income: $92,159
Fairview is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. The suburb has low crime, and it is popular with retirees.
– Median home value: $1,787,300 – Median rent: $2,175 – Median household income: $122,709
– Median home value: $161,700 – Median rent: $850 – Median household income: $80,417
These Are The Top 10 Retirement Spots In The Us
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed how many Americans view their retirement, whether it is pushing it back or starting it earlier than planned.
Yet one thing hasn’t changed Florida is still the top destination thanks to its sunshine, beaches and taxpayer-friendly policies, a new U.S. News & World Report report found. The Sunshine State is home to 8 of the 10 best places in the country for retirees.
U.S. News looked at housing affordability, health care, taxes, the job market and overall happiness in the 150 most populated U.S. metro areas to come up with its rankings of the top places for retirement in 2021 and 2022. It used data from sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Census Bureau and the Tax Foundation.
Sarasota, Florida, took the top spot, edging out first runner-up Naples, also in the Sunshine State, largely because it had more affordable housing, explained Emily Brandon, U.S. News’ senior retirement editor.
“Sarasota and Naples residents both report a high sense of well-being and both cities scored high marks for desirability,” she said.
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While Pennsylvania has just one spot on the top 10, it has several cities that have climbed in the rankings this year. The accessibility of high-quality health-care facilities was often the reason, Brandon said.
1. Sarasota, Florida
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Sarasota Stays Atop Rankings
Despite decreases in health care, housing and happiness scores, Sarasota, Fla., earned the No. 1 spot in the rankings for the second year in a row due to increases in desirability, retiree tax and job market scores. Of the eight Florida cities in the top 10, none were inlandand Tampa was the only one of states largest cities to crack the top 10. Orlando ranked 18th, Jacksonville 26th, as Miami a distant 48th.
Behind Sarasota in the second spot overall was Naples, Fla. An increase in its Retiree Tax score helped the fellow Gulf Coast city jump two places from the previous rankings to No. 2even with decreases in Health Care, Happiness and Housing Affordability scores.
Daytona Beach ranked third. Its 12-spot jump is largely due to its good air quality and low crime ratetwo factors that U.S. News used to calculate the rankings overall happiness scores for the first time this year.
Rounding out the top five were Melbourne, Fla., and the aforementioned Lancaster, Pa.
Tampa climbed 14 spots in the latest rankings to land at No. 6, followed by perennial top-10 finishers Fort Myers and Port St. Lucie in the seventh and eighth spots. Ann Arbor, Mich., was one of only two non-Florida cities to make the top 10 in the ninth spot, and Pensacola launched 15 spots from the previous rankings to round out the top 10.
Boynton Beach 55+ Communities
There are few cities in the U.S. with more communities on offer than Boynton Beach. This means theres a lot of variety with many resale communities offering homes for sale below $100k. On the other hand, developers still want in on this retirement capital and plenty of newer communities are on offer with new homes at higher price points. Heres a handful of popular options:
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Great Neck Plaza New York
– Population: 6,957 – Median household income: $92,260- Median home value: $364,400 – Median rent: $1,958
Great Neck Plaza has a lot going on for a village that is only about a third of a square mile. Easy to access via the Long Island Railroad, the village features over 260 retail stores, upscale shops, and restaurants.
Flat Rock North Carolina
– Population: 3,328 – Median household income: $90,887- Median home value: $424,600 – Median rent: $1,224
Looking for a quaint and historic village for retirement? Flat Rock, about 33 miles south of Asheville, is brimming with local charm. Dubbed the Little Charleston of the Mountains, this quaint village has galleries, shops, and eateries, and it was also the home of poet Carl Sandburg.
– Population: 6,972 – Median household income: $54,014- Median home value: $298,500 – Median rent: $1,040
Ocean City is famous for its boardwalks, ocean views, and saltwater taffy. If you love resort-style living, sea air, and dipping your toes in the ocean each morning, this is the place for you. During the summer, you can meet thousands of vacationers, and in the winter, have the beach all to yourself.
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Our Global Passport Index
Global Citizens pioneering Global Passport Index measures passports not only visa-free access to other countries but also takes into account investment opportunities and quality of life factors. For US citizens looking to retire abroad, it is worth seeing where each of these counties ranks on our index and other countries that could be excellent retirement options. You can learn more about it here.
Us News Ranks The Best Places To Retire In The Us In 2021
The U.S. News & World Report ranking of the Best Places to Retire can help you select where to spend your retirement years. The analysis compares the 150 most populous metropolitan areas in the country as potential places to retire.
The Best Places to Retire ranking includes data about housing affordability, happiness, desirability, retiree taxes, the job market and access to quality health care. These factors are weighted based on a U.S. News online survey of people age 45 and older about their retirement preferences.
Florida dominates the 2021-2022 list of best places to retire, making up eight of the top 10 places to retire. Sarasota, Florida, ranks as the best place to retire in the U.S. for the second year in a row, thanks to high marks for desirability combined with a reasonable cost of living.
Several other Florida cities rose in the 2021-2022 rankings, including Naples, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Tampa and Pensacola due to consistent housing costs and a continuing high desire to retire in Florida. Many Florida cities had high desirability ratings based on a U.S. News online survey about where people age 45 and older are most interested in retiring. The highly ranked Florida cities typically also have affordable housing costs, high-quality health care and residents who report liking where they live.
The 10 Best Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2021-2022:
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Does It Make Financial Sense To Relocate During Retirement
For those of us who want to retire in the U.S., there are nine states that have no state income taxes: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. For many retirees with the means to move, it makes financial sense to relocate especially if their home state has high taxes like California or New York.
Myrtle Beach South Carolina
This vacation spot is home to about 30,000 permanent residents who enjoy the perks of living in a popular resort area, including golf courses, restaurants, hotels, festivals, and entertainment. One of the most tax-friendly states for retirees, South Carolina exempts social security benefits, and taxpayers ages 65 and older can exclude up to $10,000 of retirement income, along with other tax benefits. Property taxes are low, too, and there’s a homeowners exemption for residents over 65.
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Does It Make Financial Sense To Relocate In Retirement
For those of us who want to retire in the U.S., there are nine states that have no state income taxes: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. For many retirees with the means to move, it makes financial sense to relocate especially if their home state has high taxes like California or New York.
Find Out What’s Happening In Boulderwith Free Real
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. Read more at CBS Denver
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We Picked 50 Of The Best Places To Retire
Thinking about moving in retirement? You’re not alone. About two-thirds of retirees plan to relocate or already have, according to a survey by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave, a research firm focused on the aging population. And while most pre-retirees expect to stay in the same state or region once they retire, 40% want to take the opportunity to try someplace completely different.
Luckily, no matter which state you land on for retirement, you can pinpoint a promising place within state lines to settle down. To help you narrow the choices, here we highlight one great retirement destination in each state that offers attractive advantages for retirees. We’ve taken into account living costs, safety, median incomes and poverty rates for seniors, as well as residents sense of well-being and the availability of recreational and health care facilities. Take a look at our 50 picks for top places to retire around the country and see which ones fit your dreams for retirement.
The list is ordered alphabetically by state. See “How We Picked the Best Places to Retire” at the end of the list for details on our data sources and methodology.
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- 15.2%
- Cost of living for retirees: 6.1% below the national average
- Average income for population 65+: $51,853
- Community score: 63.3
- State’s tax rating for retirees:Tax Friendly
Health Care Total Points: 25
- Average Daily COVID-19 Deaths in the Past Week per Capita: Double Weight
- Average Daily COVID-19 Cases in the Past Week per Capita: Double Weight
- Percentage of Residents Who Are Fully Vaccinated: Double Weight
- Family Medicine Physicians per 10,000 Residents: Full Weight
- Gerontologists per 10,000 Residents Aged 65 & Older: Full Weight
- Dentists per 10,000 Residents: Half Weight
- Nurses per 1,000 Residents: Full Weight
- Physical Therapists per 10,000 Residents: Full Weight
- Number of Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors per 10,000 Residents: Full Weight
- Suicide Rate for Elders: Full Weight
- Health Care Facilities per Capita: Full** Weight
- Quality of Public Hospital System: Full** Weight Note: This metric is based on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ranking of public hospital systems.
- Top-Rated Geriatrics Hospitals: Full Weight
- Home-Care Facilities per Capita: Full Weight
- Life Expectancy: Full Weight
- Death Rate of Population Aged 65 & Older: Full Weight
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Where Is The Best Place To Retire In The Us In 2020
Out of the top retirement cities in the country, the best place to retire is The Villages, Florida, according to our study. With a median age of 66.4 years and a mean Social Security income of $25,505, this inland, golf-cart-loving Floridian community is about 54 percent seniors. The only downside is a fairly high median rent at $1,274 per month. Its now well-known for being one of the best places for retirees to live perhaps thats why its one of the fastest-growing MSAs in the nation.
A Diverse Place Thats Easy To Get Around
Jeff Nelson
Mr. Joseph of Jamaican and African Cuisine a small restaurant off Interstate 40 serves his signature dish, which includes Oxtail, steamed cabbage, yellow rice and plantains.
Charles Blalark had his pick of places to retire after 37 years as a street supervisor for the town of Elgin, Illinois. But he returned to the place where he grew up: Jackson, Tennessee. At the end of the day, its still got that hometown feeling, the 72-year-old says. And the cost of living is fantastic.
Its status as a majority-minority city is a big draw for retirees looking for a diverse place to live. Jackson also prides itself on being gridlock free drivers can zip through town in 15 to 20 minutes. Even with the relaxed pace, Jackson was among the first cities in Tennessee to get ultrafast internet with download speeds of 1 gigabit per second.
Jackson has abundant parks, greenways and walking trails. And retirees will find plenty of opportunities for golf, fishing and hiking. There are numerous fitness centers, including Lift, an 84,000-square-foot facility with a medical clinic, three indoor pools and a healthy café. Jackson offers free concerts at the Amp, an outdoor amphitheater next to the farmers market. And retirees can see musicals and plays at the performing arts center that locals call The Ned.
Sheila Burke
Jeff Nelson
On this beautiful fall afternoon, The Jackson Amphitheater known as The Amp, showcases local performers for the residents.
Population
Access to exercise
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The Best States To Retire In 2022
What are the best states for retirees? The answer lies in the states that fall onto both the lowest tax burden list and the highest percentage of millionaires list.
The top two states to retire in according to our formula are drumroll please Alaska and New Hampshire! Special mentions go to Virginia, Washington, and Delaware, which were all in the top 20 on both lists.
Its interesting to see that low-tax states like Wyoming, South Dakota, and Texas dont make the top 10, or even the top 20 states with the most millionaires. Well be following to see if they make the list in future years, since these states offer such good tax benefits.
Delaware is probably the biggest surprise on the shortlist , followed by Wyoming and Florida not making the list given they are such low-tax states and both offer great lifestyles. Florida is well-known for beachfront living, and if youve ever been to Jackson Hole, youll agree Wyoming is a lovely place.
Del Monte Forest California
– Population: 4,197- Median home value: $1,210,400 – Median rent: $2,976 – Median household income: $138,889
Del Monte Forest is a small beach city on Monterey Bay, south of San Francisco. It is known for its beauty, comfortable climate, and recreation like the top-rated golfing at nearby Pebble Beach. But the cost of living is more than twice the national average.
– Median home value: $510,600 – Median rent: data not available – Median household income: $184,375
Indian Hills, on the shores of the Ohio River, is a comfortable suburb of Louisville, Kentucky, and also about 100 miles from Cincinnati. But for retirees, Kentucky does not offer the best elder services, quality of life, or access to quality health care.
– Median home value: $236,500 – Median rent: $852 – Median household income: $64,792
The Louisville, Kentucky, suburb of Graymoor-Devondale, with a population of about 3,000, has plentiful shops and restaurants and easy access to the Louisville Champions Park on the Ohio River banks. It offers a number of good golfing choices as well.
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Affordable Living With Easy Access To Recreation
Kevin Miyazaki
L: The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum in East Lansing, Michigan. R: Artist Brian Whitfield paints a mural at the Allen Neighborhood Center in Lansing, Michigan.
Vallary Harris, 73, enjoys public parks in the day and jazz at intimate clubs at night. But not in New York City, where she spent her 40-year career in human services.
In 2017, Harris moved back to her hometown of Lansing, to be near cousins and childhood friends and to enjoy a more affordable lifestyle.
This historic riverside town offers city amenities at budget-friendly prices and with a relaxed small-town vibe, entwined with some of the Midwests finest year-round outdoor recreation. Rent a kayak, paddle around downtown, tour the state capitol, check out a landmark museum and take a selfie with a rhino at the zoo all in the same day.
Lansing boasts 111 parks within its 36 square miles, and nearby county parks offer wildlife observation areas, pet-friendly trails, beaches and by-the-hour rentals of paddleboats, cross-country ski gear and other equipment. The highlight is the Lansing River Trail, with more than 20 miles of paved pathways for bicycling and walking, branching from downtown along the areas waterways.
You can get on a bike or walk and be on this wonderful trail that goes all through the city and to the suburbs and the Michigan State campus, in East Lansing, says retiree and longtime resident Marna Wilson, 71. There are lots of access points.
Melissa Preddy
Population
Vibe
