Showing posts with label where to retire in the United States. Show all posts
Showing posts with label where to retire in the United States. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Affordable Retirement Cities with Pleasant Climates

Are you looking for a pleasant, affordable city which is a good choice for retirement?  Do you want to have access to quality healthcare, cultural diversity, and mild weather?  The website caring.com put together their 2017 list of "Best Cities to Retire on the Cheap," and one of the cities listed below might be the perfect choice for you.

The major the factor which caring.com considered was the overall affordability of the city.  As they point out, however, there is no benefit in finding a city with cheap housing if the weather is so cold in the winter you pay exorbitant prices to heat your home.  You would probably be no better off financially, and you would have to deal with the downside of aging in an area which frequently experiences snow, ice and other weather extremes.  When they put together their list, therefore, in addition to affordability they also considered climate, healthcare, economic vitality and both geographic and cultural diversity.  In other words, these are cities which are not only affordable, but have a number of other advantages which would make them attractive to retirees.

Before moving to any of these cities, retirees will want to do more research to make sure they can afford to live in the city of their choice and to determine if they will have access to activities which interest them.  You will also want to plan an extended vacation, if you are unfamiliar with the city.  However, some of these cities should definitely be on your list of ones to consider if you hope to relocate to a fun, affordable city after retirement.

Affordable Retirement Cities According to Caring.com

Tucson, Arizona - For decades, people have retired to this city with a population of just a little over a half million.  This makes it easier to meet other newcomers in your age group.  Traffic is not a major problem and there are plenty of ways to stay active ... yoga studios, shopping centers, restaurants, and more.  There are eight hospitals in the city. Because it is in the high desert, the weather is milder than many other parts of Arizona.

Dover, Delaware - The state capitol of the small state of Delaware is equally small .. with a population of less than 40,000 people.  Despite its tiny size, the city has a strong economy, plenty of places to shop and eat out, plus you are halfway between New York City and Washington, DC. This gives you the opportunity to hop on a commuter train and experience world class entertainment, while living in a city which is far more affordable than either New York or Washington.

Bend, Oregon - For retirees who want to live in a city but be close to a wide variety of outdoor activities, including golf, snow skiing, hiking, fishing, boating and mountain biking, this city could be the ideal spot for you!

Sarasota, Florida - Built in the 1920's along the Gulf Coast of Florida, the Art-Deco downtown is adorable.  The Ringling Brothers Circus wintered here in the past, so expect to see circus memorabilia around town.  There is also an opera, symphony, ballet, music festival and other ways to stay active.

Boise, Idaho - This city gets an average of 21 inches of snow a year, so you will still have to deal with bad weather in the winter.  However, it is affordable and has an abundance of hiking and biking trails in the city.

San Luis Obispo, California - This small California city near the Central coast is home to Cal Poly University and is affordable compared to many other California coastal cities.  The weather is very temperate and it is surrounded by other affordable small towns such as Atascadero, Nipomo, Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles, and Templeton.  One of my granddaughters went to college in this town and we enjoyed visiting her and strolling through this attractive village.

San Antonio, Texas - The charming River Walk, across the street from the famous Alamo Mission, is reason enough to love this appealing Texas town.  The city has a wide variety of urban activities, including shopping and restaurants, and is surrounded by a number of even more affordable small towns.  Our family has vacationed there several times and love the city.

Nashville, Tennessee - If you love country music, there are few better places to live than Nashville.  The fact that it is also affordable and the climate is mild make it even more desirable.

Charlotte, North Carolina - This affordable, friendly city of about 700,000 people has a large number of cultural activities available.  It also has a booming economy, in case you want to continue to work after retirement.

Fayetteville, Arkansas - Located on the shores of Beaver Lake, this vibrant city offers a wide variety of recreational activities.

General Information about Choosing a Retirement City

As with any potential retirement city, the ones on this list contain both good neighborhoods and bad neighborhoods.  They are also surrounded by suburbs, small towns and, sometimes, retirement communities which give you the benefit of both city life and small town living.  If you are looking for an affordable place to retire, pick a few cities from this list and get to know them.  Work with a local Realtor and see some of the homes available in your price range.  Check out websites like caring.com and Zillow to get more ideas about where to retire. Once you have explored these communities and others, you will have a much better idea of where you would like to retire.

Are you looking for more information on where to retire, financial planning, Medicare, Social Security, healthcare and changing family relationships, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

Watch for my book, Retirement Awareness: 10 Steps to a Comfortable Retirement, which will be published by Griffin Publishing in 2018.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  morguefile.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Money Magazine Best Places to Retire

Forbes, Money, AARP and U.S. News periodically come out with their own lists of the best places to retire in the United States.  The reason there are so many different lists is because they each use different criteria.  However, I believe it is helpful to my readers to be informed about these various lists so they know if the communities they are considering are a good possibility.

This month I am featuring the 2015 Money Magazine list of the Best Places to Retire.  First, however, you will want to know the criteria they used.

Money Magazine Criteria for the Best Places to Retire

What were the types of things that Money Magazine considered when they compiled their list?  First, they considered the four top towns in five different categories.

The categories were: The places where retirees could pursue an active lifestyle in ...

The outdoors
The arts
Waterfront living
Continuing Education
Golf

How did they choose the best communities for each of those interests?

Here are the issues they considered:

Communities with at least 10,000 residents
A variety of services and populations
No more than 95% of residents of one race
At least 20% of residents over the age of 50
Median home prices below the national average
Low taxes
Within 30 miles of a major hospital
Accessible to culture, recreation and green space

Finally, they also interviewed both new and longtime residents to determine if there is a sense of community spirit and vibrancy ... issues that can be hard to measure.

Once they had taken all these factors into consideration, they came up with their lists.  Below, I have listed their top picks, along with the median home price.

Where to Enjoy the Great Outdoors after Retirement

St. George, Utah - $195,000
Vail, Arizona - $199,500
Fayetteville, Arkansas - $166,000
Richland, Washington - $205,450

Where to Enjoy the Arts after Retirement

Boise, Idaho - $184,500
Santa Fe, New Mexico - $248,000
Chattanooga, Tennessee - $128,650
Dover, Delaware - $136,000

Best Retirement Areas for Golf Lovers

Prattville, Alabama - $150,415
Clermont, Florida - $190,000
Stillwater, Oklahoma - $136,000
Fishers, Indiana - $228,000

Best College Towns for Retirees

Northfield, Minnesota - $172,500
Asheville, N.C. - $200,000
Lexington, Kentucky - $142,000
Athens, Georgia - $128,000

Best Retirement Towns for Waterfront Living

Bluffton, South Carolina - $230,000
Traverse City, Michigan - $161,250
Cape Coral, Florida - $144,900
Loveland, Colorado - $225,000

Diversity on the Money Magazine List

As you will see, this list includes nineteen different states from most of the regions in the United States.  I was disappointed to note that it did not include any communities in California, Oregon, or in the Northeast above Delaware.  Those regions all include populated areas where many people would like to retire.  With that thought in mind, I would like to mention that this blog also includes articles on other popular retirement areas, including California coastal towns, and the retirement communities around the charming town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

In addition, if you already have an that interests you, I assure you that there are retirement communities in nearly every region of the United States.

If you are looking for more ideas about where to retire, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of this article to find links to hundreds of additional articles about where to retire in the United States or overseas, health issues, financial considerations, and other retirement concerns.

Source:

"Best Places to Retire 2015," Money Magazine, July 2015.

Other articles that may interest you:

http://onboardinformatics.com/blog/money-magazine-releases-best-places-retire-2014/

http://time.com/money/3914804/best-places-to-retire-2015/

http://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/best-places-to-retire



You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  morguefile.com

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Livable Communities for Retirement

Since the vast majority of retirees make the decision to continue to live in their current home or, at the very least, their current neighborhood when they retire, many people wonder if this is the best choice for them.  Now, AARP has come up with a matrix to help senior citizens compare the livability of different neighborhoods around the United States and enable people to look up their own community, or another one that interests them, and see how different neighborhoods compare with each other and the national averages.  Comparing different neighborhoods has just become a whole lot easier!

What is a Livable Neighborhood?

Of course, livability means different things to different people.  As a result, AARP looked at sixty different factors including: availability of affordable housing (including apartments and condos), access to work and play, transportation, the environment, engagement, health, opportunity, access to jobs, and amenities.

The AARP List of Most Livable Neighborhoods

When they were done with their research, including surveying thousands of people over the age of 50, here was the AARP final list of the ten most livable neighborhoods in the United States.  They have narrowed it down, not just to cities, but specific neighborhoods within the cities:

Mifflin West, Madison, WI
Upper West Side, Manhattan, NY
Downtown Crossing, Boston
South of Market, San Francisco
Washburn, La Crosse, WI
Downtown Sioux Falls, S.D.
Southside, Virginia, Minnesota
Downtown Bismarck, N.D.
Downtown Seattle
Downtown Los Alamos, N.M.

Other Categories of Livable Places to Retire

Of course, relatively few people live in the communities mentioned above.  In addition, those neighborhoods might not be anywhere near where you currently live or where you would like to live.  As a result, AARP also came up with several other categories of livable places.  These were:

Most Livable Cities
Best Cities for Staying Healthy
Easiest Cities to Get Around
Best Cities for Date Night
Best Cities for Making New Friends

Furthermore, they broke those lists down into three sub-categories ... large, medium and small cities.

It interested me that there were several cities on more than one list.

How to Evaluate Your Community

Are you curious about how your community compares to others?  AARP allows anyone free access to their matrix.  Here is how to find out how your community ranks:

1.  Log into aarp.org/livabilityindex
2.  Enter your address or, if your prefer, just your zip code
3.  It will show your livability score in several categories, including housing, access to work and play, transportation, environment, health, engagement, opportunity.

You can click on the various categories to learn more about each one and how your community ranked in a number of areas.

When I did this with my own community of Laguna Woods Village, California, it was above the average in five categories and below average in two.  It ranked particularly high in health, partly because there are few smokers, few obese people and there is plenty of access to exercise and health care.

My community's overall score was about the same as that of Austin, Texas ... another popular retirement city.

AARP Featured Cities

At the bottom of the website mentioned above, you can click on Featured Cities and see the scores of most of the major cities in the United States.  By entering a zip code, as described above, you can find out the details of specific neighborhoods in those cities.

Enjoy this fabulous way to research the communities where you might want to retire.  It is a great way to evaluate every place in the United States you think you may want to live and will help you decide which livable communities are right for you!

If you are looking for more retirement information and ideas, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of this article to find links to hundreds of additional articles about retirement.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Best Cold Climate Areas for Retirement

Are you willing to live in a cold climate when you select your ideal retirement community?  While many people think of Florida or Arizona as the sunny, warm spots where they want to live, other people are more interested in issues such as affordable housing, low taxes, generous long-term care benefits from Medicaid and the possibility of working for at least some of the years after they turn 60.  In addition, they may want to live in senior-friendly small towns with less traffic and low crime.

In November, 2014, Money Magazine offered their list of the "Best Places to Retire," based on criteria that did not factor in the weather.  As a result, they came up with choices that are different from the typical list of retirement locations which we frequently see listed.  All of these places get snow and icy weather.  However, as a trade-off, they have other qualities that may be more important to many retirees. 

Money Magazine divided their choices into the three categories shown below:

Most Affordable Place to Retire

Bella Vista, Arkansas - With a median home price of about $100,000 and a median rent of $900, as well as low property taxes, this is the most affordable place to retire on their list.  In addition, for a low monthly fee of under $25 a month, homeowners can use seven golf courses, as well at the town's swimming pools, tennis courts, and fitness facilities.  There are lakes, streams, forests and walking trails.  One aspect of this town that is particularly appealing is the fact that 52% of the residents are over age 50.  In addition, there is a strong job market for people who want to continue to work.

Runner ups:  Sioux Falls, S.D. and Morgantown, W. VA.

You can read more about the selection of the above locations in these articles:

http://nowitcounts.com/topping-money-mags-best-places-retire-list-bella-vista-ak/
http://kikn.com/sioux-falls-named-one-of-the-best-places-to-retire-by-money-magazine/
http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20141102/GZ05/141109992

Best Place for a Second Career

Iowa City, Iowa - For people over 60 who want to remain engaged in the workforce, this town has an unemployment rate of only 3.1%.  The largest employer is the University of Iowa, which attracts people who have retired from other universities, as well as those who have worked in the corporate world.  Approximately 23% of the population is over the age of 50.  Median home prices are about $191,000.

Runners up:  Bozeman, Montana and Casper, Wyoming

You can read more about the selection of Iowa City and Bozeman below:

http://thegazette.com/subject/news/business/iowa-city-makes-best-places-to-retire-list-20141028
http://www.nbcmontana.com/news/bozeman-makes-list-of-best-places-to-retire/29394446

Best Place for a Well-Rounded Retirement 

Northfield, Minnesota - If you are looking for moderate home prices, good health care, job opportunities and a small town feel, this community may be your best choice.  About 29% of the population is over the age of 50.  It is located only 55 miles from the world-acclaimed Mayo Clinic.  The median home price is $200,000.  The town has two colleges, which gives retirees the opportunity for continuing education classes.  It is also possible to enjoy live theater, orchestra performances, choral groups, and more. 

Runners Up:  Bellingham, Washington and Manchester, New Hampshire

You can learn more about Northfield below:

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/10/27/northfield-named-best-place-to-retire-by-money-magazine/ 

As mentioned earlier, these communities will not be at the top of the list for people who are looking for a warm, sunny place to retire.  However, for those who are looking for other amenities during their retirement years, such as affordable housing, low crime, low traffic, and interesting activities, the above list above may give them some great places to start their search for the perfect retirement community that meets their needs.

For links to dozens of additional articles about where to retire in the United States and overseas, use the tabs at the top of this article.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit: www.morguefile.com


Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Where To Retire in the U.S. on Social Security Alone

The media is full of scary stories about how the Baby Boomer generation will never be able to retire because they have not saved enough money to supplement their Social Security.  It is easy to panic and feel that you have fallen into an impossible situation.

However, in the Yahoo! article, "The 10 Best Places to Retire on Social Security Alone," the authors provide a list of places in the United States where you can retire comfortably on the average Social Security amount of $31,000 a year for a couple.  They made it clear that this would not be a luxurious retirement, only that it would be possible to get by.

In addition, the article was based on the assumption that the couple would either have a paid-off mortgage or they would be paying the typical rent for that community.  In other words, if you are still making large house payments, even these areas are likely to be too expensive for you, based on only receiving the average amount of Social Security.  Shown below is the list from the Yahoo article.

Yahoo's List of the Best Places to Retire on Social Security

Albuquerque, New Mexico
Austin, Texas
Buffalo, New York
Columbia, South Carolina
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Jacksonville, Florida
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Spokane, Washington
St. Louis, Missouri
Tucson, Arizona

You can find a link to the Yahoo article at the end of the article if you want more details about why they believe these cities were especially affordable.  Basically, all ten of them have relatively low housing costs and they have amenities that are appealing to senior citizens, including sports teams, senior centers, and high quality medical facilities.

I want to add that you do not have to move to the inner city of St. Louis or Pittsburgh, for example, in order to get the benefits of an affordable lifestyle in those states.  Most cities also have suburbs and small outlying towns in the surrounding areas that are also quite affordable.

In addition, I was pleased that this list included cities in temperate climates, such as Tucson, Jacksonville, Columbia, Albuquerque and Austin.  There is no reason for a couple to feel stuck in a frigid climate that requires them to deal with ice and snow on a regular basis in the winter.  There are many affordable places within the United States that also offer desirable lifestyles for senior citizens.

More Ideas for Affordable Places to Retire

When I read the Yahoo article and looked over the list for myself, there were a few things I observed.

*  All of the states on the list have MANY communities where people can find affordable places to retire.  Not everyone wants to live in a big city, especially not a crime ridden one like St. Louis.   However, most of the states of Missouri, Pennsylvania, Texas and Florida offer affordable housing ... and even the surrounding states.  Be sure to cast a wide net when you are looking for places to live.

*  Crime is particularly worrisome if you will be renting a cheap apartment in a big city.  It might be preferable to find a charming rental in a small town outside of the cities on this list.  I grew up in Missouri and lived in Texas for decades and I know there are hundreds of affordable small towns that are charming, friendly and within a reasonable drive of the larger cities on this list.

*  It is also important for people to realize that most couples can increase their Social Security to above the average amount simply by working an extra couple of years.  Therefore, they may be able to live on their Social Security alone and even afford a few little extras from time to time, as long as they are willing to defer their retirement a little bit.  There is no rule that says you have to settle for the average amount of benefits.  Many people have also found they can supplement their Social Security with fun part-time jobs.

*  For those people who have large house payments when they reach retirement, they have a couple of options.  If paying off their current mortgage is not attainable, they may be able to take the equity in their current home and use it to pay cash for a smaller home or condo.  Even if they cannot pay cash, they may be able to get a small, affordable, manageable mortgage that they will be able to handle after retirement.

*  Another option for people who are having trouble finding affordable housing is to check out the senior apartment complexes in their area.  Most cities and many mid-size towns have apartment complexes that are designed especially for older people.  If money is tight, you may even qualify for a subsidized apartment.  Contact your local housing authority or Department of Social Services to see what subsidies might be available.  I know of both single and married retirees who are living on Social Security alone in expensive areas like Orange County, California, but only because they receive housing subsidies.

The bottom line is that there are many options that are available to people who are just living on Social Security alone.  Do not feel that you have to limit yourself to only the cities on the Yahoo list.  There are many options available to you, as long as you are willing to search for them.  Millions of people retire every year in the United States with Social Security as their only or primary source of income.  You can find a way to do it, too.

Source:

The 10 Best Places to Retire on Social Security Alone

For more retirement information, use the tabs at the top of this page to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Popular Places to Retire

Towns With the Highest Percentage of Retirees

 Are you looking for a busy, active retirement in neighborhoods that offer a wide variety of activities and where many other people have already retired?  If so, you may enjoy living in one of the ten communities on this list that was compiled by U.S. News and World Report in late 2014.  These are towns that contain a high percentage of retirees.


Some of these communities are exclusively for people over age 55 ... such as Laguna Woods Village, California and Sun City, Arizona.  Other towns on this list have residents of all ages, but a much higher percentage of retirees than the other typical American communities.

While I am sharing this U.S. News list with my readers, I have to say that I do not agree that all of the towns on this list would appeal to the typical retiree.  Some of them are located in places with harsh climates where younger adults may have simply moved away ... leaving only the older residents behind.  On the other hand, some of these are places that are quite charming and you might love living there!

You'll want to do a lot more research before blindly choosing one of these communities, especially if you are basing your decision simply on the fact that a lot of the residents are over the age of 65!

Ten Popular Communities with the Most Retirees


Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods, California - This is the community where I have lived for the past ten years.  There are activities here for everyone ... from people who want to go line dancing or do synchronized swimming to those who want to take classes and learn to write their autobiographies.  One of the seven clubhouses is shown in the photo at the top of this article.  You can learn more about this community in the blog post I wrote about Laguna Woods Village.

Kings Point, Florida - Located on the Atlantic side of Florida, this community is surrounded by golf courses.  Almost 70% of the population is over the age of 65.  Florida is a very affordable place for retirees to live and it has been popular with senior citizens for decades.  There is no state income tax and housing prices in Florida also tend to be quite affordable.

Sun City, Arizona near Phoenix, Arizona - One of the earliest Sun City communities, this age-restricted community is affordable and perfect for those seeking an active lifestyle in the desert sun.  It has lots of amenities, including swimming, golf, clubhouses and a variety of activities.  However, if you have not spent a summer in Arizona, I suggest that you rent there before purchasing a home.

Pinehurst Village, North Carolina - With 43 golf courses in the surrounding area, Pinehurst is a golfer's paradise.  You can even drive your golf cart on the community streets in Pinehurst Village!  North Carolina is also becoming more popular with retirees who have decided that Florida is a little too far South for their taste. 

Bella Vista, Arkansas - Our daughters used to go to a summer camp in the Ozark Mountains.  It is a beautiful, pristine part of the country, ideally suited for retirees who like to hunt, fish and go boating in the gorgeous lakes.  There are also plenty of golf courses around, too.  Homes can be purchased for as little as $125,000, which is one more reason this mid-western community is popular with retirees.

South Yarmouth, Massachusetts - Although U.S. News and World Report listed this community because one-third of the residents are over the age of 65, there are things you should know about this Cape Cod community.  Our family used to spend the month of August in Cape Cod and loved it.  However, many people closed up the homes and left the Cape for the winter.  It can get bitterly cold in the winter and many of the restaurants and tourist facilities on Cape Cod are closed during the coldest months.  Second, the population decreases significantly during the winter months, so you might not have many neighbors if you plan to live there year around.  If these factors do not bother you, and you like to go fishing and sailing, then this could be the right choice for you.

Fredericksburg, Texas - This town is home to Texas Tech University, so there are many cultural events that retirees can enjoy.  It is also a charming, historic town in the Hill County, for those who are looking for a quaint small town where they can enjoy their retirement.  Home prices are quite reasonable and Texas does not have a state income tax, two factors that appeal to many retirees.  I have some friends who retired there about 15 years ago, and they have been very happy.

Ocean Pines, Maryland - This mid-Atlantic coastal community is near the more crowded, touristy Ocean City.  There are a variety of housing choices, including those both inside and outside of age restricted communities.  This is a popular beach-style retirement area for retirees with plenty of golf courses and other amenities for people who seek an active lifestyle.

Pahrump, Nevada - This town on the California border is about an hour's drive away from Las Vegas.  It is a sunny desert community that is not too far from Death Valley, California. Retirees need to consider these facts when they think about the long, hot summers in the California/Nevada desert.  While a high percentage of the residents may be over the age of 65, this may be primarily because younger people leave and move to more prosperous areas with more job opportunities.

Camano, Washington - Camano Island is a gorgeous community that is popular with both fishermen and artists.  It's just north of Seattle and is popular with retirees who want to live in a pristine, rural area.


Source:

http://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/slideshows/places-with-the-most-retirees

If you are looking for other places to retire, use the tabs at the tops of this article to find links to hundreds of other articles.  In particular you will be interested in the tab "Retire in the U.S."

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  Photo taken by author, Deborah-Diane; all rights reserved.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Resources for Retiring in the United States

Are you trying to decide where you want to retire in the United States after you retire?  It can be a difficult decision.  Should you live near your current home, near your adult children or in an entirely new location?  Do you like winter sports, or are some empty beach chairs calling your name?

Your first step will be doing your research.  Do you know what the cost of living is in the different locations you are considering?  What is the weather like there?  Will your Social Security be taxed?  What about your other retirement income?  How much are the property taxes?

In the states that you are considering, which towns are the most affordable?  What types of sporting events, museums, golf courses and other entertainment options are available in the area?

If you are in the process of making up your mind about where you would like to live, you will want to be sure to check out the book review I wrote for the online magazine Squidoo about "Where to Retire: America's Best and Most Affordable Places."

This article also has links to a couple of other excellent books that will be useful in helping you find the perfect place to retire.  It's far easier, and cheaper, to do your research from the comfort of your current home than it is to drive all over the place or, worse, to move and realize that your new community is not what you expected.

If you are planning your retirement, you will also want to use the tabs at the top of this page to check out more articles about retiring in the United States or other countries, medical issues, financial concerns, and more.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

(Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com)

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Popular Retirement Cities That are Right for You

Horseback riding is an amenity I
wanted in a retirement community!
Have you decided what you are looking for in a retirement community?  Some people plan to live in over-55 communities.  Others do not want to live in an area where children are not allowed to reside.  Some people want to be near the ocean; others prefer the desert.  You may be looking for an artist's colony; or perhaps you want a great place to play golf the year around.

One choice is to move to a mid-sized city that offers a variety of activities and affordable prices.

U.S. News and World Report, in their article "The 10 Best Places to Retire in 2012," came up with their list of ten American cities that could appeal to retirees for a variety of reasons.  Below is a list of their favorites.  The home prices listed below were 2012 prices.

Popular Retirement Cities

Flagstaff, Arizona has good year-round weather.  It does get snow in the winter, but it rarely lasts long.

Boone, North Carolina is an affordable mountain town.  There are three ski resorts in the area, and it is much cheaper than Vail or Aspen.  In fact, the median home price is about $215,000.

Traverse City, Michigan is on Lake Michigan.  You can buy a house near the lake in the $155,000 price range.

Walnut Creek, California is much more expensive than the other areas, but it has pleasant weather, a lot of retirees, and is an easy drive into San Francisco.

Ithaca, New York is a charming college town, home to Cornell University and Ithaca College.  You can take classes at the colleges, and enjoy spending your time learning and having stimulating conversations.

Lincoln, Nebraska was listed as a great place to launch a second career.  There are good career opportunities for older workers who are interested in technology, government, higher education and healthcare.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a good mix of amenities and affordability.  Homes can be purchased for under $100,000, yet this is a city with a ballet, symphony, highly ranked hospitals and, of course, the Pittsburgh Steelers!

Port Charlotte, Florida is a bargain for people who want to live on the water in affordable housing.  Homes can be purchased on the waterways for as little as about $60,000.

Pittsfield, Massachusetts is a spot you may want to consider if you are an older single.  52% of the people who are age 55 or older in Pittsfield are single.  However, there are nearly twice as many single women as men, so that does create an unbalanced dating scene.

Santa Fe, New Mexico is the place to consider if you are looking for art galleries and a historic cultural blend of Anglos, Hispanics and Native Americans.

More Things to Consider When Choosing a Retirement City

When we chose our retirement community, we wanted to live in a adult community near the ocean, with lots of amenities.  Since we owned horses for many years when our children were growing up, I was thrilled to discover a place where I could continue to horseback ride, without the responsibility of owning and caring for a horse of my own.  My husband wanted a place where he could play golf whenever he felt like it.  The town of Laguna Woods Village in Southern California met our needs perfectly.

However, this would not be a good choice for someone who wanted to live near a ski resort or who loves to walk in hardwood forests.  There is currently no football team in the Los Angeles area, although you could drive down to San Diego.  When you pick a place to live after retirement, there are many things you need to consider, including the types of activities you enjoy.

Even if you are still a few years away from being fully retired, it is not too soon to start giving some thought to the type of community where you would like to live.  You may want to travel to some of these places on your next vacation, and get a feel for what it would be like to live there.

If you are interested in more information about where to retire, financial planning, medical issues to consider, travel and changing family relationships, you will want to use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  Photo taken by author, Deborah-Diane; all rights reserved.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

How to Find a Retirement Community



One of the most difficult decisions Baby Boomers have to make as part of their retirement planning is where to live after retirement.  It is something that my husband and I grappled with for months, and this appears to be true for many other retirees.

Here is a photo of the patio of the attached condo where we are living now. We also have a lovely view of a valley, leading to Saddleback Mountain in Southern California.  We enjoy our peaceful view immensely.

We currently live in a community called Laguna Woods Village in Orange County, California. It is a charming community with a large number of activity choices ... including golf, tennis, swimming pools, horseback riding, live theater, clubs and much more.  The downside is that all the housing was built in the 1960's and 1970's, so many of the condos are dated, unless they have been updated by previous owners.  The upside is that it is one of the most affordable places to live in a very expensive part of the United States, just five miles from the oceanside in famous Laguna Beach.

Properties in this community are available both to rent and purchase. Rents vary from about $1600 to $2800 a month. Purchase prices range from about $170,000 to over $1.25 million.  There is something for nearly everyone.

One of the reasons we chose this community is that it is near one of our daughters and two of our grandchildren.  We also have a number of friends who live nearby.  In addition, my husband still works and it is convenient to his job.
These are some of the things you will need to consider when you begin to start your search for a retirement community, too.

Factors in Choosing a Retirement Community

Proximity to family, especially grown children and grandchildren
Proximity to friends
Opportunity to pursue activities that interest you
Opportunity to continue to work or volunteer, if that interests you
Amenities, such as golf or tennis, which interest you
Proximity to high quality medical care
Proximity to other interests such as sports venues, live theater, etc.

Quality retirement communities are located in virtually every part of the United States, so there is almost certain to be one located within a reasonable drive of the people and places which are important to you.  In addition, this blog contains dozens of articles about retirement communities in a number of different areas in the United States, as well as several other countries.

If you are interested in learning more about where to retire, financial planning, medical concerns, family issues, Social Security, Medicare and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of this article to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  Photo taken by author, Deborah-Diane