Advantages and Disadvantages of Over 55 Retirement Communities

My husband and I moved to Laguna Woods Village, a popular over 55 retirement community in California, eight years ago and never regretted the decision.  We enjoy the lifestyle, the activities, and the other people we have met since we moved here.  We feel safe, and expect to live in this community, or a similar one, until we are ready for the nursing home!

However, not all of our friends have made the same decision.  In fact, when I mention to them how much we enjoy living in our community, they are often adamant that they would never consider moving to a retirement community.  On several occasions I have asked them to tell me why they feel so strongly about not moving into an age restricted community, since there are several of them in the area.  You will see their reasons further on in this article.

If you are trying to decide whether an over-55 retirement community for active adults would be the right lifestyle for you, here are some of the reasons people decide that they either want to live in one, or do not want to live in one.

The Advantages of Retirement Communities

Access to a wide variety of affordable activities is the number one advantage mentioned by people who like to live in retirement communities.  Depending on where you live, you may have easy access to golf, tennis, swimming, art studios, woodworking shops, garden plots, live theater, clubs and social activities.

Security is the second most common reason many people give for wanting to live in an age-restricted community.  The majority of retirement communities are gated and many also have private security that is a visible presence in the neighborhood.  In addition, with so many residents home during the day, someone is almost certain to be aware if thieves try to break into a home.

Other reasons given for living in a retirement community include:

They are usually near medical facilities;
Most residents are quiet, without loud teens or social events in the neighborhood;
There are opportunities to meet other people in your age group;
The housing is typically designed to provide easy access for the elderly and handicapped.

The Disadvantages of Retirement Communities

The number one reason people have given me for not wanting to live in a retirement community is that they are happy living in their current home or neighborhood where they have lived for a number of years.  If you have close ties to your neighbors and your community, you may see no reason to move to a new community where you would have to form new relationships.

Another reason people have mentioned is the fact that they have adult children or grandchildren who are living with them, and they know these family members would not be welcome in an age-restricted retirement community.  

Even when they do not have young people living with them, some people like living in a community where there are mixed ages.  They enjoy seeing children in their neighborhood, as well as young couples who are just starting out.

Another group of people, especially those in their 50's and early 60's, have expressed the opinion that they believe the residents of retirement communities are "old" and they do not want to live with all those old people.  Often these people view themselves as too young to live with other people in their 60's, 70's or older.

A final reason I have heard is that the Homeowners Association fees in many retirement communities are a little high.  All that easy access to golf, luxurious clubhouses and "free" amenities does not come cheap.  If people do not play golf, or they do not think they will use the other services, they sometimes feel that paying a large association fee is not worth it.

Where Should You Live After Retirement?

There is no answer that is right for everyone.  Whatever you decide is perfectly valid.  If you are happy where you currently live, or if you live in a household with an extended family, you may not want to move to a retirement community.  

On the other hand, if you want to try some new experiences and live somewhere with enhanced security, then an over-55 community may be the right choice for you.

Look over the reasons that others have used to make their decision, and you will know which choice is right for you.

If you are looking for more ideas about where to retire, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of this page to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

If  you do decide you want to live in a retirement community, here are a few articles that may interest you:

Over 55 Retirement Communities by Del Webb
Over 55 Retirement Communities by Four Seasons
Sun City Texas is a Premier Retirement Destination
Tellico Village Retirement Community
Laguna Woods Village Active Adult Community

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

Phone of clubhouse in Laguna Woods Village taken by author.

American Retirement Opportunities in Borneo Malaysia

Are you looking for an exotic, unique place to retire?  Consider the city of Kuching, Borneo in Malaysia if you are looking for a romantic island with beautiful beaches, remote jungle rain forests, and proboscis monkeys, along with gorgeous golf courses, shopping malls, theaters, restaurants, museums and other modern conveniences.

Retire to Kuching in Borneo Malaysia

Cat lovers will be charmed by the city of Kuching, whose name means "cat."    There is a cat museum and cat statues located throughout the community.  Architecture is varied, ranging from English Colonial to Chinese and ultra-modern.  The official language is English.

According to a Yahoo! Finance article entitled "The Most Interesting Retirement Spot You've Never Heard Of," a couple can live in Kuching for about $800 a month plus the cost of housing.  There are generous incentives for permanent residency for anyone with an income of at least $3,200 a month, which makes it possible for American ex-patriots to set up residency there and live very comfortably on their Social Security benefits or other income sources.  These incentives include a program called My Second Home (or MM2H) which makes it easier and more affordable to buy a home there, and allows immigrants to import a car, work part-time, and even start a business.  If you are not quite ready for Social Security, you'll be pleased to know there are no age restrictions on this Malaysian program for foreigners who want to live there long-term.  The program also protects your foreign income from Malaysian taxes.

One of the biggest fears that many American retirees have about retiring to another country is the quality of medical care.  In the case of Borneo, there is little reason to be concerned.  Kuching is a popular destination for medical tourism because the hospitals and other medical facilities are modern and well-equipped, as well as very affordable. The doctors and medical staff speak fluent English.  Malaysia does not have a medical school, so their physicians have been educated in Europe, the United States, Canada, New Zealand or Australia.

Safety in foreign countries is also a frequent concern for retirees.  However, Malayia is considered the 19th safest country in the world. Compare that to the United States, which is ranked 82nd.  Violent crime is quite rare.  You can comfortably enjoy living there, it is affordable, and you do not have to be rich or learn another language.

If you are interested, you may want to visit the country and explore your options for yourself.  At the very least, you will have a wonderful, exotic vacation.

If you are looking for other possible places to retire, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of this article to find links to hundreds of other articles, including on where to retire overseas.

You may also be interested in reading:

Best Places to Retire Outside the United States
Why Retire in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands or Guam
Retiring in Luxury to Hua Hin, Thailand

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

Photo of Malaysian temple courtesy of www.morguefile.com

Best Places to Retire on $40,000 a Year

With 10,000 Baby Boomers a day turning 65, there is a growing demand for affordable places to retire.  Many members of our generation will have very little retirement income other than their Social Security benefits.  However, this does not mean that Baby Boomers plan to spend their senior years living in poverty.  They do have options.

The good news is that many couples will have a total retirement income of around $40,000 a year, which is more than enough for a couple to live and enjoy life in any of the cities listed in this article.  In order to reach the goal of $40,000 a year, the primary breadwinner's Social Security benefits should amount to around $2200 a month, with their spouse receiving an additional $1100.

Single retirees who live together with a partner, friend or relative can also achieve a combined Social Security income of approximately $40,000 if each of them has a Social Security benefit of about $1670 a month.  This is not an unreasonable amount for people who have worked most of their lives, or widows who are receiving benefits based on the income of a deceased spouse.  At this income level, there are many affordable and pleasant places where retirees might choose to live.

Best Affordable Retirement Cities

According to U.S. News, here are the best places to retire if you have a retirement income of $40,000 or less.  I have spent time in several of these cities, and have added my own comments about those locations.

Albuquerque, New Mexico -- We used to take our family to the mountains around Albuquerque and vacation in the surrounding towns of Pueblo, Red River and Angel Fire.  Although the area can get chilly in the winter, it is pleasant, although sometimes quite hot, in the summer.  Daytime highs in December and January range from the mid 40's to the mid 50's.  Highs in the summer tend to be in the 90's, although night temperatures drop to the 60's and 70's, making the summer evenings and mornings quite pleasant. Home prices and rentals are very affordable.

Augusta, Georgia -- This is a beautiful, charming Southern city.  It generally has a mild climate, with numerous golf courses and other amenities in the area.  At the same time, it is surprisingly affordable.

Columbia, South Carolina -- Another Southern City with a mild climate.  However, South Carolina also gets hot in the summer.  On the other hand, many retirees who are finding Florida a bit too hot for their taste are discovering that both South and North Carolina have milder weather and, in many cases, are more convenient to other family members who live in the Northeast.

Jackson, Mississippi -- A very affordable city in the deep south.  Mississippi is another popular warm weather location with mild winters.  Mississippi is an exceptionally inexpensive place to retire. 

Knoxville, Tennessee -- This is a thriving, modern city.  It is similar to Lousiville, Kentucky (mentioned below), but it is further south and has a somewhat milder climate. Tennessee, Arkansas and Kentucky are all beautiful states with many charming small towns.  Anyone who is considering one of these cities should also explore the surrounding towns.

Little Rock, Arkansas -- Arkansas is a beautiful and extremely affordable state.  Like Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi, Arkansas has a large number of very affordable residential areas.  If you find a home near activities that interest you ... such as lakes or golf courses ... you can have a very pleasant retirement at an affordable price.

Louisville, Kentucky -- One of our daughters lived in this lovely city for several years.  The citywide celebration that takes place during the period of time leading up to the Kentucky Derby is delightful, including a massive fireworks display at the riverfront.  The city has colleges, a beautiful riverfront, museums, theaters and plenty of activities for the entire family.  Rents are quite low.   U.S. News estimated that the average senior citizen pays about $600 in monthly rent in Louisville.  Our daughter rented a lovely two-story, three bedroom townhouse in a very nice part of the city for under $1000 a month.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- Another one of our daughters lives in rural Pennsylvania.  It gets quite cold in the winter, with a lot of snow.  However, it is a very affordable place to live, and there are many fun amenities in Pittsburgh including live theater, sports teams and an abundance of restaurants and bars.

St. Louis, Missouri -- I grew up in a suburb of St. Louis, and still have relatives who live there.  It is a very affordable city with a thriving nightlife, including riverboat casinos, restaurants, bars, and sports venues.  The Mississippi riverfront attracts tourists as well as local residents.  It received a lot of bad press in the past view years because of rioting in Ferguson.  However, those events did not affect the majority of people who live in the St. Louis area.

San Antonio, Texas -- This is one of my personal favorite retirement cities, especially if you prefer a warmer climate.  The Riverwalk area of San Antonio is across the street from the world famous Alamo mission.  It is a lovely location to take a walk, stop in a sidewalk cafe, and watch small boats cruise by.  There are 11,000 acres of parks in the city, and over 50 golf courses.  Homes are very affordable, and rents for retirees average about $800 a month.  San Antonio is also a city that has come up several times on the the top retirement lists of other organizations.

Remember, whether I have personally been to these cities or not, all of them were listed by U.S. News as great places to retire on an income of $40,000 a year.  Since this income is within the means of many Americans, even those living on Social Security alone, these are certainly locations that many Baby Boomers will want to consider.  Your final decision may be based on many factors including climate and proximity to your adult children or other family members.

In addition to these cities, you may also want to explore some of the small towns in the same states.  Often, the small towns are even less expensive than the cities and can be quite charming.

If you are interested in learning about other places to retire or other retirement information, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of this page to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

You may also be interested in reading:

The Best Sunny Places to Retire
Best Places to Retire Outside the US
Cheap Places to Retire
Finding the Best Places to Retire

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

Photo collage of Albuquerque is courtesy of www.en.wikipedia.com/commons

Popular Retirement Communities in the United States

As you can see in the index articles (see the tabs at the top of the page), this blog has published detailed descriptions of a number of retirement communities located within the United States.  These articles are meant to be an aid to readers who are trying to decide where they want to live after they retire.  In the future, even more communities and retirement community developers will be covered. 

Until all of these locations have been covered, I thought it would be useful to provide my readers with a list of some of the most popular retirement communities in the United States.  All of them have websites where you can learn more.  In addition, I highly recommend that people look for information that is NOT on the official websites.  This is where you will find out if the community has problems or disadvantages that will not be mentioned on their home pages.

Some of the communities listed below have already been discussed in this blog.  You can find those article by using the tabs or pull down menu at the top of this page and looking under "Retire in the US."  This will take you to an index with links to dozens of articles on where to retire in the United States.

Selection of Popular Retirement Communities in the US

The Villages in Florida

Green Valley in Arizona

Tellico Village in Tennessee

The Settlement at Powhatan Creek in Williamsburg, Virginia

Lake Weir Living, near the Villages in Florida

Fearrington Village in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Hot Springs Village in Hot Springs, Arkansas

The Fountains at Lake Pointe Woods in Sarasota, Florida

Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods, California

The Moorings in Vero Beach, Florida

Sun City in Arizona

Sun City Georgetown in Georgetown, Texas

Millville by the Sea in Bethany Beach, Delaware

Holly Lake Ranch in Tyler, Texas

Southern Palms in Ladson, South Carolina

The Village at Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania

Waterside in Bethany Beach, Delaware

Terravita in Scottsdale, Arizona

Avery Ranch in Austin, Texas

Trilogy Central Coast in San Luis Obispo, California

How These Communities Were Selected

Communities for active adults who are over the age of 55 exist throughout the United States.  These particular communities are not necessarily the twenty most popular ones in the United States, because that is difficult to assess.  However, they were chosen because their websites and the articles written about them tend to receive an exceptional number of internet views every month, which indicates that retirees are finding these neighborhoods to be especially interesting.  

In addition, I selected these retirement communities from a variety of sources, because they are located in different areas around the United States.  There is no reason for potential retirees to feel as if they absolutely have to move to an entirely new region of the country in order to find a suitable retirement community.  This list includes communities on both coasts, as well as within the states of Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Pennsylvania and Arizona.

Continue to expect future articles on this blog about these active adult communities, alternated with other timely articles for Baby Boomers about retirement planning, overseas retirement locations, Social Security, Medicare, important medical information and changing family relationships.  If there are other communities that interest you, please feel free to mention them in the comments section and every attempt will be made to research them and provide relevant information.

In addition, you may be interested in reading:

Laguna Woods Village Active Adult Community

Garden Spot Village Community for Seniors in PA

Finding Niche Retirement Communities

The Best Sunny Places to Retire

Cheap Places to Retire

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

Photo of happy couple courtesy of morguefile.com

Best Places to Retire in the United States on $100 a Day

Whenever I find a high quality list of good places to retire, I try to pass that information on for my readers to review.  In 2012, AARP Magazine and AARP.com released their 2012 list of great places to live on $100 a day.  This amounts to $36,500 a year, which they estimate would result in an after tax income of $27,375 a year or $2281 a month. (Note:  Due to inflation, I suggest you add 3% to the home prices and cost of living for every year you read this after 2012.  In other words, if you are reading this in 2015, add 9% to the financial figures you see here.  The principle still remains, however, that these locations are affordable and could be good retirement locals for people who will be retiring on Social Security alone.)

This level of income is well within the reach of many retirees, especially couples.  If one spouse has Social Security benefits of $2000 a month and their spouse will receive $1000 a month, they could afford to retire in one of these communities. 

One of the requirements that AARP had in determining the best places to live on $100 a day was that they had to have "affordable luxuries".  They defined this as cities with cultural attractions like museums or symphony orchestras, sports teams, great places to eat, and homes that sell for about $192,000 or less.  In those instances in which I have spent time in a city, I have added my own comments to the AARP list.

2012 List of Best Places to Live on $100 a Day (Prices May be 5 to 10 Percent Higher, Now)

San Antonio, Texas:  San Antonio is a charming town that is sunny 263 days a year.  The median home price is $135,000.  There are plenty of libraries, museums, golf courses and other affordable luxuries in this city.  As a former resident of Texas, we have visited this city several times during the months of July and August and it is important to disclose that San Antonio gets HOT in the summer.  However, one delightful way to cool off is to take a stroll along the famous Riverwalk (pictured above) and perhaps have a cool beverage in one of the numerous sidewalk cafes.  It's right across the street from the Alamo.

Roanoke, Virginia: Roanoke is in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  It is sunny 217 days a year and has a median home price of $151,500.  The city hosts half a dozen festivals every year, and the downtown area has a planetarium, theater and museums.  One of our daughters went to college in nearby Lexington, Virginia and you should know that this town is about a four hour drive from Washington, DC, in a very rural part of Virginia.  However, it is also in an absolutely gorgeous part of the United States, and is a lovely location for enjoying fall foliage.

Las Cruces, New Mexico:  Las Cruces is in the high desert of New Mexico, which means you can expect very hot summers.  We have stayed in this town while driving across the country and love the desert landscapes.  However, the scenery may not appeal to everyone.  There are 287 sunny days a year, and the median home price is $148,000.

I have not stayed in the remaining towns on the list, so I will only list the main statistics here.  To read more, you can see the full descriptions at Best Places 2012.  I just wanted to make sure that I brought these great cities to your attention, so you could add them to the locations you are considering for retirement.

Spokane, Washington:  Spokane has 176 sunny days a year, with a median home price of $145,000.  It's a great city for people who love outdoor sports, whether it is fishing or skiing.  As most people realize, Spokane is much rainier than many other popular retirement locations.  However, we have friends who retired in this area, and they love it!

Eau Claire, Wisconsin:  Eau Claire is another location that is popular with people who enjoy outdoor sports, especially in the winter.  It has 200 sunny days a year and a median home price of only $121,100.  It is also home to a branch of the University of Wisconsin which provides lots of cultural, entertainment and adult education possibilities.

Morgantown, West Virginia:  Morgantown is a small college town in the center of Appalachia.  It boasts an excellent healthcare system.  There are 185 sunny days a year, and a median home price of $168,900.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:  Pittsburgh is no longer a city that is defined solely by the steel industry.  With a wonderful symphony orchestra and a beautiful waterfront, it has become popular with retirees.  The 194 sunny days and median home price of $106,500 is very appealing, too.

Omaha, Nebraska:  Omaha is a Midwestern city that has become popular with high-tech companies in recent years.  It has a symphony and the largest community theater in the United States.  Omaha has 193 sunny days a year, and a median home price of $123,500.

Grand Junction, Colorado:  Grand Junction is a lovely town only a few hours away from the gorgeous ski slopes of Vail and Aspen.  It also has 214 sunny days a year, and a median home price of $159,800.

Gainesville, Florida:  Gainesville is home to the University of Florida, as well as the Florida Museum of Natural History.  It has 205 sunny days a year, and a median home price of $125,000.  Florida has long been considered a retirement mecca because of low home prices and low taxes.  It does get very hot in the summer.

Here is information about other wonderful places you may want to put on your retirement list:

The Best Sunny Places to Retire
Cheap Places to Retire
Best Places to Retire Outside the US
Finding Niche Retirement Communities

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

Photo of the San Antonio Riverwalk courtesy of www.wikipedia.com/commons

The Best Sunny Places to Retire

Southern California is a fun and
sunny place to retire, as shown in
this mid-winter photo of Laguna Beach!

If you want to retire someplace that is sunny most of the year, there are plenty of locations available in the United States.  AARP, the American Association of Retired People, compiled a list of sunny places to retire. Since many retirees wish to live in a location where they can get outdoors the year around, this list will be a good place for them to start their search.

In order to make their list, the city had to have at least 250 sunny days a year, and have plenty of activities that are popular with retirees.  They also had to have a low crime rate, a strong local economy and a generally healthy lifestyle.  Since I have either visited or lived in several of these communities, I thought this would be a great opportunity to add some of my own comments about the cities they chose.  If you have additional thoughts about these communities, feel free to express them in the comments section.  The home prices listed here were the prices in about 2012.  You can assume that most of the prices are a bit higher today.

Sunny Cities in the United States

Asheville, North Carolina:  This community in the Blue Ridge Mountains is in an area where some of our friends live.  The community has museums, a live theatre, and frequent art fairs.  The average home sells for about $248,000, and the median income is $34,457 ... which puts in within the range of many retirees.  Surrounded by mountains and lots of outdoor space, this is a lovely area.  Although it may be sunny most of the year, it does get cold in the winter, so be prepared!

Grand Junction, Colorado:  This small city of 58,000 people is located in the high desert area of Colorado.  The average house costs $270,000, and the median income is $47,761.  For someone who wants sunshine, along with golf, hiking, ice fishing and skiing, this is the ideal location for you.  You get wide temperature swings in Grand Junction.  In the summer it can average 93 degrees; in the winter you can have snow and ice. 

Sarasota, Florida:  My husband grew up in this area along Florida's Gulf Coast.  Sarasota is a great town for people who have dreamed of retiring to the beach.  Sarasota has a population of 52,000.  The homes are quite expensive ... over $530,000 on average ... but the median household income is $36,742, so people are obviously finding affordable places to live.  If you go outside the town of Sarasota, you may find some better home prices a bit inland, and still be within easy driving distance of the beach.  The temperature gets quite hot in the summer, but is pleasant and mild in the winter. 

San Diego, California:  San Diego is actually a large city with a population of over 3 million people.  We have lived there, as has one of our daughters.  We currently live in Laguna Woods Village, a small retirement community about a one hour drive north of San Diego.  The photo above was taken by me from the cliffs along Laguna Beach, only 4 miles from our home in Laguna Woods Village.  All of Southern California actually has sunny weather and mild temperatures the year around.  If you are considering retiring to San Diego, you might cast a wider net and look at places to live from San Diego in the south to Santa Barbara in the north.  There are hundreds of wonderful, sunny small towns throughout Southern California, and most of them are within an easy drive to the beach as well as museums, theatres, and many fun activities.  Unless you are willing to live inland, home prices in Southern California are expensive.  For example, the average home price in San Diego is $646,000.  However, prices drop substantially as you move inland.  Some of the retirement communities are quite affordable, too.  While home prices in Laguna Beach average over $1,000,000, condominiums in nearby Laguna Woods Village have an average price of about $250,000.  Sunshine, beaches and outdoor activities like golf and tennis are plentiful throughout Southern California.

Las Cruces, New Mexico:  Las Cruces is almost always sunny.  In fact, it is sunny an average of 350 days a year!  AARP Magazine actually lists Las Cruces as a "retirement dream town."  Home prices average only $178,000 and the median household income is about $37,471 ... well within the means of many retirees.    There are plenty of recreational activities, too!  It is a lovely, charming community that is very appealing to people who want to live in the Sun Belt.  I have driven through Las Cruces during cross-country trips, and it does get quite hot in the summer!

San Luis Obispo, California:  San Luis Obispo is often nicknamed SLO ... and the nickname fits.  It is a very relaxed, slow-paced small city, and absolutely lovely.  My husband's sister has retired nearby in the small town of Avila Beach, one of several charming beach towns near SLO.  San Luis Obispo was actually named one of the happiest places in the world by writer Dan Buettner in his book "Thrive."  The average home in SLO sells for $695,000 and the median household income is $38,000.  There are affordable places to live there, although the cost of living is higher than other places on this list. 

St. George, Utah:  This small community is about 130 miles from Las Vegas, the nearest large city.  The average house sells for $311,000 and the median household income is $46,000.  This is a beautiful area, with golf courses and gorgeous vistas.  About 70% of the residents are Mormon, and there are only two state-owned liquor stores in the area; so, if you are a big drinker, this may not be the best community for you.  Another concern is the fact that the nearest major medical center is in Las Vegas.  However, most residents have long life expectancies, so this may not be a concern for you!

Santa Fe, New Mexico:  Santa Fe is a fascinating mixture of Spanish, Native American and modern American cultures.  It is an artists' colony, as well as a mecca for people who love music, including the symphony and opera.  The average home sells for $433,000 and the median household income is $52,000.  It is a small city, with a population of only 68,000.  In addition to modern medical facilities, this is also a popular location for alternative healing and holistic medicine.  It has been listed as one of the 10 healthiest places in the US to live!

Bend, Oregon:  Bend is the sunny inland area where many residents of Oregon travel to get out of the frequent coastal rain.  It is in the high desert, about two hours southeast of Portland.  The average home price is $427,000 and the median household income is $53,177.  One of the upsides of living in Oregon include paying no state taxes on your pension income. 

Fort Worth, Texas: My husband and I lived for 25 years in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of north central Texas, and we have a number of friends who have chosen to retire in that area. The summers get very hot ... often over 100 degrees.  The winters tend to be mild, although so-called "Blue Northerns" do occasionally bring frigid temperatures to this area of Texas.  However, people can golf,  play tennis, go boating and enjoy other outdoor sports almost the year around.  This area of Texas is surrounded by over 100 lakes, so you may want to expand your search outside the major cities to some of the lovely lakeside subdivisions in the area.  Within the city of Fort Worth, the average home sells for $148,000 and the median household income is $47,634.  Texas also has the advantage of no state income taxes at all, although property taxes are higher than in other states.

If you want to enjoy sunshine most of the year, any of these communities could be a good choice for you.  Remember to expand your house hunt outside the immediate area of the towns and cities mentioned.  There are a lot of wonderful communities in the U.S. sunbelt!  If you know of other communities that may interest readers, feel free to mention them in the comments sections.

If you are looking for more retirement ideas, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page for links to hundreds of other articles on a wide variety of topics of interest to retirees and Baby-Boomers.

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

Photo from personal collection of author.

Home prices, household income and other data from http://www.aarp.org/home-garden/livable-communities/info-11-2011/10-Great-Sunny-Places-to-Retire-AARP.11.html

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.

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

Cheap Places to Retire

Texas Has a Low Cost of Living,
But a Few Other Places Do, Too!

Are you looking for an affordable place to retire?  Where can you live cheaply and comfortably?  Kiplinger Magazine looked into this issue in their September 21, 2011 issue.  Although this was a few years ago, the places they recommended are still good choices.  Below are some of their findings, along with my personal experience with some of these places.

Texas is one of the cheapest places to live in the United States.   When Kiplinger listed five of the most affordable communities in the US, three of them were located in Texas.  If you are trying to figure out how in the world you are going to be able to survive on your Social Security alone, you may want to do additional research on the communities listed below to see if there is one which appeals to you.

My husband and I lived in Texas for over 25 years, and raised our family there.  I also sold real estate in Texas, and know a great deal about the large, beautiful homes you can purchase there for reasonable prices. We have visited several of the communities on this list, so I have included my own knowledge of these towns, in addition to what Ms. Browne had to say in Kiplinger.

It is important to expect that there will have been some inflation, with higher wages and prices than those listed below.  However, this does not change the fact that these locations offer good retirement opportunities for many people.

Here is the Kipplinger list, along with some basic facts:

Brownsville, Texas was the cheapest place to live on their list, according to Kiplinger.  The median household income was only about $30,000 in 201l and the average home price was $209,000.  Brownsville is right on the Texas border with Mexico, but it is also near the Gulf of Mexico and South Padre Island.  We took our daughters on a vacation there, and rented a condo in a gorgeous gated community.  There are numerous golf courses and sweeping beaches.  Because of the proximity to Padre Island, there are plenty of upscale restaurants and hotels.  However, rents in Brownsville averaged less than $700 a month in 2011 for typical apartments, according to the Kiplinger article.  There is one thing you should know: you need to be prepared for the fact that it gets VERY hot in the summer.  However, the winters are mild and pleasant.

Pueblo, Colorado was the second cheapest place to live on their list and is an ideal location if you want to be in the mountains.  The median household income was about $41,000 in 2011 and home prices averaged about $200,000.  This city of 153,800 people has a wide variety of activities, and yet is very affordable.  The winters can be tough, however, if you are not used to dealing with ice and snow.

Ft. Hood, Texas hasd a median household income of $46,200 in 2011 and an average home price of $220,000.  This town is about 60 miles north of Austin, and is on the edge of a major military base.  As a result, it has an unusually large population of young adults.  However, apartments rented for only about $650 a month.  The area around Austin is very popular in Texas.  Not very far away you will also find Sun City, Texas, which is located in the town of Georgetown.  Many Texans like to retire to the Texas Hill Country, as this region is known.  It is affordable, friendly and a spot where most people can live comfortably on either their military pay or their Social Security benefits.  (Below, you'll notice that Austin, Texas came in number 10 on Kiplinger's expanded list.)

Fort Smith, Arkansas is a charming town on the border of Arkansas and Oklahoma.  The median household income was $37,000 in 2011 and home prices averaged about $250,000.  The average apartment rent was just $500 a month!  This is a comfortable Midwestern town that doesn't get as cold as Pueblo, Colorado in the winter, nor as hot as Brownsville, Texas in the summer.

Sherman, Texas came in on the Kiplinger list at number five.  This town is about 60 miles north of Dallas, near Dennison, another popular retirement location.  Houses averaged about $220,000 in 2011 and apartment rents averaged around $650.  I have driven through this sleepy town many times.  Although it is not quite as metropolitan as some of the other communities in Texas, you can always drive to the large cities of Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington if you seek entertainment ranging from Six Flags, baseball games, elegant restaurants, country western bars, and top-notch symphony orchestras!

Rounding out the Kiplinger list of top 10 cheapest places to live in the United States are:  Springfield, Illinois; Waco, Texas; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Austin, Texas; and Springfield, Missouri.  Of these, Austin, Texas is one of the most popular communities for retirees, as well as young adults.  With several colleges and universities in the city, as well as its location as the state capital of Texas, you will find innumerable activities to keep your mind stimulated and your body busy.  Sun City - Texas in Georgetown is only about 30 miles north of Austin and is an exceptional retirement community.

If you are interested in more retirement information including where to retire, medical concerns for retirees, financial planning, family relationships, 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.

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photo courtesy of morguefile.com

Finding the Best Places to Retire

Have you decided where you would like to live after you retire?  Would you prefer to be near your grandkids, near the ocean, close to a lake, or in the mountains?  What about your proximity to hospitals, shopping and sports venues?  The decision of where to retire is not always easy.

We gave a lot of thought to our decision to retire in Laguna Woods Village, California. We chose our location partly because we have a number of relatives who live in California, and we wanted an affordable place to retire which would make it easy for us to visit our family and for them to visit us.

Finding affordable housing is not always easy in the Southern California real estate market, but Laguna Woods Village is one of the less expensive places. We also wanted palm trees, the ability to take walks on the beach, mild weather, and plenty of golf during our retirement years.

However, not everyone can or should retire to Laguna Woods Village. As a result, whenever I discover information about other possible retirement areas, I pass the information to my readers of this blog.

A few years ago, CNN came up with their list of places they think are good for retirement. They put emphasis on recommending places with a low cost of living, crime rates which tend to be below the national average, good medical groups, and where at least 30% of the population is older than 50 years old. Listed below is a little information about each of their top picks. 

Marquette, Michigan on Michigan's Upper Peninsula was number #1 on the CNN list. Marquette has a cost of living that is 95% of the national average. It is near Lake Superior, which can be fun in the summer. However, you should know that the town gets an average of 141 inches of snow a year.  While some people will enjoy this town, it would not be a good choice for everyone.

Cape Coral, Florida has low home prices and a cost of living which is 96% of the national average. The town has 400 miles of canals, and is located on the Gulf of Mexico. This is an ideal location for people who enjoy water sports, although you need to be prepared for an occasional hurricane, too.  While the winters are mild in Cape Coral, the summers can be very hot. 

Boise, Idaho is a small city with a very low crime rate. Violent crime is about half the national average. The cost of living is about 97% of the national average. The town is surrounded by mountains, but the climate within Boise is considered mild.

Danville, Kentucky is a small town with affordable homes and a cost of living that is only 93% of the national average. It's about a forty minute drive from Lexington, and about a 90 minute drive from Louisville. The town has a number of locations which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It gets a little snow in the winter, and you should expect thunderstorms and an occasional tornado alert in the summer.

Weatherford, Texas has a cost of living that is only 87% of the national average. It is a small town about 33 miles from Fort Worth. People who enjoy horses will especially enjoy this community. It gets very hot and dry in the summer, and you can also expect thunderstorms and tornado alerts.

Southaven, Mississippi is a small suburb of Memphis, Tennessee, but located on the Mississippi side of the city. The cost of living is only 88% of the national average. One of the advantages is that are located close to all the big city amenities which Memphis has to offer.

Clarksville, Tennessee is a small city near the Kentucky-Tennessee border. It has a cost of living that is about 88% of the national average. It can be chilly in the winter and hot in the summer, with occasional storms.

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma is a suburb of Tulsa. It has a cost of living which is about 88% of the national average. Like Tennessee, it can be chilly in the winter and hot in the summer, with occasional storms and tornadoes.

Lake Charles, Louisiana is about 30 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, which makes it vulnerable to hurricanes and floods. However, it is a lovely location for people who enjoy freshwater fishing and similar water sports. It has a cost of living about 91% of the national average.

Winstom-Salem, North Carolina is a charming community with a cost of living which is about 91% of the national average. It has a symphony, arts district, and is home to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.  This is an ideal location for someone who wants to enjoy affordable access to theater and music after retirement.

Even if you do not choose one of the towns on this list, they will give you a good idea of what to look for in a community ... access to interesting activities, weather which you find bearable, lower than average crime, affordability and access to medical care. 

As you can see, there are plenty of great retirement areas for you to investigate no matter what region of the country you want to live.

To read more about retirement communities, recreation in retirement, financial planning for retirement, the qualifications to move into a retirement community, working in retirement, and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of this article to find links to hundreds of additional posts.

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Photo credit: Morguefile.com

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