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Today's
baby
boomers are planning for retirement at younger ages than previous generations ever
did, and many are considering non-traditional retirement destinations.
But the choices of where to retire can be overwhelming. When
you were younger, you went where the jobs were, but now all kinds
of criteria must be weighed to find the best retirement
spot. Affordability, climate, medical care, safety and
recreation are all things to consider. There are a lot of
"best places to retire" lists, but often things such as a town's
or city's crime rate, access to medical care and transportation
options are not covered even though these can be just as important
as the number of golf courses. In our weekly newsletters, we
cover not just recreation options and housing costs but safety,
senior sources, air quality, volunteer opportunities and much
more.
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And while Florida,
Texas and
Arizona continue to top the list as retirement destinations, places such as
Alabama, South Carolina, Nevada and
Tennessee are gaining popularity with retirees. Some states,
such as Kentucky, even have specific programs designed to attract
the 55+ demographic because they know this group often brings
stability and wealth to local communities.
There are some
retirees, too, that plan to retire in a cooler clime, including
places such as Colorado, Montana, Utah, Washington and Oregon.
Because retirement is not what it used to be, we look at the best retirement spots
to help narrow the possibilities.
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And once you have chosen the best state for your retirement, you
might want to think about retirement
communities. We can help with that, too. They
come in all sizes and shapes and are popping up all over the country, even during
this real estate downturn. They can be age-targeted,
age-restricted (usually 55+ but sometimes 62+) or all ages with a
section for active adults. Amenities range from just a
clubhouse to golf courses, activity directors, parties, equestrian
facilities, lakes and boat docks. Most are
fairly expensive because of the amenities they offer. Yet we
find many that are quite nice and cost less.
As living expenses increase, many retirees consider
retirement abroad, particularly in Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama.
Depending on the community, the living is often more affordable than in
the U.S. or Canada (although coastal properties are often just as
expensive or more so). Generally in these countries the health care is good. Taxes are
low. And the climate is great. We look at some of the
best destinations in our weekly newsletters.
One way to find the best place to retire is to start
scheduling vacations in places you are considering for retirement.
When in each town, visit the libraries, neighborhoods, churches,
hospitals, the transportation system, senior centers,
etc. to get a first-hand feel for the town.
And while affordability is an important criteria when
choosing a retirement location, it is not the only one.
Climate is often just as important (and maybe more
so). Not
everyone wants to live in balmy Florida - in fact, it is
surprising how many people want to live in cooler climes.
Often,
though, with warm weather comes humidity, and that can be a
deal breaker. Warmth, low
humidity and affordability can be tough to find, but many spots in
Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada fill that bill.
Plentiful recreation is also an important criteria for many
people, whether it be boating, hiking, skiing or
golf. Make sure that the destination you choose
gives you plenty of access to the activities you love.
And don't forget to consider how far away family and grandkids
will be once you move to your new retirement spot. Costs
going one way or the other to visit can add up fast.
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