Where to Retire in the U.S.? Here are Best Places to Live After Retirement
People sometimes say that hard work is its own reward. That may be true for some, but most of us like to know that after decades of hard work, we’ll be rewarded with, well, no longer having to work.
We are, of course, talking about retirement, that special chance to do anything and everything you’ve always wanted to. And that starts with deciding where you want to spend your retirement.
Maybe you intend on retirement exactly in the house you already live. Or maybe you want to spend your Golden Years in Florida. Or an option in between. Let’s talk about the best places to live after retirement.
How to Decide Where to Live in the U.S. After Retirement
To help decide where you’re going to live once you’re retired, let’s start with some fundamentals.
Consider the Advantages of Retiring Locally
Just because you’re retiring doesn’t mean you have to move across the country if you don’t want to. If you love your local neighborhood, look for ways to stay local! Aging in place in your existing residence is always an option — all your memories live in that home, for one thing. Plus you may even have your mortgage paid off.
But don’t assume your only option is to stay in that home. You may not need so much space anymore. In fact, too much space may be a burden to clean and maintain. Expensive repairs may arise, like water heaters or roofs. You may not be up for cutting the grass or shoveling snow. Utility bills will continue to increase. And let’s not forget that having your mortgage paid off doesn’t mean you don’t still have property taxes!
As such, a better option may be to sell your home and put your profits into a local retirement community. Today’s modern retirement communities consist of beautiful, updated homes and apartments typically bursting with amenities and activities. You can remain local, but also not have to leave campus for fine dining options, taking fitness classes, enjoying a few laps in the pool, and even indulging some of your favorite hobbies. Most utilities are typically included (no more electricity bill!), and you’ll never have to worry about lawn care again. You should even have some money left over from selling your house to sweeten your nest egg.
Keep in Mind Your Distance from Family and Friends
Social communities are important, and if you have a strong network of family and friends living in a certain location, you may want to consider retiring to that location or at least nearby. It’s very common for retirees to relocate to where their kids and grandkids live.
If your family and friends are spread out among several different states, you can always choose a location that’s as close to equidistant from everyone as possible to make traveling and visiting easier. Another option is to join a retirement community that’s part of a network of communities. For example, Acts Retirement-Life Communities has campuses in nine states across the eastern seaboard, from Pennsylvania to North Carolina and of course Florida. As an Acts residents, you can stay in any of these campuses whenever you’d like, which means if you have people to visit in different states, you can visit them and always have a place of your own to stay.
Determine Your Space and Location Requirements
Most people downsize when they retire, so looking for a place to retire in the U.S. with homes that fit your needs can help you decide on an ideal location. Every real estate market is different, and a single-family home in one state may get you an apartment in another. Do some calculations of what’s more important to you — space or location? It’s very common a few years into retirement to realize you don’t need as much space as you thought. When there’s a bedroom on the first floor, do you really need to hike up and down the stairs to the second floor? If you want to maximize your nest egg, considering whether you even need something larger than a one-bedroom apartment. If you’re spending your time enjoying hobbies, visiting family, and traveling, what would you use that second or third bedroom for? (No, an extra room for your cat is not a good answer!)
In that regard, often more important than the size of the home is its location — not just proximity to family and friends but to shopping, entertainment, and whatever else matters to you.
Visit Places You’re Considering Moving To
Before deciding where to live after retirement, always take at least a short visit to any of the places you’re considering moving to. You don’t have to visit every single location, of course, but once you’ve narrowed it down to your top three, take a weekend or so in each place and get a feel for the location.
Keep Retirement Tax Benefits in Mind
It’s important to protect your retirement income. One of the best ways to do that is to choose a location that offers benefits to you when it comes to paying taxes on that income. Many states have different laws, and some local counties and municipalities will have different approaches as well. This can end up making a big difference in your budget.
Factor in Any Medical Needs
Everyone’s health changes as we age. It’s important to accommodate your medical needs when choosing your retirement location. For example, if you or your spouse need help with mobility, you’ll likely want to pick a location that has single-floor access. You should also consider other important factors, such as proximity to good doctors and the availability of assisted living or skilled nursing care. Retirement communities known as continuing care retirement communities offer different levels of health services right on campus, so should you ever need a higher level of care such as assisted living (or even temporary service like rehab), you can receive it.
Examine the Nearby Senior Amenities
You’re not going to stay home all day, are you? Of course not – you want to go out and enjoy everything that life has to offer. That’s why ensuring where you move to for retirement has the amenities you are looking for is such an important factor to consider.
Check for Weather You Will Enjoy
Weather and climate can be responsible for a lot of everyday comforts. Don’t do well in cold weather, for example? Move somewhere that doesn’t experience temperatures low enough to lead to freezing conditions. This way, you won’t be stuck with achy joints every winter!
Look into the Relative Cost of Living
Some places just cost more to live in than others. If you’re already living in an area that has a relatively high cost of living, you can maximize your retirement income by moving to someplace where the cost of living is more modest.
Think About Your Favorite Hobbies and Activities
Love to fish, swim, and sunbathe? Look for a place to retire that’s near the sea. Enjoy the great outdoors? Look for locations that have wonderful parks and greenery. Enjoy culture and the arts? Choose a place to retire that’s close to theaters and museums. The possibilities are endless.
Where to Retire in the U.S. by Region
The United States is a large place. There are several regions you can consider, such as:
- The Northeast: Often considered the cultural center of the country thanks to major metropolitan cities like Manhattan, Philadelphia, Washington, DC and more, the northeast offers plenty of entertainment. The downside is that this region tends to have a higher cost of living. You’ll also likely endure some cold, wet winter and spring weather as well.
- The South: A snowbird’s paradise, the south is great for anyone who enjoys sun, sand, and being outdoors. Camping, fishing, and boating are all popular here, and it’s usually a little less expensive to live than in other places. The warm temperatures usually means no snow, but it also means very, very hot summers!
- The West: The west is a grab bag. Looking for dry, warm weather? Places like Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada are ideal. Want a cool, rainy, culturally rich region? The Pacific Northwest has you. The downside, though, is that much of the west can be quite an expensive place to live, sometimes even more than the northeast!
- The Midwest: Probably one of the most affordable places to live, the midwest has plenty to offer – especially if you like open spaces and majestic mountain views. The downsides are that some midwest communities can be a little isolated and that winters in the midwest can be absolutely brutal in many locations.
Explore Acts Communities Throughout the U.S.
Ultimately the question of “where is the best place to live after retirement” comes down to your personal preference. If you’re looking for some of the best retirement communities in the United States, consider Acts Retirement-Life Communities. There are 28 resort-style campuses spread across nine different states, offering plenty of variety. Plus you can travel between any of them. They provide health services like assisted living for no change in your monthly fee. And they offer all the amenities and activities you could ever need.
