RETIREMENT RESOURCES
WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO LIVE?
Whether you’re considering downsizing in the same area or planning a new adventure in another city, state, or country (or both), it takes time to research the alternatives.
Our goal at H+A is to weed through the available resources and identify the gems so that you can DREAM, DECIDE, and DO more with your life without wasting any more time.
WHERE ARE WE THINKING OF LIVING?
- East Coast (except during hurricane season)
DREAM
IDENTIFY THREE CRITERIA
Start dreaming of your next hometown by using our suggested resources for inspiration. The goal is to identify three possible criteria that would make your new hometown right for you.
Identify your priorities: location; healthcare; cost of living; airport access; number of sunny days; number of golf courses or tennis and pickleball courts; crime rate; access to cultural, learning, and/or entertainment centers; and/or availability of part-time jobs or organized social activities.
Overwhelmed by the options? Here is a quick summary list of what the “experts” picked to get you started.
We read through 12 “best places to retire” lists for the United States to identify whether there was any overlap. Based on their 248 suggestions, only 12 states garnered 50% of the votes. According to Smart Asset’s annual studies, retirees are actually moving, in the following order, to Florida, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Nevada, Georgia, Idaho, Oregon, and Tennessee.
THE BEST PLACES TO RETIRE
Updated April 25, 2020
Region | Votes | Top of Megalist |
|---|---|---|
Southeast | 34 | Florida |
Midwest
| 12
| Wisconsin
|
Northeast | 10 | Pennsylvania |
Midwest
| 9
| Iowa |
Southwest | 8 | Texas |
Midwest | 8 | Minnesota |
Southeast | 7 | North Carolina |
Southeast | 7 | Virginia |
West | 7 | Utah |
West | 7 | Colorado |
Midwest
| 7 | North Dakota |
Northeast | 7 | Massachusetts |
DECIDE
PICK ONE HOMETOWN
Using the three criteria that are the most important to you, decide which hometown will work best for you based on:
-
- Your annual retirement budget and the portions allocated to housing, travel, and other expenses.
-
- Whether you will age in place or downsize and, if so, your minimum square footage.
-
- Whether you will rent, own, or rent to own.
-
- Whether you need a detached single-family home or apartment / townhouse / condominium.
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- Whether you will live in a larger senior community (55+ active adult or other senior living housing) or independently.
DO
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?
When you work out the logistical questions of where and when, the most important question is “what are you going to do” with your second act? Everyone has a different purpose in life with different needs. Some will be ready to focus on their golf games while others will throw all their creative energy into a new business.
Whichever path you choose, it is nice to know that you are not alone. Check out our resources to help you plan and enjoy the ride.