For those who are choosing where to live in their retirement years, there are many who decide to stay in their existing homes, or move to a new home within their area. But there are some very good reasons to think about a bigger move for retirement – to a different city, a different state or even a completely different time zone. This article from MarketWatch highlights a new survey that ranks the healthiest and most affordable retirement destinations.
Ask retirees what their priorities are in retirement, and you’ll hear one message loud and clear: they care about their health.
That led nearly two in three middle-income retirees ages 47 to 75 to say that good health is “extremely important” to a satisfying retirement, according to a survey from the Center for a Secure Retirement. And conversely, health problems are Americans’ No. 1 concern in retirement, with 72% of people 45 and older saying it is their biggest worry in retirement, according to Merrill Lynch’s Retirement Survey.
So it makes sense for retirees to pick somewhere they can live the healthiest life possible. To that end, an analysis released Monday by the Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement revealed the healthiest cities (that are also affordable) for retirement.
Seattle snagged the No. 1 spot on this list thanks to its all-round high rankings: It finished in the top 10 in five of the eight health categories measured (health care, environment, social health, activities and transportation). Plus, it offers plenty of outdoor activities and relatively affordable home health care.
Minneapolis/St. Paul ranked No. 1 in the study for the amount of social and emotional support seniors reported and No. 3 for the civic and volunteer opportunities offered. Plus, it has one of the nation’s best park systems.
Denver residents are the healthiest in this study, as they have low levels of heart disease, obesity and cancer. That may be due, in part, to the plethora of outdoor activities the city offers, which can be enjoyed often thanks to the 300 days of sunshine a year.
Portland, a green city with one of the country’s most active running scenes (there are more than 200 5Ks held each year within 25 miles of the city) and top-notch health-care options like the Oregon Health and Science University Hospital, lands the No. 4 spot on the list.
Baltimore, home to Johns Hopkins Hospital (a top 5 hospital in 10 different specialties), Mercy Medical Center and UM Medical Center, gives its residents access to world-class health care. There are also plenty of opportunities for lifelong learning at nearby colleges and libraries.
