There is no rule that you have to stay in one place your whole life. There are a lot of factors that go into where the best place is for you to retire. It may just so happen that the best place is not where you are currently.
Kids are grown and have moved so there is nothing stopping you from going to your dream area. Or, you are now on a serious budget and your area is too expensive to live a good retirement. Then, there are also health concerns and where you are now may not have the right weather or amenities for your condition.
Whatever your motivation, there is the ideal place out there for a perfect retirement. You just have to know what you want and then look to where you can find it. In this article, I will go over some of the best places to retire in the US so you can get some ideas on where to go.
1 – Arizona
Arizona is a place that ticks a lot of the boxes of people looking for a great place to retire.
Let’s start with the obvious, the weather.
There are over 320 sunny days in Arizona so if you are from a cold, grey and snowy state then this is going to be paradise.
It can be hot, however, but everyplace has A/C so you can enjoy nice, warm winters the rest of the year while you stay cool indoors in the summer.
Another thing is the outdoors is incredible. The landscapes are so varied that there is always something new to discover.
The active retiree will have plenty of fun outdoors from sailing the lakes to hiking the Grand Canyon.
There’s something for everybody.
The cost of living is generally low. Many utilities and amenities are below the national average.
The cost of housing is above the national average, however.
But, if you are looking at retirement communities in Arizona then you will find that the cost of these types of houses is in line with other ones in the rest of the country.
The state is situated very well, too. If you want to hit the coast in California, then you are less than a day’s drive away.
Likewise going to Mexico or even Las Vegas is not too far depending on where in the state you end up.
2 – Florida
This is the most obvious area for most people to want to retire to. The beaches and warm winters are a big draw that has attracted retirees from the Northeast for decades.
It’s because of this exodus that Florida is prime territory for a retiree.
It is built for retirees so everything is set up with them in mind.
There are plenty of doctors. Lots of handicapped access to restaurants, public buildings, beaches and parks.
There is hardly a square inch that isn’t accessible if you have mobility issues.
The cost of living is very hit or miss and it highly depends on where you live and what you want out of the area where you do settle.
There are lots of places off the beaten retirement path that offer very low housing costs that can be very attractive depending on your lifestyle needs.
If you are outdoorsy then pretty much any part of the state is going to be attractive.
There is a beach, everglades and the weather makes it enjoyable to be outside in any area.
For nightlife, there are small to large cities in every part of the state that are easily accessible when you want fine restaurants, theaters, and music venues.
3 – Utah
Although Utah is not on the radar of many soon to be retirees, it definitely should be.
The state has a lot to offer not least of which are the low taxes and cost of living.
The state has a wide variety of climates, too. If you want mild then you can find that in the areas near the mountains.
If you want hot and dry, the desert of the southern part of the state fits the bill. And, cooler weather can be found in the higher elevations if you want to experience all four seasons.
For outdoors enthusiasts, there is something for every taste.
Hiking is fantastic and has a good infrastructure to make it easy to get out there.
Sailing on the lakes and any other type of water sport is available. Plus, there is good skiing there as well.
The crime rate is one of the lowest in the country so no matter where you choose to go you shouldn’t have any worries about that.
And, if you like the city life, Salt Lake City is rated very high for the quality of life.
4 – Vermont
If you are a ski buff or at least don’t mind the snow then Vermont is a great choice.
It has a very low population so it is nice and quiet. You can really get away from the hustle and bustle no matter where you end up in the state.
The biggest city is Burlington and it barely cracks 42,000 people. In fact, the state capital is the nation’s smallest with only a little over 7,000 people.
The skiing is some of the best in the Northeast with plenty of slopes to choose from. There is a very enthusiastic outdoors culture in every part of the state.
If you love organic and local food then this is also going to fit the bill for you as it is a culture very much focused on that.
From cheese and other dairy products to vegetables and meat. You can get a lot of very fresh local produce because there is a very big demand for it there.
The people are very laid back and relaxed so you will be made to feel right at home in the quaint New England village of your choice.
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