Choosing a place to retire can be complicated. Potential residents need to know what the area offers beyond the typical golf course and community activities. Other important factors should play a large role in your choice of location: quality of health care, tax rates, safety, cost of living, and proximity to transit for when your family wants to pay a visit. Here are five of our featured retirement destinations in the U.S., all of which offer affordable health and consumer services, beautiful weather, and plenty of entertainment and recreational opportunities.
Kendall, Florida
Florida is a popular location for recent retirees, but most people don’t know where to start their search. Kendall is a great city that offers the amenities necessary for seniors. A southwestern suburb of Miami, Kendall is incredibly safe, extremely walkable, and boasts warm weather year-round. Located only 12 miles away from downtown Miami, residents enjoy local theaters, art galleries, and museums. Additionally, according to the Tax Foundation, the tax burden for residents is well below the national average.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston combines the warm weather most retirees crave with hundreds of cultural and historical attractions. Whether you want to spend your time browsing Civil War sites and museums, touring antebellum mansions, or enjoying art galleries, restaurants, golf courses, and top-rated beaches, Charleston has it all. Though prices for everyday necessities (groceries, gas, and prescription drugs) are slightly higher than the national average, medical costs in South Carolina are below the national average. You can expect to pay less throughout your retirement years for Medicare premiums.
Glendale, California
Glendale is the perfect retirement setting for adventurous, nature-loving seniors. The city maintains more than 5,000 square acres of natural open space—perfect for morning walks and afternoon bike rides. Glendale’s weather and landscape are perfect for those who want to spend their retirement years exploring. Though California’s cost of living is higher than the national average, Glendale is one of the top 10 safest cities in the country, and with Los Angeles just a short 10-mile drive away, you’ll never run out of things to do.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Lovers of hot temperatures and the great outdoors will fit right in with current Scottsdale residents. The local McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers guided hikes on some of the 170 miles of trail, which is perfect for nature lovers who aren’t confident in their ability to navigate. Known as the “Beverly Hills of the Southwest,” Scottsdale offers extensive shopping opportunities, and home prices hover around the national average. Additionally, prescription drug costs are about 10% less than the national average.
Bend, Oregon
When asked about retirement locations, most Americans think immediately of Florida and the Southwest. Bend, Oregon offers a refreshing alternative with a four-season climate. The city offers numerous continuing education opportunities as well as year-round hiking, biking, fishing, golf, and boating. The low cost of living is a major selling point for most residents wanting to live on the west coast. Need another reason to move to Oregon? The state has no sales tax.
Preparing for Retirement
Retirement is a major lifestyle change, and it’s important to be prepared. Though there are many social and economic responsibilities to finish before retiring, a few less-obvious steps might make for a stressful transition. If you’re like most retirees planning to downsize with your next home, you might need a place to keep your extra belongings. Selling items, gifting furniture, and throwing away less-important belongings may help, but you may feel attached to some belongings that, nevertheless, won’t fit in your new home.
With Closetbox, you’ll be able to focus on the parts of retirement that matter—relaxation, exploration, retrospection, and the ability to spend your time as you choose. Discover our full-service solutions, including reliable pickup, online inventory, and on-demand returns. We serve most every major metropolitan area and retirement destination in the U.S.
