1. South Dakota
Can you believe that South Dakota is actually considered one of the best places to retire? There’s a reason we chose to put it there in the first place. Believe it or not (or maybe you already know if you’re a citizen), but the most significant progress has been accomplished in South Dakota, where the percentage of seniors living in poverty has decreased by 19% over the decade ending in 2020. That’s something indeed! If this didn’t convince you, then you must also know that the state is always super dedicated to making the lives of seniors easier by offering access to public transportation since not everybody can afford a personal car.
If you’re an outgoing person and you like being active most of the time, then you’re going to love South Dakota. For instance, the state has the second-highest number of social groups per inhabitant 65 and older, such as golf courses, bowling alleys, fitness facilities if you’re interested in having a healthy mind and body, and last but not least, religious organizations.
NJ is the most expensive state. Highest property tax, income tax, insurance and college tuition. Many people leave because there pension does not go far there. The reason many move to states without state income tax and or sales tax.. And you have to pay school tax even if you never had kids or don’t have kids in school anymore. No other state has higher taxes than NJ. Oh and NJ as well as California has an exit tax. What that means is if you move out of the state they tax you for doing so.
This is the worst list I’ve ever seen. Why would Washington DC be on it? The crime statistics are crazy, no one would want to live there, not to mention the cost of living. Why a?isn’t Texas mentioned where seniors can enjoy the quality of life that being outdoors brings.
,,,well…an interesting article, I like the states of Colorado. South Dakota, even D.C. …LOL…first of all I’m from Nebraska, so I’m familiar with the Midwest lifestyle…but I dunno about moving back because of tornados, extreme winters…plus a little boredom. I am now in Nevada ( Las Vegas) for 25+ years. I love it. It may not be at the top of many lists, but after coming here from California after 30 years there, it simply can’t be matched. I can and have access to International airports, recreation within 500 miles , shopping, arts, sports and entertaiment . This is a good list, just not my choices for now. And yes; retirement income is a great factor. Part time work for seniors that want it is readily available. Bottom line in all cases is to choice .
You people are nuts. You make it so hard to read this article, because of the dozens of ads in the way I gave up looking after “let’s get started”. I could get no further after 4 attempts. Anything to sell other crap I guess!
The combination of cold climate areas and high taxes makes your list makes me think you meant the worst states to retire. No thanks, I’ll stay south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
OMG…getting ready to retire & read this out of a constant curiosity about where I might live a better quality of life for my money than here in my 40-yr home in Southern Taxifornia. I could not believe this list!!! What?!!! Most of the list is just as nasty as where I live in crime, cost, taxation, & certainly none have the caveat of at least wonderful weather for those of us who hope to become elderly, with long years after retirement. BOGUS!
I have been to almost every state in the country, and know friends in most of which you have listed. I must assume you have never been to the really nice places in the this country.
I really don’t know about the other states but someone is out of their mind picking New Jersey. I’ve lived here my whole life and I’m 71 and this state may have it’s positives if you are working and are paid a higher wage, but if you are retired and living on Social Sec. the taxes will kill you before any health problems will.
In regard to your article on the 7 premium quality of life states for retirees, you had Minnesota as #7. While I do agree with it being a beautiful state and really good medical services, a few things made me leave the state when I retired. 1. Minnesota taxes all forms of income so even though I’m slightly over what is considered the federal poverty level, I would have had to pay income taxes on both social security and my small retirement withdrawals. 2. I could not keep shoveling all that snow every winter and I certainly don’t have the level of income needed to hire someone else to do it for me. 3. With the long winters, snowy and icy roads, it makes it much more difficult to get around in winter months so you become more isolated from others a large portion of the year. 4. With winter months being overcast most of the time; I suffered severely from S.A.D. each winter. That combined with the winter isolation made it too difficult for me to stay there.
I would not have expected New Jersey to be on a list of “best” for seniors, but it is my place because of its cultural and historic richness in addition to the benefits which our high taxes support- wonderful public spaces, first-class libraries and well-funded public schools which permit even our poorest resident children to learn what is needed for productive lives as adults. Our immediate proximity to Philly and NYC plus day-trip access to Baltimore, DC, and Boston and subsidized public transportation further enrich our lives. Plus there are many major airports to travel the planet. New Jersey is like heaven on earth, even ignoring the many Ivy League schools and major medical facilities which provide us places to do serious research and bump shoulders with academic giants.