Worst States For Retirees to Be Healthy
Retirement life is all about a slower pace of life, and sometimes the ideal retirement might be traveling the world or spending more time with children and grandchildren. Or chasing hobbies such as music, gardening, cooking, playing golf, or fishing. And for some retirees, retirement life may simply be about relaxing and relishing freedom.
Whether a retiree should make the decision to settle by the beach, in the mountains, in a city area, or wants to enjoy rural life, determining where to retire can be as imperative as planning when to retire. But if you’re one of the people who have health goals, we’re going to talk about the worst states for retirees to be healthy, so you should cross them off your list.
At the end of the day, the destination chosen for retirement life determines the cost of living, taxes, and health care options available. Most Americans these days plan their golden years well in advance to identify areas and locations with better weather, a lower cost of living, and suitable health care systems.
Are you ready to talk about the worst states in the country?
1. California
The Golden State of California may seem desirable for living, full of on-the-go cities, stunning beaches, regal mountains, and a top-notch health care system, but all this comes with a very high price tag. The state of California is among the most expensive places to live in the country.
Retirement life is mostly about a fixed income, and California has a very steep sales tax. To make matters worse, California fully taxes most forms of retirement income at high rates.
The climate is another factor to consider for retirees. California experiences the world’s most varied and volatile climate, with more and more frequent droughts that lead to dry surroundings and high fire danger all year round. So if you want to keep up with your health routine, the climate might put California on the list of the worst states for retirees.
2. New Mexico
New Mexico, the fifth-largest state by area in America and located on the Southwest border, is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery and the warmest and most welcoming culture and is also known as the land of enchantment.
But considering a retirement life in New Mexico is a bad idea (one of the worst states indeed) for reasons such as the fact that the state has one of the highest percentages of residents living in poverty. Secondly, it has the lowest income growth.
Thirdly, the lowest population is aged 25 and older, and fourthly, the worst factor is that it has the highest crime rate. The last and most important factor to consider for retirees is their health. New Mexico is positioned in the bottom 1/3 of states in terms of public health, which can excessively impact retirees.
3. West Virginia
West Virginia, also known as The Mountain State is located in the Appalachian region, is typically rural and thus has the craggiest land in the country. Offering a moderate climate, picturesque views, rolling mountains, and rocky topography, it is an ideal place for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and whitewater rafting.
While it might help you reach your fitness goals, one of the reasons why people say this is the worst state for retirees who want to be healthy is the fact that is ranked 4th worst for poverty and that surely isn’t a good option for being
The state is which is why some areas in the state experience high violent crime rates and maintain a dangerous reputation.
Moreover, the population tends to suffer from a lot of health issues, which is obvious given the poor healthcare system. These factors, when highlighted, make West Virginia an unappealing state for a retirement destination with many retirees.
4. Louisiana
Call it the Pelican State, Creole State, or Sugar State—Louisiana is a southeastern U.S. state on the Gulf of Mexico. When it comes down to settling in Louisiana for your Golden Years of Life, Louisiana is very appealing with its low cost of living and activities that are interesting for retirees, such as visiting museums and other cultural activities at a low cost. Furthermore, it has affordable housing and is a tax-friendly state for retirees.
But all of the above-mentioned positive factors are outweighed when it comes to Louisiana’s extreme weather, which actually makes it one of the worst states for retirees.
Living in Louisiana is actually all about dealing with hurricanes, flooding, droughts, and heavy rain. Additionally, utilities can also cost more due to climate damage repairs needed on the home. Worst of all, Louisiana is ranked as having the worst healthcare system in the country, according to a new WalletHub study.
5. Alaska
Land of the Midnight Sun: Alaska, the largest state (in the area) of the United States, holds the smallest population of seniors, located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America.
Alaska has some of the most spectacular layouts in the U.S., boasting 17 of the nation’s 20 highest peaks, and also taking pride in Tongass National Forest, which is the largest in the country.
Alaska is not the best state to retire (told you it’s one of the worst states for retirees who want to be healthy); with its cold climate and long and dark winter days, the state ranks as the worst climate in the country for retirees. The state is mostly quite rural, with high rates of rape, drowning, and suicide per capita.
6. Connecticut
Land of Steady Habits – Connecticut is located in southern New England that has a blend of seaside cities and rural areas speckled with small towns. Connecticut normally enjoys a moderate climate and is considered one of the nonviolent and delightful destinations for retirees, but why is it considered one of the worst states in the country? Keep reading to find out!
But, once you move past the peculiarity, nevertheless, there is little to promote the wellness and welfare of the resident retirees. Moreover, the freezing winters that are in New England living are hardly ever seen as an encouraging factor to move.
Worst of all, Connecticut is known to be one of the most inauspicious states for retirees, with high real estate taxes and taxation of retirement income.
7. New Jersey
Popular for being one of the original 13 colonies, New Jersey is a northeastern U.S. state with some 130 miles of the Atlantic coast. Also, known as the Garden State – New Jersey was an important battleground during the American Revolution.
Its long and stunning coastline has long made New Jersey a popular vacation destination and welcomes tourists to enjoy over 50 seaside resort towns including Asbury Park, Atlantic City, and Cape May.
The Garden State is more of a spot for a vacation than a retirement destination. Since the residents suffer the high cost of living with retiree health costs ranking third highest.
Additionally, the state suffers in fiscal soundness, with pension funding problems and little or no room for the tax situation to progress. Do you think it is one of the worst states for retirees? Leave a comment down below and let us know!
8. Rhode Island
The Ocean State, Rhode Island, covers an area of 1,214 square miles and is one of the smallest states in size in the United States. Rhode Island is recognized for its grimy shores and coastal colonial municipalities but is still considered one of the worst states in the country.
Rhode Island has a run-of-the-mill healthcare system, which is challenging for retirees as it is not safe for aging residents. With average living costs, Rhode Island has high taxes due to its poor financial state.
The climatic factor is also not in favor of retirees, as Rhode Island experiences humid summers, harsh freezing winters, high danger of flooding, and exposure to hurricanes given the immediacy of the Atlantic Coast.
Conclusion
For a slow-paced retirement, while preference and comfort are definitely significant factors, we have highlighted some states in terms of economic, financial, and healthcare terms. When planning where to retire, there are numerous features to look into, especially if many people say that they’re the worst states in the country.
Some factors to consider in a retirement destination are personal or focused on lifestyle, such as where children and friends are or where one has more connections. Other factors are more of the Measurable features, such as taxes on seniors, the quality of healthcare and cost of living, etc.
Whichever factor you keep in mind while shortlisting a retirement destination, whether it’s personal or financial, it must meet your particular comforts, goal line, and needs. So, what do you think are the worst states in the US?
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If you want more tips and tricks from Retirement in USA, here’s a fantastic article for you: 8 Most Amazing Places to Retire on The East Coast!
