25. Connecticut
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Connecticut is a beautiful place without a doubt. It’s nestled right up in the Northeast, only a stone’s throw from some of the major cities (New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Providence) within the United States. However, we must keep some things in perspective.
Compared to much of the country — let alone the Northeast — Connecticut has a high cost of living. Those retirees probably don’t want to be paying an arm and leg for housing. From there, they most likely want to escape harsh, cold, snowy winters rather than experiencing them. Duly, the economic standing within the state is reportedly not great — which has led to prominent programs such as Medicaid being cut substantially.
24. New Jersey
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New Jersey suffers from many of the same problems when compared to Connecticut. The frigid East Coast winters are not easy to live with when someone is beset by arthritis or mobility issues. From a cost standpoint, New Jersey — by some metrics — is considered to be one of the most expensive places to live within the United States (within the top five).
Lastly, property taxes are through the roof! There’s no other state with property taxes as expensive as New Jersey. For all of these reasons, even as alluring as ‘The Jersey Shore’ is during the summer, you may want to reconsider living here.
23. Rhode Island
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Notice a trend here? Cold winters, high taxes, exorbitant cost of living? All of these aspects — and more — apply to Rhode Island. People think of Rhode Island as a quaint location with beachfront property and tons of yummy seafood. Truthfully, this is an accurate depiction for the most part.
However, what people don’t tell you about is the cost of living. On average, it’s nearly 20 percent more than most places. The taxing across the board is quite high, as are prices for electricity of all things. For a senior citizen already paying an arm and a leg for a retirement facility, this might not be the ideal situation.
22. New Mexico
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New Mexico does hold a lot of appeal for people on the surface. The winters aren’t as treacherous as they are on the East Coast, and the summers offer a dry heat (rather than the humidity of the Midwest or the South). These aspects of New Mexico are quite nice. When we look under the proverbial hood, we see a different story as it pertains to retirees.
The state itself is reported to be very tax-happy — and that includes taxing programs (pension plans, Social Security, retirement payouts) which are vital for those older people moving to the state. Additionally, the healthcare system within the state is said to be among the worst in the country.
21. Maryland
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Though this is a bit of a generalization, you’d have to figure people want to live their golden years in peace. You know — those quiet mornings/evenings spent with loved ones, where they can sit on their porch and look out at the beautiful scenery.
The state of Maryland might pose some problems there. Baltimore is a major city riddled with crime, violence, and…noise. Similarly, the state is near the White House. As such, the traffic coming in and out of the city is quite busy. Healthcare is also very expensive across the board compared to other locations.
20. Indiana
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We have an “on one hand” and “on another hand” situation with the state of Indiana. For the most part, there’s considerable affordability here — particularly when compared to neighboring states such as Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and Missouri.
However, everything else could be difficult for seniors to deal with. Healthcare is reported to be on the lower end, the summers are hot/humid, the winters can be freezing/snowy, and deadly crimes have reportedly seen a major uptick.
19. Tennessee
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Tennessee has several issues that could prove to be problematic for those looking to live within the state. For one, the profile of Nashville has exploded across the country. People from all over — especially California — are flocking here for a new life in what they perceive to be an affordable place to live.
For seniors, the problem is that real estate continues to skyrocket due to the influx of those from out of state. From there, other ‘more affordable’ areas are often beset by crime and poverty. There’s also the ever-present threat of natural disasters (such as ice storms and tornadoes) in this neck of the proverbial woods.
18. Ohio
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Ohio has seen a rather sizable population jolt from families looking to leave more expensive places for a more affordable way of living. When this happens, however, everything tends to get far more expensive. This isn’t ideal for those looking to potentially retire in the state of Ohio.
Duly, we must mention the rather difficult weather patterns those endure when living here. Abrasive, humid heat exists in the summer. Not only that, but those living in the state of Ohio have to deal with multiple months of heavy snow.
17. Wisconsin
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There are a few states within the union possessing extreme weather. In this case, winters in Wisconsin are no joke. If one’s not careful, you run the risk of severe frostbite when being outside for no more than a few minutes. Temperatures can get to 20 below zero (and even colder) depending on the time of year.
Along with that, Wisconsin itself doesn’t have a whole lot to do from an entertainment standpoint compared to other locations. Most of the ‘big’ cities are college towns, and the other ‘bigger’ cities are relatively small in all actuality. As such, retirees with a taste for high-end food and entertainment might find themselves very disappointed.
16. Mississippi
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Mississippi is not a state with a ton of opportunity. According to some reports/metrics, it ranks as one of the poorest states in the country. Additionally, healthcare isn’t very good. Some say it’s the absolute worst healthcare setup for seniors in the entire country.
While there’s nothing wrong with a slow way of living, it can be a major adjustment for some retirees. You might not be afforded the luxuries you’re used to if you end up moving to Mississippi.
15. Washington
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There’s been a MASSIVE tech boom in Washington — specifically in the city of Seattle. Some are even calling it the new Silicon Valley aka Silicon Forest. As such, suburban homes have been skyrocketing in value for some time now. It’s become very difficult for a first-time homeowner to set up shop here.
For a senior on a fixed income, it may be even tougher. Additionally, the weather doesn’t cater to those who are elderly. With the amount of rain and wetness the state generally encounters, it’s not the safest terrain for those who need a walker/wheelchair/etc.
14. Nevada
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Many elderly people flock to the desert when looking to retire. Of course, Las Vegas is a major hub for entertainment of all varieties. However, when taking a deeper look into the state, is it a top option for those looking to comfortably retire?
In terms of senior health ratings, the state of Nevada is reportedly one of the worst in the category. Collective costs across the board have been rising over the last decade based on the influx of people moving into the state from primarily California. Duly, there are reportedly also some crime issues.
13. South Carolina
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There are two aspects of any city seniors will be looking for. One is overall safety, and the other is strong support/competency as it pertains to healthcare. Well, according to a few metrics, South Carolina doesn’t exactly pass this test with flying colors.
Many of the state’s major cities have been reportedly dealing with crime issues. In terms of wellness scores for the elderly, South Carolina is utterly subpar. We’re speaking about poor healthcare ratings and a lack of resources relative to other regions/states.
12. Minnesota
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Minnesota is lovely for several reasons. People from this state are notoriously kind, the scenery is picturesque, and safety is often never an issue. However, despite the positives emanating from this state, there are also some negatives as it pertains to the elderly/those looking to retire.
According to some reports, Minnesota is a heavily taxed state — particularly when it comes to retirement income and Social Security. For those who rely on those two entities for monthly income, it may make retired life that much more difficult. The winters are also as harsh as anywhere in the country. They can also rival some of the coldest places on the planet.
11. Virginia
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Virginia has a plethora of fun and unique characteristics. We’ve seen many families moving from the West Coast out East to take advantage of the beautiful yet far more affordable lifestyle. While families seem to love Virginia, we aren’t sure if we can say the same thing about veterans/senior citizens.
Much of the entertainment sector within Virginia is said to be geared more towards tourists. As such, a good chunk of these activities might not be the right fit for senior citizens. It’s also a reason why the population of seniors in the state is on the lower end.
10. Arizona
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Much like New Mexico and Nevada, Arizona is one of those states enjoying a mass amount of people moving there from places with harsher climates. Of course, Arizona’s weather for the most part is a major plus — as it’s mostly mild and dry compared to humid, wet, and snowy. The picturesque views of red rocks, gigantic cacti, and the sandy brush are something aesthetically pleasing for people.
With that said, people moving to Arizona don’t realize the tax situation. The cost of living has jumped considerably over the last decade, and those living in the state are said to be taxed more heavily than the average. Additionally, some reports insist that the activities available for retirees aren’t the most robust.
9. Utah
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You may be surprised to hear this, but Utah ranks within the top 10 nationally in terms of median income. As such, the prices within the state are steadily increasing. As you can see from the image above, the state is widely known for its tremendous outdoor activities. We’re talking about ATVing, hiking, biking, fishing, etc. (just to name a few).
Well…this isn’t ideal for most retirees. With the culture being so outdoor-heavy, the activities for senior citizens tend to take somewhat of a backseat. Utah’s healthcare rankings also aren’t spectacular, either.
8. Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania reportedly has a few problems that could make life for retirees quite difficult. The average cost for an assisted living facility within the state is reportedly north of $3,500 a month. That’s quite a big chunk of change. The quality of healthcare within the state is also said to be subpar compared to other states. When factoring in both of these elements, we’re a bit skeptical about wanting our loved ones to leave their homes for this state.
7. Colorado
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Colorado gets snake-bit here when it comes to idyllic spots for retirees. The state itself is gorgeous — possessing all of the natural beauty you could ever ask for. Along with that, it includes a multitude of outdoor activities to enjoy (on a world-class level). Due to this, people are moving to Colorado in droves.
Well, this isn’t good news for those looking to retire. With so many people moving into the state, prices are skyrocketing across the board. It went from an under-the-radar affordable spot into a pricey one. Secondly, with a culture rooted so heavily in outdoor life, it doesn’t necessarily make things easy for retirees.
6. Delaware
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Hold onto your hats. General conventionality states that assisted living homes can be a bit pricey — especially over several years. Well, Delaware reportedly takes that to a whole other level. With the high level of retirees living in Delaware, prices for these prized facilities are not cheap.
One published estimate has the average cost for a Delaware assisted living facility to be upwards of $5,500 a month. When factoring in the cost of healthcare and other miscellaneous needs, the costs will pile up…and quickly!
5. Maine
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There are a few problems with Maine which ultimately make it difficult for retirees and senior citizens. Despite having beautiful spring, summer, and fall months, the winters can get downright bitter. We’re talking about treacherous conditions with tons of snow and wind. This isn’t ideal from a mobility or wealth standpoint.
Secondly, Maine is a small state. It won’t have all of the amenities as some of the larger states within the country. This extends to healthcare, among other resources.
4. Georgia
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The state of Georgia ranks within our list as one of the five worst places to retire. Though a rather affordable place, the humid summers make that part of the year nearly unbearable (especially if you’re coming from a cooler climate). From there, we’ve got some serious healthcare issues.
According to one report over the last few years, the state of Georgia ranked No. 44 out of 50 states when it comes to senior healthcare and senior wellness. With adequate medical services appearing to be lacking in a major way, there might be better options for those retirees wanting a new life.
3. Michigan
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Michigan’s volatile weather patterns can make for a relatively unpleasant time. This includes frigid temps with perpetual snow, and also incredible humidity during the summer months. According to various reports, social security benefits are heavily taxed. There’s also a lack of hospitals relative to the state’s ever-growing population. For these reasons (among others), Michigan might not be the state for you.
2. Massachusetts
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One look at the image above tells you all you need to know about the weather in Massachusetts. For those looking to slow life down and enjoy their surroundings, do they want to accomplish this by having to deal with snow for 3-4 months at a time?
Let us also not forget about the general expensive nature of Massachusetts. To put it plainly, it’s easily one of the more expensive states in the country. Also, the city is quite territorial when it comes to group activities. Most people have their longstanding group of ‘people’ (which can span more than 50 years). In certain parts of Massachusetts, it may be difficult for retirees to make friends.
Tie — 1. California // New York
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Neither of these locations should be much of a surprise. California is as expensive as anywhere collectively — whether you’re in San Diego, Los Angeles, or the Bay Area. Taxes are insanely high, and by all accounts, the state is very overcrowded. Not to mention, the ever-present threat of earthquakes and fires.
New York is similarly as expensive — whether in the country or the city. Unlike California, New York suffers from some pretty bad weather during the winter months. Rental prices/home prices in both are also among the highest in the entire country.
