Caring.com, are you kidding me?? Who's you Doctor El Choppo ? Do you light your cigars with $100.00 bills?? There is not one single place on your list that is either desirable or affordable. The absolute best place to retire that won't burn a whole in your wallet is Tennessee . Great people, great environment, and great golf. As well as the most beautiful state on Gods' Green earth. And I live in OHIO.
The only way you are going to find the best retirement locations are to find 2 locations! Let's face it, there is no "ONE" best location. I think we can all agree (unless we are filthy rich, then it doesn't matter much anyway) that there is not a "BEST" location. Most of us should agree on the basic wants and needs in our retirement years. Here are some important ones on my list: Weather, Cost of Living, Proximity to Good Health Care, Transportation Cost -particularly a larger airport that has value fares, Nearby Activities, Cultural and Social Life, Taxes, Friendliness of People/Community (some people just don't like or accept "outsiders"), Traffic, Air Quality, Terrain and Scenery. Obviously there are more but these are important to me. The Coachella Valley (Palm Springs area) and the Greater Phoenix Area meet most of these needs November thru March, and it's hard to beat the selection of golfing options. And if you enjoy liquor, California has some of the cheapest booze in the country! Yes there is an income tax but if you are retired, there are legal ways to avoid that as long as you don't live there more 180 days out of the year, i.e. November through March. Now for the other 7 months of the year. Buy a nice motorhome and go wherever you can! Pick out a nice cheap place that fits the criteria and purchase a modest home with an RV parking garage/carport and make that your legal residence for tax purpose. NW Arkansas comes to mid, also SW Washington State.
No mention of Hilton Head Island?
Ah...retirement in northern cities?
States like Michigan and Pennsylvania?
Not if you love to pay golf!
Winters last a solid 4-5 months long and if you get a cool, wet spring/fall, you're outta luck!
I can think of 100 better locations for a golf focused retirement than any of the northern climes mentioned here!
And if you're a senior homeowner on a fixed income - high tax northern states are definitely out!!!
Get this - we pay over $6,000 school/property taxes on a house that is assessed under $140,000!!!
The difference between that and what someone would pay in low tax states - for a senior on a fixed income - will pay for a lot of golf!!!
Ray, what are you talking about? You must consider 50 degrees a winter day! Granted, the taxes can be high in some areas but reasonable in others. I've lived in southeast Pennsylvania all my life and I can tell you, I can play golf all year long. The worst part of winter is January and February and we still can get days upwards of 50 degrees once in a while. Between Lancaster and Philadelphia their must be 100 courses, public and private and I've played on most of them. Also, you can drive a couple hours south and get weather 10 degrees warmer. Some of the best golf in the US if you ask me and I've played from New York to Florida. I was surprised to see Lancaster on both list! I'm soon to retire, I may check that area out better.
if you love golf try hot springs village in AR.
Can’t agree with either list but surely not the caring.com list. Perhaps they are compensated for their opinions. They obviously never lived as a senior in San Francisco. Course they may have a drug problem or a dealer. That would explain a lot.
You can't beat the Monterey Peninsula (Pebble Beach) with lots of outstanding courses but bring lots of $$$
We selected Sun City West (a Del Webb community) northwest of Phoenix. Not only lots of golf, but activities galore.
Hi Brandon. Good article. However, check out the golf living around New Zealand and Australia. Some of them are sensational, with a 12 month playing season in shorts and tee shirt
Having lived in Alabama, on the Timbercreek golf course, I would warn anyone about the heat you will experience there. If you are from a western state you will find it very different living there. I am now back in San Diego, thankful that we were able to return.
