55places.com Identifies the Top 20 Places to Retire in 2018
Data supports location and area amenities as factors when buying a home
CHICAGO (September 17, 2018) — Close to 10,000 baby boomers retire every day, which means more individuals will be seeking homes that offer a high quality of life—whether that means sunny beaches, rural privacy, or master-planned communities—at an affordable price. To assist with the search, 55places.com, the number one resource for active adult communities, identified the top 20 places to retire by analyzing cost of living, geographical landmarks, property taxes, economic opportunities, tax breaks available to seniors, the overall quality of active adult communities, and access to area amenities, attractions, conveniences and medical facilities.
The top places include:
Tampa, Florida
Sarasota-Bradenton Area, Florida
Scottsdale, Arizona
St. George, Utah
San Antonio, Texas
Daytona Beach, Florida
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Las Vegas, Nevada
Boise, Idaho
Charlotte, North Carolina
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Greenville, South Carolina
Jacksonville, Florida
Asheville-Hendersonville Area, North Carolina
Birmingham, Alabama
Prescott, Arizona
Palm Springs, California
Sussex County, Delaware
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
“As individuals look for locations to enjoy their active retirement, it can be challenging to find a destination that offers desired amenities at an attainable price,” said Bill Ness, CEO and founder of 55places.com. “We understand there are dozens of factors active adults consider when choosing a place to live, and while there are areas that combine pleasant climates with lifestyle-choice flexibility, other components—like nearby medical facilities, property taxes, and economic opportunities—are important, too, and were examined when assessing this list.”
To understand additional factors that are considered, 55places.com conducted a survey of 1,300 adults aged 55 and older to ask questions centered around moving decisions, home features, and community preferences. The company found 59.81 percent of respondents were “close” to buying a new home within 12 months and of all participants, 52.69 percent plan to live in Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Texas within the year. It comes to no surprise, then, that these six are included in the 13-state list. When looking at anticipated financial situations, vacations and travel, recreation and hobbies, and dining and culture were top answers, but the reasons behind a move varied. 36.47 percent cited better amenities and social opportunities as the motive, while 33.33 percent, 27.19 percent and 26.41 percent of participants respectively answered downsizing a home, decreasing maintenance work, and better weather as the cause.
“Reasons for moving may fluctuate, but—when suitable features are available—it’s true that location is everything. And while there are many [retirement] lists out there that hold their own merit, our collection of places not only incorporates analyzed data and statistics but encompasses elements that are critical to our audience when looking for a new home,” added Ness.
To learn more about the areas on this list, visit www.55places.com/blog/the-20-best-places-to-retire-in-2018, or to search, research, and compare available active adult communities across the country, visit 55places.com.
About 55places.com
55places.com is the number one resource for anyone searching for information about active adult communities in the United States. Our website offers unbiased information and reviews of thousands of active adult communities. 55places.com is the only source where you will find such a wealth of information including photos, videos, descriptions, floor plans, listings of homes for sale, and reviews about nearly every 55+ and active adult community in the country.