Posted on 07/27/2024 5:16:50 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
It seems like we see a new one of these "best and worst places for Americans to retire" analyses every month. They are all different, and all of their conclusions reveal, very plainly, the presumptions and attitudes of the organizations that complete such studies.
So when a new piece emerged Saturday on the best and worst states for Americans to retire, I took a look at it. And the conclusions are... mixed.
Bankrate, headquartered in New York City, evaluated all 50 states on data points to help determine where people might spend their golden years.
Some of the factors include living costs, health care costs, crime and overall well-being.
"The reality is that most Americans feel behind on saving for retirement, which means affordability is critical," Alex Gailey, Bankrate analyst, told FOX Business in an emailed statement.
"A move to a more affordable location could be an effective way for soon-to-be retirees to stretch their retirement savings in this economy."
Those aren't entirely unreasonable criteria, although these kinds of things never take into account how widely people's values vary. I know people who live in places like Virginia and New York who would never dream of leaving, while a herd of bison tied to a bunch of D-9 Caterpillars could not drag my wife and me out of our Susitna Valley, Alaska home.
These things are very subjective. But let's have a look at what the Bankrate folks determined to be the best states to retire.
1: Delaware.
"While Delaware is a pricier state to live in, the state’s high-quality health care, light tax burden, affordable homeowners insurance and good weather propelled it to the top spot this year," she said.
"Delaware also scored well in diversity, wellness and culture, and has a high share of residents who are age 62 and older compared to its population."
I can only describe my own preferences, as I'm not a mind-reader, but I don't give two hoots about "diversity," and tiny eastern states give me claustrophobia. I need room to breathe. So, no thanks.
2: West Virginia.
This state was the best in terms of affordability — but Bankrate did note that it is the worst state for quality and cost of health care.
I've been through West Virginia any number of times, although I've never spent serious time there. I can see some appeal, though: Affordable real estate, good outdoor opportunities (hunting, fishing), and a lovely landscape.
3: Georgia.
Bankrate moved Georgia up from 15th place since last year, saying the state has become much more affordable.
I can't vouch for that; other than connecting at the notorious Atlanta Hartsfield/Jackson airport, I haven't spent any time in Georgia since the late '90s. But what I do remember are the summers - no thanks.
4: South Carolina.
The report found the Palmetto State scored well in the weather category and fell in the middle of overall well-being and quality and cost of health care; also, crime also dropped.
There's a lot of interesting history in South Carolina, not least of which is the many connections to our Civil War, which is an interest of mine. But again, the summers? No thanks. But the Palmetto State does have the advantages of reasonable government, as I understand it, and it's affordable, according to a couple of folks I know who live there.
5: Missouri.
Missouri ranked well in affordability, cost of living and property taxes.
Yet the midwestern state is struggling with its quality of health care, overall well-being, crime and natural disasters, said Bankrate.
When I was a kid in Iowa, we used to twit our southern neighbors with the claim that they were "living in Misery," but our oldest daughter and her husband maintain a vacation trailer home on a campsite on the Lake of the Ozarks, and that Redneck Riviera is as great a place as you'll find. Also, they cite crime, but one is forced to wonder how much crime would be an issue if one just extracted St. Louis from that calculation.
See Related: CNBC's List of 'Worst States to Live In' Perfectly Illustrates the Left's Political Pathology
BUZZ CUT: Don't California America Buzz Cut: Don’t California America! Part Two
But here's the part I really liked:
The worst states to retire in, according to Bankrate, are North Dakota, California, Washington, New York and Alaska.
Alaska held last place for the second consecutive year.
The report said it's been "dragged down by back-of-the-pack scores in affordability, quality and cost of health care, weather and crime," according to Bankrate.
For any leftists who are looking for their retirement home, I can only say this: Yes! It's all true! Everything is expensive, everything is awful! The winters - oh, no, those winters! Snow measured in feet, weeks and months of below-zero temperatures! Everyone has guns! Stay away!
My conservative and libertarian friends may well, as we do, find Alaska a desirable place. Prices can be high but taxes are low, and if you hunt and fish you can reduce your food bill by a wide margin. The state government doesn't meddle much in our lives. It's a great place if you're into surroundings that are vast, wild, and free, but like anything, those things come with tradeoffs.
And to leftists, I remind you: The winters! Oh, no, those winters!
These studies always claim that “diversity” is a plus.
For older folks it is a definite minus.
You want to be with your own kind if possible—no matter who you are.
We should always remember that if the leftists could ruin California, they can ruin anything. Everything they touch turns to shi...er...Dorkbamastuff. EVERYTHING!
Totally BS to go on anything less granular than Zip Codes or such.
State x State is a bogus analysis.
[My nearest next larger Cities are 340 mi. away.
I’ll stick with Florida. No sales tax and great (for the most part) weather.
“Delaware also scored well in diversity...”
That’s a rating factor? I’ll give you “diversity” and throw in some “vibrancy” to boot on the south side of Chicago.
Insurance and property tax are serious downsides to FL. and don’t forget hurricane storm surges (worse on west coast).
I was recently in Huntington WV, really nice place and the home of Marshall University which has a medical school.
If you some what identify with Hank Jr. and A country Boy Can Survive, rural Alabama is the place to be.
Absolute clickbait. Whole companies exist to “enlighten” and inform with tempting morsels of info placed on the net.
The posters need not spread the nonsense these idiotic lists present.
Illannoy is great if you hate guns and love to pay whatever you have in real estate taxes.
Rudyard Kipling The Stranger (excerpt)
The men of my own stock They may do ill or well, But they tell the lies I am wonted to, They are used to the lies I tell. And we do not need interpreters When we go to buy and sell.The Stranger within my gates, He may be evil or good, But I cannot tell what powers control— What reasons sway his mood; Nor when the Gods of his far-off land Shall repossess his blood.
Yes I finally understand why people move into age restricted housing. Safety and quiet.
If you go rural, you end up with rural hospitals. My friend is dying now. It took two months from suspicious scan to cancer confirmation. There was one - one - oncologist, who rode a weekly circuit of seven hospitals in five days. This wasn’t Wyoming either, it was Pennsylvania. They should have told her go to Harrisburg or Pittsburgh. Xray...wait a couple weeks...guided biopsy...send it out...wait...MRI with contrast...wait...consult...yes you do have cancer...treatment...wait
tourists who don't know where they are that make sudden stops in the middle of traffic.
a Healthcare system that takes 3 months to see any doctor .. that's if... they are taking new patients. A specialist is 6-8 months. So don't show up and get sick. You'd better be a resident with a doctor you have already seen.
The old dementia patients with drivers licenses are the worst. Lots of 70's and 80's in mb that shouldn't be driving.
And a 10% tax on eating out, state tax is 7%. And yearly property taxes on your vehicles. Yes, you need to register your vehicles every year and pay the tax.
Throw in fire ants which are actually preferable to HOA Karen's who just don't like you or your flower beds.
MB, a nice place to visit, but you're going to pay thru the nose to live there. Emotionally and pocket book. - avg home price is $409k last check.
I’ve been in central Florida (10 miles from the villages). I’ve been here almost 10 years in September. Overall I love it. But my monthly output has gone up a thousand bucks mostly due to auto and homeowners insurance. I don’t cost food and entertainment when figuring this.
West Virginia has plenty of diversity. It has both male and female humans and animals.
I’m quite happy to see North Dakota is among the worst to retire in.
And NH is terrible, too.
Lots of snow from nor’easters in the winters.
Gun nuts everywhere in the state.
Not very diverse yet, so it’s boringly safe.
And ticks. Lots of tick, and Lyme Disease.
When I moved to VERY rural Hawaii 24 years ago, I prepared for it. Home and land paid for. Good neighbors.
Good medical because very rich people live here very quietly.
Most these BS articles assume everybody wants city life, entertainment, and all the crap that goes with that ignorant population. I have the best Satellite connections and no lack of private entertainment. My TV is 86 inches and my sound system can blast you out of the house.
In my county, cows outnumber the people.
I can if I want to, in winter, snow sled and body surf on the same day.
That is my Hawaii.
Y’all enjoy your Democrat lives. I enjoy Freedom.
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