5 Best Places for Seniors to Retire and Live in the U.S.

Retirement is the ultimate reward for many years of hard work. So, it’s just natural that seniors all over the U.S. are thinking about relocating to spend their golden years in the best places the country has to offer. Fortunately, there are various options and, depending on what you’re looking for, there are multiple states that might be the perfect place for you to spend the best time of your life.

Fayetteville, Arkansas

With a living cost for retirees 13.8% below the national average, Fayetteville is the perfect place for seniors looking for an affordable option. The metro area provides various attractions, but residents have plenty of outdoor recreational activities and natural wonders to enjoythanks to the city being located close to Lake Fayetteville and surrounded by the Ozark Mountains. What’s more, there are lots of restaurants and shops to visit, as well as local art and music scenes to enjoy. Climate-wise, Fayetteville is also considered one of the most pleasant places in Arkansas to live with an average of 47 inches of rain and 217 sunny days per year.

Carlsbad, California

On the more expensive side, you have Carlsbad – a place with a small-city feel but easy access to big-city amenities. Part of the San Diego metro area, the living cost for retirees is 40.6% above the national average. But don’t let this throw you off, as San Diego is one of the places with the highest score for sense of community, sitting within the top five. Like most California areas, Carlsbad has a sunny climate throughout the year, with the added bonus of living near the ocean. More than that, you also have many places for recreational activities, as Carlsbad offers over 40 parks and more than 50 miles of hiking trails.

Round Rock, Texas

This suburb of Austin is also a popular place to move for retirees. You can access all the amenities of the capital city, but at a more affordable price, as the cost of living in Round Rock is 5.9% below the national average. Round Rock itself also provides plenty of attractions to appreciate. You can participate in the various art-centric events, enjoy the culture scene, and dine out at the numerous venues available. The climate is also one of the most pleasant in Texas, with temperatures ranging from 38 to 95 degrees.

Mankato, Minnesota

With a city population of 41,241, Mankato is the perfect place for anyone looking for a smaller city to spend their golden years in. You’ll need to be prepared for the cold winters and high taxes, though. Despite this, the local economy is on the rise, and the cost of living for retirees is 4.4% below the national average. The downtown is full of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues for you to visit, and there’s an impressive five-year strategic plan in process to expand both housing and recreational land.

Rochester, New York

If you prefer to live near the big city without spending all your retirement savings on housing, Rochester is the perfect place to move to. The city’s living cost for retirees is 1% below the national average, mainly because of the cheaper housing prices, which are around 10% below the national average for retired residents. You need to love the cold, though, as there’s a heavy average of 77 inches of snow per year. Thankfully, there’s plenty to do in Rochester. The Finger Lakes region nearby is home to more than 100 wineries, and there’s an excellent set of arts and cultural activities due to the University of Rochester.

Moving with your medical alert system

Just because you’re moving, it doesn’t mean you have to leave your medical alert system behind. If you’re using a cordless device, then you need to make sure you move to a place covered by AT&T, as most companies use this network to operate. More than that, you only need to contact the company to update your location and emergency contact information. While this depends on the provider you use, most companies like Bay Alarm Medical recommend you give them a two-week notice before you move.